Sports by-laws

1. Team nominations should be completed online on the Teams registration portal as found on the City of Stirling website.
2. Players' full names must be recorded on the scoresheet. Once a player has played three or more games, they are registered to that team
3. The team captain nominating a team must be 18 years old or over and is responsible for their team, fees and communication
4. New players can be registered throughout the season via the scoresheet, which is the responsibility of the team captain
5. Management has the right to refuse entry to teams and/or individual players. Previous playing history in Stirling Leisure competitions will be considered. No guarantee is given that this application will be successful. Where teams cannot be included in the competition, they will be notified
6. When registering a team at Stirling Leisure, you are agreeing to participate in all fixtures and agree to payment for those game fees
7. Teams wishing to participate in the following season must re-nominate their team
8. New teams joining the competition after the start of a season can be introduced into a competition.

1. Players under the age of 16 years will not be permitted to play in adult competitions
2. Players 16-17 years of age are required to have a parent or guardian present while they compete
3. Players must have played three games during the season to qualify for finals
4. Teams must field the minimum player numbers, to commence play:

   Netball	5 players
   Futsal/Soccer	4 players
   Basketball	4 players

5. Players are only permitted to play for one team in finals - the team they have played the most games for throughout the season
6. Playing an illegal player will result in an automatic loss or forfeit. Illegal players are:
   1. Players under suspension
   2. Players not qualified for final games
   3. Players playing under a different name

7. Players are permitted to fill in for other teams:

   1. Netball

      1. If a player is to fill in for another team that they aren’t registered to, that player must only play in a wing position for the duration of the game.

      2. A fill in player may play in any position.
   2. Mixed netball
      1. In a Mixed Netball team, a minimum of one male and a maximum of three males must take the court
      2. 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)
      3. In the event that a current player is to fill in for another team, that player must only play in a wing position for the total duration of the game. A fill in that is not a current player for a team may play any position as required.

1. The intention of the grading period is to provide each team with an appropriate level of competition. If grading, each competition will have a grading period of two weeks.
   1. Previous history
   2. Grading game results (winning/losing margin)
   3. Umpire recommendation
   4. Sports and Leisure Programs Officer recommendation.

2. Grading will be conducted under the discretion of the Sports and Leisure Programs Officer

3. Teams may request grades with sufficient reasoning, however, will not be guaranteed a spot in the requested grade.

1. Prior to the game commencing, all teams are required to have paid their game fee in advance
2. All teams must provide their own scorer for the duration of the game. Teams are therefore responsible for monitoring the scores during the game, and umpires will not be held responsible for scoring errors in the event a scorer is not provided
3. The team will be held responsible for the conduct of its members and spectators, and all parties shall be subject to the Behaviour Management Guidelines as provided for in section 16. Behaviour Management Guidelines
4. Disputes should be made in writing to the Senior Sports & Leisure Program Officer for consideration
5. Any player suspected to be under the influence of drugs/alcohol will be denied entry to the facility and/or asked to leave the premises immediately
6. Any valuables/money left unattended is personal responsibility. Stirling Leisure Centres will not accept responsibility for any such losses
7. Players participate in sports competitions at their own risk, injuries incurred whilst playing are not covered by insurance by the Stirling Leisure Centres
8. 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.

1. Game payments can be made weekly or upfront at reception upon arrival. Any forfeit or withdrawal fees incurred will be charged to the team and are the responsibility of the team captain to collect from players and ensure payment is made at the time of forfeiture or withdrawal.

1. Team captains must ensure players accept all umpire decisions with a positive attitude
2. Any disputes must be communicated through the team captain to the umpires at half time or upon conclusion of the games
3. Team captains must ensure all game and outstanding fees are paid
4. All players’ full name must be recorded on the scoresheet before the game commences. Nicknames are not acceptable.

1. Matching top colours with position bibs or numbers clearly displayed must be worn.
2. Penalties for out of uniform players will be applied as follows:

1. Stirling Leisure Centres will endeavour to provide experienced and/or qualified umpires for each game played
2. The City of Stirling is committed to providing a safe working environment for our employees and will take a zero-tolerance stance on abusive or intimidating behaviour towards umpires
3. Responsibilities of the umpire is:
   1. To inspect the condition of playing area, ball and equipment
   2. To ensure all players are wearing the correct uniform
   3. To check all players’ nails and jewellery
   4.  To apply Stirling Leisure Centres by-laws and sport-specific rules to all games
   5.  To provide the highest customer service to all players and patrons.

1. All timeslots must be played, ranging from 6.00pm to 10.00pm. No preference will be given
2. Management reserves the right to change fixtures where necessary.
3. Games will be played on a time limit of:

4. The game clock will start at the fixtured start time regardless of teams being ready to play

5. The clock will not be stopped for any reason during the game (includes injuries)

6. Where a team does not have the required minimum players (3.4) at the commencement of the game the following late penalties will apply:

7. 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. Scoresheets are to be left at the scoring area and player names, numbers and/or positions entered in full before commencement of the game
2. The scoresheets will be used for the official result. Umpires and a team member are to check and sign the scoresheet at the end of the game
3. Once the umpires have signed the scoresheet, the score is final. No further changes can be made, and no disputes will be accepted regarding the score, or any suspensions/cards recorded
4. Premiership points are award after each game is completed. Points will be awarded as follows:

   Win	4 points
   Loss	1 point
   Draw/Bye	2 points
   Forfeit	-2 points

1. Forfeit and withdrawal fees will occur if a team cannot field a team for the fixtured game or a team has to withdraw from the competition before the end
2. Forfeit fines are charged accordingly:

3. Forfeit fees must be paid within seven days

4. A team with three (3) outstanding forfeit fees will be removed from the competition immediately

5. Results for forfeits will be recorded as follows:

6. A withdrawal fee of $100 applies to any team that chooses to withdraw during the season

7. Team captains must inform the Sports & Leisure Programs Team when withdrawing from the competition with a minimum of one weeks’ notice.

1. To participate in finals a player must be registered (2.2) and have participated in a minimum of 3 games throughout the regular season.
2. Finals positions will be determined in the following order:
   1. Most points
   2. Highest percentage
   3. Score difference
   4. Score for

3. Finals will be fixtured in the following format:

   1. Semi Final - 1v4 and 2v3
   2. Grand Final - Winners of each semi-final
   3. Teams not in the top 4 will play in the classification rounds for the duration of the finals.

All teams will play two (2) weeks of finals games regardless of finishing position.

4. If there is a draw at the end of regular time during the Semi Final and Grand Final, the following will determine the outcome of the game:

1. Futsal, a period of 5 minutes to be played, a coin toss will determine who will take the first centre kick, if after this time a winner cannot be determined a penalty shoot-out will determine the outcome.
2. Netball, two periods of 5 minutes to be played, if after this time a winner cannot be determined, another period will begin and when a team leads by two goals, the winner will be determined.
3. Basketball, a period of 5 minutes will be played, if after this time a winner cannot be determined an additional 5 minutes will be played again until there is a winner.

1. Where a game is abandoned by the umpire for player misconduct, the offending team will have a forfeit recorded against their team. The opposition will be awarded a win
2.  Where a game is abandoned by a team, the opposition will be awarded a win
3. Where a game is unable to be completed or is cancelled by the City due to unforeseen operational circumstances, including safety concerns, the following will be applied:
   1. Games stopped before half time
      • The game will be recorded as a draw
      • A free game credit will be applied
   2. Games stopped after half time
      • The score at the time play ceased will stand as the final result
      • No free game credit will be provided
4. Where a game is unable to be completed due to an altercation, misconduct, or behaviour-related incident, the non-offending team will be awarded the win. The City may impose additional penalties on the offending team, including player or team suspensions.
   1. Games stopped before half time.
      • A free game credit will be applied to the non-offending team
      • No free game credit will be applied to the offending team
   2. Games stopped after half time
      • No free game credit will be provided to either team.

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 the Senior Sports and Leisure Programs Officer

3. Management reserves the right to suspend players, spectators and/or teams from the competition

4. Any player put on suspension is on an automatic probation for an indefinite period

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 the Senior Sports and Leisure Programs Officer

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, however no credit will be provided to a team responsible for the incident

8. Penalties and suspensions are at the discretion of the Senior Sports and Leisure Programs Officer. Once a penalty and/or suspension are issued, the decision is final.

1. The actions listed below are non-binding guidelines used by the Stirling Leisure Centres Sports Team to determine stadium misconduct in a sport-specific context, which may result in the person in question being subject to further suspension as per Suspension Guidelines (17).
   Umpires should work through the steps below unless the behaviour is serious enough to justify moving directly to a higher sanction.
   1. Early intervention: where low-level behavioural concerns are identified, the umpire shall provide the player with clear and specific direction regarding the behaviour required to be modified. Repeated infringements by the same player shall result in escalation to the next step.
   2. Warning: A formal warning will be issued, advising that any continuation of the identified behaviour will result in the applicable sport-specific consequences set out below.
   3. Sport-specific consequences:

4. Suspension: Final sport-specific consequences, resulting in the player and team no longer participating in the game, and ejection from the Centre. Suspension Guidelines (17) will be in effect for the whole team not just the individual:

2. It is the responsibility of the umpire to apply Steps 1-4 at their discretion, and players should be aware that all sport-specific consequences are subject to the interpretation of the umpire.

3. Any further actions undertaken by the player subject to behaviour management can result in an immediate ejection from the facility and/or further suspension from the competition, in accordance with the guidelines as per Suspension Guidelines (17).

The actions listed below are non-binding guidelines used by the Stirling Leisure Centres Senior Sports and Leisure Programs Officer to determine appropriate suspension periods. Please note that any suspension handed down is at the discretion of the Senior Sports and Leisure Programs Officer, who may consider context when determining an appropriate suspension.

Please see below for the tribunal/suspension guidelines: