The Adult League Regulations for the North West Hockey League are aligned at a National Level with the other 7 Areas and England Hockey.
GMS will be the core system to record team sheets and match sheets for all North West Hockey League fixtures. If GMS cannot be used, then a Contingency Team Sheet should be completed by both teams and umpires. The home team should then send a copy of the Contingency Team Sheets to the relevant Divisional Secretary by the deadline set in the Adult League Regulations.
Eligibility & Selection Exemption Pass
In order to meet the Principles of Fair Selection it may be necessary to override the fair selection system in some cases. This is provided via a Selection Exemption Pass (SXP). To apply for an SXP please complete the Selection Exemption Pass Request Form.
Please do not submit an SXP request via email, text or WhatsApp message or send a follow-up email, text or WhatsApp message to the ALMC as this causes unnecessary administration.
A Club must wait until the SXP is granted before overriding the system and selecting the player. If a Club does not wait then the player in question will be treated as an ineligible player as per the Adult League Regulations.
Fixture Change Requests
Regulation 5.1.2 states that "Both Clubs may agree to move a fixture to within 5 days (Sunday to Thursday) after or any time before the scheduled date. This is subject to the approval of the ALMC. Clubs are to note the guidance issued by England Hockey on Faith and Fixtures when considering requests for rescheduling a fixture."
To request a fixture change please complete the Fixture Change Request Form, requests will only be approved if both Clubs have agreed to the change and it meets the requirements of Regulation 5.1.2.
Please do not submit a fixture change request via email, text or WhatsApp message or send a follow-up email, text or WhatsApp message to the ALMC as this causes unnecessary administration.
Please note that a matchweek is defined as "matches taking place from Thursday to Wednesday, where every team plays once, if at all."
Umpire Approval Requests
Where an umpire only holds an "acceptable minimum accreditation" for a specific grade (see Regulation 11.4), the umpire must be approved to officiate at that Grade by the ALMC. For example, a Club must request and receive written approval for a Level 1 Assessed umpire to officiate a Grade 2 fixture.
Umpire approval requests should be submitted via the Umpire Approval Request Form, requests will be rejected if the Umpire Approval Request Form is not completed in full.
Please do not submit an umpire approval request via email, text or WhatsApp message or send a follow-up email, text or WhatsApp message to the ALMC as this causes unnecessary administration.
Please note requests for Grade 2 divisions do not carry over from season to season.
During or in between seasons Clubs should confirm to the Adult Leagues and Competitions Chair when umpires achieve the "level of accreditation required" so that umpires can be removed from the approval list.
No Hospitality Requests
Regulation 6.6 requires that post-match hospitality is made available to visiting teams and Area Appointed Umpires. This is at all Grades 2-5.
Regulation 6.6.1 states, "Clubs should seek the ALMC approval if they will not be providing Hospitality, with justification. If approved, and a Home team will not be providing hospitality, they should inform all of their opposition teams before their first game. Away teams may reciprocate or not."
Clubs should request this approval using the No Hospitality Request Form and await approval before contact opposition.
Match Officials
Regulation 11.2 states that "Both umpires must be recorded on the GMS team sheet, Areas may require clubs to appoint a Match Official to matches at Grade 2, or the appointing bodies above may appoint a Match Official. The duties and responsibilities in relation to these Regulations are shown in Appendix 7."
In the North West, it is a requirement that the home team in any Grade 2 fixture provides a Match Official. Guidance is provided in the North West Hockey - Match Official Checklist and North West Hockey - Match Official Log.