Sussex Hockey – Boys & Girls Development League 2025 - 26

The teams will all play each other both home and away between September 2024 and April 2025. Matches are to be played on Saturdays but there could be flexibility to play Sunday, only if pitch availability is a problem but discussions with the opposition must happen prior to this. Due to lack of teams in the girls league – extra tournaments / triangulars are scheduled in.

Rules

The following Rules will be enforced beyond those of normal hockey;-

• The League is aimed at boys/girls between 11 & 16 Years (school years 7 – 11) using September 1^st 2025 as the key date.
  
  
  
  • The team shall be made up of a minimum of 11 players with a maximum of 16 player per squad.
  
  
  
  


• Matches should be played on full size pitches, however, where a 3/4 pitch is the only available option, 7/9 aside team is permitted. Please consider and agree with the opposition prior to the start of play, if it would benefit players development for any adult not to play in this given situation.


• Match duration to be agreed by both teams prior to the day - to allow pitch to be cleared – Ideally a minimum of 25 mins each way but may need to be shorter if teams have pitch time constrictions. Maximum 35 mins each way. Quarters could be played – again with prior agreement.


• Masks must be worn by anyone defending in penalty corners.


• Players younger than 11 (on the day) may play at the discretion of their club, but clubs /team

managers are asked to consider player suitability, and player safety, at all times.

• GOALKEEPERS – Adopting ruling under Southern Counties HA to whom we are affiliated... All junior matches (up to U18) played in the South MUST have fully kitted Goalkeepers at all times.

If a Goalkeeper receives a green or yellow card suspension, they will remain on pitch and that suspension will be served by the Captain (or Captain’s deputy if not on pitch at the time).

If a Goalkeeper receives a red card suspension, they must leave the pitch, and a maximum of five minutes will be allowed to organise a replacement fully kitted goalkeeper. That team will then have to withdraw a field player as only ten players can remain because of the goalkeeper’s suspension.

(If a team has a second fully kitted goalkeeper ready for play ‘pitchside’, the switch can be made at any stoppage of play, but any penalty imposed will still have to be served).

If unable to arrange a suitable replacement, the match will have to be abandoned and the matter referred to the Development League Organiser to decide the outcome of the match.

• Controlled reverse stick hits and drag flicks are allowed, however if the Umpire deems that they are

not controlled, they will be penalised for unsafe play in the usual way.  If on the day both Team

Managers/Captains agree that due to playing young inexperienced players they wish to not allow,

then this needs to be advised at the start of the game to all players and umpires.   This decision is

made on the grounds of safety and needs to be at the discretion of the Team Managers.

 

Adults and Junior Facilitators (also see spirited guidelines below)

• If teams are lacking experience, an adult or junior facilitators can be used to support play.


• Adults / Junior facilitators should stay in their own half and are not allowed within the opposing D, hence they are not allowed to score and should undertake a supportive role within the game


• Adults / Junior facilitator should not defend a penalty corner (unless playing as GK) but may be behind the back line to support and guide the players – they can only rejoin once the attack is over


• Junior facilitators are considered to be of a standard higher than JDL (development level) and playing in adult league and should not be dominating the game;


• Please remember team ability can vary each week and roles of players may have to change if the score difference becomes very one-sided.

 

Score lines and Results

• Should the goal difference become 3 or more at any time in the game, the adult/Junior facilitator must leave the pitch until the goal difference then becomes equal.


• If the score line gets to this stage then the stronger team should take steps to weaken their team by rearranging their positions or substituting players to make the game fairer for both sides.


• No team will have more than a 5 goal difference recorded in any one match; i.e. 5-0, 6-1.


• The games should be competitive and friendly, we want healthy competition, not demoralised players who are on the end of hefty defeats every week.

Match Report Sheets

• A Match reports sheet should be completed by both teams prior to the start of the game.


• All matches shall be played on the dates notified by the league where possible:


• If the stated home team is unable to provide a pitch on the notified date or if at short notice a pitch becomes unavailable, then the following protocol should be followed:


• Contact opposition to check whether the “away” team are able to host


• If the “away” team are not able to host the “home” team should see if it is possible to book a “neutral” pitch which is convenient for both team on the scheduled match day


• If no “neutral” pitch is available, the match may be scheduled for a different date ideally within three days of the original date (this includes any weekday evening or a Sunday) or an available slip date


• Clubs must work together in a co-operative manner to agree the time for the re-arranged match.


• If it is not possible to re-arrange the fixture during the season, then there will be no penalty and the match will be recorded as a 0-0 draw.


• In the event of a local lockdown impacting either club the “home” team will re-schedule for the nearest available slip date. If it is not feasible to play the match during the season, then there will be no penalty and the match will be recorded as a 0-0 draw.


• Where it is not possible to play a fixture, each club should contact the league secretary setting out the steps which have been taken to re-arrange and why a 0-0 result should be recorded.


• Clubs must prioritise venue availability for all their teams in ranking order with the highest ranked team having highest priority for any pitch slots.


• All players including subs must be listed on the form and have a number corresponding to the one on their shirt.


• The age of each player must be indicated on the match report.


• A team in the Development League may play up to 2 field players or a goalkeeper and 1 field players who may have already played in any Sussex league games on the same day. It is to be understood by these players that they are playing in a supporting role to aid the development league.


• Adults facilitators need to be clearly marked on the team sheet with an ‘A’ at the start of the match.


• Any U16 player that is acting as an ‘Junior facilitator’ on the pitch needs to be marked on the team sheet with a ‘JF’ (Junior Facilitator) at the start of the match. JF players include juniors that play regularly in an adult league or who’s ability is significantly higher than the JDL match standard (that day)

 

The rules are designed to be simple to apply for an umpire and it is hoped this will encourage adults/Junior facilitator to play the game by guiding the juniors on the pitch not controlling too many aspects of the game.

 

If teams, after communicating with each other, wish to play u16 stronger players (so they don’t miss out on playing in a match), this is ok, providing it agreed by both managers.

 

Results

Please send ALL results and team sheets to Tasha Hookway no arrive later than the Wednesday following each match.   

By email – jdl.sussex@gmail.com    Via whats app – 07808476362

If a game has to be postponed or walkovers or if there is a problem entering the result then the home team must inform the Development League organiser, giving the reason. The home team must ensure that Team sheets are correctly completed. Updated league results and tables will be sent out weekly.

 

Spirited Guidelines

Beyond the rules, it is felt that some spirited guidelines are beneficial to encourage the game to be played in the correct way:

The juniors are on the pitch to develop as players. Therefore playing a team of “County” standard players in their usual positions might not be seen as developmental. If a player is playing matches in adult open league hockey, it is expected they will only play as an adult/Junior facilitator.

 

Adults and Junior Facilitators

• Adults and junior facilitators should not monopolise the game. This includes such acts as not firing the ball in as hard as they can on attacking set plays or crosses.


• Although adult/junior facilitators are allowed on the pitch, it is hoped that the adult/junior playing would not be to the detriment of the juniors. The maximum amount of pitch time should be offered to the junior players where possible. If a club cannot get a team out without adhering to this rule, they should contact the opposition as soon as possible to ensure that a game under mutually agreed conditions is played.


• Adults/Junior Facilitator are on the pitch to help develop the juniors in a coaching and guiding role.

 

Goal keepers

• Although the position of goal keeper is a specialist one, it is hoped that all teams will try and play a junior keeper during the season where possible. Note the specific SDL& GDL rules adopted re Goalkeepers (under Rules above).

 

Umpires

• Clubs are encouraged to provide the most competent umpire they can for a game. This is an umpire who can apply the rules correctly but understands the development nature of the league and adapts to this accordingly.


• Clubs should also encourage the use of Young Umpires who have undertaken the Foundation Award and have been recommended to take their Level 1 training. In these circumstances an experienced umpire/mentor should be present.


• Umpires should be respected by both team’s players, manager and supporters. The umpires will have the authority to card the individual or ask anyone not adhering to the rules or expected code of conduct to leave the side of the pitch. This must be reported to the JDL coordinator and recorded on the team sheet.

 

Boys development league only

• By prior agreement with the opposition, it is allowable for 1 or 2 girls, however it should be remembered that this is not a mixed league and some boys may find it uncomfortable. It is the team manager’s responsibility to ensure the girl is capable of playing at the level and the opposition team manager has approved this.

 

 

 

 League Discipline

• Each team, by its entry into the League, is deemed to have consented to the rules of the League and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the League sub-committee, whose decisions are


• The League Organiser reserves the right to investigate any possible infringement of the League Rules and take any necessary action in consultation with the League sub-committee. Any decision made by the League Organiser is


• In the event of any misconduct by a club or team affecting the operation of the league, the League Organiser may take any action deemed necessary including the application of an appropriate points penalty in consultation with the League Sub-committee.


• The League sub-committee will determine what penalty or penalties, which may include suspension or disqualification, will be imposed.


• Any suspended team may be re-admitted to its original division following the period of suspension.

 

 

England Hockey Regulations for the Enforcement of Discipline

• All persons participating in the League are reminded that the above remains in force.


• It is the responsibility of the clubs to ensure that good manners and courtesy prevail towards the opposition, umpires and other officials before, during and after the game. A Code of conduct must be understood and adhered to by all players, parents and club officials at all times.


• Any photography and videoing taken at any Development team games must have the necessary paperwork in place and both Team Managers, Captains and Umpires be made aware before the game starts. It is unlikely to be agreed on the day so please make enquires early.

 

Complaints and Appeals

• Any complaints or appeals must be made in writing to the Development League Organiser

 

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Contact:

 

Girls Development League – Tasha Hookway 07808476362 / jdl.sussex@gmail.com      

Boys Development League – Tasha Hookway 07808476362 / jdl.sussex@gmail.com