15.11.2007 - Pitch Locations added to links page of website

See here

 

08.11.2007 - 45 New Hockey Balls Arrive

Wierd to have more than two balls of the same colour but at long last we have a new set of (hockey) balls, cones and even a plastic folder with a picture of a pitch on it!

 

09.10.2007 - Training Now on Tuesday Nights

Training is from 6pm - 8pm in Llanrumney High School on Tuesday nights.

 

01.10.2007 - Message from Welsh Hockey Umpires:

Dear All

Attached you will find the new "Players Behaviour Policy" that the WHUA South Region is introducing as from next Saturday 5 October in all games in the South West and South Wales league where neutral umpires are appointed (Severn, North 1 and 2 and Premier 3). A similar policy has been introduced into Premier 1 and 2 and other West regions.

At the toss up the umpires will remind your captains at every game of this policy and that it is their responsibility to keep your players behaviour under control.

Please do not forget that common sense will be used in all instances and that it is always better for the players to work with the umpires than against them. The policy was introduced initially into Devon last year and their have experienced a number of positive reactions . Not only have the games improved, but players have enjoyed them more and new umpires have taken up the whistle and some who had retired have come back. Hopefully it will have the same effect for us in South Wales.

Please remember that the policy will be implemented by all umpires and that if we all work together this problem can be over come, so ensure that your team captains and especially the club players are aware !!! Remember being unaware of this policy is no defence!!!!

Also the WHUA has recently brought in a rule that all qualified umpires must attend a rules seminar once in a three year period so that they are up to date with any new interpretation to maintain their accreditation to umpire. All these things are to assist the game in South Wales and to ensure that umpires are all up to date and aware of the changing interpretations of the rules, which appear to change regularly. Therefore the South Wales Region is arranging a date for a seminar to be held in Bridgend, hopefully on either 15 or 17 October. Details will be sent out as soon as it is confirmed., so please ensure any umpires in your club are aware of this event.

If you have any queries with the new Policy please do not hesitate to contact me.

Also look out for the date of the seminar which should be either 15 or 17 October!!!

Hope to see you all umpires at the seminar!!

Regards

Colin

 

 

Players Behaviour Policy

WELSH HOCKEY UMPIRES ASSOCIATION
SOUTH REGION
PLAYER BEHAVIOUR POLICY


It has been reported from a number of sources within and without our domestic structure, that over recent seasons the general demeanour of teams within our sport has declined markedly. Whilst this is not something unique to Hockey, it is nonetheless an area for considerable concern. The Welsh Hockey Umpires Association, South Region has become concerned with this deteriorating standard of behaviour exhibited by players in our games. This is having a detrimental effect for all who enjoy the game. The number of current umpires is reducing, coupled with a reduction in new uptake of the whistle at all levels. Many cite player behaviour, specifically persistent comments, dissent, questioning and downright abuse as the key factor influencing their decision whether to umpire or not. The majority of players also reflect that there has been sea changes in the way players inter-react with umpires. In recent weeks the West Hockey Umpires Association together with some of the West regions has issued a policy to try and combat this deteriorating situation. The Devon Hockey Umpires Association pioneered this policy during last season and it has received a very positive feedback from all involved in hockey in that county.

The policy below therefore is for implementation initially at all men league games in the structure where, the South Region appoints neutral umpires.
It is hoped therefore to engender responsibility to all for improving player behaviour, be they players, umpires, selectors, managers, coaches, supporters, and that this policy and others like it act as the framework around which we can influence change so that all involved in hockey can once again enjoy the game.
It is proposed to implement this policy as from Saturday 5th October 2007 in all games in the Severn, North 1, and 2 and Premier 3 Divisions when played in Wales. You will find that when clubs play games in the West Country they will find a similar policy being implemented. At the toss both captains will be reminded or made particularly aware of this policy and how the umpires are going to implement the policy.
It is now up to us all to ensure consistency and that we are not only umpiring the game in front of us but the affect it will have on our game in the future.

Alison Cook
Chair, Welsh Hockey Umpires Association (South Region).

PLAYER BEHAVIOUR POLICY
Importantly this policy is not intended:
• to be prescriptive of the sanctions which will be applied in every instance; or
• to take away the umpires' ability to manage the game and apply common sense; or
• to discourage a dialogue between players and umpires in appropriate circumstances.
However, this policy does represent a standard, which will be enforced by umpires in the majority of cases and against which their handling of player behaviour will be assessed.

1 ROLE OF THE CAPTAIN
Captains are responsible for the behaviour of all players on their team, including those on the bench (Rule 3.4). The importance of this rule cannot be underestimated. Umpires will expect and must receive the assistance of both captains at all times to assist their management of the game. A personal penalty may be awarded to a captain who does not exercise his responsibilities.

2 SWEARING
Swearing is unacceptable on a hockey pitch. The umpires’ will deal with all instances of audible swearing with a penalty being applied where appropriate. The penalties may include:

(a) The upgrading or reversal of a decision as appropriate;
(b) A verbal warning;
(c) A green card;
(d) A yellow card;
(e) A red card
Offensive swearing directed at an umpire, about the decision of an umpire, at an opponent, any other official or a spectator will be punished, normally with a yellow/red card, as appropriate. The duration of a yellow card will reflect the seriousness of the offence.

Swearing which is audible only within a short distance or which is genuinely borne out of frustration (but not in reaction to an umpires decision) will generally be dealt with by a verbal caution in the first instance, perhaps even without the game stopping. Subsequent or repeated occurrences may see more severe penalties applied.

3 DISSENT / VERBAL ABUSE
Dissent or verbal abuse directed towards an umpire, about the decision of an umpire, at an opponent, any other official or a spectator will be punished as appropriate and this may include a yellow/red card. The duration of a yellow card will reflect the seriousness of the offence. Other penalties may also be applied as necessary.

Ordinarily a captain will be invited to deal with the first instance of verbal abuse between members of his own team unless it is particularly serious. Thereafter, the umpires will apply such penalties as they see fit.

4 PERSISTENT QUESTIONING / INDIRECT DISSENT
Persistent questioning of or complaining about umpires' decisions undermines the umpire’s focus on the game. Whilst there will always be individual instances of questioning the umpires' decisions during a match, as it can sometimes be a natural reaction, this should be in an appropriate and always in a civil manner. Any explanation offered by an umpire will be the end of the matter and not be subject to further discussion during the match. If player(s) fail to do so, the player(s) cannot be surprised if they are then disciplined or penalised. It is not a player’s role to question decisions.

Persistent questioning, indirect comments about umpires, their decisions, non-verbal dissent (e.g. throwing away the stick, showing with their body language) and generally petulant behaviour will be dealt with in the same manner as swearing in section 2 above.

5 SURROUNDING UMPIRES
Surrounding an umpire means more than 2 players approaching an umpire to contest a decision. Surrounding umpires is unacceptable and will be punished by the umpires in every instance. On the first occasion the team captain will be awarded a green card and warned to control his players and the player(s) may also be punished. On subsequent occasions, the captain and/or offending player(s) may be awarded a yellow/red card.

6 APPEALING
Encouraging umpires to award cards to members of the opposing team is unacceptable and is not in the spirit of hockey. Players doing this (either verbally or by waving imaginary cards) will receive a minimum penalty of a green card. A second or subsequent offence will be meet with a more severe punishment

7. Off Field Players, Officials and Supporters

It is the captains responsibility to ensure the proper behaviour of their off field players, officials and supporters. If an umpire, other official, opposition team/player(s) or supporter(s), are abused in any way, it will be the captains’ responsibility to take the appropriate action. If the captain fails to undertake this duty then the WHU’s policy on “Pitch side rules of conduct” will be implemented in all cases. The umpire(s) will make the necessary report and forward to the Operations Manger at the WHU for appropriate action.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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