League rules

The current county league rules were revised at the AGM in May 2012. Below is a copy of the rules. In case of formatting issues, the official rules are available to download as a PDF.

  1. GENERAL
    1. Matches must be played according to IFNA rules.
    2. No team may take the court with fewer than five players and each team must provide a qualified umpire.
    3. The Umpiring Secretary reserves the right to use any League fixture for testing of umpires for an IFNA or AENA award.
    4. League fixtures must be played on the date specified by the League Secretary from 10.30am onwards. Earlier times for a fixture may be played by mutual agreement only, except for Central Venue fixtures which must be played at the GCNA published times (unless League Rule D30 applies).
    5. League fixtures to commence at a date agreed by the Management Group but not before the third Saturday in September.
    6. Both home and away fixtures against the same opposition must be played as separate games.
    7. Clubs may have no more than 2 teams in a division. Where a team should be promoted to a higher division already containing 2 teams from the same club, this team shall be held in its current division and the next team qualifying shall be promoted instead.
    8. Clubs with multiple teams in the same division must list their teams in priority order and appoint named players accordingly. (e.g. Hucclecote Hurricanes = 1st Team, Hucclecote Lightning = 2nd Team).
    9. The home team must inform the visiting team of the match arrangements AT LEAST 8 DAYS BEFORE (Friday) the match, and receive acknowledgement. Fixtures can be played prior to the date specified if mutually convenient, except for Central Venue fixtures which must be played on the GCNA published dates (unless League Rule D30 applies).
    10. The League Secretary must be informed of any rearranged fixture.
    11. The game must start within 15 minutes of the time specified by the home team, even if this means a team playing without 7 players. If a team does not appear at the proper venue within these 15 minutes the opposing team may claim the points.
    12. For each League match:
      1. Each club team shall declare up to twelve players, including a captain, and an umpire prior to the start of each League Match, by clearly printing their names and affiliation numbers on a result sheet. Club teams may only use those players whose names appear on the result sheet. If players are named on the sheet it will be assumed that they have played this match.
      2. The result sheet shall be completed as per the instructions supplied with the sheet.
      3. The declared result sheet shall be handed to the Official Scorer, who may be the Umpire, prior to the start of the Match. Umpires should then check both cards for errors and amend as necessary.
        1. After the game has finished Captains and Umpires must sign their names on result sheets.
        2. The result sheet represents the official score of the match and once this has signed by both Captains and Umpires no complaint can be lodged. Captains Umpires must check the final score is correct.
        3. Each team is responsible for entering the match result, both:
          1. on the GCNA web site, by 18.00 on the Monday following the fixture, and
          2. by submission of the completed result sheet to reach the League Secretary within 7 days. If only one fully signed result sheet is received by the League Secretary this will be recorded as the result.
    13. In the event of extreme technical difficulties, an e-mail, telephone call or text message may be acceptable. If a club has no means of submitting a result electronically, a specific arrangement shall be made with the League Secretary.
    14. The points system shall be:
      1. For all matches:

        5 points awarded to the team winning the match.
        5 points to the team conceded to.
        5 points awarded to the team playing a team who commit an infringement in that match (goals remain as played).
        3 points awarded to each team for a draw.
        2 points awarded to the team losing by less than 5 goals.
        1 point awarded to the losing team if their score is more than 50% of the opponent's goals.
        0 points awarded for a loss of 50% or less of the opponent's score.
        -3 points for a team conceding a match.
        -3 points for an infringement of a League Rule (goals remain as played).

        Where an infringement of a League Rule occurs, the result of that particular game shall be null and void and any points awarded to either team, in respect of that particular game, will be taken away. Points as detailed above will then be awarded.
      2. Treatment of points/goals for conceded games:

        Points will be awarded as detailed above. At the end of the season goals will be awarded, based on the season, as follows:

        Goals (for and against) will be calculated to establish the average for this team for the season. e.g. a team having 420 goals for and 189 goals against from all played matches will have:
        a goal average for of 52.5 (rounded up to 53)
        a goal average against of 23.6 (rounded up to 24)

        These two averages will be added to the existing goals to give a total for the season of 473 goals for and 213 goals against.

        The column (C2) in the divisional table shows how many matches have been conceded in that half of the season, i.e. goals yet to be calculated.
    15. The Management Group shall determine entry fees.
    16. Any queries regarding these rules and fixtures must be sent in writing to the League Secretary.
    17. THE MANAGEMENT GROUP HAS THE RIGHT TO MAKE A FINAL DECISION.
  2. PLAYERS ELIGIBILITY
    1. Only players registered with England Netball and affiliated to a GCNA League Club will be eligible for these matches. Players may affiliate to more than one Club, but must specify their FIRST CLAIM Club. A Player must be affiliated to the Club she is playing for prior to the match. An e-mail from England Netball confirming a player’s registration will be acceptable as proof of affiliation.
    2. A player is not allowed to play for more than one Club against the same opponent.
      1. Clubs entering more than one team in the League must submit the names of 4 core players from each team, except their lowest team, to the League Secretary.
      2. These four named players must not play for other teams of a lower standard in their Club (e.g. named players from Team B can play for their A team but not for their C team).
      3. All named players must play in more than 50% of matches for their team. An additional player must be named as soon as it is noticed that a named player is unable to fulfill their playing commitment e.g. due to injury, pregnancy, leaving a club.
      4. The list of named players must be submitted to the League Secretary before the third League fixture game. In exceptional circumstances, revisions to named players may be requested to the League Secretary (in writing) stating the reason for the revision (i.e. a player being out for the rest of the season). The League Secretary will review the request and reply granting or denying permission to make such a change.
      5. Any player that has played 16 or more quarters at Regional 2 level cannot play in the GCNA league in that season.
      6. Any player who has played in the Regional 1 league (or above) cannot play in the GCNA league in that season.
    3. Any unnamed players that have played 4 or more matches for a particular team may then only play one team below. (e.g. if an unnamed player in the 2nd team is selected to play for the 1st team for 4 or more matches, they cannot subsequently play for the 3rd team that season).
    4. No player can play more than one scheduled League game on one day. When a match fixture has had to be rearranged, it may not include any players who were involved in any games played on the original fixture date.
    5. All players shall be 14 years of age or over (as at 1st September in the year of registration) to play in the League however, if there is an exceptionally talented young player permission may be sought from the Management Group for her to play.
    6. All clubs playing in the top 3 divisions who have 1 or more U18 player, all junior clubs and adult clubs who run junior sections, shall have attained, or be registered for a CAPS award or Sport England’s Club Mark (or equivalent form of accreditation), and shall attain the award within 24 months.
  3. UMPIRES
    1. For each league match:
      1. An IFNA or AENA qualified umpire must be provided for all matches as per the league fixture sheets. The minimum qualifications are listed below:
        1. Umpires for the top division must hold a B award or be registered with the Umpiring Secretary as working towards their B award (i.e. on a recognised mentoring programme)
        2. Next 3 divisions – C award
        3. Lower divisions – Beginners award
      2. Central Venue umpires are the responsibility of the club listed for the umpiring fixture and must be NEUTRAL for the fixture. If an umpire does not turn up for a match and an alternative cannot be found within the required 15 minutes (see League Rule A11), the club responsible for providing an umpire for the fixture shall be penalised with a league infringement and the match rearranged. Offending teams may also be fined or subject to expenses incurred.
    2. Umpires must register with the Umpiring Secretary and must be able to provide evidence of their qualification and the date it was attained, before they are allowed to umpire. They must be able to produce their Umpiring Award if requested.
    3. AN UMPIRE SHALL NOT BE A SUBSTITUTE PLAYER.
    4. New Clubs joining the League are allowed to use non-qualified umpires, if necessary, for the first half of the season only. Thereafter they must provide a qualified umpire. Preference will be given by the Officiating Working Group to help these Clubs obtain their qualifications.
    5. Umpires are entitled to ask for a fee for each match, and are also entitled to claim travelling expenses for every match. These expenses shall be agreed prior to the start of each match. The fees shall be set by the Management Group at the start of each season. If clubs wish to pay more for an umpire, they can do.
    6. Central Venue games shall have two scorers who shall sit or stand together in a suitable place near the court and record the scores and centre passes (full guidance is published separately). These scorers will be provided by the teams that provide the umpires for each fixture.
  4. POSTPONEMENTS/ABANDONMENTS
    1. All matches will played on the dates specified in the fixture list and may only be postponed for the following reasons:
      1. Bad weather games must not be postponed until a maximum of 24 hours before and the League Secretary informed.
      2. Higher Netball commitments involving 2 or more players from a Club. Permission must be obtained from the League Secretary.
    2. If a match, once started, has to be abandoned, the time left to play and the score at the time of the abandonment must be noted by the Umpires. If the match is able to be restarted and finished in the time available, this must be done. If the match is unable to continue the score at the time of the abandonment shall stand as the final score except when less than 30 minutes playing time had been completed. In this case, the match must be rearranged notifying the League Secretary.
    3. Club wishing to withdraw a Team from the league at anytime must withdraw from the lowest division.
  5. PENALTIES
    1. ANY TEAM FAILING TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE LEAGUE RULES WILL BE LIABLE TO A PENALTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH A14.
      1. If a club is to concede a match this must be their lowest divisional team or lowest team as stated in A8.
      2. If a team concedes more than 3 League Matches they will be fined, the amount to be determined by the Adult Competition Group, for each match conceded thereafter.
      3. A team who has conceded more than 4 League Matches in a season may be refused re-entry to the League the following season. The Management Group reserves the right to make the final decision on such matters.
      4. A minimum of 24 hours must be given in the event of a game being conceded, should this not happen the offending Club/Team is liable for any expenses the non-offending Club/Team may incur.
    2. The Adult Competition Group shall take appropriate disciplinary action against any individual or team found to have brought the game of Netball into disrepute.
  6. PREGNANCY REGARDING PLAYERS & UMPIRES
    1. Pregnant Players may not take part in any games beyond the 12th week of pregnancy.
    2. Pregnant Umpires may not officiate at any game beyond the 20th week of pregnancy.
  7. VENUES
    1. All clubs shall ensure that there are accessible, open and working toilet facilities at their home venue for matches.
Last updated: 21 Jul 2012
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