Sports by-laws

1. The Australian Basketball Federation, FIFA Futsal and Australian Netball Association rules shall apply unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws
2. Day to day interpretation of these By-Laws shall be the responsibility of the match official(s)
3. Appeals against the interpretation must be lodged in writing to Management with 48 hours.

1. The team captain nominating a team must be 18 years or over and is responsible for their team, fees and all communication
2. A Team Nomination Form must be fully completed and signed each season, including full names and contact details for all players
3. Returning teams are able to sign a nomination letter to enter the next season rather than fill out a new form should the information be accurate and unchanged
4. Management has the right to refuse entry to teams and/or individual players.  Previous playing history in Stirling Leisure Centres competitions will be taken into account
5. A new team is required to pay a nomination fee on handing in the nomination
6. Returning teams from the previous season, that played the entire season, are not required to pay a nomination fee
7. Teams nominating are committed to the full season.  Withdrawal fees apply where a team requests an early exit (see 9. 8).

1. To register a player, the Team Captain must record the players name and contact details in full on the Team Nomination Form
2. New players can be registered onto the form throughout the season, which is the responsibility of the Team Captain
3. A player is not permitted to register for more than one team in a competition.

1. Age restrictions apply to all competitions and are as follows:
   - Patrons under the age of 16 years will not be permitted to play in our competitions
   - Patrons 16-17 years of age are required to have a non-playing parent or guardian present while they compete in our competitions. This guardian is also required to sign the match sheet before the commencement of the match. The underage player will not be permitted to play if these requirements are not fulfilled.
2. Players must be registered (3.1) and have played three games during the season to qualify for finals
3. Teams must field the minimum player numbers, to commence play:
   - Netball: 5 Players
   - Futsal/Soccer: 4 Players
   - Basketball: 4 Players.
4. In a Mixed Netball team, a maximum number of three males are permitted to take the court at one time
5. In a Mixed Netball team, there must only be one male playing in each third of the netball court. I.e. One male in the defending third (GK or GD), Centre third (WA, WD or C) and attacking third (GA or GS)
6. Players are permitted to fill in for other teams, provided that they are not playing in a grade lower than the registered grade
7. Players are only permitted to play for one team in finals. This team must be the team they have played the most games for throughout the season
8. Playing an illegal player will result in an automatic loss on forfeit. Illegal players are:
   - Players under suspension
   - Players not qualified for final matches (10.1)
   - Players playing under a different name.

1. Team Captains shall be responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators. Both players and spectators can be ejected from the centre by staff for behaviour deemed inappropriate
2. Team Captains must ensure players accept all umpire decisions with a positive attitude. Decisions made by officials are final.  Players that dispute calls during match play may have penalties awarded against them and their team
3. Queries relating to umpire decisions can be made by the Team Captain only during the half time game break or after the game
4. The full game fee must be paid and receipt presented to the umpire prior to the game commencement.  The clock will start on time but the game will not commence until the fee is paid, and time penalties will apply (7.8)
5. All players’ full names must be recorded on the scoresheet before the game commences.  Nick names and inappropriate language is not acceptable
6. Teams should supply their own scorer.  Failure to do so will leave the offending team with no recourse to challenge the score
7. Hats/caps, Jewellery, pins or other dangerous items must not be worn (awareness bracelets are accepted).  Fingernails and other items must be taped or secured.  Sports gloves are permitted
8. Players participate in sports competitions at their own risk
9. Any valuables/money left unattended is personal responsibility. Stirling Leisure Centres will not accept responsibility for any such losses
10.  Players deemed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall be denied entry to the facility and may be subject to report.

1. Two weeks from the start of a new season or from the time of joining the competition (new teams joining mid-season) will be granted for teams to conform to the uniform rule as follows:
   - Netball: Matching top colours and matching position bibs
   - Futsal/Soccer: Matching top colours
   - Basketball: Matching top colours.
2. Penalties for out of uniform players will be applied as follows:
   - Netball: 2 points per player
   - Futsal/Spccer: 1 goal per player
   - Basketball: 5 points per player.

1. All timeslots must be played, ranging from 6pm to 10pm
2. No preference will be given for fixture timeslots
3. Grading into A & B grade may take place if a competition consists of 12 or more teams
4. Management reserve the right to change fixtures where necessary
5. Games will be played on a time limit of:
   - Netball: 4 x 9 minute quarters, 2 minute half time
   - Futsal/Soccer: 2 x 15 minute halves, 1 minute half time
   - Basketball: 2 x 30 minute halves, 2 minute half time.
6. The game clock will start at the fixtured start time regardless of teams being ready to play
7. The clock will not be stopped for any reason during the game (includes injuries)
8. Where a team does not have the required minimum players (as per 4.3)  at the commencement of the game the following late penalties will apply to the opposing team:
   - Netball: 1 goal for every minute
   - Futsal/Soccer: 1 goal every 3 minutes
   - Basketball: 2 points every minute.
9. If a team does not field the minimum numbers by the first 10 minutes then the game will be deemed a forfeit and a forfeit fee will apply.

1. Points will be awarded as follows;
   - Win: 3 points
   - Loss: 0 points
   - Draw/Bye: 1 point
   - Forfeit: -1 point.
2. Teams that join the competition before the sixth week will be given 1 point for every game missed.  Teams joining after the sixth week will not be given any points, other than those earned in the competition.

1. Once the fixtures are released the forfeit fine applies
2. Forfeiting a game with less than 24 hours’ notice given to the Centre will result in a forfeit fine plus match fee
3. Forfeit fees must be paid within 48 hours
4. A team with an outstanding forfeit fee may be subject to suspension or withdrawal from the competition by Management
5. Results for forfeits will be recorded as follows:
   - Netball: 20 to 0
   - Futsal/Soccer: 5 to 0
   - Basketball: 20 to 0.
6. A withdrawal fee applies to any team that chooses to withdraw during the season.

1. To participate in finals a player must be registered (3.0) and have participated in a minimum of 3 games throughout the regular season
2. Byes are counted as a game played if the player is registered at the time of the bye, as are forfeits by opposing teams (win on forfeit)
3. Any team with money outstanding at the end of the regular fixtured season will be ineligible to play finals
4. Finals positions will be determined in the following order:
   - Most points
   - Highest percentage (Netball)
   - Score difference
   - Score for.
5. Finals will be fixture in the following format:
   - Semi Final: 1v4 & 2v3
   - Gramd Final: Winners of each semi final.
6. All teams must play during finals weeks regardless of their position on the ladder.

1. If a game is abandoned by the umpire for misconduct, the offending team will result in a forfeit.  The opposition will be awarded a win 
2. If a game is abandoned by a team, the opposition will be awarded a win
3. If a game is unable to be continued, this could be due to an injury where a player cannot be moved, power failure, roof leak, etc. the following results will occur:
   - Match stopped before half time, the score will be deemed 0-0
   - Match stopped after half time, the score at the time will stand as the final result.

1. Players, teams and spectators can be reported by an official or staff member for any form of misconduct. Misconduct can include but is not limited to; abusive language, unsporting conduct, undue rough play, resistance to obey or take reasonable action from an official and striking or attempting to strike
2. On receipt of a player report, the team captain will be notified with the details of the report and the decision of action taken by Management
3. Management reserves the right to expel or suspend players, spectators and/or teams from the competition
4. Any player put on suspension is on an automatic probation for an indefinite period of time
5. Where a suspension is issued, the player may not enter the facility during this time, and the suspension weeks do not include weeks that are public holidays, byes or forfeits
6. Players, teams or spectators that have three reports and suspensions will be penalised further at the discretion of Management
7. If an altercation breaks out in a game, where an umpire is forced to stop the flow of the game, the umpire has the right to abandon the game.  If the game is abandoned prior to half time, the non-offending team can receive a credit for the next game
8. Penalties and suspensions are at the discretion of Management.  Once a penalty and/or suspension are issued, the decision is final

Please see below for our tribunal/suspension guidelines:

1. Teams participating in the current season are given priority to re-nominate for the next season, provided they nominate by the last round of fixtures (before finals)
2. Failure to nominate on time will result in the team being treated as a new team.  New teams will be given preference based on when the Nomination Form and fee is completed and received.  Teams that play an entire season are not required to pay the team nomination fee for following and subsequent season(s)
3. Teams that withdraw from the competition prior to the season’s completion (including finals) will be required to pay the Team Nomination fee (2.4) when nominating again  
4. Re-nominating teams are able to sign a re-nomination letter where applicable.

1. Stirling Leisure Centres thanks you for your support of these By-laws and trusts that your team and supporters are aware of the rules and conditions relating to our sporting competitions.