League Rules - WDNA

Playing rules:

The rules of netball will be the rules of the England Netball, except where local conditions prevail. Teams with five or more players must start to play within five minutes of the specified time or forfeit the game. Teams with less than five will not be allowed to play and will forfeit the points for that game. Decisions are at the discretion of the umpires. Both teams shall ensure that the result cards are received by the Results Secretary within 4 days of the match. All clubs and players have a duty of respect to umpires and a duty to behave responsibly towards other players and teams. They have a duty to play within the League rules and within the spirit of the game of netball. In the unlikely event of an infringement of the Association Rules or a complaint against an umpire, or about a player or team, the Executive Committee must receive a written report within seven days of the event, and will then deal with the infringement or complaint, as it deems necessary. The Executive Committee shall have the power to (a) suspend players, (b) deduct points won by an offending team and (c) take any action thought to be held desirable in the interest of netball or the Association. It is likely that in such an event the Sussex County Netball Association will be informed, and advice taken where necessary. Anyone who participates in the Worthing and District Netball Associations League or other competitions run by them, do so at their own risk. All players/umpires must be affiliated to England Netball.

Eligibility:

Where a club has more than one team in the league, the team in the highest division shall be deemed the first team. This shall continue with the 2nd, 3rd etc teams down through the divisions. Where two teams are in the same division, the club must nominate at the start of the season the team which will be the higher team. Winter League: A lower team player may play up three times and on the fourth occasion will remain in the higher numbered team. This is applicable if the teams are in different divisions. Summer League: A lower team player may play up six times and on the seventh occasion will remain in the higher numbered team. This is applicable is the teams are in different divisions. Should a player play for a club team within the same division, then they may play up twice, and on the third occasion they become a

member of the higher numbered team. Where a club includes school pupils, then they must become 14 during the current school year (Year 9) before they can take part in any game. In the event of a player or umpire becoming pregnant, the said person must cease to play or umpire by the end of the third month of pregnancy.

League format:

There will be teams promoted and teams relegated each season (Winter-Winter, Summer-Summer). These promotions and relegations will be at the discretion of the Committee, depending on the number of entries for the next season.

Registration:

A minimum of 7 players must register with a team at the start of each season and the WDNA registration sheet returned, completed to the Results Secretary after the second match played. New players must be registered on or before the night they play, which must be received by the Results Secretary no later than 4 days after their first match. Any player wishing to transfer to another team during the season must be released by the old team and registered by the new team, in writing 7 days before she plays for the new team. A player may only transfer once during a season. Should a team play an unregistered player they will incur a 10 fine and lose 5 points, for each game played unregistered. Unregistered teams will have their points deducted.

Finance:

Fees shall be fixed by the Committee and will alter as necessary. Fees must be paid by the date specified by the Committee.

Umpiring:

Failure by a team to provide an umpire for their game may mean the team drop a player to umpire or run the line. The lone umpires decision is final.

Cancellations:

Should a team cancel within 24 hours, the non-offending team will be awarded the points and ten goals. Teams that cancel must

notify the results secretary, the opposing team and the umpires. Abandonment: In the event of a team abandoning during a match, 5 points will be awarded to the non-cancelling team with total goals scored awarded. The team which abandons the match will receive zero points and goals. In the event of games being abandoned due to bad weather, and with agreement of both captains and umpires and the game has entered the third quarter, the result will stand. A game abandoned before half time can be rearranged.

Annual General Meeting:

Clubs failing to send a representative to the Annual General Meeting shall be fined 50 to be paid within 30 days, to WDNA. If the fine is not paid then the club will not be allowed to enter the league the following season. Trophies, cups, etc presented remain the property of WDNA. They must be returned prior to the AGM.

Amended January 2013.