Download “Men’s Competition Bye-Laws 2019” PDF

(August 2019)

THE HONG KONG HOCKEY ASSOCIATION – MEN’S SECTION

COMPETITION BYE-LAWS

CONTENTS

1. Definitions
2. Authority of HKHA Men’s Section Committee
3. Alteration of the Competition Bye-laws
4. Teams
5. Player Registration
6. Visiting Players
7. Player Movement
8. Player Transfer
9. Team Uniforms
10. League Organization
11. League Matches
12. Postponements/Cancellations/Abandonments
13. Captains’ Responsibilities
14. Match Result Cards
15. Domestic Tournaments
16. Misconduct, Complaints and Appeals
17. Responsibility of Teams to Provide Umpires
18. Advertising on Uniforms
19. Unforeseen Events
20. First Schedule – Fees
21. Second Schedule – Penalties, Fines
22. Third Schedule – HKHA Code of Conduct
23. Fourth Schedule – Advertisement on Uniform

1. DEFINITIONS
                                       

   1.1 The following words and expressions shall have the following meanings:

   Affiliated Club – A club, association or team that is affiliated to the HKHAMS Bye-laws MS Competition bye-laws

   Committee – The Hong Kong Hockey Association Men’s Section Committee

   Committee Member – An elected or co-opted member of the Committee holding the post
   of general committee member

   Club Officials – Presidents, chairmen, secretaries, hockey conveners of affiliated clubs. In addition, persons who hold these posts in a hockey section of a multi-sports club are also designated club officials.

   Team Officials – Include captain, team coach, manager, assistant manager, trainer or doctor/physiotherapist

   Umpires – Those nominated or designated to umpire matches held under the auspices of the HKHA

   Club Convenors – Convenors nominated by the affiliated clubs Disciplinary The Disciplinary Committee appointed by the Hong Kong Committee (DC) Hockey Association

2. AUTHORITY OF HKHA MEN’S SECTION COMMITTEE
                                       

   In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Hong Kong Hockey Association (“HKHA”)and the General Bye-Laws of the Hong Kong Hockey Association Men’s Section (“HKHAMS”), all issues concerning men’s hockey in Hong Kong are under the sole authority of the HKHA Men’s Section Committee (“the Committee”).

    

3. ALTERATION OF THE COMPETITION BYE-LAWS
                                       

   3.1 The Committee may make amendments to these Bye-laws from time to time. Clubs shall be given fourteen (14) days to comment on the proposed changes.

   3.2 The Committee may also introduce experimental Bye-laws from time to time. Clubs shall be given fourteen (14) days to comment on the proposed changes.

   3.3 The Competition Bye-laws, and any amendment, shall be submitted to and approved by the HKHA Council before implementation.

    

4. TEAMS
                                       

   4.1 Clubs affiliated to the HKHAMS may apply for one or more teams to be entered in the HKHA Men’s League. Each team shall have a minimum of fifteen (15) registered players – there is no maximum to the number of players who may be registered for one team. A player may only be registered for one Club team at any one time, but may also be a member of a Veterans Section or Promotion and Development Section Team.

   4.2 Multi-Team Clubs shall enter teams in the HKHA Men’s League/Tournaments in ranking order of A, B, C, D etc. The strongest team, based upon talent and experience of players therein, shall be the highest ranked and shall be called the ‘A’ team. The B, C, D, etc., teams shall follow generally in order of strength based upon the criteria for A team players. (It is acknowledged that there are circumstances when this general requirement may not be strictly followed. The HKHAMS will monitor this aspect, and may, at its sole discretion, take disciplinary action against any Club, which it believes to have abused the intention of this.)

5. PLAYER REGISTRATION
                                       

   5.1 Each affiliated Club shall ensure that only registered hockey players of that club take part in hockey matches held under the auspices of the HKHA. Unregistered players are therefore ineligible and a club and/or team fielding any such ineligible player shall be penalised in accordance with Paragraph 1 of the Second Schedule. A person will not be considered for registration unless an HKHAMS Player Registration application form is correctly completed, signed and has the necessary supporting documentation. (This includes a copy of an HKSAR Identity Card or a receipt for the application of one, and an electronic copy of his personal portrait as specified by the HKHAMS.). The registration fee, as specified in the First Schedule, shall accompany the application, if appropriate.

   5.2 New players that have not registered previously with the HKHAMS must provide a signed declaration which states that they are not currently serving any suspension or under disciplinary action and that they understand associated liabilities of playing hockey in Hong Kong.

   5.3 No junior may be registered unless he has reached his twelfth (12th) birthday. Players who have not reached their eighteenth (18th) birthday on the first day of September in the then current HKHA Men’s League Season shall have the agreement of a parent or legally appointed guardian as specified in the HKHAMS Player Registration application form and submit their application together with any required supporting documentation required by the HKHAMS Committee. Club shall ensure that all such players are provided with proper protective kits for all matches they play.

   5.4 The Committee may waive certain requirements of Bye-law 5.3 for teams entering in the League by the Promotion and Development Section of the HKHA and individual players with special considerations.

   5.5 All re-registering players must sign a declaration annually to indicate that all player details are correct and that players understand the associated liabilities of playing hockey in Hong Kong.

   5.6 The Committee reserves the right to refuse the registration application in respect of any player who had been suspended more than once in the preceding season or other disciplinary records.

   Contravention

   5.7 A penalty, as specified in the Second Schedule, shall be levied for a contravention of these Bye-laws.

    

6. VISITING PLAYERS
                                       

   6.1 For any one season, each league team is allowed to register a maximum of three (3) players who are NOT in possession of a valid Hong Kong Identity Card or a Recognizance (Form No.8) issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department. These players are referred to as “visiting players”. A visiting player must play a minimum of three (3) consecutive matches in the season for his registered team. In the event that the player fails to comply with this requirement, penalties shall apply as per the Second Schedule, unless the player was physically unable to play because of injury or ailment and this is corroborated by the delivery of a medical report or certificate issued by a medical practitioner registered with the Hong Kong Medical Council or equivalent foreign body acceptable to the Committee, certifying that he was injured and unfit to play the required number of matches to fulfil the three (3) consecutive match undertaking.

   6.2 If any team forfeits games retrospectively under Rule 6.1, the Committee may, at its sole and absolute discretion, lower the maximum number of visiting players that the subject team can register in a single season in future.

   6.3 For the registration of visiting players for teams in Premier Division, the players have to provide a true copy (to be certified by the club responsible for the players’ registration) of No Objection Certificate issued by the national hockey associations of their countries of nationality to allow their participation in hockey matches sanctioned by the HKHA in Hong Kong. The No Objection Certificate must be valid for a period of time that is sufficient enough to enable the player concerned to fulfil the five-match undertaking.

   6.4 A “visiting player” shall only play for the team he is registered for within the club. In other words, the “visiting player” cannot move among teams within the same club. The player must present himself to the Match Official (MO) or umpire before the match with his identification paper for verification. The MO or umpire carries out the verification should confirm the completion of such step in the match card.

   6.5 “Visiting players” are NOT eligible to play in any Cup or Tournament matches. However, these restrictions shall be lifted once the visiting player has played a minimum of five (5) matches for his registered team and the Club concerned is responsible to inform the Committee prior to the visiting player taking part in Cup or Tournament matches.

   6.6 Clubs or teams who have registered visiting players bear full responsibility for the conduct of these registered visiting players. The visiting player’s Club shall pay any fines levied as a result of any misconduct of a visiting player.

   Contravention

   6.7 A penalty, as specified in the Second Schedule, shall be levied for a contravention of these Bye-laws. The HKHAMS will monitor the use of visiting players, and reserves the right at its sole discretion, to take disciplinary action against any club found abusing the privileges of Bye-laws 6.1 – 6.4inclusive.

    

7. PLAYER MOVEMENT
                                       

   7.1 No player, including a listed substitute or goalkeeper (even if he did not take part in the earlier match or played in other position in the earlier match), may play for more than one team on any one match day.

   7.2 Each player shall be registered for one specific team which he plays as his designated team. A player:

   (a) who has registered for a higher-ranked team cannot play for a lower-ranked team unless obtaining the approval of the Committee.

   (b) who has registered for a lower-ranked team can only play for a higher-ranked team for a maximum of three (3) League matches during the same season. Once he has played 4 League matches for the higher-ranked teams, he will be automatically registered for the highest-ranked team that he has played for and cannot play for any other lower-ranked team thereafter without the approval of the Committee. For the avoidance of doubt, this provision also applies to Clubs entering more than one team in the same division.

   7.3 All player movements must be recorded on the Match Results Card by the respective team captains.

   7.4 No player movement is allowed between any team in the Premier Division and the lower ranked teams in their respective club until both (or more) teams involved have completed their first three (3) matches of the HKHA Men’s League season, without the written permission of HKHAMS. For the avoidance of doubt, this provision does not apply among teams outside the Premier Division.

   7.5 A goalkeeper of team in Division One or below is exempted from the above player movement rules, as long as he is playing for a lower-ranked team as a goalkeeper. Player Movement in Knockout Competitions

   7.6 No player who at any time during the HKHA Men’s league season has been registered for a Premier Division team shall be eligible to play in any HKHA Cup/Plate/Bowl match.

   7.7 A lower-ranked player may play for a higher-ranked team in the Guv Dillon Cup or HKHA Cup/Plate/Bowl competition, subject to the compliance to the bye-law 7.2 (b).

   7.8 Once a player has participated for a team in one of the Cup competitions, he cannot play for any other team in any Cup competition thereafter without the Committee’s approval, which will only be given if the player in question was a necessary replacement for the game in question to enable a team to be fielded. For the avoidance of doubt, this provision also applies to goalkeeper.

   Contravention

   7.9 A penalty, as specified in the Second Schedule, shall be levied for a contravention of these Bye-Laws.

    

8. PLAYER TRANSFER
                                       

   8.1 Should a player wish to transfer from one Club to another during the HKHA Men’s League Season, the Convenor of the player’s proposed new Club shall make this intention known by written communication to the Committee. This letter shall include:

   (a) a letter of ‘release’ from the Convenor of the player’s current Club; and

   (b) the appropriate fee, as specified in the First Schedule.

   8.2 Until approval for the transfer has been obtained from the Committee, the player concerned shall not play hockey for either Club, in any match, held under the auspices of the HKHA. He may, however, play for an HKHA team.

   8.3 Should the current Club refuse to give a letter of release within a reasonable time, but in any case no longer than two (2) weeks from the date of the original letter from the Convenor of the player’s proposed new Club requesting his release, the player may appeal to the Committee for the transfer to be approved notwithstanding Bye-law 8.1(a). In the event of unreasonable delay, the Committee may require the Convenor of the player’s previous Club to state his reasons for not giving a letter of release.

   8.4 No transfer of players between Clubs shall be permitted between the 1st December and the end of the HKHA Men’s League Season.

    

9. TEAM UNIFORMS
                                       

   9.1 Teams shall play in the shirt, shorts and sock colours stated on their HKHAMS application form. The Committee shall advise all Conveners of these colours before the start of the HKHA Men’s League Season. In the event of a clash of colours, the second-named team on the match card, being the away team, shall change their shirts, shorts and/or socks. Away teams may be allowed to wear bibs over their numbered shirts if they do not have alternative numbered uniforms. Teams should note that a clash of sock colours might occur even though there is no clash of shirt colours. Similarly, the second-named team shall change (socks only, if preferred). The use of white socks is not permitted in the Premier Division.

   9.2 No team may use yellow as an official colour for its shirts. This colour is reserved for the exclusive use of the HKHA Umpires Section.

   9.3 The HKHA logo is the official designation for the uniform of registered players and officials of the HKHA selected to represent the HKHA or Hong Kong at representative hockey matches. Clubs affiliated to the HKHA shall ensure that their members do not display the HKHA logo on any item whatsoever unless with the expressed permission of the HKHA Council. The HKHA Council will view any breach of this Bye-law as a most serious matter.

   9.4 A player may not participate in any League, Cup or Tournament match organized by the HKHAMS unless he is:

   (a) wearing a numbered shirt. The number shall conform to his Player Registration number and shall be clearly printed or sewn on the fabric itself at the back of the shirt, visible from a reasonable distance. The use of safety pins to affix a number to a player’s shirt is not permitted.

   (b) wearing shin guards, properly tucked inside his socks; and

   (c) wearing suitable footwear (football boots with studs for grass pitch shall not be worn on artificial-turf pitches).
   Note: Any additional items of clothing worn by a player during a match must be the same colour as the adjoining piece of clothing.

   9.5 Team Captains must wear a distinctive arm-band or similar distinguishing article on an upper arm, shoulder or lower leg.

    

10. LEAGUE ORGANIZATION
                                        

    10.1 The HKHA Men’s league shall be known as the Hong Kong Hockey Association Men’s League Competition (the HKHA Men’s League hereinafter) and normally comprise:

    A Premier Division;

    A First Division;

    A Second Division;

    A Third Division;

    A Fourth Division;

    A Fifth Division; and

    A Sixth Division.

    10.2 The competition and rules for the Premier Division shall be subject to the pre-season meeting of the HKHAMS with the local Premier Division teams and any other invited teams.

    10.3 Each Division will normally have a maximum of twelve (12) teams, but the number of Divisions and number of teams playing therein may be varied by the Committee prior to the commencement of each HKHA Men’s League Season to take account of prevailing circumstances at the time, such as number of new teams entered, old teams dropping out, capacity of hockey pitches available for League matches etc.

    10.4 The HKHAMS may accept teams from the Veterans Section, and Promotion and Development Section, to participate in the HKHA Men’s League. Such teams shall only be accepted on condition that they abide by all relevant HKHAMS Bye-laws. The Committee shall decide in which Division such a team shall play. The results of HKHA Men’s League matches involving these teams will count for all purposes, except that the final placing of these teams will be disregarded for purposes of determining the HKHA Men’s League winners and for promotion/demotion.

    10.5 New teams will start in the lowest Division unless the HKHAMS decides otherwise. No new team will be accepted once the HKHA Men’s League Season has commenced.

    Promotion and Relegation

    10.6 The Champions and First Runners-Up teams in the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Divisions will be:

    (a) eligible for promotion to the Premier, First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Divisions respectively for the following HKHA league season.

    (b) replaced in their respective Divisions by the two lowest-placed teams of the Premier, First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Divisions respectively.

    10.7 Participation at the Premier League is on invitation basis only as decided by the Committee. Teams refuse to accept the invitation from the Committee to participate in the Premier League are required to submit their justification within 2 weeks after the end of the Season. The Committee, may at its sole and absolute discretion, impose deduction of points on the team that has refused to be promoted in the forthcoming season.

    10.8 Where two or more teams have an equal number of points, they will be ranked according to the following criteria (in order):

    – Matches won

    – Goal difference

    – Goals for

    – Results between equal teams in the division

    In case there are two or more teams competing for promotion or relegations have the equal number of points, the teams will play one extra match against each other to determine the final placing. If this is not deemed necessary by the Committee, the teams will be considered to have tied.

    10.9 Notwithstanding Bye-laws 10.6 to 10.8 above, the Committee may invite any team to play in the higher division in the new season or request a team to play in the same division that it played in the preceding season as the Committee, at its sole and absolute discretion, deems appropriate to optimize the league structure. The Committee’s decision will be communicated to the clubs concerned at the start of each hockey season, including the promotion and relegation criteria.

     

11. LEAGUE MATCHES
                                        

    11.1 All matches shall commence at the scheduled time stated in the fixtures list. In the event of a late start (i.e. after ten minutes of the scheduled time) where the fault lies with one or both teams (e.g. late completion of result card, goalkeeper not ready etc.) the umpire shall record this on the match result card.

    11.2 If the entire team, for whatever reason, walks-off (or refuses to continue to play), the match will be awarded to its opponents, 3-0 or the score at the time, whichever is the higher. The team captain involved is required to submit a report to explain the walk-off decision to the Committee within 24 hours of the incident. The Committee will  investigate the incident and refer the case to the DC for follow-up action, where necessary.

    A team which gives two (2) walkovers during the HKHA League (or a team in the Premier Division which gives one (1) walkover during the HKHA League) or one (1) walkover during the Knockout Tournaments may be required to withdraw from the HKHA League and/or the Knockout Tournaments by the Committee. In the event of such a withdrawal all previous results of that particular team in the HKHA League and/or the Knockout Tournaments will be nullified. The Convenor of an Affiliated Club which has given a walkover in any HKHA match is required to explain in writing to the Committee, within seven (7) days of the date of the match, the reason(s) for the team having given the walkover.

    11.3 League teams shall, at the start of a match, consist of at least eight (8) registered players. In the event that a team (or teams) does not have at least eight (8) players on the field of play within ten minutes of the scheduled time for the start of the match, such team (or teams) will be in breach of this Bye-law, the match will not be played and the umpires will record the result as a WALKOVER on the Match Result Card. The team receiving the walk-over will be credited 3 goals.

    11.4 In any regular competition (11 players on the field), if for any reason, the number of players of a team is reduced to less than eight (8) players, at the time that happens, the match will be awarded to the opponents 3-0 or the score at the time whichever is the higher. The umpires will report the reason for the above, and if there is any question of players walking off, as opposed to injury or dismissal (red card), the matter will be referred to the Committee. For the avoidance of doubt, a player who has been shown a Yellow Card continues to be a player. A player who has been shown a Red Card immediately ceases to be a player.

    11.5 For any walkover approved by the Committee prior to the start of the match, both teams are required to send the list of players that would have played for the subject match to the Committee within seven (7) days of the date of the match.

    11.6 A team which gives three (3) walkovers during the HKHA Men’s League Season may be required to withdraw from the League by the Committee. In the event of such a withdrawal all previous results of that particular team will be nullified. The Convenor of an affiliated Club, which has given a walkover in any HKHA match, is required to explain in writing to the Committee, within seven (7) days of the date of the match, the reason(s) for the team having given the walkover.

    11.7 If a team withdraws from the HKHA League at any time, the Committee shall have discretion to impose such penalty on that particular team as they deem necessary.

    Contravention

    11.8 A penalty, as specified in the Second Schedule, shall be levied for a contravention of these Bye-laws. Note that different penalties apply to different contravention.

    Results of League Matches

    11.9 Points for league matches will be awarded as follows:

    Win: Three (3) points

    Draw: One (1) point

    11.10 Where two or more teams have an equal number of points, they will be ranked according to the following criteria (in order):

    – Matches won

    – Goal difference

    – Goals for

    – Results between equal teams in the competition

    Postponement or Bringing Forward of League Matches

    11.11 Requests for postponement or bringing forward of match on the grounds of player unavailability will normally not be entertained. The Committee may consider a request for postponement or bringing forward of match if the request is made at least fourteen (14) days before the match is scheduled to take place. The Committee will advise the Clubs within five (5) days whether their application has been granted. Requests for postponement or bringing forward shall be accompanied by an administrative levy, as specified in the First Schedule, which may be refunded at the Committee’s discretion.

    11.12 Any match in which either team has two (2) or more players absent because of national team duty for the HKHA Squads (including as team officials) may be postponed upon request.

     

12. POSTPONEMENTS/CANCELLATIONS/ABANDONMENTS
                                        

    12.1 If an artificial-turf pitch has been inadequately watered (either by the spray system or naturally by rain) the match shall not commence. The umpires shall record this fact on the match result card.

    12.2 To be acceptable for play, the playing surface shall have received sufficient water to be thoroughly wet, taking account of the prevailing weather conditions.

    12.3 The two teams shall not play a “friendly match” on the surface. If they do, they will be charged the cost of the pitch booking and will be subject to disciplinary action by the Committee.

    12.4 In the event that a black rain storm signal or a typhoon signal number 8 or above is in force at the appointed starting time, the match shall not commence.

    12.5 If a thunderstorm is approaching (and the authorities in charge of the pitch have not closed it) play shall continue until the time interval between the flash of lightning and the clap of thunder has reduced to 10 seconds. At that point the umpires shall temporarily stop the match (noting the time remaining) and all players and officials shall immediately leave the pitch area to seek shelter. When the storm has passed (and if permitted by the ground authorities) the match shall be restarted as directed by the umpires, taking account of the play situation at the moment of stoppage.

    12.6 In the event that heavy rain causes an artificial pitch to become so waterlogged that play becomes difficult or even dangerous, the umpires shall temporarily stop the match (noting the time remaining) and wait until the worst of the storm has passed and the pitch drained to a satisfactory condition. The match will then be restarted as in 12.5.

    12.7 For natural grass pitches, the decision on whether play may proceed rests with the club’s authority. However, over matters of player safety, such as during a thunderstorm, the umpires shall take responsibility.

    12.8 In the event of a failure of the floodlighting during an evening match, the umpires shall immediately stop the match. If the fault cannot be rectified within a short time, and the match restarted as in 12.5, the Match Result Card shall be completed noting that the match was abandoned and the time remaining. The Committee shall then decide on the appropriate action.

    12.9 The Convenor of the home team will notify the Committee by telephone or e-mail on the day following that on which League matches have been postponed or abandoned due to inclement weather. The Committee will re-arrange the playing of these postponed or abandoned League matches at the earliest opportunity.

    12.10 Due to adverse playing conditions, the umpire may decide to abandon a match. If the match is abandoned during the first half, the full match will be rescheduled to another time by Committee and NO score will be carried forward to the re-scheduled match. Red/Yellow cards issued will however be counted against the player’s disciplinary record. If the match is abandoned after the completion of the first half, the score at the time will be counted as the final score with NO rescheduling of the match.

    12.11 If a Cup match is abandoned after the completion of the first half with the score at tie, the Match Result Card shall be completed noting that the match was abandoned and the time remaining. The Committee will re-arrange the playing of the abandoned match at the earliest opportunity. The rescheduled match will only play for the remaining time of the respective abandoned match with the match re-starting from the centre of the pitch after a toss of coin. No player movement is allowed for the rescheduled match.(For the avoidance of doubt, all registered players of both teams can play for the rescheduled match regardless of whether they have play the respective abandoned match.)

     

13. CAPTAINS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
                                        

    13.1 Each Team Captain has authority only over his own team players including substitutes; he has no right to question or challenge any decisions made by the umpires. Should an officiating umpire call upon a Team Captain to give instructions to his team, the Team Captain shall do so immediately.

    13.2 In the event that no umpires are present at the scheduled time for commencement of a match, both Team Captains shall act as umpires or may designate qualified individuals to act as umpires. Each Team Captain shall, therefore, have a whistle in his possession at each HKHA match. In the event that only one qualified umpire is present at the scheduled commencement of a match, it is the responsibility of the two Team Captains and the umpire to reach a mutually acceptable agreement as to the provision of the second qualified umpire. If this agreement is not forthcoming, each team shall provide one non-playing qualified umpire for one half of the match. In case either team or both teams cannot provide non-playing qualified umpire, the Team Captains have to either umpire for their respective teams or appoint one of their players who is qualified umpire for the subject match.

    13.3 At all hockey matches held under the auspices of the HKHAMS, the home Team Captain shall provide two (2) match-condition white hockey balls for the match. The away Team Captain shall provide one (1) match-condition white hockey ball to be held in reserve. The colour of the match-condition ball to be provided can be white or any other colour, which contrasts with the playing surface, that is agreed between the umpires and team captain, in accordance with the Rules of Hockey.

    13.4 If called upon to do so by an Official of the HKHA, an Official of the HKHAMS, or an appointed umpire, a Team Captain shall name a player and/or spectator at a match if the Team Captain knows such player and/or spectator. The naming of the player and/or spectator by the Team Captain shall be done promptly.

    13.5 Team Captains are responsible and held accountable for the completion and the accuracy of the information of their respective teams on the match card.

    13.6 Team Captains are responsible for fielding his team with eligible players only. They should ensure that players are carrying proper identification documents that can facilitate identity check which may be carried out by the umpires, match officials or such officials appointed by the HKHAMS. If a Team Captain is concerned about the validity of the players of the other team, he should approach the umpire during the break to ask for a identification check. Such request and the results of the check carried out must be recorded in the match card.

    Contravention

    13.7 A penalty, as specified in the Second Schedule, shall be levied for a contravention of these Bye-laws.

     

14. MATCH RESULT CARDS
                                        

    14.1 The Electronic Match Result Cards should be processed as follows:

    a) The home team is the first named of the two teams in a match. Before the commencement of the match:

    i. the home Team Captain shall select the names of all his team players, up to maximum of sixteen (16) players, insert the Umpire Numbers of the officiating Umpires for the match and then click “submit player list” in the electronic match card;

    ii. away Team Captain shall select and confirm electronically the names of all his team players, up to a maximum of sixteen (16) players; and

    iii. the Umpires will not commence the match until steps (i) and (ii) above have been completed.

    b) In the event that an Umpire fails to arrive at a match on or before the scheduled starting time, the home Team Captain shall make a note of this fact on the Electronic Match Card.

    c) After the match:

    i. the Captains shall ensure that, immediately after the match, the Umpires enter the final result in the Electronic Match Card and click “Submit Match Card” after inserting, if any, the details of any Bye-law contravention and Yellow and/or Red Card awards, then

    ii. each Team Captain should identify in the Electronic Match Card any players in their Team who scored a goal in the match and the number of goals scored, insert additional comments, if any, (including as may be required pursuant to 14.2(b) and click “Submit Match Card” within twenty-four (24) hours of the scheduled start time of the match.

    d) If the Electronic Match Card cannot be completed due to a technical issue, the home Team Captain shall provide a sheet of paper on which both Team Captains will enter player lists and the Umpires will sign off with results and additional information/comments, if any, inserted. This sheet of paper shall be treated as a Paper Match Card and be posted to the HKHA office, no later than three (3) days after the match.

    14.2. The responsibility of checking the Team’s Players List and players’ photographic identifications rests jointly with the officiating Umpires and the Team Captains. In the event of dispute/disagreement between the two Team Captains, the officiating Umpires shall make the decision and a note to that effect recorded on the Umpire’s remarks of the Match Card. In order to facilitate a proper and efficient player identification check, all players are required to carry with them their photographic identification documents or a copy thereof.

    14.3. Both Team Captains shall provide the Umpires with their respective most updated Team Players Lists with pictures for all players listed on the Match Card at least 5 (five) minutes prior to the scheduled match start time. In the event a team is unable to produce the Team Players List with pictures, the Umpire may demand a photographic identification check on players to be carried out before or during the match. In the event that a team is unable to produce photographic identification for particular players, the Umpire should note which players were unable to produce photographic identification on the Match Card for action by the Committee. A player who has failed to provide a photographic identification document upon request will be deemed an ineligible player.

    Contravention

    14.4. A penalty, as specified in the Second Schedule, shall be levied for a contravention of these Bye-laws relating to the Match Result Card.

     

15. DOMESTIC KNOCKOUT TOURNAMENTS
                                        

    15.1 The tournaments approved by HKHAMS include the Holland Cup, the HKHA Cup, HKHA Plate, HKHA Bowl and one-day and other tournaments as sanctioned by HKHAMS from time to time.

    15.2 Teams eligible for these tournaments are as follows:

    Guv Dillon Cup – Teams in Premier Division

    HKHA Cup – Teams in First & Second Divisions

    HKHA Plate – Teams in Third and Fourth Divisions

    HKHA Bowl – Teams in Fifth and Sixth Divisions

    15.3 Except for the Guv Dillon Cup, there shall be no seeding of the teams in the other competitions. The draw of the four competitions will be announced before the start of the HKHA League season.

    15.4 The normal rules of hockey and these Bye-laws shall apply to all tournaments except as shown in the following paragraphs.

    15.5 If a team withdraws from domestic tournaments at any time, the Committee shall have the discretion to impose such penalty on the offending team as it thinks fit.

    15.6 Should the result of a match be a draw after normal time, then a penalty shoot-out competition shall be played to establish the winner of the match.

    Penalty Shoot-Out Competition

    15.7 5 players from each team take a one-on-one penalty shoot-out alternately against the goalkeeper or a defending player of the other team making a total of 10 penalty shoot-outs. The players take the penalty shoot-out in the sequence nominated and communicated by the captain to the umpires before the start of the penalty shoot-out competition. A player who has been excluded permanently (red card) from the field of play during the same match, cannot take part in the penalty shoot-out competition.

    15.8 The umpires choose the goal to be used. The team which wins the toss has the choice to take or defend the first penalty shoot-out.

    15.9 The team scoring or awarded the most goals is the winner and the competition ceases once an outright winner is determined.

    15.10 During a penalty shoot-out competition, all persons who appear on the match result card and who are entitled to sit on the team bench for that match are permitted to enter the field of play but only in the area outside the 23m area used for the shoot out. The goalkeeper of the team taking a penalty shoot-out may be on the goal-line outside the circle if so directed by the umpire. A player who is authorized by an umpire or match official to take or defend a penalty shoot-out may enter the 23m area for that purpose.

    15.11 The penalty shoot-out is taken under the following conditions:

    i the goalkeeper/defending player starts behind their own goal line between the posts;

    ii the ball is placed on the nearest 23m line opposite the centre of the goal;

    iii an attacker starts behind the 23m line near the ball;

    iv the umpire signals to the Match Official or his fellow umpire, in case of no Match Official, to start the shoot-out;

    v the attacker and the goalkeeper/defending player may then move in any direction;

    vi the shoot-out is completed when one of the following occurs:

    – 8 seconds has lapsed;

    – the attacker scores a goal;

    – the attacker commits an offence;

    – the goalkeeper/defending player commits an offence in which case the shoot-out is retaken;

    – the goalkeeper/defending player commits an intentional offence, in which case a penalty stroke is awarded;

    – the goalkeeper /defending player commits an unintentional offence inside or outside the circle in which case the shoot-out will be re-taken by the same player against the same goalkeeper/defending player

    – the ball goes out of play over the back-line or side-line; this includes goalkeeper intentionally playing the ball over the back-line.

    15.12 If during a penalty shoot-out competition, a player (either an attacker or a goalkeeper) is suspended, that player takes on further part in that penalty shoot-out competition and, except for a defending goalkeeper, that player cannot be replaced. If the defending goalkeeper is suspended, the replacement can only come from the 5 players nominated to take part in the penalty shoot-out competition. The replacement goalkeeper is allowed reasonable time to put on protective equipment. If an attacker is suspended during a penalty shoot-out competition, any further penalty shoot-out that the player was entitled to take counts as no goal.

    15.13 If during a penalty shoot-out competition, a defending goalkeeper is incapacitated, that goalkeeper may be replaced by another player from within the players listed on the match result card for that match, except as excluded above in 14.7 and 14.12. If the replacement goalkeeper is a field player, that player is allowed reasonable time to put on protective equipment.

    15.14 If an equal number of goals are scored or awarded after each team has taken 5 shoot-outs, a second series of penalty shoot-outs is taken with the same players, subject to an incapacitated defending player being replaced. When one team has scored or been awarded one more goal than the opposing team after an equal number of shoot outs (no minimum, no maximum) have been taken by each team, that team shall be the winner.

    15.15 The same players take part in a second (unlimited) series of penalty shoot-outs except that an incapacitated goalkeeper can be replaced. The sequence in which the attackers take the penalty shoot-outs does not need to be the same as in the first series; before each penalty shoot-out series, the team captain chooses the order in which the nominated players take the particular penalty shoot-out. In this second series, all five nominated players take a penalty shoot-out before any of them are eligible to take a further penalty shoot-out.

    15.16 The team whose player has taken the first penalty shoot-out of the first series must defend the first penalty shoot-out of the second (unlimited) series.

    15.17 Umpires shall keep a written record of the proceedings, including the identity of each penalty shoot-out taker, the order in which the penalty shoot-outs were taken, and the result of each shoot-out. The record shall be signed by both umpires and firmly attached to the Match Result Card.

    15.18 For any matters relating to penalty shootouts not covered hereinabove, the rules and procedures on “Shoot-Out Competition” under the latest FIH Tournament Regulations shall be followed.

    One-Day Tournaments

    15.19 Participating teams shall comprise of a maximum of fourteen (14) players with not more than nine (9) players (including the goalkeeper) on the pitch at any one time.

    15.20 Hockey balls will be provided by the HKHAMS. Each tournament will consist of two separate sections, with all teams entered grouped into pools in which they will play each other on a round-robin basis initially, followed by matches played on a knock-out basis by the leading teams in each pool. The number of pools in a tournament and the number of leading teams in each pool going forward to the knock-out phase will be decided by the Tournament Committee.

    15.21 A win will count as three (3) points while a draw will count as one (1) point.

    15.22 Where two or more teams in a pool have an equal number of points, they will be ranked according to the following criteria (in order):

    – Matches won

    – Goal difference

    – Goals for

    – Results between equal teams in the competition

    – Penalty Shoot-outs (to be taken by 3 instead of 5 players from each team)

    15.23 Umpires for tournament matches shall be appointed and controlled by the HKHAUS.

    15.24 The Tournament Committee, which will comprise the Chairman of the HKHAMS and two Committee members (appointed as Tournament Coordinator and Tournament Official), will circulate detailed arrangements, in writing, to all Conveners prior to the start of each Tournament. The decision of the Tournament Committee on any points or appeals arising during the course of a Tournament shall be final.

     

16. MISCONDUCT, COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS
                                        

    16.1 All officials, players and spectators participating in or at hockey matches held under the auspices of the HKHA shall be governed by the:

    (a) The Rules of Hockey as from time to time made by the International Hockey Federation;

    (b) Rules of the HKHA;

    (c) Bye-laws of the relevant Section of the HKHA; and

    (d) The HKHA Code of Conduct (Refer to Third Schedule).

    16.2 All cases of misconduct shall be dealt with in accordance with Rule 2 of the HKHA Rules and/or Bye-law 15 of the HKHAMS General Bye-laws.

    Yellow Card Penalty Points

    16.3 A player receiving a yellow card shall also receive penalty points as follows:

    Y1 Dissent (continued contesting of umpires’ decisions) – Two (2) points;

    Y2 Dangerous Play (Continued or violent stick tackles, violent obstruction, continued and deliberate lifting of the ball) – Three (3) points;

    Y3 Verbal Abuse of Umpire (use of foul language against the umpire(s) or continued and aggressive contesting of decisions of the umpire(s)) – Three (3) points;

    Y4 Verbal Abuse of Player (use of foul language or continued and aggressive behaviour against another player(s)) – Two (2) points;

    Y5 Threatened Assault on Umpire (Physical confrontation of the umpire by a player) – Four (4) points;

    Y6 Threatened Assault on Player (Physical confrontation of a player by another player) – Three (3) points;

    Y7 Others, state offence (Non-violent nature) – One (1) point

    PENALTIES

    5 points accumulated in one season – suspension for 1 match
    10 points accumulated in one season –suspension for 2 matches
    15 points accumulated in one season– suspension for 3 matches and referral to DC.

    Upon accumulation of 5 points, the subject player will be immediately suspended for 1 match (league or cup). If the accumulated points exceed 5 points (e.g. to 6 or 7 points) then once the player has completed his suspension, the player starts a new accumulation of points from 5 to 10. The additional points above 5 (i.e. 1 or 2 depending on the total accumulated) shall begin to count towards the next “level” total of 10 points starting from 5.

    Example A player, who has accumulated 3 points, receives a yellow card with a code Y2 offence (3 points). The player now has accumulated 6 points. The player automatically is suspended for 1 match. Following the suspension, he begins to accumulate points in a new series of 5 up to 10, starting at 6 points. Should the player accumulate a further 4 points, he will be suspended for another two matches.

    Suspensions under the yellow card penalty points system shall be served upon the notification by the HKHAMS. Points left over from one season will not be carried over to the following season. However, suspensions received in the latter weeks of the season will carry forward to the following season if there are insufficient matches left to serve the suspension.
    
    16.4 Depending on seriousness of each reported case of yellow card, the Committee may:

    (a) take no further action, or

    (b) issue a letter of warning, or

    (c) interview and warn the player in person at a meeting; or

    (d) refer the case to the DC should the offence bring the game of hockey into disrepute.

    Red Card Penalty System

    16.5 A player awarded with a red card shall leave the field of play immediately (staying at the team bench is not permitted) and receive automatic suspension as follows:

    R1 Repeated Dissent – suspension for 2 matches

    R2 Second offense of dangerous play or very dangerous play – suspension for 3 matches

    R3 Repeated verbal abuse or foul abuse of umpire – suspension for 4 matches

    R4 Repeated verbal abuse or foul abuse of another player – suspension for 2 matches

    R5 Repeated threatened assault or physical assault of umpire – suspension for 5 matches

    R6 Repeated threatened assault or physical assault of another player – suspension for 4 matches

    R7 Others, state offence (non-violent nature, repeated offence of Y7) – suspension for 2 matches
    

    16.6 Clubs are responsible to ensure their player having received a red card observe the immediate suspension and does not take part in any match during the period of the two matches suspension.

    16.7 All red card offences will automatically be investigated by the MS for misconduct, where necessary, the case may be referred to the DC for further review. Suspensions received in the latter weeks of the season will carry forward if there are insufficient matches left to serve the suspension.

    16.8 Complaints by an affiliated Club against officials, players or spectators of another affiliated Club shall be made, in writing, within forty-eight (48) hours, to the Secretary of the HKHAMS.

    16.9 When the Committee receives reports or video-evidence from umpires or team captains regarding serious misconduct of players during the match regardless whether the players involved have been carded, the Committee will conduct investigations if needed to determine whether these players have breached any rules and bye-laws as stipulated in 16.1. Should the Committee find these misconducts have brought the game of hockey into disrepute, it will take necessary disciplinary actions against the players and/or the clubs involved according to the MS General Bye-laws 15.

    16.10 In the event that a player of:

    (a) an affiliated Club is suspended from hockey, that player is automatically debarred from playing for his Club team as well as for HKHA team during the period of suspension. (A two-match suspension means the next two (2) matches of the team for which the player was playing when the red card was awarded. The two-match suspension cannot be a combination of one Club match and one HKHA team match).

    (b) a HKHA team is suspended from hockey, that player is automatically debarred from playing for any HKHA team as well as for his Club team during the period of suspension. (A two-match suspension means the next two (2) matches of the HKHA team for which the player was playing when the red card was awarded. The two match suspension cannot be a combination of one Club match and one HKHA team match). If, during the period of suspension, his Club team has played two (2) matches, he may then play for his Club team even though he may still be suspended from playing for his HKHA team.

    16.11 Other contravention of these Bye-laws shall be dealt with as specified in the Bye-Laws themselves, with reference to the Second Schedule, or by the Committee.

    16.12 All appeals shall be dealt with in accordance with Rule 4 of the HKHA and/or Bye-law 16 of the HKHAMS General Bye-laws.

     

17. RESPONSIBILITY OF TEAMS TO PROVIDE UMPIRES
                                        

    17.1 Teams accepted for participation in HKHA matches shall be required, from time to time to provide umpires to officiate at matches allocated to them. It is the responsibility of such designated teams to provide properly registered umpires and to ensure that their nominated umpires turn up to officiate at matches so allocated.

    17.2 Teams in Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Divisions are required to provide qualified umpires who have registered with their respective clubs or panel umpires approved by the Umpire Section to officiate at matches allocated to them. All clubs have to provide a written record of the qualified umpires who have registered with their clubs to the HKHAMS before the start of the League season. The Conveners have to inform the HKHAMS on any changes in the list of their registered umpires during the season as soon as possible.

    Contravention

    17.3 A penalty, as specified in the Second Schedule, shall be levied for a contravention of this Bye-Law.

     

18. ADVERTISING ON UNIFORMS
                                        

    18.1 Advertising in the form of a company’s name, logo or trademark is permitted when expressly authorised by the HKHAMS, as described below:

    (i) On the front of the player’s shirts – size not exceeding 350 sq cm;

    (ii) On the upper arm of both shirt sleeves – size not exceeding 80 sq cm;

    (iii) On the reverse of the player’s shirt below the shirt collar – size not exceeding 80 sq cm;

    (iv) On the reverse of the player’s shirt below the player’s number – size not exceeding 200 sq cm;

    (v) On the front of the shirt collar (both sides) – size not exceeding 40 sq cm;

    (vi) On the side panels of the shirt (both sides) – size not exceeding 100 sq cm;

    (vii) Where a team wears a singlet style (i.e. no collar) replacement advertisements of size not exceeding 40 sq cm each may be placed near the neckline of the shirt;

    (viii) On the back of the player’s short below the waistline – size not exceeding 100 sq cm;

    (ix) On front leg of the player’s short – size not exceeding 80 sq cm;

    (x) There are no restrictions on the size of the Club’s name, crest or logo

    18.2 All measurements are taken as the area within a rectangle drawn around the advertisement. Please refer the diagrams in the Fourth Schedule for further information on the positions of the advertising sites.

    18.3 The written prior approval of the HKHAMS is required before a club can accept any sponsorship. The club is required to provide the HKHAMS with images or diagrams of the proposed advertisement(s) and await the approval of the HKHAMS before it enters into any sponsorship agreement.

    18.4 Should an approval become out of date, because a sponsor contract has expired, the club is not required to inform the HKHAMS. Changes to approved advertisement or new advertisement must be approved by the HKHAMS before use.

    18.5 No advertisement will be permitted that is deemed by the HKHA to be detrimental to the positive image of the match.

    18.6 The advertisement shall not in any way conflict with any code of ethics issued by the HKHA.

    18.7 No tobacco or alcohol advertising shall be permitted with the exception of beer advertising which shall be permitted only in activities organized primarily for adults (e.g. Men’s, Women’s and Mixed leagues, Cup competitions and Tournaments).No beer advertising will be permitted in activities organized for young people under the age of 18 (e.g. Youth League, Mini Hockey).

    18.8 No club may use the Hong Kong flag/national emblem unless permission/approval in writing from the Government re usage of the SAR logo has been sought and received. Any such approval should be submitted with the uniform design.

    Contravention

    18.9 Clubs contravening any of the above Bye-laws will be liable to a fine to be determined by the HKHAMS.

     

19. UNFORSEEN EVENTS
                                        

    19.1 If circumstances arise which are not provided for in these Bye-laws, the Committee will determine any actions necessary to deal with those circumstances.

     

20. FIRST SCHEDULE
                                        
    1 Player Registration Fee     Bye-law 5.1     

    • $100 per additional player if total registered players exceeded 22

    2 Visiting Player Registration Fee

    • $300 per player

    3 Player Transfer Fee     Bye-law 8.1

    • $300 per player per transfer

    4 Match Postponement / Bringing Forward Fee     Bye-law 11.11

    • $500 per request

     

21. SECOND SCHEDULE
                                
    1 Ineligible Players    Bye-laws 5.1 and 14.3        

    First Contravention

    • Forfeiture of match 0-3* and deduction of 1 league point. The player involved will be suspended for 2 matches. The captain of the team using the ineligible player will be suspended for 1 match.

    Second Contravention

    • Fine of $500 per player per contravention; forfeiture of match 0-3 * and deduction of 3 league points. The player involved will be suspended for 2 matches upon registration. The captain of the team using the ineligible player will be suspended for 1 match.

    Subsequent Contravention

    • Fine of $1,000 per player per contravention; forfeiture of match 0-3 * and deduction of 5 league points plus referral to HKHAMS. The player involved will be suspended for 2 matches upon registration. The captain of the team using the ineligible player will be suspended for 1 match.

    2 Visiting Players     Bye-laws 6.1 to 6.4

    First Contravention

    • Forfeiture of match 0-3 *. Deduction of one (1) league point. The player involved will be suspended for 2 matches. Team Captain of the team using the visiting player will be suspended for one (1) match.

    3 Player Movement     Bye-laws 7.1 to 7.8

    First Contravention

    • Forfeiture of match 0-3 *. The player involved will be suspended for 1match.

    Second Contraventions

    • Fine of $500 per player per match, forfeiture of match 0- 3 * and deduction of 1 league point. The player involved will be suspended for 1 match. The match captain of the team will be suspended for 1 match.

    Subsequent Contraventions

    • Fine of $500 per player per match, forfeiture of match 0-3 * and deduction of 3 league points. The player involved will be suspended for 1 match. The match captain of the team will be suspended for 1 match.

    4 Player Uniform     Bye-laws 9.1 to 9.5

    • Fine of $100 per player per match

    5 Late Start     Bye-law 11.1

    • Fine of $400 per contravention

    6 Walk-Off / Refusal to Play    Bye-law 11.2

    • Fine of $500 and forfeiture of match 0-3 PLUS further penalty imposed by MS Committee or the DC
    after investigation of the incident.

    7 Walkover    Bye-law 11.3

    (Non-Premier Division teams)

    First Contravention

    • Fine of $500 and forfeiture of match 0-3

    Second Contravention

    • Fine of $1,000; forfeiture of match 0-3; and deduction of 2 league points

    Subsequent Contravention

    • Fine of $1,500; forfeiture of match 0-3; deduction of 4 league points; and referral to Committee.

    (Premier Division Teams)

    First Contravention

    • Fine of $1,500; forfeiture of match 0-3; deduction of 4 league points; and referral to Committee

    Subsequent Contravention

    • Penalty as determined by the Committee

    8 Withdrawal from the League or Domestic Knockout Tournaments     Bye-laws 11.7 & 15.5

    • Penalty as determined by the Committee

    9 Captains’ Responsibilities     Bye-laws 13.1 to 13.3

    • Fine of $200 per contravention per match
                                                           Bye-laws 13.4

    • Penalty as determined by the Committee

    10 Late Submission of Match Result Card     Byelaws 14.1

    First Contravention:

    • Fine of $500

    Subsequent Contraventions:

    • Fine of $500 PLUS deduction of one (1) league point

    11 Incomplete / inaccurate information on Match Result Card     Byelaws 14.1

    First contravention:

    • Fine of $500

    Subsequent Contraventions:

    • Fine of $500 PLUS deduction of one (1) league point

    12 Failure to provide Team’s Player List and/or players’ photographic identification documents     Bye-law 14.3

    • Fine of $100 per contravention per match on player list,

    • Fine of $100 per player on photographic identification documents, up to a maximum $800 per match

    13 Failure to provide umpires     Bye-law 17

    First Contravention

    • Fine of $500

    Second Contravention

    • Fine of $500 PLUS deduction of 1 league point

    Subsequent Contraventions

    • Fine of $1,000 PLUS deduction of 3 league points

    14 Advertising on Uniform without approval     Bye-law 18.8

    • Penalty as determined by the Committee

    *For the penalty of match forfeiture, the final score of the match will stay in case the opponent
    team wins the subject match.
    
    

22. THIRD SCHEDULE
                             
    CODE OF CONDUCT – HONG KONG HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
    (Approved by HKHA Council on August 2019)
               

    1. The Hong Kong Hockey Association (hereinafter called HKHA) is the only recognized governing body for the game of hockey in Hong Kong. Any person or affiliated club involved in any hockey competition of HKHA must agree to comply with the Rules of Hockey, the Anti Doping Rules of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (hereinafter called SF&OC) and the Hong Kong Anti-Doping Committee (hereinafter called HKADC), the Memorandum & Articles of Association and Rules (hereinafter called Constitution) of the HKHA, relevant HKHA Section Bye-laws, the HKHA Sexual Harassment Prevention and Handling Policy, competition/tournament rules and Rules and Directives of this Code of Conduct.

    2. The Code of Conduct is applicable for participants at any HKHA league game, tournament or tour or other event approved by the HKHA.

    3. The following shall be considered as participants:

    • All team members and officials of affiliated clubs and teams of HKHA including players, team management, coach and coaching staff, umpires, medical staff and the duly appointed representatives of the participating teams.

    • All team members and officials of the representative teams of HKHA, including players, team management, coach and coaching staff, medical staff and the duly appointed representatives of the participating teams.

    • All tournament officials including the Tournament Directors, Technical Officers, Umpires’ Managers, Judges and Umpires, and any other ad hoc officials appointed by HKHA or the organizing committee.

    • All registered players of the HKHA whether as participants or as spectators.

    Note: All players (male and female) selected for any of the Hong Kong National Squads, at both senior and junior levels, are also required to comply with the HKHA Code of Conduct for Elite Athletes.

    4. The code is established to create awareness of, and accountability for, the promotion of the game of hockey amongst the participants of all games of HKHA.

    5. All participants are responsible for their own behaviour and conduct and, as such, accountable. They must abide by the Rules of Hockey, the Anti-Doping Rules of the SF&OC and the HKADC, the Constitution of the HKHA, the relevant HKHA Section Bye-laws, the HKHA Sexual Harassment Prevention and Handling Policy and the Rules and Directives of the Code of Conduct as set out hereafter.

    6. All participants are automatically bound by and required to comply with all the provisions of the Code of Conduct. Accordingly, by their participation in a HKHA match/activity, such participant shall be deemed to have agreed that it is their personal responsibility to familiarize themselves with all the requirements of the Code of Conduct.

    7. It is the responsibility of the respective clubs and teams to instruct their players and team officials as to this requirement. The respective club or team shall share liability with its players and team officials should breaches of the terms of the Rules of Hockey, the Anti-Doping Rules of the SF&OC and the HKADC, the Constitution of the HKHA, the relevant HKHA Section Bye-laws, the HKHA Sexual Harassment Prevention and Handling Policy and the Rules and Directives of the Code of Conduct as mentioned in 5 above occur.

    8. Upon becoming aware, from whatever source, that an alleged breach of this Code of Conduct has occurred, the HKHA, or the relevant HKHA Section, may take appropriate action in accordance with the Constitution of the HKHA and/or Section Bye-laws.

    9. All participants are subject to the jurisdiction of the HKHA. HKHA is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct of those subject to its jurisdiction. In pursuance of these standards, all participants shall observe the Rules and Directives outlined in 10 and 11 below.

    10. Participants shall at all times conduct themselves fairly and properly on the field of play and in any part of the hockey venue/accommodation. No person may conduct himself in a manner or commit any act or omission which may prejudice the interests of hockey or which may bring the game of hockey into disrepute.

    11. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the following shall be regarded as conduct which is improper, unfair, and unacceptable:

    (a) Verbal/physical abuse or hostility towards another participant, person or any member of the public.

    (b) Disputing/protesting, reacting in a provocative or disapproving manner toward any decision made by an umpire or official in an inappropriate way.

    (c) Using rude or abusive language, gestures or hand signals towards any other participant or spectator.

    (d) Intimidating or offending another participant by reference to his or her race, colour or ethnic origin.

    (e) Engaging in any doping practice.

    (f) Betting on the result or any aspect of a hockey game or competition.

    (g) Fixing a game or trying to achieve a contrived outcome to a game or a competition, or influencing the outcome or any other aspect of a game or competition indirectly.

    (h) Seeking or accepting a bribe, or other benefit, to do anything mentioned in paragraph (g).

    (i) Charging or advancing towards an Umpire or Official in an aggressive manner when appealing.

    (j) Excessive appealing of an Umpire’s decision, or crowding an Umpire.

    (k) Throwing a stick or ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner.

    (l) Inappropriate physical and/or unsporting-like contact between players in the course of play.

    (m) Abuse of hockey equipment or clothing, venue equipment or fixtures and fittings

    (n) Feigning injury and/or overreacting to alleged physical contact from another player
    
    

23. FOURTH SCHEDULE: ADVERTISEMENT ON UNIFORM (18.2 refers)