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IPT TOURNAMENT RULES AND REGULATION-2019

The following Rules and Regulations are applicable to the annual Inter-Provincial Hockey Tournament arranged and played under the auspices of the South African Masters Hockey Association (SAMHA).  The rules and regulations will be reviewed annually and modified in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of SAMHA.

  1. TOURNAMENT FORMAT
  • The SAMHA Executive will determine the date, venue and number of teams that may enter the tournament on an annual basis as well as the composition of the sections and the pools.
  • The 2019 tournament is officially limited to 72 teams (28 ladies’ teams and 44 men’s teams).
  • Men’s section has eight pools and the ladies section has four pools.
  • The tournament is classified into two sections: Medals Section and Spirit Section for both men and ladies’ sections.
  • The tournament takes place over a 3-day period in alternating coastal and inland venues across the country. The tournament generally takes place in August but can be subject to change.
  • POOLS & AGE CATEGORIES

MEN: (All players to be aged 34+ at 31 December 2019.)

Medals Section: (Medals to be awarded to teams placed first, second and third in each of these age categories)

Colts Section:             Ages 34+

Stallions Section:      Ages 39+

Mustang Section:     Ages 49+ (Teams are allowed two players between the ages of 44+ and 49+ as a once off dispensation for this year)

Spirit Section: (All players to be aged 34+ at 31 December 2019)

Although the minimum age for all the spirit pools are 34+, SAMHA recommends that the team’s average age at the tournament should fall in the age categories stipulated in brackets for the participation in the pools. SAMHA shall be monitoring the average age of teams (Calculated by dividing the sum of the player ages at the date of the tournament by the number of players) and reserves the right to move teams to more appropriate pools.

Pool A:          34+ (34 to 44)

Pool B:          34+ (44 to 54)

Pool C:          34+ (44 to 54)

Pool D:          34+ (44 to 54)

Pool E:          34+ (55+)

The following provinces: North West, Free State, Southern Cape, Mpumalanga, KZN Inland and Zimbabwe will be allowed to field teams with players below the age limit.  This is however limited to no more than two players and the players may not be more than two years below the age limits of 35 for Men.

 LADIES: (All players to be aged 34+ at 31 December 2019, with the allowance of 2 players between ages 30-34 years per team only).

 Medal Section: (Medals to be awarded to teams placed first, second and third in each of these age categories)

 Gazelles:      Ages 34+

 Spirit Section:

Pool A:          34+ (34 to 44)

Pool B:          34+ (34 to 44)

Pool C:          34+ (45+)

The following age categories are applicable to all provinces. Ages will be strictly monitored. Ladies teams are allowed a maximum of 2 players between the ages of 30-34. SAMHA approval is again required for any underage player, irrespective of the pool.

Teams wishing to move up or down pools may approach the SAMHA Tournament Liaison and motivate their case. The decision to move teams up or down pools lies solely with the SAMHA Tournament Liaison as is dependent on a reciprocating team moving up or down.

  • PLAYING FORMAT

Medals section

Men Colts, Men Stallions & Mustangs, and Ladies Gazelles – These are competitive pools; players are however expected to adhere to the spirit and ethos of Masters Hockey.

  • All games will be played on AstroTurf.
  • Maximum 16 players in the squad. Managers, Coaches and non-playing umpire are allowed.
  • Umpires are allocated by the host province at R1 500 per team.
  • FIH rules and standards apply.
  • Cards will be issued.
  • Penalty Flicks will be awarded.
  • A winner will be declared in the medal pools.
  • Six (6) teams per pool in Colts; Eight (8) teams in the Gazelles; five (5) in the Stallions and five (5) in Mustang pool.
  • Points allocation: Win = 4 points; draw = 2 points; Score 4 or more goals = 1 bonus point; Lose by a margin of 1 goal = 1 bonus point.

Colts Pool:

  • Every team will play 4 games over the first 2 days in the league section to determine their final log positions. The teams will be seeded in accordance with the previous tournament’s results, with the top two teams seeded to meet in the final.
  • Points are tallied from the results of the league and the following applies to the play-offs that are scheduled for Day 3:
    • Gold medal match contested by positions 1&2;
    • Bronze medal match contested by position 3&4;
    • 5th/6th position play-off;
    • 8 second tiebreaker will be applied to matches tied at full-time during the play-offs.

Stallions Pool:

Due to the fact that only 5 teams are contesting the Stallion pool this year, the following playing format will be implemented:

  • Each team to play 4 games in the league stage.
  • ( Day 1 = 2 games)
  • ( Day 2 = 2 games)
  • (Day 3 = 4TH VS 5TH IN ELIMINATOR.
  • Winner of Eliminator plays 3rd in pool for Bronze Medals.
  • 1st vs 2nd in pool play for Gold/ Silver Medals

Mustang Pool:

Due to the fact that only 5 teams are contesting the Mustang pool this year, the following playing format will be implemented:

  • Each team to play 4 games in the league stage.
  • ( Day 1 = 2 games)
  • ( Day 2 = 2 games)
  • (Day 3 = 4TH VS 5TH IN ELIMINATOR.
  • Winner of Eliminator plays 3rd in pool for Bronze Medals.
  • 1st vs 2nd in pool play for Gold/ Silver Medals

Gazelles Pool:

Due to the fact that 8 teams are contesting the Gazelles pool this year, the following playing format must be implemented:

  • There will be 2 pools of 4 each
  • Each team to play 3 games in the league stage.
  • Cross pool playoffs of 1 vs 2, 2 vs 1 and 3 vs 4, 4 vs 3 will be played by the top 4 and the bottom 4;
  • Finals will be played to determine Gold/ Silver / Bronze Medals from the top 4 and the bottom 4 will play for positions 5 through to 8.

 Spirit section

Men A, B, C, D, E and Ladies A, B, C

  • Pool A and B each have Five (5) teams and Pool C, D and E each have Six (6) teams per pool.
  • Age categories do not apply. Refer to relevant paragraph: (Although the minimum age for all the spirit pools are 34+, SAMHA recommends that the team’s average age at the tournament should fall in the age categories in brackets for the participation in the pools. SAMHA shall be monitoring the average age of teams (Calculated by dividing the sum of the player ages at the date of the tournament by the number of players) and reserves the right to move teams to more appropriate pools).
  • Maximum 16 players per team.
  • Pool A and B will play 4 matches within their pool. Thereafter they will play a predetermined cross pool match for their 5th game.
  • Pool C, D and E will play the 5 matches in their pool.
  • Umpires will be supplied, if required by the team, but the cost will be for the teams account.
  • FIH rules and standards apply, however Umpires will apply the Masters Hockey ethos.
    • No cards will be issued unless there is a blatant violation of the laws or spirit that could affect the outcome of the game or cause injury to a player.
    • No penalty flicks will be awarded unless there is a blatant violation of the laws or spirit.
  • Players are expected to play within the spirit of Masters Hockey.
    • Players are expected to own up to rule contraventions.
    • The umpires and opposition players are to be treated with respect.

 

Tie Breaker Rules

In each pool, teams will be ranked according to the number of points each has accumulated in the competition.

  1. If at the end of the pool matches two or more teams have the same number of points for any place in a pool, these teams will be ranked according to their respective number of matches won.
  2. If there remains equality among two or more teams, then these teams will be ranked according to their respective goal difference (which means “goals for” less “goals against”). A positive goal difference always takes precedence over a negative one.
  3. If there still remains equality among two or more teams, then these teams will be ranked according to their respective number of “goals for”’.
  4. Should there still remain equality among two teams, then the result of the match played between those teams will determine the ranking of the tied teams.
  5. If more than two teams are involved, then a ranking based upon the results of the matches among (only) them shall determine their respective position, based upon the points awarded in accordance with paragraph 1.2 of the Rules. If there remains equality, then the teams involved shall be ranked according to paragraphs a, b, c, and d above.
  6. If there still remains equality among two or more teams, then these teams will be ranked according to the number of Field Goals scored in the pool matches.
  7. Should there still remain equality among two teams, then the ranking will be determined by an 8-Seconds Shoot-out competition between those teams.
  8. If more than two teams are involved, then each team will play an 8-Seconds Shoot-out competition against the other teams in the same sequence of play as the order of play in the competition.
  9. A ranking will then be established based upon the results of the round of the 8-Seconds Shootout competition only, with the award for each play of 3 points to the team having scored the highest number of goals, 1 point to each team having scored an equal number of goals and 0 points to the team having scored the lowest number of goals.
  10. If equality remains then teams having an equal number of points shall be ranked according to paragraphs a, b, c and d as applied to goals recorded during the 8-Seconds Shoot-out competition.
  11. If an equal position of three (or more) teams still remains thereafter, then the same procedure shall be repeated until the teams can be ranked. The Tournament Director shall make a draw to establish each sequence of play if such further rounds of 8-Seconds Shoot-outs are required.
  • PROMOTION AND RELEGATION

Spirit section

  • Although hockey is played in the spirit of masters, results will be recorded.
  • The winning team of each pool at the end of the tournament will be determined and may be promoted to the pool above in the succeeding tournament.
  • The losing team may be relegated to the pool below.
  • Spirit pools A – E, will remain with the current province teams allocated, and will be reviewed annually.
  • SAMHA Tournament Liaison has full discretion to promote or relegate a team or teams where the competitiveness within the current allocated pool, is affected.
  • NEW TEAM ENTRIES
  • Although the tournament is restricted to a certain number of teams per pool, SAMHA will call for applications from time to time.

 

  1. MEDICAL

Medical staff must be certified as capable of handling a sports injury, dislocations, blood trauma, head injuries, and stitches if required. They must be able to stabilise a patient immediately.

  • Physio/Masseuse’s

All effort will go into arranging physio services next to the fields. Costs will be for the players own account.

  1. TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION PROCESS
  • Team managers or appointed representatives are responsible for the registration and confirmation of their team for each tournament.
  • Payment must be made according to the SAMHA / LOC timelines
  • Once payment is received, the individual registration process will commence.
  • The registration process will be done via the SA Masters app.
  • Registration will only be finalised once team lists, including all required information is submitted.

 

  1. TOURNAMENT WAIVERS AND INDEMNITIES
  • When completing the individual registration process on the SA Masters App, the individual will be required to accept the tournament waivers and indemnities. Any individual that does not register via the SA Masters App will not be eligible to play.

 

  1. LEVIES
    • TOURNAMENT LEVIES
  • Team managers or appointed representatives are responsible for submission of all levies to the Local Organising Committee of the hosting province (LOC) within the time period stipulated by either the LOC or SAMHA. Any team that does not pay the levies by the deadline date will be considered to have withdrawn from the tournament and will not be able to participate in the tournament, unless otherwise agreed.
  • All team managers, umpires and any other non-playing support staff will be liable for the full levy, unless otherwise agreed. Partners who only attend the after match functions will qualify for a reduced levy as determined by the LOC or SAMHA, as applicable.
  • Teams who experience last minute withdrawals or injuries where a player no longer participates in the tournament can apply to the LOC for a refund. It is at the sole decision of the LOC as to whether the refund can be granted.
  • Any team that withdraws from the tournament, within three months of the date of the tournament will still be liable for the full levy. The levy applicable is equivalent to a minimum of 14

 

  • SAHA LEVIES

 

  • Every player that participates in the Masters IPT needs to be affiliated to South African Hockey (SAHA). If a player plays hockey league for a club, the club fees include the SAHA affiliation fee. Should a player not play club hockey or the affiliation fee is not paid to SAHA, the individual player is responsible for paying the annual SAHA affiliation fee. This fee can be paid to the relevant Provincial Hockey Association. This affiliation fee is separate to, and not included in the annual Masters Tournament levy amount.

 

  1. TRANSGRESSION OF THE RULES

Any individual or team that transgresses the above rules or acts in a manner that brings the LOC or SAMHA into disrepute, may be barred from future tournaments.  Any decision to bar an individual or team is at the sole discretion of SAMHA. This is applicable to both on and off the field of play.