Netball Leagues Regulations

• All junior players must be in the appropriate school year on the first day of the season. Note that some players will be a year above the appropriate school year for the period from September to October, and this is permitted.
• Cut-off dates for junior competitions are published in the season information pages.
• For health and safety reasons, junior players can play in their own age group competition and one age group above their own age group only, and no age groups above this.
• The exception to this rule is for players in school year 9 or above who are permitted to play in all age groups from school years 9&10 upwards, including senior competitions.

• Clubs & teams should affiliate directly with England Netball via their membership portal at www.englandnetball.co.uk 
• Players, coaches and officials should also affilate with England Netball to benefit from their membership schemes.
• SFAC reserves the right to check affiliation status of clubs or individuals at any point.

High 5 competitions

“High 5” netball rules will apply school years 1&2 and 3&4 leagues. Information on High 5 netball is available from the SFAC reception. Net heights will be adjusted to:

• 8 feet – for school years 1&2 leagues
• 9 feet – for school years 3&4 leagues

Where the netball posts are lowered, a goal shall not count if it first hits the back post before passing through the goal.

High 7 / primary 7-aside competitions (school years 5&6)

• At Warrington, “High 7” netball rules will apply to school years 5&6 leagues, where the nets shall be lowered to 9 feet. Information on High 7 netball is available from the SFAC reception. Where the netball posts are lowered, a goal shall not count if it first hits the back post before passing through the goal.
• At Bury, Oldham and Stockport, regulation 7-aside netball will apply to school years 5&6 leagues, where the nets will also be set to 10 feet.

Adult mixed

• Teams must have a minimum of 2 men on court at all times except in circumstances where there are injuries or disqualifications where women may replace these players.
• Teams may field up to 3 men in each game who must all take positions in different thirds (eg. player 1 – GK or GD; player 2 – WA, C or WD; and player 3 – GA or GS).

League tables

• League points for matches will be as follows:
  Win = 3, Draw = 2, Loss = 1, Walkover = 0, Penalty points = -1
• If 2 or more teams have the same league points at any point in time, the game(s) between these 2 or more teams shall decide the classification. If these 2 or more teams have the same win-loss record of the games between them, goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded) will determine the classification. If these criteria still cannot decide at the end of the season, the Netball League Manager shall decide on the final classification.
• New teams entering the leagues will be credited with 1 point for every league fixture up to the first 8 weeks. After the first 8 weeks new teams will not be credited with any points per fixture to date.
• The two top teams from all divisions will promoted at the end of each season. The bottom one or two teams will be relegated. This will be based on final league positions not play-off results (where these apply).

Fixture requests & expectations

• All teams can expect to receive a fair distribution of match times throughout the season. Teams wishing to make any special requests regarding scheduling must do so in writing using the special request form.
• Requests must be received prior to any published fixture request deadlines to be considered. Some more complex fixtures take a number of weeks to complete. Request received after the deadlines or once fixtures have been published will not be considered. Any forfeited matches as a result of this will be classified as walkovers with associated fines.
• It should be noted that only legitimate requests will be considered. Every attempt will be made to cater for teams; however there is no guarantee that all requests will be met.
• Teams are expected to play at all times, for all dates scheduled and for all overflow venues for their associated programme.
• Games cannot be played off site – for example – at club training venues where teams from the same clubs are scheduled to play each other.
• Fixture requests will not be carried over from one season to the next.

Tournaments and county leagues

• Summer season –The SFAC will try to arrange fixtures around the tournaments that junior clubs wish to attend, providing the Centre is informed in writing of those dates prior to fixtures being issued. Games can only be re-arranged with the full agreement of the SFAC league manager and the opposing team, with a mutually agreed time being arranged.
• Winter season – Teams playing in county leagues will also have to play their game at the SFAC on that day. These games will not be replayed at a different date or time.
• Where replays cannot be organised or there is failure to comply with these rules, missed games will be treated as walkovers with walkover fines being applied.

Moving divisions

• Teams may move division only with a legitimate reason and with written permission from the Netball Programme Manager. The Netball Programme Manager will have the authority to move a team at any time in the season to an appropriate division to suit their ability level.
• Teams moving UP a division will carry forward their current league points. Teams moving DOWN a division will be credited with 2 points per fixture to date.
• After the cut-off date, teams & players will not be permitted to change divisions / teams except in exceptional circumstances where if it is agreed, they will not receive any league points to date.

Conduct of playes, coaches and spectators

• Any player, coach or spectator reported to have conducted themselves in a manner contrary to the best interests of basketball may be suspended or disqualified from SFAC competitions. Any person suspended or disqualified may not play, coach or be a spectator at any Sport for All Centres
• Sport for All Centres reserves the right to refuse anyone entry to its premises
• Copies of the SFAC codes of conduct for players, coaches and spectators, as well as the SFAC disciplinary code may be obtained from the SFAC on request.

Timing

• High-5 or 7 (primary schools): 4 x 9 minute quarters with 2 minutes half time and 1 minute between the other quarters.
• Junior competitions (school year 7 and above): 4 x 10-minute quarters with 2 minutes half time and 30 seconds between quarters.
• Senior competitions: 4 x 10-minute quarters with 2 minutes half time and 1 minute between the other quarters (30 seconds between quarters and one minute at half time in Oldham).

Uniforms

• Teams must wear matching uniforms a similar colour and provide their own bibs or patches for playing position. Teams will be penalised 1 goal per player if in incorrect uniform implemented by the umpire at half time, and no later.
• Playing positions should be worn front and back and shall be at least 6 inches high.
• Tracksuit bottoms or leggings are permissible as long as they match the same colour of the rest of the team.Borrowed players are not penalised.
  New teams have a period of 6 weeks to ensure that all players are wearing the correct kit. After this, penalties apply.

Colour clashes

• Teams with similar coloured uniforms should organise a change of bibs (available from the centre staff) before their scheduled start time.
• The first named team on the match fixture shall have priority of uniform colours.
• It is the responsibility of the playing teams to ascertain that there is a potential clash and to organise the bibs before the scheduled start time as games will not be delayed.

Walkovers

• A walkover occurs when:
  A team cancels a scheduled match
  A team is more than ten minutes late (see late start penalty)
  A team fields an illegal player (see player restrictions)
• In the event of a walkover the none-offending team will receive a win, with a match score 20-0.
• In the event of a game not taking place due to a walkover the offending team will receive a walkover fine:
  • UN-NOTIFIED WALKOVER: double team match fee penalty
  • NOTIFIED WALKOVER: (over 48 hours’ notice) double match team fee less umpires payments
• Any team giving two (2) walkovers (notified or un-notified) may be disqualified from the competition, unless there are extenuating circumstances, and the Netball Programme Manager has been informed and agreed.
• In the event of exceptional circumstances, the Netball Programme Manager has the authority to replay a forfeited match at a mutually convenient time for the teams concerned. Teams have up to 3 weeks before the end of the season to play any outstanding re-arranged matches. After this period, they will be classed as a walkover.
• Walkover fines must be paid within one week. Teams with outstanding fines will lose all their league points until all outstanding fines are repaid in full, in which case all league points will be reinstated. League points will not be reinstated after the last day of the season.
• For leagues that do not involve play-offs and finish with league standings, teams must have paid off any fines or short-payments in full no later than 7 days prior to the end of the season to have their points reinstated and to be eligible for position on the league tables.
• For leagues that involve play-offs, teams must have paid off any fines or short-payments in full no later than 7 days prior to the semi-final matches to have their points reinstated and to be eligible for play-offs.
• The Centre reserves the right to refuse entry to the next season to any teams that have any debts outstanding at the end of these season.
• Any player of a team who has not paid overdue fines or fees may be refused registration with another team until their portion of any fines/fees have been paid.

Scratch match

• A scratch match is a match where ineligible players are involved to avoid a walkover.
• Both teams are required to pay their full game fees with the match being played under normal conditions. A team refusing to take part in a scratch match will be issued with a walkover.
• In this situation the team who was unable to field a legal team, will not receive a fine and will receive one (1) league point. The other team will receive a win, with score of 20-0.

Late start penalty

• The umpires will commence all games on time.
• When time is called to begin play, any team not present on court with a minimum of 5 of its registered players ready to play (4 for high 5 netball) will be penalised 1 goal per minute, implemented by the umpire at the start of the game.
• The score sheet must be on the score bench with a paid stamp next to both teams before the game can start. After 10 minutes walkover penalties apply.

Borrowed players

• A team must have 5 registered players to commence a legal match or 4 registered players for high-5 matches.
• Where a team only has 5 or 6 registered players available to play (or 4 for high-5 matches) it may borrow 1 player from either the same division or the one below in the same league. In junior netball this can be from the age group below. If a team borrows more than 1 player, or a player is from the wrong division or age group, they will forfeit the game and incur a loss.
  At the Bury centre, for junior netball leagues only, teams may borrow 2 players if they only have 5 players.
• The borrowed player’s details must be entered on the team score sheet and the umpires notified.
• In a high-5 league, the borrowed player may play in any position and will move position as per the high-5 rotation of the team.
• For all other netball leagues, the borrowed player will play in any centre court position (C, WA or WD) only. The borrowed player may change positions in between periods of play but must remain in one of the centre court positions (C, WA or WD).
• The borrowed player may join a game at any point, once approved by an umpire, but only after a goal, an interval of play or stoppage. There must be a vacant centre court position available for the borrowed player to join.
• If a team member turns up late they can replace the borrowed player, but only after a goal, once summoned on the court by the umpire, and to replace the borrowed player’s position on court. If the borrowed player is replaced they may not be substituted back on later in the game.
• A player who is injured, and unable to continue to play, may be replaced by a borrowed player where the team affected does not have any substitutes to take their position. The borrowed player can join at any point in the game after the injured player has left the court, whilst there is vacant position to fill. They can only join the game once approved by an umpire, and only after a goal, an interval of play or stoppage. The borrowed player must take a centre court position, which may result in one other player moving out of a centre court position to allow this to happen.
• A player who has left the court for injury, who has been replaced by a borrowed player can only return to the game and replace the borrowed player at an interval of play. Borrowing a player to replace an injured player can only happen once in a game.
• A team may not borrow the same player more than twice in any season.

Player restrictions

• All Yr 3&4 and Yr 5&6 are mixed competitions. Yr 7&8 up are single sex competitions, unless stated otherwise.
• Players can only register and play for one team per competition. A competition is defined as a league for a particular age group and gender (for juniors) or for a particular day and gender (for seniors). Note some competitions for days / age groups may have different genders allowing registration for more than one team (eg. male, female, mixed).
• Any teams fielding illegal players will forfeit the game 20-0.

Player transfers

• Players may transfer to another team/club during the first 10 weeks of the season. Players wishing to transfer between team/clubs may only do so by completing a transfer form & with authorised permission of the Netball Programme Manager. Players transferring teams without permission will forfeit or lose all matches whilst illegally participating. After ten weeks, players will not be permitted to change teams (except in exceptional circumstances).
• The transfer rule applies during and across seasons, which includes breaks between seasons. A transfer request is not required for players who subsequently do not register for one or more seasons. Transfers between teams from the same club are permitted between seasons without the need of a transfer form.
• Poaching of players from other teams or clubs is not permitted. This normally involves approaching players (or their parents for juniors) from other teams or clubs and offering them the opportunity to join their team or club. Where this is found to have occurred, the associated transfers will not be approved and disciplinary action will be taken against those found to be poaching.

End of Season / grand finals

• Awards will be given to league winners and runners up, in all competitions, unless specified.
• Participation medals will be awarded to all other teams competing in the primary school aged competitions.

Grand finals

• Grand finals will be held for junior leagues at the Warrington centre and for the Bury junior regional leagues (school years 7 through to under 21s).
• It is the club/team responsibility to ascertain a player’s final eligibility at least two (2) weeks prior to the end of the season. Players have to have played 5 games to qualify for a place in play offs or finals. Byes do not count as a game played.
• Team organisers should not write a player’s name on the score sheet unless he/she plays in that game. If players’ names are on the sheet and they haven’t played, a line must be put through the name. This should be done for every game.
• All other competitions, the top four placed teams in the league will qualify for play-offs and will play semi-finals (1st v 4th, 2nd v 3rd) on the game before grand finals followed by a final on grand finals day. All other teams will play on semi-finals and finals days.
• For all semi-final and final matches, in the event of a tied match at the end of regulation time, one period of extra time will be played of 2 minutes running clock. If after 2 minutes the scores are still tied, the end of time siren will be ignored and play will continue. The first team to score after this will win the game.

Court responsibilities

The team coach or, in their absence, team captain is responsible for the conduct of his/her team’s players, scorers and spectators. All participants are requested to read the guidelines concerning codes of conduct and spectator behaviour. Coaches and spectators must stay in their teams appointed area & are not permitted to move up and down the side lines.

Blood rule

If a player should bleed during the course of a game they must leave the court immediately and may not return until all bleeding has stopped or suitably covered. Any blood on players clothing, the ball or surface of the court must be cleaned before play can recommence.

Pregnancy

For health and safety reasons, no player may compete once she has passed the 3-months mark.

Jewellery & fingernails

• All jewellery is to be removed, save for wedding bands and medical alert bracelets, which should be covered and securely fastened.
• No adornment that may endanger player safety shall be worn. This includes hair clips/slides etc.
• Fingernails must be short and smooth. The umpire may check this, but captains should check players before games. Acrylic nails will only be allowed if short and smooth. Nails are not allowed to be covered in order to avoid cutting.

Personal belongings disclaimer

All participants, spectators, coaches and match officials are responsible for their own personal belongings and vehicles whilst attending the Centre. B. H. Sports Management Ltd will not accept any responsibility for any items lost, stolen or damaged at the Centre. It is advised that items of value such as jewellery and mobile phones are not brought to the Centre.

Insurance & First-aid

• All players are covered by the SFAC Public Liability Insurance but players and officials take to the courts at their own risk.
• Teams should provide their own first aid kits and ice packs and strapping tape.
• The Centre does not provide ice packs for injuries. Any application of ice to injuries is done at the discretion of the team.
• The Centre has a basic emergency first aid kit located behind reception.
• All injuries are to be reported to the SFAC as soon as they occur and the Accident Book completed.

Alcohol & drugs

• No player or official is allowed to compete / officiate at the SFAC if they are under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances.
• If any SFAC member of staff feels that a player, official or spectator is under the influence of any substance, they will be asked to leave the SFAC.
• No alcohol or illegal substance may be brought into the centre.

No-smoking policy

The Centre has a no smoking policy. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building or outside the front entrance to the Centre.

Photography

• Anyone wishing to use a camera, still or video must before attempting to use that camera, register their intent with the Centre staff at reception. This includes the use of camera-phones for photography. This involves filling in a disclaimer form and taking a sticker to wear so staff and other Centre users know this has been approved.
• The Centre staff reserve the right to refuse permission to use cameras due to safeguarding concerns of vulnerable individuals at the Venue.
• From time to time the SFAC will have professional photographers on hand to take pictures of teams and players. These pictures will be available to buy after matches on these days. SFAC may use some of these images for promotional purposes.
• From time to time the SFAC will take photographs and videos for use on social media.
• If your team or a member of your team does not want to be photographed, this must be brought to the attention of the Centre, and this will be logged in the Centre photography logbook.

Overflow venues

On occasions where leagues run to capacity, some games will be scheduled at overflow venues to accommodate all teams in the league. At present, the overflow matches will be:

• Bury Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to the Oldham Sport for All Centre (Roman Road, OL8 3PT)
• Bury Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to The Derby High School
• Bury Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to Bury Church CE High School
• Bury Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to Ellesmere Park High School
• Bury Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to Brian Clarke Academy
• Bury Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to the Heyes High School
• Bury Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to Cardinal Langley High School
• Bury Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to Canon Slade High School
• Oldham Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to Manchester College (Openshaw Campus, Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, M11 2WH)
• Warrington Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to Lymm High School
• Warrington Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to Bridegwater High School
• Warrington Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to Broomfields Leisure Centre
• Warrington Centre (Sundays) – games will overflow to Carindal Newman RC High School

Where possible complaints should be directed to the Netball Programme Manager at the time of the game in a calm and courteous manner. Threatening and abusive conduct towards SFAC staff from players, coaches, spectators and officials will not be tolerated and such actions will be reported to the Management who will take disciplinary action against offenders, which may lead to prosecution.

A copy of the Sport for All Centres complaints procedure can be found here.