U15 SCHOOL GAMES NETBALL 2018 COMPETITION REGULATIONS 1. OVERVIEW 1.1. The U15 School Games Netball Competition (hereafter called ‘School Games Netball’) is a competition managed by England Netball, as the governing body for Netball in England, as part of the wider School Games National Finals, managed by the Youth Sport Trust. 1.2. These regulations set out the Rules and Protocols upon which School Games Netball should be run. 1.3. It is the responsibility of all Team Managers and Coaches, not England Netball, to ensure that all players and relevant parties within the team are fully conversant with these regulations. 2. AIM OF SCHOOL GAMES NETBALL 2.1. The aim of the School Games Netball is to enable high performance U15 athletes to compete against each other to determine a competition winner whilst developing the appropriate skills and experience in a performance environment, required to perform at international level as well as benefiting from the wider benefits the School Games multi-sport event environment will bring as well 2.2. A fundamental principle of the School Games Netball competition is to work in collaboration for the betterment of the athletes involved. Decisions will be taken in the first instance to ensure an open, fair and transparent competition, but the secondary criteria will be the betterment of the athletes involved in the competition 3. SCHOOL GAMES NETBALL COMPETITION ORGANISATION 3.1. Except where stated within these regulations, England Netball’s Chief Executive Officer will normally delegate authority for the management and administration of the Tournament to the Competition and Events Manager. 3.2. The Competition and Events Manager and other staff and volunteers shall organise, manage and administer the School Games Netball competition, in line with the wider School Games event managed by the Youth Sport Trust 3.3. The Competition and Events Manager will appoint Competition Referees who will have the authority and jurisdiction to make decisions on any matters arising throughout School Games Netball, including, but not limited to: 3.3.1. Altering or amending the playing schedule as necessary; 3.3.2. Determining if teams and/or players are in breach of these Regulations and imposing an appropriate penalty (including but not limited to disqualification of any individual or team); 3.3.3. Upholding the decision by any medical advisor, including but not limited to School Games doctor or physiotherapist, regarding the participation of a player and whether they are able to; A) Start the match Or B) Continue to play 3.3.4. Determining the action to be taken if a player is suspended from a game, or ordered to leave the court and take no further part in the game; 3.3.5. Adjudicating instances of unsportsmanlike behaviour including instances of teams predetermining the outcome of a match; 3.3.6. Any matter not covered by the Regulations The Competition Referees may consult with additional people to assist with the above, but the final decision and accountability will lie with the Competition Referees. 4. COMPETITION STRUCTURE 4.1. The Competition will be spilt into four stages. Stages 1 and 2 is four (4) groups of three (3) teams in a single round robin format. Final standings from Stage 1 will then determine which group each team plays in Stage 2, and final standings from Stage 2 will then determine which group each team plays in Stage 3. 4.2. Stage 3 is three (3) groups of four (4) teams in a single round robin format. Final standings from Stage 3 will then determine which final placing game in Stage 4 each team will play. 4.3. Stage 4 are final placing matches to determine the final standings for each team within the competition. 4.4. The winner of the Final will be declared the School Games Netball champion 5. TEAM ELIGIBILITY AND PERSONNEL 5.1. Team membership of the School Games Netball 2018 shall consist of: 5.1.1. The Eight English Netball Superleague teams 5.1.2. Invited teams from Yorkshire Netball and London Pulse 5.1.3. Home nations squads from Netball Northern Ireland and Netball Scotland 5.2. By entering a team in School Games Netball, teams/lead organisations agree that: 5.2.1. They will abide by these regulations. 5.2.2. They are able and willing to fulfil the costs and commitments of participation in School Games Netball. 5.2.3. They follow all guidelines and procedures put in place by the Youth Sport Trust and the event organisers for all aspects of the event, including but not limited to transport, accommodation, accreditation, safeguarding, catering and any other operational matters 5.3. In order to participate in School Games Netball, the squad and Team Officials must: 5.3.1. Be affiliated to the relevant Netball Governing Body. For English based teams, the appropriate affiliation fee must be received by England Netball’s Head Office (Membership Services) not less than four days before the deadline for the appropriate Team Registration Sheet specified in 5.3.4 and be in receipt of a valid membership card for the appropriate season before the affiliation will be considered complete. 5.3.2. Have a maximum squad size of 12 5.3.3. Submit a Team Registration Sheet with a maximum of 12 players (and 3 reserves) to the Competition and Events Officer at England Netball’s Head Office by 5pm on Sunday 15th July 2018 and also via the School Games Registration System, within the same timescales • No changes may be made to the Team Registration Sheet once the Team Manager has submitted the form. Except for in exceptional circumstances (e.g. injury), which must be sent through to the Competition and Events Manager and via the School Games Change System. These changes must be made from the named reserves on the School Games Team Registration Sheet. 5.3.4. Ensure that all players must be under the age of fifteen (15) years old as at 11.59pm on 31st August 2017. Anyone under the age of thirteen (13) as at 11.59pm on 31st August 2017 must complete an age branding form and submit it alongside the Team Registration Sheet. 5.3.5. The nominated School Games Head Coach must hold a current UKCC Level 2 Qualification. The team must provide proof of the qualification alongside the Team Registration Sheet. 5.3.6. Have up to four (4) Team Officials. These will include a Head Coach, Primary Carer and a Team Manager. 5.3.6..1. The Team Manager’s responsibilities are: • To manage and co-ordinate all pre-Games athlete and team staff requirements including selections, data input into the Games Database System (this includes confirming information from team members (e.g. dietary requirements), transport arrangements, and kit ordering and distribution • To effectively manage all athletes and team staff to ensure a high quality athlete experience throughout • To be in loco-parentis for all athletes in the team throughout the 2018 School Games, including both ‘field of play’ and ‘non field of play’ areas • To manage athlete and team staff discipline in accordance with the Codes of Conduct and any other agreed protocols within the sport/team • To manage all communication flows between the NGB, Single Point of Contact, team staff and athletes • To work in partnership with the Safeguarding Manager, Co-ordinator and Officers to ensure the safety and well-being of athletes and team staff at all times • To work in partnership with other Team Managers and team staff within the sport to ensure coherence between individual, team and sport plans at the 2018 School Games • To read and be familiar with the Games Services Manual and Safeguarding Plan • To be familiar with UK Anti-Doping Policies and testing procedures • To work professionally to ensure a meaningful experience for a Team Attaché if one is assigned to the team 5.3.6.2. The Primary Carer: • Must be qualified to diagnose and treat injury or illness (for example, doctor or physiotherapist) with a minimum qualification of a first aid certificate. • Must wear identification as specified by England Netball. • Is permitted to access the court during a stoppage for injury/illness of a player or blood issues. • Must advise the Umpires if in their professional opinion a player is too ill/injured to be removed from the court within 30 seconds and/or if assistance is required. • Teams must provide evidence of the relevant qualification for their primary care person alongside the Team Registration Sheet. 5.3.7. The Team Officials and up to five (5) players not on court shall constitute the Team Bench. 5.3.8. Team Bench may coach while play is in progress provided they are positioned at their Team Bench. Coaching is also allowed during intervals refer to INF Rules 6.2. 5.3.9. The first listed team on the fixture schedule will use the Team Bench positioned to the right of the Technical Officials table as you look out onto court, unless other wised agreed with the Competition Referees. 5.3.10. Each participating team is responsible for conducting satisfactory disclosure and barring services searches for each Team Official prior to their appointment and is further responsible for complying with the England Netball and School Games Safeguarding Policies. 5.4. England Netball recommends that individuals (Player, Coach, Umpire) if pregnant should only participate with approval from their doctor and in accordance with any guidelines issued by itself. The England Netball Personal Accident cover excludes any loss or expense due to pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage or any consequence thereof. However if for example, a member who is pregnant is involved in an accident not related to the pregnancy, subject to the conditions of the policy, the relevant benefits would be payable.