Hawks
Newsletter

1 DEFINITIONS

1.1 The "League" refers to the British Australian Rules Football League, being the governing body as set out in the constitution.

1.2 "Clubs" refers to the members of the league as set out in the constitution.

1.3 "Teams" refers to the specific football teams entered into the League by the Clubs.

1.4 "Divisions" refers to the groupings of Teams into separate competitions within the League.

1.5 "Category" refers to the nationality status of a player.

1.6 "Round" refers to the set of fixtures for the League on a weekend.

2 COMPOSITION OF THE LEAGUE

2.1 The League shall comprise of a number of Divisions as set out in Schedule A of these Rules. Schedule A will provide any rules specific to each division including, but not limited to the following information:

2.1.1 The name of the Division.

2.1.2 The minimum number of players in a Team.

2.1.3 The maximum number of players in a Team.

2.1.4 The maximum number of players of any Category in a Team.

2.1.5 The maximum number of players allowed on the field at any time.

2.1.6 The maximum number of players of any Category allowed on the field at any time.

2.1.7 The format of the Finals series for the Division. This will most likely be dependant on the number of Teams competing, and so shall be allowed to be entered once this is known.

2.2 The League will, either at its Annual General Meeting or first Committee Meeting thereafter, set a date by which the Clubs must have registered the Teams which will play in each Division. These will be updated in Schedule B.

3 ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

3.1 An Administration Officer will be appointed by the League to manage the football affairs of the League. The duties of the Administration Officer will include:

3.1.1 The keeping of a database of all registered players.

3.1.2 The collating and distribution of results.

3.1.3 The ability to act as an arbiter for registration clarifications.

3.1.4 The ability to make official decisions when required as specifically set out below.

3.2 In all cases, the Administration Officer will attempt to rectify any problems to the satisfaction of all Clubs, but Clubs will always have recourse to take the matter to the League Committee.

3.3 Correspondence with the Administration Officer may be either written or electronic, but in the case of e-mail it should always be acknowledged to be considered received.

4 PLAYER REGISTRATION

4.1 All players must be registered with the League. To do so, any person who is not registered must fully complete the League's Player Registration Form.

4.2 The following details are the minimum to be filled out on the Player Registration Form.

4.2.1 Full Name

4.2.2 Club

4.2.3 Category - E.U. or R.O.W.

4.2.4 Signature

4.2.5 Date

4.3 The League may specify other compulsory fields on the form for it to be valid. These should be clearly marked.

4.4 The Player Registration Form will ensure that the player be aware that he plays at his own risk, and will recommend strongly that he obtains medical insurance

4.5 The Club will be liable for the registration fee for the player, as set out in Schedule B.

4.6 To qualify for the E.U. category, a player must fulfil all of the following requirements:

4.6.1 Must have lived at least 90% of his life after the age of 10 within Europe. Europe refers to the entire continent of Europe, and includes all of Turkey and Russia.

4.6.2 Must be the holder of a passport of a European country.

4.6.3 Must provide the Club with a photocopy clearly showing their photograph, name, and nationality.

4.7 All other players will be registered in the R.O.W. category, unless granted E.U. status by the League Committee after application by the Club. To do this, register the player as R.O.W. and apply for the status change within one month of the registration.

4.8 All players must be at least 16 years of age.

4.9 The Administration Officer will assign a registration number to any new players on receipt of the Player Registration Form for the player.

5 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

5.1 Players must be fully registered, having been assigned a registration number, by the Wednesday prior to their second League match. The Administration Officer may allow a later registration prior to the second match.

5.2 An unregistered player wishing to play their first match must do so on a Temporary Registration. To do this, all of the following must be satisfied:

5.2.1 The player must have fully completed a Player Registration Form.

5.2.2 These forms must be handed to the umpires along with the official team sheet.

5.2.3 If the player is to be registered as an E.U. category player, then the player should be able to offer reasonable proof of his nationality on request, and a senior member of his club be available to verify this.

5.2.4 The player must sign the player sheet for the day as normal clearly using the letters 'TEMP' in the column for his registration number.

5.3 Club officials must have with them at every match copies of the passport photocopies provided by all of the E.U. players when they registered. These must be shown to the umpires or one senior member of the opposition on request, and at any reasonable time before, during, or up until an hour after a match.

5.4 All players playing in a match should be able to identify themselves with a reasonable form of official identification, such as a credit card or drivers licence. Such identifications must be shown to the umpires or one senior member of the opposition on request, and at any reasonable time before, during, or up until an hour after a match.

5.5 A Club in doubt of the validity of an opposition player's registration due to either the category of the player or the identity of the player, has 72 hours from the end of the match to officially complain to the Administration Officer. In the event of this happening the Administration Officer will do the following.

5.5.1 In the event of the Complainant being uncertain of the player's category, the Administration Officer shall notify the Club being questioned and require that they produce evidence to substantiate the players inclusion on the team sheet under the category stated, and a reason as to why this was not available at the match.

5.5.2 In the event of the Complainant being uncertain of the player's identity, the Administration Officer shall notify the Club being questioned and require that their Committee will vouch for the player's identity and give a reason as to why some identification was not available at the match.

5.5.3 In either event the Administration Officer will require a response from the Club within 5 days from the request being issued.

5.5.4 In the event of an unsatisfactory response, the Administration Officer shall report the matter to the League Committee for further investigation.

5.5.5 In the event of a satisfactory response, the Administration Officer shall inform the Complainant that this has been given, and no further action will be taken, although they will have the right to take the matter further to the League Committee by writing after this.

5.6 Players found to using drugs, either illegal or performance-enhancing, shall be ineligible to play.

6 PLAYER MOVEMENT

6.1 Players will only be allowed to play for Teams representing the Club for which they are registered, unless specifically excepted below.

6.2 Players will be only be allowed to play one League match in any Round.

6.3 A Team receiving a forfeit against them has the following options:

6.3.1 If the forfeit is announced prior to the match, in that the umpires and opposition Team are informed and do not attend, the Club can fill out a team sheet for the match and the players will be deemed to have played. The team still must meet all Rules pertaining to the Division, eligibility and player movement. This form must be received by the Administration Officer by the Friday following the forfeit, though need not be signed by the players.

6.3.2 If the forfeit occurs at the match venue in that the umpires do attend, the Club can fill out a team sheet for the match and the players will be deemed to have played. The team still must meet all Rules pertaining to the Division, eligibility and player movement. This form must be received by the umpires at the venue, and must be signed by the players, who must be in attendance.

6.3.3 In either of these cases, the Club can choose not to fill out a team sheet for the match and the Team's previous match for all purposes of these Rules will be considered to be the previous played match prior to the forfeit, if any.

6.4 Player movement between Teams of the same Club in the same Division is allowed, but will be limited by the following restrictions:

6.4.1 A Team may only include a maximum of five players whose most recent game in the Division was not with that Team.

6.5 All players of a Team having a bye will be required to observe the bye by not playing in that Round, according to the following:

6.5.1 The players referred to will be those who were on the team sheet for the Team's previous match.

6.5.2 An exception of up to three players will be allowed. These players may play in either Division, though must still be in line with all other Rules.

6.6 Players may be loaned between Teams of different Clubs with the following stipulations:

6.6.1 A Team may not consist of more than three loaned players.

6.6.2 The opposition must agree to the loan, either officially through the Administration Officer, or unofficially at the match, with the agreement of the umpires.

6.7 A player may transfer to a different Club by request and the transfer will be accepted and deemed finalised only once all of the following have occurred.

6.7.1 The Administration Officer has received a new, fully-completed Player Registration Form, and a reason for the transfer.

6.7.2 The Administration Officer has received confirmation from the new Club that they are willing to take the player, and that they will be liable for the Transfer Fee, as set out in Schedule B.

6.7.3 The Administration Officer has notified the current Club of the request to Transfer, and that Club makes no complaint within 72 hours of financial liability to the Club being outstanding from the player.

6.7.4 The Administration Officer is satisfied that the transfer is for legitimate reasons, and then notifies both Clubs concerned.

7 FINALS ELIGIBILITY

7.1 The League may disqualify any Team from any final if all overdue liabilities are not met prior to the Finals series.

7.2 To play for a Team in a final, a player must have played a minimum of three matches for the Team in the current season, and be currently registered with that club.

7.3 A player who has transferred Clubs during the season will only be eligible to play for his current Club, and only matches played since the date of the transfer will count towards eligibility.

7.4 Within a Division, a player who has played for more than one Team from the same Club can only be eligible to play Finals for one of them. If the player has played the three matches required for more than one team, then the following will apply:

7.4.1 If the player has played a majority of matches for one Team then he will only be eligible for that Team. A majority will be a number of matches for the Team at least two greater than for any other Team.

7.4.2 If the player has not played such a majority for any one team, then he will only be eligible for the side for which he most recently played his third match.

8 MATCHDAY REGULATIONS

8.1 Matches shall be carried out in accordance with the fixtures and the Teams will take the field in accordance with the numbers for the division as set out in Schedule A.

8.2 Official changes to the timing or location of fixtures can be made in accordance with the following guidelines.

8.2.1 The Administration Officer must be informed of the desire to change the match by the home Club. Any timing changes must be minor in that the match must still be played on the same weekend.

8.2.2 The Administration Officer will confirm that the change is acceptable to the Umpires.

8.2.3 The Administration Officer will ensure that the change is acceptable to the away Club.

8.2.4 Having been satisfied by all of the above, the Administration Officer will inform all three parties and the League Committee that the change has been made effective, and no reversal will be allowed unless it follows the same procedure above.

8.3 Official changes to the team compositions can be made in accordance to the following guidelines.

8.3.1 The Administration Officer must be informed of the desire to change the team compositions by the home Club.

8.3.2 The maximum numbers of players allowed on the field at any time is not to be increased above 18.

8.3.3 The minimum numbers of players required in the Team at any time is not to be decreased.

8.3.4 The Administration Officer will ensure that the change is acceptable to the away Club.

8.3.5 The Administration Officer will only allow the change if it is not seen to be detrimental to the Division's make-up in terms of composition by Category.

8.3.6 Having been satisfied by all of the above, the Administration Officer will inform both Teams, the Umpires, and the League Committee that the change has been made effective, and no reversal will be allowed unless it follows the same procedure above.

8.4 Unofficial changes to the team compositions can be made in accordance to the following guidelines.

8.4.1 Prior to the start of the match the coaches of the opposing Teams must agree to changes and inform the umpires.

8.4.2 The changes must be in line with the rules for Official Changes above.

8.4.3 With the Umpires acceptance, the match will go ahead according to the agreed team compositions, and any breaking of these rules will be considered as if the offending team had broken the normal rules of football.

8.5 Teams will fill out an official team sheet prior to the start of each match. All players must have signed all copies of the team sheet prior to taking the field.

8.6 Teams will have the right to take their copy of the opposition's team sheet at any time from the start of the match. Umpires have the right to take a copy of both teams' team sheets at any time from the start of the match. Any alterations which need to be made after this must still be made to all copies, though this must not be unreasonably hindered and can be allowed to wait until the next interval in play by the umpires.

8.7 Teams must have the minimum number of players required before they may start the match. Until this time they will be considered unready, exactly as if they were simply late.

8.8 Players must all be attired in the usual uniform of the Team. Players in incorrect attire may only take the field with the agreement of both the opposing coach and the umpires.

8.9 Players must wear a unique number on their back, and numbering shall be approximately 20cm high. Players without a valid number may only take the field with the agreement of both the opposing coach and the umpires.

8.10 Both teams shall be required to provide a goal umpire for the match unless the umpires specifically remove this responsibility from them. Each team will be required to provide official scorecards, which they will be able to obtain from the Administration Officer.

8.11 In the event that a club is unable to provide a goal umpire, a player must be designated to do the job. The player will be deemed to be playing for purposes of team composition rules, though must not wear the attire of the team. The player may be changed at any time, though the replacing person must be correctly attired before the replaced person changes back into uniform.

8.12 Both teams shall be required to provide a boundary umpire for the match unless the umpires specifically remove this responsibility from them.

8.13 In the event that a club is unable to provide a boundary umpire, the team shall be required at boundary throw-ins on their boundary to nominate a player to throw the ball in.

8.14 Teams shall be allowed one Runner on the field and up to three water-carriers. These should be distinguishable as such in an agreed manner between the Teams and with the umpires.

8.15 Water-carriers shall not remain on the field when not delivering water and shall not offer advice to players when on the field. If an umpire believes that they broken either of these stipulations, he will send the water-carrier from the field and the team will be allowed one fewer water-carrier for the rest of the match. The umpire may also award a free kick against the club.

8.16 The umpires shall have authority to start the game at any time after the designated start time. As a guideline this should be with 10 minutes of the designated start time.

8.17 The commencement of the game should be as follows:

8.17.1 The umpires shall call for the Team captains for the coin toss. If either Team is not ready then a maximum of 20 minutes will be allowed or a forfeit may be applied at the umpires' discretion.

8.17.2 After the coin toss the umpires will allow two minutes for the teams to take the field and shall then call for the timekeeper to sound the siren to commence the match.

8.18 A club which is deemed to forfeit a match will be subject to the following penalties unless the League Committee decides, on application by the forfeiting team, that the forfeit was fully beyond their control. In such cases a forfeiting team will:

8.18.1 Be fined in accordance with Schedule B.

8.18.2 Be liable for umpiring costs if the umpires attended the match venue, or were not given sufficient notice.

8.18.3 Give up the right, if they were the away team, to host their next meeting between the two Teams, and shall be forced to play away, whether or not in the current season. This does not affect in any way their next away match against the opposing Team. This does not apply if both teams forfeit the match.

8.19 The ladder will be determined as follows.

8.19.1 A winning team will be awarded 4 points.

8.19.2 A drawn match will result in both team recieiving 2 points.

8.19.3 A percentage will be obtained by dividing the total score for (in points) by the total score against by a team.

8.19.4 If a match is won by a margin of more than 150 points, the winning teams score will be reduced, though only for purposes of calculating the percentages of both teams, by an amount to bring their winning margin down to 150 points.

8.19.5 If a match is deemed forfeited by one team, the match will be deemed to have been won by a margin of 150 points to zero.

8.19.6 If a match is deemed forfeited by both teams, the match will be deemed to have been drawn 0-0, for percentage purposes, but neither team will receive points.

8.19.7 A match ratio shall be calculated being the result of dividing the number of points attained by the maximum number of points possibly attained, which is the number of games played multiplied by 4.

8.19.8 In all cases where the table is published, the teams shall be ordered by match ratio, points, and then percentage, though the match ratio need only be shown where teams have not all played equal numbers of matches.

8.20 Should any Finals match be drawn the following shall be repeated until a winner is decided.

8.20.1 A break equal to the quarter time break shall be given.

8.20.2 The teams shall swap direction from the fourth quarter and play a further ten minutes.

8.20.3 The teams shall then immediately swap direction and play a further ten minutes.

8.21 The venues for finals shall be decided by the League Committee during the season.

8.22 At the conclusion of a match, the umpires shall return to the AO:

8.22.1 The team sheets for the match and any registration forms for players playing under a temporary registration.

8.22.2 The results of the match, including goalkickers and up to five best players, as awarded by the respective coaches.

8.22.3 The best and fairest votes for the match, as voted by the umpires, in 3-2-1 format, and preferably sealed in an envelope and labeled.

8.23 At the conclusion of the regular season the best and fairest votes will be counted and read. The following conditions will apply:

8.23.1 The player receiving the most votes in each division will be awarded the Division's Best & Fairest award. These might be amassed for different Teams, and even before a transfer.

8.23.2 In the event of a further tie, the tied players will share the award.

8.23.3 A player who is suspended during the season will be ineligible for the award.

8.23.4 The votes shall be counted at a place to be nominated by the League Committee.

8.23.5 Further awards may be given by the League Committee.

8.24 Schedule A will set out any ancillary football rules which will be applied to the League, such as timings of quarters and the breaks between them, and any other peculiarities.

9 HOME CLUB MATCHDAY DUTIES

9.1 The League Committee will require each Club playing home matches to provide a ground to the standard of the following set of conditions.

9.1.1 A playing area in good condition, marked plainly for Australian Rules Football, with the boundary, goal squares, centre square, and centre circle as a minimum.

9.1.2 Playing area free of litter and dangerous objects.

9.1.3 Padding on the eight goal-posts.

9.1.4 Goal flags for both goal umpires, being predominanly white, at least 30cm x 30cm in size, and on sticks of at least 60cm.

9.1.5 Dressing rooms with sufficient accommodation for each of the teams and showers available.

9.1.6 A separate dressing room for umpires.

9.1.7 Provision of a score-board of a satisfactory size and the use of clearly visible numbering so that at all times progressive scores are clearly visible to all spectators.

9.1.8 Provision of a competent score-board attendant for the match, who will update the scores and check the scores with the goal umpires at each interval.

9.1.9 Provision of a timekeeper for the match, unless this duty is specifically taken by the umpires, which they may do at their discretion.

9.1.10 Provision of an adequate siren for the match. Car horns are not acceptable.

9.1.11 Provision of an adequate first aid kit.

9.2 The home team shall be required to pay the umpires immediately after the match in accordance with Schedule B.

10 UMPIRES REGULATIONS

10.1 An Umpiring Coordinator will be appointed by the League Committee prior to each season.

10.2 The Umpiring Coordinator will be responsible for organising the recruiting and appointment of umpires for the season, and for ensuring that the umpires are aware of their off-field duties as well as the rules of the sport.

10.3 The Umpiring Coordinator will be responsible for allocating each match two central umpires to each match. In the event of enough umpires not being available, the Umpiring Coordinator will be able to call on clubs to provide umpires.

10.4 In the event of umpires failing to attend a match the Teams shall agree on appropriate field umpires.

10.5 Complaints against any of the umpires must be lodged with the Umpiring Coordinator within seven days of the match in question.

10.6 At the conclusion of each quarter the goal umpires must compare scores. If there is a discrepancy then the field umpires will be required to rule on the correct score, and both Team coaches will be informed.

10.7 After the match, both goal umpires will sign their card and hand them to the field umpires to be passed on to the Administration Officer or Umpiring Coordinator.

10.8 At the conclusion of each match the umpires shall meet with both Team coaches to collate scores, goalkickers, best players, and announce any fines. These fines should be acknowledged by the coaches at this time.

11 FINES AND COMPLAINTS

11.1 All infringements of the rules shall be liable for fines. Standard fines adminsterable directly by the Administration Officer are set out in Schedule B.

11.2 All fines will be payable to the League unless overturned by the League Committee.

11.3 The League shall notify each Club of all outstanding fines, and all fines incurred in a calendar month shall be payable by the end of the following calendar month.

11.4 Fines will be payable on infringements even if the rules allow for consideration by opposition or umpires. For example, even if the opposition and umpires allow a player to play without a unique number, the fine will still apply.

11.5 All complaints not directly dealt with by the rules will come under the scrutiny of the League Committee. The League committee will have the power to:

11.5.1 Fine Clubs.

11.5.2 Remove match points from Teams.

11.5.3 Disqualify a Team from a match.

11.5.4 Suspend players from matches.

11.5.5 Suspend Teams from matches.

11.6 A team disqualified from a match will be deemed to have forfeited the match. As a guidline this should only be applied when a Team has broken a rule which has given them an on-field advantage which they would not otherwise have had.

11.7 The League Committee will endeavour to consider each case and if necessary hand out a punishment in line with previous cases where available.

12 SPONSORS

12.1 The League and Clubs shall be allowed to represent any sponsors they see fit, in accordance with Schedule C.

12.2 The Clubs shall be allowed reasonable freedom at their home games to represent their own sponsors and no competitors of their own sponsors. Away Clubs wishing to show any sponsors names other than on clothing must get permission from the home Club to do so.

12.3 The League shall be allowed reasonable freedom at its events and Finals matches to represent their own sponsors and no competitors of their own sponsors. Clubs wishing to show any sponsors names other than on clothing must get permission from the League to do so.

12.4 The Clubs shall not be forced to commit to any League sponsors requirements without prior agreement.

12.5 Any League sponsors requirements which must be adhered to by all Clubs will be set out in Schedule C.

12.6 The umpires shall at all times be able to wear their official shirts with any sponsors as condoned by the League.

SCHEDULE A: COMPOSITION OF THE LEAGUE

The League will consist of two Divisions.

The FSS Financial BARFL Premiership
§ Teams to consist of a maximum of 24 players.
§ Teams to consist of a maximum of 12 players registered as ROW.
§ Teams to have a maximum of 18 players on the field at any time.
§ Teams to have of a maximum of 9 players registered as ROW on the field at any time.
§ Teams to consist of a minimum of 14 players.
§ Finals to consist of a standard Australian Rules Football Final Four system.

The BARFL London Conference
§ Teams to consist of a maximum of 22 players.
§ Teams to consist of a maximum of 20 players registered as ROW.
§ Teams to have a maximum of 16 players on the field at any time.
§ Teams to have of a maximum of 14 players registered as ROW on the field at any time.
§ Teams to consist of a minimum of 12 players.
§ Finals to consist of a Preliminary Final between second and third, the winner play first in the Grand Final.
§ Further to standard eligiblity rules, a player will not be eligible for a final if they have played six or more matches in the BARFL Premiership and the player's Club's BARFL Premiership side is not playing on the weekend of the final in question.
§ Clubs may not enter Teams in this Division without also participating in the Premiership, with the exception of any new Clubs entering the League.

In all Divisions the following will apply.

§ All quarters are to be 25 minutes in length with umpires allowing added time where they see fit.
§ With agreement of both sides and umpires, quarters may be shortened to 20 minutes prior to the match.
§ Quarter-time and three-quarter-time breaks to be ten minutes.
§ Half-time breaks are to be 20 minutes.

SCHEDULE B: FEES AND FINES

The standard fees for the League are as follows. All figures are in pounds.

General
Club Affiliation 100
Team Affiliation 100
Player Registration 10
Player Transfer 10

The following will be the standard amounts for minor transgressions.

General
Match Forfeiture Max 50

Matchday Regulations
Teamsheet Not Signed Before Play 5 per player
Player Incorrectly Attired 5 per player
Player Without Unique Number 5 per player
No Non-Player Goal Umpire 10
No Non-Player Boundary Umpire 10
No Scorecards 5
Late Commencement: 5 minutes 10
Late Commencement: 10 minutes 30
No First Aid Kit 10

Home Team Duties
Littered Ground 10
Missing Goal Padding 10
Missing Goal Flags 5 per pair
No Dressing Rooms Available 5
No Showers 5
No Adequate Scoreboard 5
No Scoreboard Attendant 5
No Timekeeper 5
No Adequate Siren 5
No Umpire Payment 5

SCHEDULE C: SPONSORS CONSIDERATIONS

Clubs are to reserve the upper chest of their guernseys for badges provided by the League or its sponsors.

Clubs are to use the shirts provided by the league for their water-carriers.

Clubs are to check with the General Manager/League Committee before reaching any agreement with a company which might be in competition with a League sponsor or media provider.