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. The deadline for submission is Thursday 20:00hrs each matchweek.
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 "all matches taking place from Thursday to Wednesday."
Umpire Permission Requests
Where an umpire only holds an "acceptable minimum accreditation" for a specific grade (see Regulation 11.5.1), the umpire must be permitted to officiate at that Grade by the ALMC. For example, a Club must request and receive written permission for a Level 1 Assessed umpire to officiate a Grade 2 fixture.
Umpire permission requests should be submitted via the Umpire Permission Request Form, requests will be rejected if the Umpire Permission Request Form is not completed in full. The Officiating Committee will assist Clubs with umpire coaching and development, particularly those umpires that hold the 'acceptable minimum accreditation'.
Please do not submit an umpire permission 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 permissions do not carry over from season to season.
Clubs should inform the Umpire Development Lead when an umpire achieves the "level of accreditation required" so that umpires can be removed from the permission list.
No Hospitality Requests
Regulation 6.6.1 Home teams are required to make post-match hospitality available to visiting teams and Area Appointed Umpires. (a) Away team and umpires must confirm if they do not wish to receive any offered hospitality by 2000 hrs on the Wednesday prior to the match. Away team is liable for any costs incurred if they notify that they do not require hospitality after this time or if it is not taken on the day.
Regulation 6.6.2 Clubs who do not intend to provide post-match hospitality must seek ALMC approval, before the start of the season, with justification. If the ALMC allows a Home team not to provide hospitality for the season, 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 contacting opposition and the relevant ALDS.
Facility Dispensation Requests
Regulation 6.1.5 states that the Home League teams must provide a designated bench area on the side of the pitch (preferably away from any spectator area and not within 5 metres of any spectator area in any event) either side of the centre line and extending no further than the 23 metre lines, for the use of players and team officials only. Each team shall be allocated a section of the area, i.e., from the centre line to one of the 23 metre lines. Substitutes and officials on the team sheet must remain in the vicinity of their section of the designated bench area (unless warming up/down) and no other persons are allowed in the designated bench area. At Grades 4 and 5 this may be varied with discretion for other persons to be within, or participants to leave the area if agreed by the opposition and umpires.
- Grade 2 – Chairs or benches for both teams and umpires (Subject to dispensation from the ALMC in exceptional circumstances)
- Grade 3 – Designated bench area
- Grade 4 – Designated bench area
- Grade 5 – Designated bench area
Regulation 6.5 Changing Facilities states that the Home teams must provide the following. Home teams must always ensure they have no advantage over away teams in terms of room access and times.
- Grade 2 – Shared for teams and for Area Appointed Umpires at pitch venue*
- Grade 3 – Toilet at venue, changing may be off-site
- Grade 4 – Toilet at venue, changing may be off-site
- Grade 5 – Toilet at venue, changing may be off-site
Dispensation will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Clubs are expected to provide the relevant facilities as required for the specific Grade as per the Adult League Regulations.
Facility dispensation requests should be submitted via the Facility Dispensation Request Form.
Late Player Registration/Transfer Requests
Regulations 7.6.2 and 7.7.2 detail player registration and transfer deadlines as follows:
Regulation 7.6.2 Final Registration Date: (a) A new player (players who have not played for another club in a League match) must register by 1st February. (b) Players may apply to the ALMC for late registration. The ALMC has discretion to approve or deny late registrations.
Regulation 7.7.2 Transfer Deadline: A player may transfer between Clubs participating in the Leagues only once during the period from the start of the season to 1st February. Players may apply to the ALMC for late or additional transfers. The ALMC has discretion to approve or deny such transfers.
Clubs should request this approval using the Late Player Registration/Transfer Request Form and await approval before contact opposition.
Please note requests will not be accepted for Grade 2 or 3 players unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Match Officials
Regulation 11.3 states that 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. A copy of the completed North West Hockey - Match Official Log should be emailed to the relevant ALDS after the cpmpletion of each fixture.
Regulation 9.4.1 requires that the team sheet must be completed on the GMS before the match starts. This includes: the name of a Match Official, if appointed.
Clubs should ensure that any person fulfilling the role of Match Official is registered for the Club on the GMS.
For 2025-26 it is optional that Premier Division games may be four quarters of 17 minutes 30 seconds, with no stoppage for short corners. If the home team requests to play quarters please can the Match Official complete the Premier Division Match Official Feedback Form no later than 48 Hours after each fixture.