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1		Introduction
2		Aim
3		Structure
4		Conduct
5		TUHA Registration
6		A Grade and B Grade Draft
7		Grading committee
8		Duties of TUHA team captains
9		General information
10		Team penalties
11		State teams
12		Best and Fairest nomination and awarding

1 – Introduction

This document lists the rules that govern the running of competitions within the Tasmanian Underwater Hockey Association (TUHA).

2 – Aim

To foster a fair and even competition within each Grade, where players are encouraged to develop their skills and are able to move between Grades.

3 – Structure

The competition is structured to have four grades to cater for various levels of skill and fitness. These are:

A-Grade: expert players with high skill levels, physical fitness and a highly competitive attitude.

B-Grade: experienced players with moderate skills, fitness levels and a reasonably competitive attitude

C-Grade: novice players, or those more experienced players who would rather play in a more relaxed competition

D-Grade: entry level for players.

4 – Conduct

1. The conduct of all members of the Tasmanian Underwater Hockey Association (TUHA) and any of their guests shall be of a standard that will not detract from TUHA’s good reputation at any time they may be representing TUHA (i.e. during training sessions, competition nights, social functions etc.).
2. No individual participating in a TUHA organised event shall unduly interfere with another individual associated with either the event, or with the TUHA.
3. A player or official who unduly interferes with, or assaults, or strikes, or uses abusive, threatening, or insulting language or behaviour towards another player, an official, or a member of the public, may be reported by any TUHA member to the Executive Committee. Such a report must be in writing, and should be delivered within 72 hours of the game in which the offence occurred (though in extenuating circumstances, reports may be accepted by decision of a majority of the TUHA Committee up to seven days after the event).
4. On receipt of a report, the receiving member of the Executive Committee shall, in conjunction with another Executive Committee member:
5. notify the offending individual(s) that they have been reported;
6. either take immediate action to have the offender(s) removed from the facility; or
7. caution the offender(s).

Within seven days of receipt of a misconduct report, the TUHA Chief Referee shall convene a tribunal for the purpose of dealing with the misconduct charge, with the following people present:

1. the Offender(s);
2. the Captain(s) of the Offender’s Team(s);
3. the Person making the Report;
4. any Witnesses;
5. the TUHA Chief Referee or another L2 or L3 Referee as decided by the TUHA Committee *; and
6. two Members of the TUHA Executive Committee.
7. The TUHA Chief Referee and two TUHA Executive Committee Members shall constitute the tribunal, and upon hearing all relevant details, shall decide upon an appropriate course of action to deal with the reported misconduct.

4.2.3 Notwithstanding the above, where any individual is found guilty of one of the infractions listed below, the minimum penalty shall be as shown:

Proven Misconduct Action	Minimum Penalty
Verbal abuse of a TUHA Referee	1 week suspension
Physically 'handling' a Referee	2 week suspension
Striking another player	3 week suspension
Striking any TUHA member	3 week suspension
Striking any member of the public	5 week suspension

* only in situations where the TUHA Chief Referee is unavailable, or is involved in the misconduct charge (either as a team Captain or as an offender).

5 – TUHA Registration

• All players participating in any TUHA organised Pennant competition must be registered before playing a fifth game in any one calendar year.
• Players who do not meet this criterion when playing shall cause any team they play for to forfeit that game.
• Players must be registered to play for any team in the Pennant finals.
• There are four (4) levels of registration, these are:
  • Full Registration: Compulsory for all Senior players registering in Pennant One (Autumn Pennant).
  • 1.1.2 Junior Registration: Compulsory for all Junior players (under 18 years old at the first day of April of the year) registering in Pennant One (Autumn Pennant).
  • 1.1.3 Social Registration: This is an option for Senior and Junior players who commence play in the second pennant (Spring Pennant) of the year. This does not include AUF membership, which shall be two-thirds the cost of normal registration (either Full or Junior Registration depending on the individual concerned).
  • 1.1.4 Schools Registration: Bulk registration of each of the schools team participating in the Schools Roster.

Players holding either full, Junior or Social registration are granted membership of the Tasmanian Underwater Hockey Association, and hence have all membership rights as described in the Constitution of the Association.

6 – A Grade and B Grade Draft

• The purpose of the draft is to facilitate a balanced and even competition by ensuring that teams finishing lower within a grade have first choice of any players wishing to change teams, or new players moving into the grade.
• On the premise that teams are at full strength at finals, the draft shall occur at the end of each pennant - with the order of team rankings for draft selection purposes based on team standings on the ladder after the Grand Final game.
• Draft picks shall occur in ascending order of the pennant ladder ranking, i.e. the last placed team from the preceding final series (or pennant round in case of a midpennant draft) has first pick, and the top team has last pick. This process is repeated until all players have been chosen/rejected, or until teams are full.
• A midpennant draft will only occur when exceptional circumstances arise, at the discretion of the TUHA Committee. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
  • arrival of new players (from interstate or overseas); and
  • players returning from injury.
• In the event of a team in any grade disbanding, a Captains’ meeting should be convened for that grade to discuss options, including redistribution of players if required. Should the meeting decide that a ‘reshuffle’ of teams is warranted, or desirable, a further Captains’ meeting may be held to implement this.
• Five (5) weeks prior to the end of the pennant (not including finals weeks), the Vice President shall advertise the upcoming draft meetings by appropriate means to reach as many TUHA members as possible, and shall solicit the names of players interested in nominating for draft selection.
• Players intending to enter the draft must put their names and contact details as required on the list supplied, and notify their current Team Captain of their decision to participate in the draft selections.
• After confirming the accuracy of all nominations with the listed nominating players, the Vice President shall circulate the list of draft nominees to all A and B Grade Captains. No new nominations for the A grade draft will be accepted within five (5) days of the date of the draft meeting.
• For a ‘mid-pennant’ draft meeting, the A grade draft shall occur within seven (7) days of the grand final night. For an ‘end of year’ draft meeting, the A grade draft shall occur no later than two (2) weeks before the start of the new pennant (in the subsequent year). At least five (5) days prior to the draft meeting the Vice President must supply a list of all draft nominees to each A grade Captain.
• Once the A grade draft has been finalised, the Vice President will contact all unselected nominees and ask if they wish to nominate for the B Grade draft.
• An B Grade draft shall occur within seven (7) days of an A grade draft. At least five (5) days prior to the draft meeting, the Vice President must supply a list of all draft nominees to each B Grade Captain.
• After a draft is complete, each team list shall be deemed final, unless the Committee approves alteration.
• The Committee reserves the right to work outside the draft guidelines should this be warranted in any circumstance.
• University teams shall have first (1st) pick of University players to a maximum of four (4) university players, unless any team Captain in their grade protests this, in which case selections will be referred to the committee for decision.

7 – Grading Committee

• The task of the Grading Committee is to facilitate a balanced and even competition by ensuring that teams within a grade are evenly matched and that players play in a grade suitable to their skill and fitness level.
• The Grading Committee is to consist of a Chairperson, who is to be the TUHA vice-President, plus four other individuals nominated by the TUHA Executive Committee. They are to be nominated for a two year term with half the Grading Committee members changing each year.
• The Chairperson is also to act as the TUHA Placement Officer, but may delegate that role to another member of the Grading Committee.
• The Placement Officer is to be a contact for:

1. new players who wish to join a pennant team
2. existing players who wish to change grades or teams
3. team captains wishing to recruit players
4. players who wish to play as substitutes in a higher grade.

• Grading Committee tasks include:

1. identifying those players playing in a grade inappropriate to that player’s skill or fitness level
2. arranging the transfer of those players identified above to a more suitable grade
3. identifying teams that are either too strong or weak within each grade
4. in consultation with the team captain, trying to provide various solutions to address any identified ‘problem’ teams
5. examine any complaints (in writing) from within a grade as to players or teams reported to be too strong or weak.

• The grading committee has no power to enforce changes but if their recommendation is ignored they have the option of referring the matter to the full committee of the TUHA for resolution.

8 – Duties of TUHA team captains

• The position of Captain in a team is one of responsibility, and holds with it responsibility for a number of duties. Unless these responsibilities are met, the team may not receive important information.
• Should some of these duties not be performed (e.g. organising refereeing duties) other teams may be affected as well, and for this reason non-performance of such duties may result in the loss of team points for that pennant (or the following pennant should such an event occur at the end of a pennant).
• The duties of team Captains include the following:

1.1.1 That the team sheet for their team is completed BEFORE any pennant game, ensuring the full names of ALL people to play for the team in that game are listed. Omitting names, using nicknames, using only first or surnames, or any other form of incorrectly completing the sheet shall incur a one (1) point penalty - deducted from the team total.

1.1.2 After the game, providing names of two players from your team whom you considered played well to the Poolside Referee for publishing in “The Mercury”.

1.1.3 Encouraging your team members in all facets of play, especially fair play.

1.1.4 Ensuring that your team supplies Referees when rostered for team refereeing duties.

1.1.5 Ensuring that Team Referees from your team enter their names on the game score sheets (team sheets) when they referee, and that the Team Water Referees select the best three (3) players who played FAIRLY and ensure these are recorded on the game sheet by the Poolside Referee.

1.1.6 When playing the first game on any night, ensuring that the walls are installed in the playing court to be used, before the start of that game, so that the game can commence at the designated time.

1.1.7 When playing in the last game time slot on any night, ensuring that the walls and goal trays are removed from their court to the pool deck after the game.

1.1.8 Ensuring that where their team is the rostered ‘Packup’ team, that ALL walls and goal trays are placed carefully on the trolley and moved to the designated storage area.

• Mandatory team penalties for not carrying out rostered team duties are listed at Section 10 below.

9 – General information

9.1 If during play the puck gets caught behind the goal tray, the Water Referees shall halt play, position the puck 5 metres directly out from the back wall in line with where the puck was caught, and resume play with an equal puck.

9.2 All teams playing in the last game time slot on any Pennant night are responsible for removing walls and goal trays from their court to poolside after the game. The rostered ‘Packup’ team is responsible for placing these on the trolley and moving them to the designated storage area.

9.3 To be eligible to play for a team in the finals, a player must have played a minimum of five games for that team during the pennant, however extraordinary circumstances may be considered by the TUHA Committee.

9.4 Players who have played at least one game for a higher graded team (than the team with which they are registered) may play for that higher graded team in a final without consent from the opposing Captain to make the playing team’s numbers up to six, additional players beyond six requires the opposing Captain’s consent..

9.5 Once playing time for a game has commenced and at least one team has a minimum of four players in the water, then the referees may signal the start of play, at their discretion.

9.6 Players may play a total of eight (8) games in teams they are not registered in, subject to the following:

9.6.1 Players may NOT play in a grade lower than their registered grade;

9.6.2 Players may play for another team in their registered grade ONLY with the permission of the opposing team Captain;

9.6.3 Players may play in a grade higher than their registered grade if the team requesting that person to play does NOT have a minimum team of seven (7) of their registered players, otherwise permission of the opposing team Captain must be obtained.

9.7 The TUHA Executive Committee may at times be required to re-grade individual players or entire teams. All efforts will be made by the Executive Committee to ensure this does not occur during a Pennant.

9.8 The following scoring rules shall apply for TUHA pennant games:

9.8.1 The winning team shall be awarded 4 points.

9.8.2 The losing team shall be awarded 2 points.

9.8.3 In the event of a drawn game, both teams shall be awarded 3 points.

9.8.4 A team that has forfeited a game shall be awarded no points or goals.

9.8.5 A team that has had its opposing team forfeit the game shall be deemed to have won and be awarded 4 points and 5 goals.

9.8.6 If teams have the same number of points, then ranking shall be determined by the ratio of goals scored to goals conceded, or “percentage”.

10 – Team penalties

In order for the Underwater Hockey competition to run smoothly, it is essential that all teams and individuals assist where required. Although the TUHA organisers attempt to keep team workloads to a minimum, there will be occasions where teams are ‘rostered on’ to perform some duty or another - such as providing Referees, assisting with set-up or pack-up of playing areas etc.

To avoid disruption to Pennant nights, it is essential that these duties be performed as required.

Teams will be penalised for the following:

• Incorrect completion of team sheet (i.e. failing to nominate all players for any game, and/or use of incorrect names). Players from a lower grade must be noted - with their registered grade shown beside their name in brackets.
• Failing to provide Referees when rostered to do so as Team Referees.
• Having their Team Referees arrive late (as detailed below) for the game they are rostered to referee.
• Playing any unregistered player (see Section 5). This results in a game forfeit for a team (i.e. the team receives no game points and has five (5) goals awarded against them, and the opposing team is credited with a win plus five (5) goals for/nil against).
• Forfeiting a game due to lack of registered players from their team (a team must have a minimum of four registered players present AT POOLSIDE by the time the Referees are ready to commence play).

TUHA Team Penalty Chart

Failure	Penalty (game points)
Incorrectly completed team sheet	1 point deducted
Team Referees between 1 and 2 min late starting game	1 point deducted
Team Referees more 2 min late starting game	2 points deducted
Team Referees fail to turn up	3 points deducted
Having less than 4 registered team players for a game	Game forfeit (0 points/5 goals against)
Playing an unregistered player (as per Section 5) Game forfeit	(0 points/5 goals against)
Not assisting with packup when rostered to do so	1 point deducted

Teams should note that where penalty points are incurred in the last weeks of the pennant, these may be carried over to the next pennant should the committee determine that this is appropriate.

11 – State teams

The Australian National Underwater Hockey Championships are held on an annual basis, rotating between States. Where Tasmanian teams are involved in these Championships, the following shall apply:

All Tasmanian Underwater Hockey squads (players, referees, coaches and officials) are to be bound by a Code of Behaviour as determined by the TUHA.

All State team players, including juniors, must hold at least a level 1 refereeing accreditation prior to competing at Nationals.

11.1 Appointment of State Team Officials

11.1.1 Nominations for the positions of State Team Coaches, Manager and Referee shall be called for at least nine (9) months prior to the National Championships, wherever possible. All nominees shall submit a curriculum vitae to the TUHA Committee to support their nomination.

11.1.2 Positions shall be finalised by the TUHA Committee at least seven (7) months prior to the National Championships, wherever possible.

11.1.3 Unfilled positions shall be re-advertised, and filled as soon as possible.

11.1.4 Any time that one or more State U18 teams are participating, the position of Junior Chaperone must be filled, and shall be advertised in a timely manner. Nominees shall be assessed by the TUHA Committee as to their suitability, and one individual appointed to the position as early as possible.

11.2 Assistance with Fares for Team Officials

11.2.1 All State team members shall share the cost of economy airfares and accommodation (duration of competition only) for a non-playing State Team Manager for the Nationals. A playing State Team Manager shall have 50% of their economy airfares and accommodation met by the team members, and will be responsible for the other 50%.

11.2.2 All State team members shall share the cost of economy airfares and accommodation (duration of competition only) for a non-playing Referee to officiate at the Nationals. This person shall have a minimum qualification of level 1 Referee.

11.2.3 All team members for each State team shall share the cost of economy airfares and accommodation (duration of competition only) for their NON-PLAYING team Coach at the Nationals.

11.2.4 All team members for each State team shall share the cost of 50% of the economy airfares and accommodation (duration of competition only) for their PLAYING team Coach at the Nationals.

11.3 State Team Selectors

11.3.1 The TUHA Committee shall advertise a request for nominations for State team selectors in July of each year.

11.3.2 Nominees should provide a curriculum vitae to support their nomination.

11.3.3 For each team, team coaches and the TUHA Committee will choose TWO selectors from the available applicants, with all applicants being notified of the outcome by no later than September.

11.3.4 The selection panel shall consist of THREE people, one of whom is the team coach.

11.3.5 State team selectors must endeavour to watch as many games and training sessions as possible, prior to ‘official’ selections.

11.4 Deposits of Monies

11.4.1 A deposit from all intending players must be paid to the State Team Manager by the requested date. Failure to comply with this request may result in non-selection.

11.4.2 The amount of deposit and payment date required are to be determined by the Manager.

11.4.3 If a player is unsuccessful in selection then all deposits shall be refunded.

11.5 State Team Selection

11.5.1 The coach will set the selection criteria to be followed by the selectors.

11.5.2 Prior to selection trials, all State team squad members shall be briefed by the team coach on selection criteria for the team.

11.5.3 Where player numbers permit, State team selection trials shall be conducted no later than three (3) months from the date set for the start of the National Championships. A minimum of two selection trials shall be held.

Such trials are to be organised by the State team coaches and advertised at least one month prior to selections.

11.5.4 Any player unable to attend the selection trials may submit a written application for consideration by the Coach/Selectors.

11.5.5 Announcements of State Team composition shall be made by each Coach within one week of the conclusion of the final selection trials.

12 – Best and Fairest nomination and awarding

12.1 It is the responsibility of all Water Referees officiating for any TUHA pennant game to select the best three players who played fairly and report these to the Poolside Referee(s), bearing in mind that any player who receives a time penalty for any infringement other than a team penalty shall be ineligible to receive best and fairest votes for that game.

12.1.1 Three (3) votes shall be awarded to the best player who played fairly.

12.1.2 Two (2) votes shall be awarded to the second best player who played fairly; and

12.1.3 One (1) vote shall be awarded to the third best player who played fairly.

12.2 It is the responsibility of the Poolside Referee(s) to record these votes on the score sheet for that game in the column provided, adjacent to each nominated player’s name.

12.3 It is the responsibility of the TUHA Vice-President to collect and collate the best and fairest data for each of the grades each pennant, and to provide a summary of these data at the TUHA presentation night for that pennant.

12.4 The winner of the Best and Fairest award for a pennant shall be the player(s) obtaining the highest number of total votes over the entire pennant, in their respective grade. Subject to Section 12.5 below, should two or more players receive an equal number of votes in their respective grade, then the Best and Fairest award shall be awarded equally between the players.

12.5 Any player who has been penalised for player misconduct during a pennant (under Section 4 of these Bylaws) will be ineligible for the Best and Fairest award for that Pennant.

12.6 Best and Fairest votes awarded to a player playing in a team other than that in which they are registered shall NOT count towards their Best and Fairest vote total in their registered grade.