Following a review by the LGSHA Board and feedback received from clubs and team delegates, the Association is proposing a number of amendments to the LGSHA Bylaws.
The aim of these amendments is to:
• remove inconsistencies in the current rules
• improve clarity and governance processes
• align more closely with Hockey WA competition bylaws
• provide clearer competition rules for clubs, players and officials.
The proposed amendments fall into two categories:
-
Bylaw Clarifications and Governance Improvements
-
Proposed Competition Rule Changes
Each amendment is numbered below for ease of discussion and voting.
1. Bylaw Clarifications and Governance Improvements
These amendments are intended to improve clarity, remove inconsistencies and strengthen governance processes.
Amendment 1 – Yellow card suspension rules
Section affected: Rule 5 – Misconduct and Disciplinary Action
Proposed change:
Resolve the inconsistency between the main rules and Appendix C relating to yellow card accumulation suspensions.
Reason:
To ensure suspension penalties are clearly defined and applied consistently across the competition.
Amendment 2 – Red card suspension and appeal process
Section affected: Rule 5 – Misconduct and Disciplinary Action / Appendix C
Proposed change:
Clarify the process for automatic suspensions following a red card and confirm whether and how appeals may be made.
Reason:
To remove conflicting wording in the current bylaws and ensure a transparent disciplinary process.
Amendment 3 – Player eligibility rule references
Section affected: Rule 8 – Ineligible Players
Proposed change:
Correct cross-references to ensure eligibility rules correctly reference the appropriate sections of the bylaws.
Reason:
To remove drafting errors and ensure rules are enforceable.
Amendment 4 – Ineligible vs unregistered players
Section affected: Rule 8 – Ineligible Players
Proposed change:
Clarify the distinction between unregistered players and ineligible players and confirm the penalties that apply.
Reason:
To align with Hockey WA bylaws and ensure penalties are applied consistently.
Amendment 5 – Forfeit scoreline consistency
Section affected: Rule 3 – Forfeits and Withdrawals
Proposed change:
Standardise the scoreline applied to forfeited matches.
Reason:
To ensure ladder outcomes are consistent across all competitions.
Amendment 6 – Dispute and protest process
Section affected: Rule 7 – Match Reporting / Rule 7.1 Protests
Proposed change:
Clarify the dispute and protest pathway, including the roles of the Secretary, Records Keeper and Disputes Committee.
Reason:
To ensure clubs clearly understand how disputes and appeals are managed.
Amendment 7 – Dispensation process
Section affected: Various rules referencing dispensations
Proposed change:
Introduce a clearer framework for requesting dispensations or exemptions.
Reason:
To ensure consistent and transparent decision-making.
Amendment 8 – Junior rules precedence
Section affected: Appendix B – Junior Rules
Proposed change:
Clarify that junior competition rules override the main bylaws where they differ.
Reason:
To avoid confusion when administering junior competitions.
Amendment 9 – Formatting and drafting improvements
Sections affected: Various
Proposed change:
Correct numbering, cross-references and formatting throughout the bylaws.
Reason:
To improve readability and reduce the risk of misinterpretation.
2. Proposed Competition Rule Changes
The following amendments relate to competition administration and will be presented to members for discussion and voting.
Amendment 10 – Junior finals format (7/8/9 grades) & above
Section affected: Rule 10 – Finals / Appendix B
Proposed change:
Replace penalty strokes with one-on-one shootouts to determine tied finals matches in the 7/8/9 competitions.
Reason:
To align with modern hockey formats and provide a more engaging method of deciding tied finals.
Amendment 11 – Core Player policy adjustments
Section affected: Appendix B – Core Player Rules
Proposed changes:
• Junior players may be included in a club’s Core Player group
• Replace the fixed “Core 7” model with a more flexible Core Player group
• Core player lists will be reviewed after four rounds
• Player classifications may be reviewed during the season if required
Reason:
To improve fairness and allow Core Player classifications to better reflect team strength during the season.
Amendment 12 – Finals qualification minimum games
Section affected: Rule 6 – Player Qualification / Rule 6.1 Finals Qualification
Proposed change:
Players must have played a minimum of six matches in a grade to qualify for finals in that grade.
Reason:
To provide a clear and consistent finals eligibility requirement.
Amendment 13 – B Grade finals eligibility
Section affected: Rule 6 – Player Qualification / Rule 6.1 Finals Qualification
Proposed change:
Players must have played more B Grade matches than A Grade matches to be eligible to play in B Grade finals.
Reason:
To prevent players predominantly playing in A Grade from dropping into B Grade finals.
Amendment 14 – A Grade match threshold
Section affected: Rule 6 – Player Qualification
Proposed change:
Once a player has played eight matches in A Grade, they are no longer eligible to play in B Grade for the remainder of the season.
Reason:
To ensure clear classification of A Grade players and maintain competitive balance.
Amendment 15 – Finals format for four-team competitions
Section affected: Rule 10 – Finals
Proposed change:
Replace the current three-team finals format used when only four teams are in a competition with the Page–McIntyre finals system.
Reason:
To provide a fairer finals structure and reward higher finishing teams.
Amendment 16 – Multiple finals in one day
Section affected: Rule 6 – Player Qualification / Rule 10 – Finals
Proposed change:
Introduce a rule stating that no senior player may play in more than one finals match on the same day.
Reason:
To ensure player welfare and maintain fairness across competitions.
Next Steps
Members are encouraged to review the proposed amendments and provide feedback to the LGSHA board via the email to secretary@lgshockey.asn.au.
Voting will be held at a Special Meeting held 31 March 2025, 7.00pm at the Hockey Clubs Rooms.
The current Bylaws and the Proposed Changes to Bylaws documents can be found on this website under the Governance tab.
Kind regards,
Lower Great Southern Hockey Association
