TWEED BORDER HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

PRESENTS

HARCOURT’S HOCKEY LEAGUE

INTRODUCTION

2013 will see the Harcourt’s Hockey League replace the previous Division One

Men’s competition in the Tweed Border Hockey Association. The aim is to

provide a sustainable and competitive competition for our top tier male players.

The four teams are:

Kingscliff

Waratahs

East Coast Sharks (representing Casuarina, Mullumbimby and Pottsville

Hockey Clubs)

Central Comets (representing Redbacks and Murwillumbah Hockey

Clubs

When will the Harcourt’s League be played?

The League will be played on a combination of Friday night games and

Saturday afternoon time slots. The Division 2 Men’s competition will never be

played on the same date as Hockey League fixture allowing easy player

movement between the competitions.

What about the Premier League with Lismore?

We have discussed a shortened and condensed format for the JH Williams

Premier League. Far North Coast Hockey Association has agreed to reduce the

JHW PL to a five week competition; currently, FNC currently have four teams

and TBHA have four teams. The new format will be: TBHA teams playing FNC

teams over a four week period with the Final (at TBHA) played between the top

ranked TBHA team and the top ranked FNC team. TBHA and FNC teams

ranked second to fourth will also play off for lower places at TBHA.

Special Conditions for Harcourt’s Hockey League

1. Marquee Players

Each Hockey League team will be allowed to have a Marquee player/players,

on a guest appearance basis. He can play no more than three games or if a

team has 2 Marquee players, they can play a total of 3 games between them

(can’t play finals). eg. If Kingscliff nominate Jason Wilson as their Marquee

player, he can only play for Kingscliff on three occasions.

2. Dual Registration

Dual Registration for Hockey League will be offered for the enticing price of $80.

It is hoped this may draw some new players to the competition and attract

some of our better players back.

3. Internal Dual Registration

Any Tweed Border registered lower grade player can continue to play lower

grades for their Club and are eligible to play for the new Hockey League teams,

the Central Comets and the East Coast Sharks.

4. Visiting Players

A visiting player is someone who does not meet the local player, dual

registration or marquee player description. Typically, it would be a player from

another association registered with Hockey Australia. e.g. a player from

Brisbane, FNC or Gold Coast.

Who Funds the East Coast Sharks and Central Comets?

All funding will be covered by sponsorship. This will include uniforms, payment of

coaches, some equipment; balls, bibs etc. and a fund for turf fees.

About the Sponsor

Harcourts Murwillumbah owners Peter & Raelene Reading

have been involved with Tweed Border Hockey for many

years, we have loved playing the game and we have loved

watching our kids playing and enjoying this great team

sport.

This is why we are proud and excited to be able to be a

part of this exciting new concept involving hockey in our area. This idea is

innovative and proactive and deserves the support of Raelene, myself and

Harcourts. We look forward to a long and successful association between

Tweed Border Hockey and Harcourts. “Working together, building memories for

our kids & grandkids, now that’s worth doing.”

The Harcourts Hockey League is also supported by Michael Hall and On-Site

Fastening Supplies.

Harcourts Hockey League Eligibility

Local Players

• Players must be registered with A TBHA club.

• Players in the HHL can return to play for their local club only in the highest

grade in which the club fields a team.

• Dual registration is encouraged with players nominating their main

association and paying the dual registration fee.

• Dual registration players can play any number of games including HHL

finals.

• Players must play at least 6 matches to be eligible to play in the HHL finals.

• A player who plays for the either the East Coast Sharks or the Central

Comets and who plays for a club not associated with either team (e.g. a

lower grade Kingscliff/Burringbar player playing for the Comets or Sharks)

must commit to that team for the entirety of the season and is not eligible

to play division 1 for their registered club.

Visiting Players

• Players who are not local, dual registered, or marquee players may seek

eligibility to play from the HHL Management Committee and each

situation will be decided upon separately.

• A visiting player is someone who does not meet the dual registration or

marquee player description. Typically, it would be a player from another

association registered with Hockey Australia. e.g. a Brisbane, FNC or Gold

Coast player.

• A visiting player can play one game only during the season. If they wish to

play more they must be Dual registered.

•

• A team cannot field a Marquee player and a visiting player in the same

match, nor can they play more than one visiting player in any match.

• Applications must be made to the Association Registrar 48 hours before

the game. (This is the responsibility of the team manager)

• A team cannot field a visiting player in any match of the final series.

Marquee Players

• The concept of marquee players is encouraged for all teams.

• They must be registered and insured with a state association and Hockey

Australia.

• Overseas players must show that they are insured against injury.

• A marquee player is someone who is currently in a state U/21 team or in a

higher representative team, or judged to be so by HHL Management

Committee.

• Each team can use only one marquee player per match and they are

not eligible for the HHL Finals or JHW Premier League Matches.

• Dual registered players irrespective of their level of representation are not

deemed to be marquee players.

• Marquee coaches are encouraged to assist on game days.

• Marquee umpires are encouraged to officiate in matches when able.

Harcourt’s Hockey League Rules 2013

FIH and TBHA Inc. rules will apply with the following additional rules:

1. One player must remain in their attacking half at all times – the penalty for the player breaching this rule will receive a green card resulting in a two minute suspension.

2. The one attacking player is to move into their attacking half at the commencement of each half or at hit-off after a goal has been scored.

Power Play:

1. Each team will receive one power play per game.

2. The “Power Play” is for a period of 7 minutes. The team not in control of the “Power Play” will remove two players from the playing field (leaving nine players in the game – or less if any player is serving a temporary suspension).

3. During the “Power Play” unlimited interchange is available to each team.

4. Only one “Power Play” is permitted in each half of the match. The team winning the coin toss at the commencement of the game will nominate which half of the game (1st or 2nd stanza) they will take their “Power Play”. The opposing team will

then be required to take their “Power Play” in the opposite period of play.

5. If the team not in control of the “Power Play” (i.e. the team with only 9 players) scores a goal during the “Power Play” they will receive a bonus goal. This includes converted penalty corners and penalty strokes.

6. To Activate A Power Play:

i. The “Power Play” can only be activated when there is a stoppage between

the two 23 metre lines.

ii. The captain will notify the umpire of his intention to activate his “Power Play”.

iii. If a team’s “Power Play” is activated at a time when one of opposing team’s player receives a temporary suspension, the opposing team is still required to

remove an additional two players from the field.

Modified Rules for the Harcourt’s Hockey League

Super 9 Series Tournament

1. Each match consists of two 30 minute halves with 5 minutes for halftime.

� A 25 sec prescribed time limit is to be applied to all penalty corners. � An 8 sec shot clock to be applied to all penalty shootouts.

2. A maximum of 9 players from each team take part in play at any particular time

during the match. A maximum of 16 players are able to participate in a match.

3. 1 player must stay in the attacking half at all times –penalty for a player breaching

the rule - green card (2 mins)

� The 1 attacking player is to move into the attacking half immediately at the commencement of each half or after a goal is scored. (FIH rule 6.4 taking a centre pass applies).

4. Each team is permitted to substitute from its players not on the field of play. A

substitution is permitted at any time except within the period from the award of a

corner and penalty corner until after it is completed. (Refer to FIH rule 2.3).

Taking a penalty corner

� Structure:

1. Four (4) attacker’s vs. three (3) defenders including the goalkeeper or player with

goalkeeping privileges if there is one”.

2. All other remaining players start from the half line.

3. Until the ball is played, none of these attacking or defending players is permitted to

cross the centre line”.

� Taking a penalty corner: 4. The ball is placed on the back-line inside the circle at the 10 metres mark from the

goal-post on whichever side of the goal the attacking team prefers.

5. If the attacking team has not commenced the penalty corner within the prescribed

time (25 seconds), the umpire will blow the whistle and signal a 16 yard hit.

6. If the defending team is not ready to go within the prescribed time (25 seconds), the

umpire will blow the whistle and signal a break. One defender is to be sent to the half

line. (Nominated by the team)

7. An attacker pushes or hits the ball without intentionally raising it.

8. The three attackers in addition to the attacking player taking the hit/push-out,

hands and feet not touching the ground inside the attacking 23 metre line area

9. No defender is permitted to be within 5 metres of the ball when the push or hit is

taken.

10. Not more than three defenders, including the goalkeeper or player with

goalkeeping privileges if there is one, must be positioned behind the back-line with their

sticks, hands and feet not touching the ground inside the field

11. If the team defending a penalty corner has chosen to play only with field players,

none of the defenders referred to above has goalkeeping privileges.

12. A goal cannot be scored until the ball has first travelled outside the attacking 23

metre line

13. The match is prolonged at half-time and full-time to allow completion of a penalty

corner or any subsequent penalty corner or penalty shootout.

� The penalty corner is completed when:

1. A goal is scored

2. A free hit is awarded to the defending team

3. The ball is played over the back-line and a penalty corner is not awarded

4. A defender commits an offence which does not result in another penalty corner

5. A penalty shootout is awarded

6. A bully is awarded.

7. Ball travels more than 5 metres past the attacking 23 metre line

8. If play is stopped because of an injury or for any other reason during the taking of a

penalty corner at the end of a prolonged first or second half and a bully would

otherwise be awarded, the penalty corner must be taken again.

For substitution purposes and for completion of a penalty corner at half-time and full-

time, the penalty corner is also completed when the ball travels outside the circle for a

second time.

Taking a Corner (long corner)

� Structure:

1. Five (5) attacker’s vs. five (5) defenders including the goalkeeper or player with

goalkeeping privileges if there is one”.

2. All other remaining players start from the half line.

3. Until the ball is played, none of these attacking or defending players is permitted to

cross the centre line”.

� Taking a corner:

4. The ball is placed on the side-line 5 meters in from the corner flag on the same side

of the field the ball goes over the back-line on. (Normal corner position)

5. There is no time limit for the corner to take place.

6. The four attackers in addition to the attacking player taking the hit/push-out, hands

and feet must not be touching the ground inside the attacking 23 metre line area

7. No defender is permitted to be outside of the circle arch where it meets the back-

line when the push or hit is taken.

8. Not more than five defenders, including the goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping

privileges if there is one, must be positioned behind the back-line with their sticks, hands

and feet not touching the ground inside the field

9. If the team defending a corner has chosen to play only with field players, none of

the defenders referred to above has goalkeeping privileges.

10. A goal cannot be scored until the ball has first travelled outside the attacking 23

metre line

11. The match is prolonged at half-time and full-time to allow completion of a corner or

any subsequent l corner, penalty corner or penalty shootout.

� The corner is completed when:

1. A goal is scored

2. A free hit is awarded to the defending team

3. The ball is played over the back-line and a corner or penalty corner is not awarded

4. A defender commits an offence which does not result in a corner or penalty corner

5. A penalty corner or shootout is awarded

6. A bully is awarded.

7. Ball travels outside of the circle after the ball has entered the circle.

8. Ball travels more than 5 metres past the attacking 23 metre line

9. If play is stopped because of an injury or for any other reason during the taking of a

corner at the end of a prolonged first or second half and a bully would otherwise be

awarded, the corner must be taken again.

For substitution purposes and for completion of a corner at half-time and full-time, the

corner is also completed when the ball travels outside the circle after it has entered the

circle.

Penalty shootout

� Penalty shootout is taken under the following conditions: (Refer to FIH penalty shootout regulations)

1. The defending goalkeeper starts behind their own goal line between the goal posts

2. The ball is placed on the nearest 23 metre line opposite the centre of the goal

3. The attacker starts behind the 23 metre line near the ball

4. The umpire blows the whistle to signal the start of the shootout; the attacker and the

goalkeeper can move in any direction

� The shootout is completed when one of the following occurs:

5. 8 seconds has lapsed

6. The attacker scores a goal

7. The attacker commits an offence

8. Goalkeeper commits an offence in which case the shootout is retaken

9. The goalkeeper commits an intentional offence in which case the goal is awarded

10. The ball goes out of play over the back-line, or side-line, this includes the

goalkeeper intentionally playing the ball over the backline

11. In the case of a tied match, a penalty shootout will take place IMMEDIATELY

following the final match siren with 5 players nominated to take a penalty shootout

prior to the game and if they are unable 2 emergencies will be nominated to take their

place.

12. A result is confirmed under a golden goal rule. i.e. If a player from team 1 scores

then team 2 misses, team one wins.

13. Nominated players for the penalty shootout are to be highlighted on the game

card indicated by the letter “P”.

Other

� Points for games will be allocated as follows – 1. 0 points for a loss.

1 point for each team in a drawn match.

3 points for a win.

2. If the ball hits the foot outside the circle and it doesn’t influence play i.e. non

intentional use of foot then its play on.

3. FIH Rules of Hockey apply inside the circle

4. Where stick contact is made and is unintentional and does not influence play then it

is play on.

5. A maximum playing time of 75 minutes is allocated for each game, including any

penalty shoot-out period. If the game is still tied at the completion of the 75 minute

period the game will be drawn and each team will be allocated one competition

point.

6. The captain winning the coin toss at the beginning of the normal playing period will

select whether his team will defend or attack first for the penalty shoot-out.

HARCOURTS HOCKEY LEAGUE CALENDAR 2013

HHL – Harcourts Hockey League – 11 a side with special playing conditions

HHL Super 9’s – Harcourts Hockey League 9 a side with special playing

conditions

JHW PL – JH Williams Premier League against Lismore Clubs playing traditional

hockey

APRIL Friday 5 HHL

Friday 12 HHL

Saturday 20 HHL

Saturday 27 HHL

MAY Friday 3 HHL

Friday 10 HHL

Saturday 18 HHL Super 9’s

Saturday 25 HHL Super 9’s

Friday 31 HHL Super 9’s

JUNE Saturday 15 JHW PL

Saturday 22 JHW PL

Saturday 29 JHW PL

JULY Saturday 6 JHW PL

Saturday 13 JHW PL Final & Play-offs

Friday 19 HHL Super 9’s

Friday 26 HHL Super 9’s

AUGUST Saturday 3 HHL Super 9’s

Friday 9 HHL

Friday 16 HHL

Saturday 23 HHL

Friday 29 or Saturday 30 HHL Semi Finals TBC

SEPTEMBER Friday 6 or Saturday 7 HHL Prelim Final TBC

Saturday 14 HHL Grand Final

Acknowledgements:

The Management Board of Tweed Border Hockey Association would like to thank

everyone involved in this new and exciting development of the Division 1 Men’s Hockey

Competition.

Special thanks to David Reading (Rab) for his foresight and commitment to TBHA and

the Division 1 Men’s Competition. It was clear the Men’s Competition needed a

revival, to reinvigorate and re-energise the players and the supporters of hockey. He

saw this need and put forward his proposal to the Management Board.

Harcourts Real Estate (Peter Reading) for his tremendous support and faith in this brand

new concept for Men’s hockey on the Tweed.

Thank you also, to On Site Fastening Solutions (Michael Hall), for his support to the

competition.

Members of the HHL Working and Management Groups, for your time and willingness to

attend meetings; without your support and contributions, the concept would not have

developed and grown. Your input is highly valued.

And finally, thank you to the Clubs and players of Division 1 Men’s Competition for your

willingness to embrace and try something new for hockey.

We sincerely hope all players enjoy this new format and the Clubs will show their

support for the new teams, East Coast Sharks and Central Comets as well continuing to

support our two established teams of Kingscliff and Waratahs.