Older League News
14/04/2013 League Dates for 2013-14 season: Given below are the league dates for next season. This season the League Dates are the same for both the Men's and Women's Leagues. There is a weeks break in early December for indoor activities and there is a weeks break in February for half term which will hopefully give clubs better availability in their lower teams and will reduce the need for the doubling up of players. Both of these gaps can, if required, be used as League Slip dates. The first half of the season starts on 21st September and finishes on 14th December with a break on 7th December for indoors. The second half of the season starts on 11th Jan and will end on 22nd March with a break on 22nd Feb. |
22/03/2013 Snow this weekend.: With the weather forecast particularly gruesome in the northern half of the region for tomorrow, please note the following instruction regarding any games cancelled tomorrow or on Sunday. As it stands all cancelled games should be re-arranged and replayed by Sunday 14th April. It has been a particularly bad winter in regard to the weather, with games cancelled both before and after the Christmas break. From the East League committee we thank all fixture secretary's for their hard work and dedication, and within your club we hope that you give them the thanks they deserve. |
19/03/2013 Return of Trophies: Only 2 trophies have been returned to date, which leaves 29 still to be returned by a week on Sunday. Trophies must be returned by the end of March on penalty of a £50 fine! If you won a trophy last year, this is what you need to do: 1) Clean the trophy 2) Wrap it safely and securely 3) Return it to Nick Hoyle at 28 Valeside, Hertford, SG14 2AS. If you decide to save money on postage and decide to return it to Nick in person he will be delighted to see you, but please contact him first (see Contacts and Links for phone/email). If you are reading this and you know your club won a trophy last year, make sure you begin the discussion within the club as to who is going to return it and how. |
05/02/2013 Self-input Results in the EML: The East Men's League is finally catching up with the Ladies. In Division 4 South-West the teams are trialling the self-input of results directly onto this website. We will be reviewing the results of the trial in coming weeks with a view to rolling it out further next season! |
01/02/2013 England Ladies Master Trials (over 40's): The England Ladies over 40's age group initial trials will be held on Sunday, 24th February at Cannock Hockey Club starting at 11.00 and finishing at 15.00. This is for players born between 01/01/1969 and 31/12/1973 (or players between the age of 40 and 44). If you have previously played County or East Masters and you want to give it a go please contact Deb Wilkes (EHB over 40's Chair of Selectors) for details. Her telephone numbers are 01902 858864 (h) or 07976769723 (m) and her email address is wilkesdeb@gmail.com. |
28/01/2013 EML reminder - fixtures cancelled 19/01/13: A reminder to the EML teams games that were cancelled on 19th January should be re-arranged to 23rd March. Looking at the Venues and times page of this website around a third of all games cancelled are shown to be re-arranged so far. It would help enormously if all clubs could ensure that the administration involved in re-arranging these fixtures could be completed by this weekend. Remember the club fixture secretary's must communicate to agree and confirm the date, time and venue of the fixtures, if you have umpires appointed ensure the appropriate pool secretary is notified and update the venue/times page of this website. If you are a member of a club and you can see that your clubs fixtures have not been re-arranged so far please draw this post to the attention of your fixture secretary. |
26/01/2013 Re-arranged games: League Managers have been approached by some clubs asking if games cancelled today can be arranged before the 6th April slip date due to concerns about pitch availability. The answer is yes you may organise the fixtures before. However please remember both clubs must agree a date and a time, the date, time and venue must be added to the appropriate page on this website and if you have appointed umpires the appropriate Pool Appointments Secretary must be contacted. |
21/01/2013 Reminder regarding re-arrangements: With every EML and EWL game being postponed last weekend this post acts as a reminder to all clubs that you need to re-arrange the games following the advice given on this website last week. In re-arranging the games clubs should speak to each other to agree the dates, times and venues. Each club should then place the re-arranged date, time and venue on the appropriate page on this website, and lastly if you have umpires appointed by East or County pools make sure that you contact the relevant pool co-ordinator to ensure your umpires are correctly appointed. |
17/01/2013 East Women's League - games 19/01/13: The weather outside is frightful and it is likely looking at the forecast that many games will be cancelled this weekend due to the weather. Any games cancelled this weekend should be re-arranged to be played during your scheduled half term break (Saturday 16th February or Saturday 23rd February). Clubs should follow the regular process in regard to cancelling games 1) Contact your opposition 2) Contact your umpires (particularly if they are appointed umpires) 3) Contact your League Manager 4) Fixture Secretary's contact the opposing club and agree a new date and time on one of these two dates 5) Place the new date, venue and time on the Venue and Times page of this website. If you are unable to agree a date and time by the end of January the home club should contact the appropriate League Manager for advice and guidance. |
17/01/2013 East Men's League - Games scheduled for 19/01/13: I think we all agreed that the forecast for this weekend is dreadful and I think we all agree the chances of cancellation are high. In the East Mens League any games cancelled this weekend should be moved to the slip date of 23rd March. It is important that all clubs follow the process they ordinarily would in regard to cancelling games. 1) Tell your opposition, 2) Tell your umpires, remember to tell any umpires who are pool appointed as well as your club umpires 3) Tell your League Manager 4) Fixture Secretary's agree the time the re-arranged game is going to be played on 23rd March 5) Home club place the re-arranged time and venue on the Times and Venues page of this website. |
11/01/2013 Confirming Umpires: As the 2nd half of the season approaches we have been asked by the East Region Hockey Umpires Association to remind all clubs who have umpires appointed to their games by either the East or County Pools that it is a must that clubs confirm the details of any game directly with the umpires by 9pm of the Tuesday before any game. With some re-arranged games being played this weekend we are aware that some clubs still have not confirmed the details of tomorrows games with their umpires. The process for confirming umpires has not changed and neither the East League or the ERHUA are asking clubs to do any more than they should already be doing. If your club has umpires appointed each week please ensure your club is clear who is responsible for contacting pool umpires and make sure that they are clear what they have to do to ensure appointed umpires attend the right venue at the right time, so that the games we love playing can take place. |
30/11/2012 Frost and Ice: Tonights forecast is for cold open sky's and frost being widespread. This means there is a risk that games could be postponed (particularly the early start games where the sun does not have chance to penetrate the ice. We advise early communication between clubs to ensure that, where possible, no unnecessary journeys are made. |
02/11/2012 Bromley and Beckenham HC does Calender Girls: Following in the footsteps of the Yorkshire branch of the WI, a brave eleven from Bromley and Beckenham HC have decided to bare all in a calender to raise funds both for the club and for the charity Breast Cancer Care. If you would like to know more please use the following link: http://www.brombeckhc.co.uk/wordpress/calendar-2013 |
02/11/2012 Notifications to ERHUA or County Hockey Association Umpires: The League has been made aware of instances where umpires appointed by the East or County pools are not being notified of match start times, change of venues or even cancellation of games. Appointed umpires are, of course, an important part of the game at the highest level of our region and it is important that they know what is happening in any game. Firstly, for clubs having umpires appointed by ERHUA, by the Tuesday night prior to any game on a Saturday the home club must contact both umpires telling them both the venue and the time of the game. Contacting the umpires by telephone, and actually speaking to them is preferable, if you leave a message or send an email ask the umpire to send confirmation back to you that they have seen and understand your message (postings on your club website or having the time and venue on the East website is not enough!!). Ask for the umpire to provide a contact telephone number, so that if there are any problems on the match day they can easily be contacted. On a match day if there is any cancellation or if there is any change of venue at short notice it is the home clubs job to ensure the umpires are contacted. So captains please ensure you have their telephone numbers with you!! We have been told that increasingly clubs are not making the initial contact with umpires in the week prior to the game. Letting the umpires know about the game is not a courtesy it is a requirement of every club where umpires are appointed to them. Where umpires are not contacted by the appropriate deadline both the ERHUA and the County pools reserve the right to re-allocate those umpires and that would result in penalties being applied by League Managers to those clubs. If you are reading this and your club has umpires appointed to their games please ensure your clubs Umpire Liaison Officers and your team captains read this. |
04/10/2012 Peter Lambert and John Whitehead: Unfortunately I have to report that two of the Easts long standing FIH umpires have sadly passed away over the last 24 hours. Peter Lambert died after a long battle against cancer. John Whitehead also passed away after suffering an aneurism. Peter and John were highly respected FIH umpires and both had been Chairman and President of Cambs HUA. As very experienced umpires their knowledge of the game was welcomed both by players and their umpiring colleagues. Both Peter and John will be sorely missed both by their clubs (City of Peterborough and Royston) and by the wider hockey community in Cambridgeshire and the East and we ask that all clubs hold a short period of respect before their games on Saturday. |
27/09/2012 League Entry Fee's - Clubs Outstanding: Despite clubs being notified on this website on 09/08/12 and an email reminder being sent from the East League Secretary to each Club Secretary on 19/08/12 there are still a number of clubs who have not paid their League entry fee's. With a new process of generating invoices the deadline for receipt of these fee's was extended, so that fee's would be received by 30/09/12. The clubs involved are Ashford HC, Basildon HC, Holt Harlequins HC, MBDA HC, Norfolk Nomads HC, Rochford Casuals HC, Romford HC, Sevenoaks HC, Southend HC, St Neots HC, Thurrock HC and Witham HC. If you are reading this and your club is named please contact your club secretary or treasurer to ensure the fees are RECEIVED by the League Budget Officer by 30/09/12. Rule 2.3 explains the penalties that shall be issued if the fees are not received by this time. |
22/08/2012 Match Start Times: Rule 4.3.3 is in regard to notifying times and venues of fixtures and the fact that at least 4 weeks before the start of the season, a club must input to the league website details of the venues and start times of all its home league matches to be played up to the mid-season break. The season starts on 15th September and we are within the 4 weeks. Teams who have umpires appointed by either ERHUA or County pools will realise that these bodies need to know where and when games are going to be played if they are to be able to appoint sufficient umpires, and give those umpires adequate notice of those games. Please make sure that your fixture start times and venues are posted by 12.00 (midday) on Saturday 25th August. Rule 4.3.3 does describe the penalty which I am sure we would all wish to avoid. |
22/08/2012 Captain and Vice Captain Details to League Managers: Just a helpful reminder to member clubs that Rule 2.4 says that contact details of team captains and vice captains (names, contact phone numbers and email addresses)should be sent to the relevant League Manager by the first game of the season. Most of our clubs have held their AGMs now and know who their captains are, so you could get one job ticked off that pre-season list in the next couple of days or so. The contact details of the League Managers this season can be accessed by clicking on the Contacts and Links tab on the League page |
19/08/2012 Rule Changes coming into effect from 1st September: There are two main playing rule changes coming into place this season from 1st September, the first regarding the method of scoring, the second regarding the ball being lifted from a centre pass, free hit or putting the ball back into play. All clubs are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure that their players know the new rules. Informing a player 30 seconds after he/she have vociferously spoken to the umpire that he should be applying last years rules can be easily avoided by us preparing early!! |
09/08/2012 League Invoices: Following requests from clubs last season for the League to be more like England Hockey in allowing all clubs to download their League Entry invoices we are pleased to announce that League Invoices are no longer being posted to Clubs. You can download or print your invoice via a link on the League Preseason Page. Your Club password will be needed to call up the invoice. (This will save a considerable sum in postage, and a fair amount of time). To facilitate the bedding in of this new development we are extending the deadline for payment to 30th September, however we reasonably expect that all clubs will do the right thing and ensure they pay well before that time. |
29/06/2012 Fixtures for 2012-13 season: The proposed fixtures for the 2012-13 season have been added at the top of the Pre-Season page. We have checked and double checked but we can always use a 3rd, 4th and 5th pair of eyes. Can we please ask clubs to check their own fixtures and notify either League Secretary, Neil Liversedge, or Fixtures and Results Co-ordinator, Richard Munns, know by email if you find either any errors or any you have any questions by 7th July, this will allow us to make any alterations or corrections and then get the fixtures posted. |
23/06/2012 Update your club details!!!!!: There are still 30+ clubs who are still to update their club contact details on here. The 30th June deadline is not far away. If you click on the yellow tab to the left of this message it will show the remaining clubs. If your club is one of them find out who does the update within your club and remind them to get it done. We really do not want to be applying the 50% increase to your league entry fee over something so easy to do!!! |
17/06/2012 Updating your clubs contact details: East League clubs are reminded that you have until the 30th June to update your club contacts on this website. These are the details that will go forwards into the East Handbook and we, of course want them to be correct. Clubs should be reminded that there is a penalty of a 50% increase in fees if you miss this deadline. So if you are reading this and are unsure if your club has updated their records draw attention to this post to your Club Secretary or Fixture Secretary's. |
10/06/2012 A fitting end to the season: Today saw the conclusion of the 2011-12 season with the League AGM and Presentation Day. Teams attending from all over the East region to give input at the AGM and to give hearty praise and celebrate the trophy winners. Only 3 teams failed to collect their trophy, and these will receive their £100 fine in due course. At the meeting East President, John Hendy, announced that Results and Fixtures co-ordinator Richard Munns would become an Honorary Vice-President of the East Region Hockey Association in recognition of service both with the league and the umpiring communities. |
29/05/2012 League Entries: With 3 days to go there are still 35 plus Men's sections who have not yet entered teams for the 2012-13 season. The deadline is 31st May for the reason that after this date we have to start the process of planning your fixtures (which you might appreciate with 200+ Mens games being played each Saturday during the League season is a big job). Please get your teams entered today and beat the deadline. |
23/04/2012 Top Goal Scorers: As in keeping with the past years we are looking for nominations for the top goal-scorer in the EML. The highest we know of so far is 36 goals, if you know someone in your team/club was as prolific as Lionel Messi playing for that small Spanish club please make your claim to the relevant league manager! |
23/04/2012 League AGM and Presentation Day: The East League Annual General Meeting and Presentation Day will take place on Sunday 10th June. The venue this year is Letchworth Hockey Club. The AGM will start at 2.00pm and will hopefully be completed by about 2.45 and it would be great to see every club that has a team in the East League. There will then be a break for refreshments (and the chance for you to buy your League Manager a drink) with the Presentations starting at 3.30pm. League Managers are in the process of inviting the winners of each division. Clubs with winning teams are reminded that winning a league is an honour, you will receive a trophy and yes you must attend!! League Rule 2.8 explains that failure to attend the Presentation Day will result in a £100 fine, so please make every effort to attend. |
24/04/2012 League Dates for Next Season: The dates for next league season were discussed at last weeks League Management Meeting and are as follows: EWL - Pre Christmas - 15/09/12 to 01/12/12 and 15/12/12. Post Christmas 12/01/13 to 09/02/13 and 02/03/13 to 23/03/13. EML - Pre Christmas - 15/09/12 to 08/12/12. Post Christmas 19/01/13 to 16/03/13 These dates are designed to ensure maximum fit with the indoor calender. Should clubs have any indoor commitments outside of these times clubs MUST remember to consult their League Manager before any cancellations can be agreed. |
10/04/2012 Congratulations!!!: Congratulations to Bromley & Beckenhams Ladies 1st X1 for being crowned East Women's League Champions, crowning a fine season. Congratulations also to Cambridge City 1st X1 who came out on top in the East Men's League, this was a fine moment in a very competitive season, where they narrowly gained the advantage over West Herts Cambridge. |
20/03/2012 Gurbinder Hunjan: Ramgarhia Hockey Club, and indeed Men’s Hockey East lost a great friend and hockey ambassador with the tragic and untimely passing of Gurbinder Hunjan on Saturday 17th March 2012 during the match with Cambridge University. A multi-talented sportsman, Gurbinder’s first love was hockey and he was a well known and liked player during his almost three decades of playing hockey. Having played during his school days as well as various club sides as a player dedicated his support to Ramgarhia 1st. Interested in all sports Gurbinder was competitive whenever he stepped outside his familiar sport, hockey. Gurbinder leaves behind his wife (Sharanpal), two sons (Harmeet) & (Bhupinder) and daughter (Mandeep). This is a difficult time for members of the Hunjan family and players of Ramgarhia. Ramgarhia and the Hunjan Family wishes to acknowledge all present, the Umpires, Cambridge University 2 and Ramgarhia Hockey players for their support at the unfortunate incidence. Details of the funeral and the Prayers thereafter will be made available as soon as they are confirmed. Gurbinder Hunjan will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all whose lives he enriched, and especially by his close friends and family. |
15/03/2012 East League Secretary on holiday: Neil Liversedge will be disappearing on holiday from 16 March and will be returning 2nd April. If you have any queries, in the first instance please speak to your League Manager. If you need to further speak to someone there are two points of contact while he is away. If your query is in regard to results please contact the League Results Co-ordinator Richard Munns. If your question is in regards to rules or policy please speak to League Chairman Rosemary Prince. |
17/03/2012 Entries in Match reports, Twitter and Facebook: With the end of season looming and many promotion and relegation battles bound to take place clubs should be reminded of League Rule 7 7. DISCIPLINE AND PENALTIES Clubs must abide by the intended spirit of how the game should be played; observe EHB guidelines and procedures for discipline and pitch-side conduct; ensure that players, officials and spectators treat umpires with respect before, during and after matches; and not put disparaging remarks about leagues or opponents in press reports or on the internet. The Leagues will apply severe penalties in cases of umpire abuse. |
24/03/2012 Return of Trophies: Only 12 EML trophies have been returned to date, which leaves 18 still to be returned by a week today. Trophies must be returned by the end of March on penalty of a £50 fine! So if you won a trophy last year what do you need to do? 1) Clean the trophy 2) Wrap it safely and securely 3) Return it to Nick Hoyle, his address is 28 Valeside, Hertford, SG14 2AS. If you decide to save money on postage and decide to return it to Nick in person he will be delighted to see you, as long as you phone him first and make sure he is in! If you are reading this and you know your club won a trophy last year make sure you begin the discussion within the club as to who is going to return it and how. |
05/03/2012 Games to be re-organised: Surprising, but utterly true, there are still 90+ games still to be re-organised in all divisions following the snow in February. If you are a fixture secretary reading this get in contact with your opposite number to get the game finalised. If you are a captain or a player and you know you have a game outstanding and you cant see that it has been re-organised on the times/venues page of this website, get hold of your fixture secretary to remind him/her that it needs doing quickly. Games need to be completed by the weekend of 14/15th April and every League Manager would rather that clubs agree the dates between themselves rather than have impose either a date to play the game or impose a penalty on clubs who have been lazy or unreasonable. Feedback from your clubs tell us you would rather the League Manager take that approach too. |
24/02/2012 re-organising fixtures after the bad weather: Firstly well done to all of the clubs who have, so far, re-organised and agreed their fixtures, posted them on the time/venue part of this website and, where appropriate advised the East/County umpiring pools. To the rest of the clubs with work still to do please try to get these fixturesorganised soon, please do not leave it until the last minute. If you have any problems or difficulties at all please speak to the relevant League Manager who will give advice and guidance willingly. |
09/02/2012 Fixture Congestion: The League Management Committee are currently willing the weathermen to give better news regarding the weather. However while we wait for that we are aware that a number of fixtures are backing up. We have decided to extend the 2011-12 season to the weekend of 14th and 15th April. However we ask all clubs to abide by the following conditions:- Any teams with games that were originally scheduled to be played before Christmas and have not arranged the date of the new game must have a re-arranged date to play the game agreed by Monday 20th February and these games must be played by the 11th March. Clubs who have games from before Christmas that already have dates arranged are exempt from this condition. Any teams with games that were originally scheduled to be played from 14th January to up to and including 4th February must have a re-arranged date to play the game agreed by Monday 27th February and played by 9th April. This means we will have some leeway to allow us to re-arrange games if/when games are cancelled this weekend. We are aware that this means that some games will have be played on Sundays and, if clubs and Umpiring Pool Organisers agree, allow them freedom to play games over the Easter weekend. If clubs and Umpiring Pool Organisers agree games may also be played midweek. Home clubs are reminded that when they are re-arranging their fixtures they must actually speak to their opposition and have proof of confirmation of the fixture and we remind away clubs that you should not unreasonably reject dates provided. Clubs are reminded that details of re-arranged fixtures must be posted on the venues/times page of this website, you should notify the appropriate Umpiring Pool Organisers and your League Manager. |
01/02/2012 and don't forget the umpires: We hope that you have found our advice about starting to think about Saturday and communication with your opposition if temperatures are well below zero helpful. It goes without saying that you should also remember your umpires. If they are pool umpires you need to remember that they too could be travelling from a far, so please make sure if you cancel a game you tell your umpires as soon as possible |
01/02/2012 Frozen Pitch's 4th February: With the current weather forecast for this weekend informing us that there is a good chance of a hrd frost on Friday night this post acts as a friendly reminder to home clubs to be mindful of the distance your opposition have to travel and ensure that any pitch inspection is carried out well before they leave. The committee are aware of a home club that has had the foresight to ask their opposing clubs for their departure times and the team captains contact details in case of cancellation. We recommend that all clubs follow this excellant example. |
25/01/2012 Ladies’s Masters Hockey 2012 – Why not represent your region!: Interested in playing for the East Masters this year? We have entered the East into the Over 40s, 45s and 50s tournaments being held on the dates below. Women's Ov40s & Ov45s Tournament Date: 9th & 10th June 2012 at Cannock Women's Ov50s Tournament Date: 28th & 29th April 2012 at Cannock If you are interested in playing please e-mail Philippa Bull with your name, present club, date of birth (so long as you are 40 this year you qualify as dates for age groups are for birthdays in the present year) Please also give your e-mail and mobile/phone number.We are most in need of players presently between 39 and 44 years of age as those who have previously represented this age group have moved up to the older age groups. Philippa can be reached by email: philippa.bull@essex.gov.uk or by phone 07786 125363 and she is happy to answer any questions. There will be two dates in May (to be confirmed) which will allow people to meet up for selection/practice. These are likely to be four hour slots at a pitch in Bishops Stortford. We look forward to hearing from you. |
24/01/2012 New League Managers required: The League Management Committee is formed with the aim of trying to run the leagues in which you play in a seamless way. It is made up off volunteers who do an excellent job. Currently we are looking for more volunteers to manage some of the league divisions. You will be supported by very experienced league managers and committee and you will help keep the league wheels running. If you would like to volunteer for the 2012-13 season either contact Neil Liversedge, East League Secretary by email (n.liversedge1@btinternet.com) or contact the webmaster of this site. We look forwards to hearing from you. |
24/01/2012 Consideration of Oppositions Journey Times: With the possibility of further cancellations of games due to wintery weather can we please ask all clubs to remember to consider the journey times and distance that your opponents may have to travel and take this into consideration when conducting pitch inspections. If you are playing at home and the pitch may be doubtful we remind you that it is good practice to speak to your opponents Liaison Officer to determine what time they are leaving, and ensure that you make your decision before they leave. |
21/10/2011 New Acting East League Budget Officer: Following last nights League Management Committee meeting we are pleased to announce that Trevor Williams has agreed to act as Budget Officer on a temporary basis. While acting in this role Trevor will help the committee move the production of League Entry invoices on-line, so that as soon as the League Fees are agreed at the League's Annual General Meeting, clubs can print off their invoice and pay their league entry fees by the deadline. |
21/10/2011 CLO for Sevenoaks on holiday: Would all Ladies clubs please note that Jackie Gibbs, Club Liaison Officer for Sevenoaks will be away on holiday for games played on 22nd and 29th October. Should any clubs have any urgent issues over this time would they please contact Fran Walton, Sevenoaks Ladies chairman. Her contact details are 07918685022(m) or franwalton@btinternet.com (email) |
15/10/2011 Rutland 4th X1 withdraw from Div6 NWS of the East Men's League: It is with regret that we announce the Rutland 4th X1 have had to withdraw from Division 6NWS of the East Men's League due to lack of players. Rutland would be interested in playing friendlies at Under 14 and Under 15 level on a Sunday should any clubs be looking for fixtures. |
21/10/2011 Change of League Managers to East Men's League 4 to 6SE: It is with regret that we announce the resignation of Samantha Menear from her role as League Manager for Men's League Divisions 4SE, 5SE and 6SE. Please note that: Pritpal Sagoo will take on responsibility for managing 4SE. Cliff Gulbis will take on responsibility for managing 5SE. Chris Brown will take on responsibility for managing 6SE. The CLO and MLO of the affected clubs have been sent an email today informing them of the changes, if you are a captain of any team playing in these divisions please make sure you become aware of your new managers contact details. Samantha will also hand over her Budget Officers responsibility and a further notice will be posted shortly. Samantha will continue to manager her divisions within the East Women's league. On behalf of the League Management Committee and the clubs within Divisions 4 to 6SE I would like to pass on our thanks for Samantha's work over the passed few seasons. |
08/10/2011 Message from Wapping Hockey Club about the John Orwell school pitch: On behalf of Wapping Hockey Club, we would like to provide an update on the status of our home pitch at John Orwell Sports Centre. Repairs have now been scheduled to make the appropriate changes to the pitch and we hope to have all fixtures back their original venues by the end of the month. The club thanks all clubs who have been involved for their cooperation and understanding towards changes to fixtures and locations . This has been very much appreciated and we look forward to welcoming you all back to John Orwell. Thanks, Steve Turner, Chairman, Wapping Hockey Club |
24/09/2011 East Website - League Pages: Please remember that the League Results and Tables have been relocated on the site, so your bookmarks/favourites may need to be changed. Follow the links from the League Page to reach the new locations. We also changed servers and switched to a new database over summer, and whilst there has been extensive testing, it is only when we go live that some glitches will emerge. Please report any broken links or errors that you find to the webmaster. |
21/09/2011 Payment of League fees 2011-12 Season: The league would like to thank the vast majority of teams who have already submitted their league fees for this season. We are concerned however that some teams in the league have had advanced warning of their non payment and the league managers wish to ensure fairness for all our teams. In light of this all teams, will have until midnight on Friday 23rd September to pay the appropriate fee. |
19/09/2011 Further to non payment of League Fees: Following Saturdays ladies league games, we can confirm that some of the 27 clubs who had not paid their league entry fee's included clubs with Ladies sections that participate in the East Women's League. Games involving these sides will be forfeit as laid out in rule 2.3. Teams will receive notification via their league managers to the captains of the teams concerned. The games will be marked as AW – awarded 3-0, to the respective opposition. If an opposition won by a higher score than 3 goals the higher score will be kept. The clubs concerned need to pay the appropriate fee to avoid the same thing happening next weekend. It is not your league managers fault but an issue you may wish to take up with the committee of your particular club; the rule is no different from last year. A new treasurer, captain or manager is not an acceptable excuse. The rules are published in the public for all to read. |
17/09/2011 Non Payment of League Entry Fee's: As of 10 o'clock this morning the following clubs have NOT paid their league entry fees: Berkhamsted,Bishop Stortford, Blueharts, Boston, Bourne Deeping, Brentwood, Cambridge Nomads, Chelmsford, Cheshunt, Ford, Grantham, Ipswich, Ipswich Cranes, Leadenham, March Town, MBDA, Newmarket, Norwich City, Old De Ferrians, Old Southendians, Rochford Casuals, Royston, St Neots, Stevenage, Vauxhall, Winchmore Hill and ENfield. Clubs were reminded on 17th August that the invoices for league entry were being sent out and were reminded of Rule 2.3 which will be applied to clubs that have not paid their fees by the first game of the season. |
14/09/2011 An apology from Old Loughtonians: Dear All, Please find below a letter from Peter King, Chairman of Old Loughtonians to the League Chairman, Rosemary Prince, which we think is appropriate to share with League clubs and is particularly of interest to any teams who play against Old Lought's Dear Rosemary On behalf of Old Loughtonians I wanted to let you, the committee and the member clubs know the current position with our new pitches at Luxborough Lane. As you may have heard, the project to replace the pitches has fallen behind because of some difficulties with the design of the bases. This has been resolved, but the knock on effect is that we may not have use of either pitch until the end of November, which is some two months after the completion we anticipated. The club is trying hard to accommodate our fixtures by reversing venues and hiring alternative pitches, but I want to apologise to all the member clubs for any inconvenience this may cause them and thank them for all the cooperation they have given us in planning around the delay. I look forward to seeing our friends from across the region at Old Loughts when we are back to normal. Yours sincerely Peter King, Chairman, OLHC |
12/09/2011 Welcome to the Dragons Den: Norwich Dragons HC - Venue and Kit: Following the opening of their new pitch in the centre of Norwich, Norwich Dragons HC will now play all their home matches at the TCH Dragons' Den on Hall Road in Norwich. The Club and Location details on this website have been updated to reflect this and provides directions to the venue. Clubs should also note that the Dragons' Men have new shirts to celebrate their return to Norwich and will wear red with green and white trim in future. Details also available at www.norwichdragonshc.co.uk |
09/09/2011 Withdrawal of Phoenix Ladies from Div2SW: I have received an email from the Chairman of Phoenix Hockey Club informing me that, with regret, they will have to withdraw from Div2SW of the East Women's league. This has been caused by lack of players. The club has been requested to contact all teams in the Division. |
30/08/2011 Pre-season tasks: Just a helpful reminder, on the Leagues page on the right hand side is a tab labelled "Preseason" and it gives information of the important work each club should be undertaking. Right now the most important jobs for clubs to be doing is ensuring that the dates and times of fixtures are loaded, checking to see if your opposition have made any changes and sending captain and vice captain contact details to the relevant League Manager. Not completing these tasks do incur penalties so on reading this ask yourself who in my club does it and make sure that they are!! |
17/08/2011 League Entry Fee's: Dear All, I have been notified by the Leagues Budget Officer that invoices for League Entry fee's for the 2011/12 season will be sent out w/c 22nd August and should be paid to the League Budget Officer (NOT The ERHA Treasurer) by the start of the season. If you are a member of any club please make your Club Liaison Officer and Treasurer aware of this post so that we are not in the usual position of having to chase clubs right to and beyond the deadline. Clubs should be aware of the penalties of not paying on time (Rule 2.3 explains exactly what happens if you don't) and should not expect any further reminders about payment |
06/07/2011 A gentle reminder before you need it: Clubs are reminded that details of ALL home game venues & start times must put details of match venues and times on this website before the start of the season for all games up to Christmas (and for really good practice let your opposing club know directly!!), and by Nov 30th for all games after Christmas (but preferably all before the start of the season). Each late entry can attract a £5 fine at the discretion of the League Manager. Please remember that any changes made during the season MUST be input into the same system and MUST be communicated directly to the other club. To input details of your home games you will need to know your usual club password. If you have any problems please contact your league manager before he or she contacts you |
06/07/2011 Fixtures for 2011-12 season: I am sure this is the most eagerly awaited news item, the new fixtures for the EML and EWL have been posted for the new season, and the fixtures for the Veterans league will be posted later today. The leagues have been checked through but as always we ask all clubs to check these fixtures for any errors. The new Fixtures and Tables are accessible via the usual links on this page. However, please note that the file structure has changed since last year and bookmarks that you created in previous seasons to these pages will no longer work. |
20/06/2011 Club Information Update: All clubs are reminded that they have until the end of the month to update the contact details of the club officials on this website. If you do have any particular problems with it please do let the webmaster know asap/ Failure to do so results in a 50% increase in your league entry fees, which is a needless expense for your club. |
15/06/2011 New Leagues for 2011-12 season: Following my post of yesterday please find loaded the new league structure for the coming season. If you have any questions or queries please let me know by 20th June. We want to get the fixtures actually scheduled and posted as soon as we can after this date. |
14/06/2011 Divisions for the new season: Just a reminder to all clubs that the new leagues were posted on 6th June and they have until 20th June to let us know any questions or queries. To date we have received lots of comments, suggestions and questions, particularly around the unique situation where a club was expelled from Div 2 South. We ask all clubs to note that there will almost certainly be alterations to the Divisions that have been posted. Please be assurred that where changes are made the committee have worked hard to ensure that they have been made in the spirit of the current league rules. |
05/06/2011 Club information - annual update: All Clubs playing in the East Leagues must update their club information page by the end of June with details of officers etc for next season. Follow the Update your Club link on this page to do this - your usual club password will be needed. If there are no changes between seasons, just click the Entry button to confirm that the information continues to apply. Don't be tempted to confirm old information and catch up after the deadline - if you have problems with, say, a late Club AGM please alert the webmaster. Failure to update by the deadline will attract a 50% increase in league fees.Clubs that have not updated their page since mid-May are listed here. If your Club is one of the many listed, please ensure that an update is done. |
01/06/2011 New Clubs: There are two new clubs in the East Leagues this season. Broadland will be joining the EWL as Norfolk champions, and Grantham will be joining the EML in Division 6NWN. We hope all Clubs will help in making the newcomers welcome, along with all the new teams that will be joining us either as county champions in EWL or newly created teams in EML. Also, Bourne and Market Deeping merged during summer to form a new club, Bourne Deeping, to play in a combination of the divisions of the previous clubs but with one team less in total. |
13/05/2011 League AGM papers: These have been sent out by email this season, as there are no rule changes or other proposals to vote on, just officers and fees. If you are a Club MLO, WLO, or VLO and your email address as currently listed on the ClubSearch page is incorrect, your copy will have failed to reach you. Please let the East League Secretary have a current address. Note that on the voting papers, there are some incorrect dates. These can be ignored - my nontyping abilities are legendary. |
04/05/2011 Men's League entries for next season: Team entries for next season for the Men's League must be made by May 31st. Follow the link on the left, or use the Preseason page. You will need your usual Club password. Please do this as soon as you are certain of your teams for next year - the sooner we have all team numbers, the sooner you will receive your fixtures. |
03/05/2011 Womens League promotions and relegations status: Promotions and relegations are now complete. There were two relegations from the national league, which would normally cause an extra relegation from East Premier and consequently from several lower divisions. However, the League has accepted an application by Bedford Ladies 1 to transfer from Midlands Premier to East Premier, which would itself generate another extra relegation. All told, that would mean over half of the teams in the Premier Division leaving. We do not want to relegate on this scale unexpectedly, so will have a 14-team Premier in 2011/12, with the extra relegations taking effect at the end of that season. Clubs will therefore know from the start what they are playing for. The basic relegations next season will be six from Premier, three each from Divs 1N and 1S, and all 11th and 12th placed teams in Divisions 2NE, 2NW, 2SE, and 2SW plus the 10th placed team with the least points. The four additional match dates needed for Premier next season are being discussed with all 14 Clubs, and final confirmation of all this will be posted on the Preseason Page shortly. (In anticipation of queries, please note that a 13-team division requires as many extra dates as a 14-team division). |
03/05/2011 League Management Comittee - April meeting: The final meeting of the season resolved playing matters still outstanding, agreed League Officer and League fee proposals for next season, reviewed the indoor season in relation to league dates, considered the placement of Chelmsford 2 in EML and of Bedford Ladies 1 in EWL and the size and fixtures of EWL Premier next season, the disciplinary record of Plashet HC, and arrangements for the AGM and Presentations. Full minutes are available via the Meetings Page. |
05/05/2011 Mens League promotions and relegations: All promotions and relegations are now complete apart from the SE divisions (and with the possibility of an extra promotion from 3SW). These will not be finalised until the completion of a disciplinary appeal later in May. Clubs are reminded that as usual there may be later adjustments to the divisions for next season, depending on how many teams are entered next year. There was one relegation from the national league, causing no additional relegations or promotions in the East League. The splits in relegations from 2S are two each into SE and SW, causing no additional promotions or relegations. From 2N there are 3 NW teams and 1 NE team relegated, so causing an additional relegation in each NW division, and conversely an assitional promotion in each NE division. |
10/04/2011 Top goalscorer in Men's League: If you have a player who has scored a high number of East Mens Lague gaols this season, please email the webmaster with details of his name, club, and league goal total. The highest score will win the Top Scorer Trophy, to be presented at the AGM on June 5th at Redbridge Sports centre. To give time to check the claimt against teamsheets, all submissions must be in by the end of April please. The current leader has submitted a claim of 70 goals. |
01/04/2011 Promotion and relegation markers: Users finding apparently erroneous champion, promoted or relegated markers on leage table pages should click their browser refresh button before raising a complaint, to ensure that their page display is the most current. Some corrected errors have recently been re-reported. |
22/03/2011 Trophies: A reminder to all clubs who won a trophy last season - There is just over a week to go until the end of March, which is the deadline for the return of all trophies. Progress so far is painfully slow, and as usual most teams seem be leaving it to the last minute. You will all be aware that League Rule 2.8 states that any trophies returned late will attract a £50 fine. Trophy winners in the EML should return their trophies to Nick Hoyle, 28 Valeside, Hertford, SG14 2AS. Trophy winners in the EWL should return their trophies to Sarah Mann Sexton Cottage, Tiptree Road, Great Braxted, Witham, CM8 3EJ. Registered post should be used for this so that there is some insurance cover against loss or damage - which would otherwise have to be paid by the Club conscerned. |
15/03/2011 Unacceptable facemasks: Clubs should note that the EHB has consulted with FIH and has ruled that two face masks sometimes used in matches do not meet the requirement of the Rules of Hockey that: “field players … are permitted to wear a smooth preferably transparent or white but otherwise single coloured face mask which closely fits the face when defending a penalty corner." These are the Obo Face Off 2 and the TK 3 Facemask. These do not “closely fit the face” and are not “smooth” and consequently cannot be used. |
12/03/2011 Trophies: Did a team in your club win a trophy by winning a League Division last season? If so, you need to return the trophy undamaged by the end of March. We are giving you all an early warning so you can : 1) locate the trophy 2) make sure it's in one piece 3) get it well polished before returning it Trophy winners in the EML should return their trophies to Nick Hoyle, 28 Valeside, Hertford, SG14 2AS. Trophy winners in the EWL should return their trophies to Sarah Mann Sexton Cottage, Tiptree Road, Great Braxted, Witham, CM8 3EJ. We would remind clubs who won trophies that you received them in a nice and shiny condition and we reasonably expect to receive them back in that condition. Oh, and there is a fine for being late... |
11/03/2011 Promotions and relegations: As the end of the season approaches, Clubs need to remember that there may be promotions and relegations additional to those set out in the league rules. It is possible that there will be two teams relegated from the Women's National League to East, causing an additional relegation from our EWL Premier and likewise lower down. In contrast we may receive no relegation from the Men's National League, so generating an additional promotion to our Men's Prem A division. We will be adding a new team to one of the higher divisions in our Men's League, so an additional relegation may occur in Divs 1 or 2. And after the season ends there will as usual be other factors affecting divisional placings next year, such as entry numbers, team withdrawals, promotions declined, and so on. The usual advice applies - make no assumptions, continue to select teams on strength from the top downwards, and endeavour to win all your games. |
09/02/2011 Slip matches: There has been remarkably slow progress by many clubs in arranging slips for matches cancelled for bad weather. Clubs should remember that the closing date for the Leagues will be the weekend of 9th April for the EML and 16th April for the EWL, and matches not played by then will be voided. Other rearranged matches have been played, but without results being reported to the appropriate League Manager. That is not acceptable, particularly when clubs are often badgering the website for fully updated tables. |
09/02/2011 January League Management Meeting: The minutes of the meeting are available via the Meetings link on the right. Main issues discussed were: slow progress by clubs in arranging slips for the many matches cancelled for bad weather; league dates agreed for EML and EWL for next season; planning for presentation Day and AGM 2011; and various match issues dealt with by League Managers. |
02/02/2011 EML Divisions 3NW and 4NW: Will all CLOs and team captains in these divisions please note that Neil Liversedge will be away on Saturday 19th February. Match results should be reported to League Results Co-ordinator Richard Munns by telephone on 01354 653714. If on answerphone please listen to the message and report the the result in the format required. If you play in 3NW or 4NW but are not the CLO or team captain, please draw their attention to this message to help ensure all results are reported on time. |
Holiday absence: 31 Aug: Please note that webmaster and ELS, Trevor Williams has taken his bucket and spade to the seaside and will be paddling until Sept 11th.
East Handbooks: 17 Aug: These are due for delivery around the region in the first half of next week. Numbers are the same as usual. If any problems, please wait until the end of the week to signal if you have not received your copies. (Norfolk clubs not in the East Leagues will receive copies at their preseason meeting).
Division 6NE: 7 Aug: Following the withdrawal of Pelicans 4 from EML 6NE, a new set of fixtures for a 22-week 14-team division have been posted. Times and venues can now be entered for this restructured division.
Technical Officiating : 1 Aug: It has been the practice for the past few years to run a training/familiarisation for Technical Officiating at the PLUM pre season tournament. This year PLUM is being held on Saturday and Sunday 11th and 12 September next. Three venues: Chelmsford [Sat and Sun], Old Loughtonians [Sat] and Redbridge [Sun]. Running such a course this year will be very dependant on numbers so if you are interested in becoming a Technical Official and would like to attend, or have more information, would you please contact Sheila George as soon as possible at smg.68@btinternet.com or on 01493 752189.
Fixtures: 24 July: Men's, Women's and Vet's League fixtures are now all loaded in their corrected and final form. The Times & Venues facility is now available, and information must be added for all first-half fixtures at least 4 weeks before the start of the season. Please note that the system has been modified to accommodate a new server, and has been tested, but there may still be minor glitches - please email the webmaster if you experience any difficulties at all.
Club Information Update: 1 July: Four clubs failed the deadline and will pay a 50% increase in league fees: Basildon, Carlton Park, Ford, Yarmouth.
The data received as of today will be input to the new East Handbook. Your club page can of course be updated throughout the season, but if you make any changes in the next three weeks please also email details to the editor for inclusion in the Handbook proofs.
EML Divisions allocations: 30 June: Now completed. The revised structure is available here. Fixture preparation is now under way.
Minutes of 2010 AGM: 23 June: These are now available via the Meetings page.
Mens League 2010-11: 18 June: Divisional allocations are now available. Please email any comments or concerns by 25th June, after which the allocations will be finalised and fixtures prepared. Clubs with a team in Div 9SW must confirm that they still wish to enter that team.
Outstanding fines: 16 June: Clubs fined for not appearing at Presentation Day must make payment promptly to avoid further penalties. Cheques to Samantha Menear as soon as possible please
League AGM and Presentations: 11 June: The League AGM last Sunday passed all proposals (minutes to follow shortly) and concuded with Presentations to Division Winners and leading goalscorers. The Hugh Jarvis Fair Play Award was presented to East London, and the East Women's League Fair Play Award to Louth.
Goals wanted: 11 June: Plashet HC is looking for a pair of second-hand goals. If you can help, please contact Daljeet Cheema.
Change of phone number: 7 June: Please note that EWL Premier Division Manager, Janet Goody, now has a new mobile number - 0754 095 4221
Results and Tables: 5 June: 2009-10 season now transferred to the Previous Seasons page. During June and July fixture data for 2010-11 will be added to the Results, Tables and Times & Venues pages.
EWL Divisions: 26 May: Allocations of teams to divisions for the coming season are now available, via the usual link on the Preseason Page. Fixtures should be published by the end of June. All queries to the EWL Results Coordinator Sarah Mann please.
EML entries: 1 June: The following Clubs missed the deadline for entry; in consequence they will not be permitted to enter any new teams: Bourne, Maldon & Little Baddow, Newmarket, Old Loughtonians.
EML Promotions & Relegations: 15 May: the tables are now complete so far as finishing positions are concerned. However, please note that there will be changes as the 2010/11 divisions are set up. In particular, there are three SW teams relegated from 2S and three NE teams from 2N, but only only one SE team and one NW team relegated. As a consequence there may be extra relegations from SW and NE divisions and extra promotions in SE and NW divisions. Other factors that may affect divisional placings next season are the number of team entries, new teams being accommodated, and teams refusing promotion.
New Men's League Manager: 11 May: In view of planned retirements, the League Committee would like to hear from Men's League members interested in taking up a position as a League Manager this coming season or the next. The hours are long, the pay non-existent, and the decision making arduous, but job satisfaction is high and the sandwiches are good. Please email Trevor Williams if you would like to be considered.
AGM and Presentations 2010: 10 May: To be held at Letchworth HC on Sunday 6th June. Details of the AGM agenda are available on the AGM page. The AGM invite and agenda and postal voting forms will be sent to the MLO's and WLO's of all Clubs shortly.EML Entries for 2010-11 season: Apr 28: Team entries for next season for the Men's League must be made by May 31st. The procedure is as before - follow the link on the left of the Preseason page. You will need your usual Club password. Please do this as soon as you are certain of your teams for next year - the sooner we have all team numbers, the sooner you will receive your fixtures. September will upon us all too soon!
Dates for 2010-11: 28 Apr: Dates for both Leagues are as follows:
EML: 25 Sept - 4 Dec, 15 Jan - 26 Mar
EWL: 18 Sept - 4 Dec, 15 Jan - 12 Feb, 5 Mar - 2 AprLeague Management Meeting: 20 Apr: Minutes of the April meeting are available via the Meetings link. Main items were promotions and relegations; disciplinary issues arising towards the end of the season; proposals for the AGM to make changes in the appeals and disciplinary rules, postponement rule, and playing surfaces rule; and actual and planned retirements by League Managers, Chairman, and Secretary.
Men's League top goalscorers: 1 Apr: Please email the webmaster with details of your club's top league goalscorer if you wish him to be considered for the 2010 Top Scorer Trophy. Entries by the end of April please, to give us time to check the claims for accuracy. Now closed.
10 May: Winner: 65 goalsClosure of Leagues: Apr 12: As previously notified, the East Leagues closed their season yesterday. Any matches not yet played will not be included in the final results lists or tables.
East Grand Masters 60+ East Trials: 11 Apr: These will be held on 15th April at Chelmsford HC, starting at 7pm. Players must reach age 60 in this calender year. Selection will be for the Regional Tournament on 15-16 May at Cannock .
Please call Phil Withers Vice Captain urgently to register your interest on 07702 001663 or send email to philwithershockey@btopenworld.com
If you cannot attend at this late stage - and you are interested for this year or next year - please call Phil to register your interest - we want to make the East trials as broad as possible. The East Grand Masters Captain is John Steward on 01473 833 560 - call if you need more information.Return of trophies: 7 Apr: The following clubs have not returned their trophies and are consequently fined £50 per team:
Old de Ferrians (1's and 2's), St Albans Citizens, Saffron Walden, Luton Town, and St Neots
Would they please arrange to return trophies to Samantha Menear as soon as possible. This delay is causing extra work for league managers who already have more than enough to do.East Champions: 1 Apr: Congratulations go to Dereham and St Albans on their promotion to the England Hockey League as Champions of East Women and East Men respectively. We wish you well in hockey's premier competition, and hope in the nicest possible way not to see you back in the East Leagues anytime soon.
AGM and Presentation Day: Mar 31: These will now be held on June 6th at Letchworth HC. Details will be posted on the AGM page after the final League Committee meeting in April.
Travel to Ipswich: 17 Mar: There are major road works on the A14 which have delayed teams travelling to play in Ipswich the last couple of weekends. The section affected is between the A140 junction and Ipswich, and teams should allow an extra 30 minutes travel time at least until Easter.
Men's League 6NE: 14 Mar: North Walsham 4 have withdrawn from the division.
League Trophies: 10 Mar: Last year's winners are reminded that EML trophies must be returned to Samantha Menearand EWL trophies to Sarah Mann, by 30th March. Your cooperation will be apppreciated in doing this as early as possible, - and also in cleaning the trophies before return!
EML - Ipswich : 26 Feb: Ipswich 5th has withdrawn from Division 5NE.
Match rearrangements in Herts and Beds: 22 Feb: clubs with outstanding postponed matches requiring pool umpires should note that HBHUA cannot raise pool umpires for Sundays without at least three weeks notice. In March there will also be extra demands on pool umpires for JAC competitions. Please make your match rearrangements asap and give plenty of notice to Iain Fletcher of HBHUA.
Complete Rules Revision: 14 Feb : The League Rules complete rewrite now includes a number of changes folowing comments from clubs. Please take time to look through the latest draft and email the webmaster with any comments or suggestions. The draft can be seen or downloaded in Word format here.
League Management Meeting: 8 Feb: Minutes of the February meeting are available via the Meetings link. Main items were review of season to date by the League Managers; problems with indoor postponments; actions regarding several serious disciplinary incidents; and proposed rule changes regarding university players, junior players transferring to senior hockey, and indoor postponments.
Access to Harlow HC: 5 Feb: Clubs travelling to Harlow should allow extra time as there are major roadworks on the A414 from Junction 7 of the M11 to the junction with the A1169 (Southern Way) and delays of 30 minutes are normal. These works are expected to last until autumn 2010.
EML - Bury St Edmunds : 5 Feb: BSE 5th team will withdraw from the East Men's League 6NE from 13th Feb onwards
EML - Havering: 26 Jan: Havering 5th team has regrettably had to withdraw from the East Men's League 7SE with immediate effect.
EWL - Bourne: 22 Jan: Bourne 2nd team has regrettably had to withdraw from the East Women's League 2NW with immediate effect. There are not sufficient resurces to complete the fixture list, nor to play friendly matches instead.
Cancellations: 18 Jan: Results for a number of divisions were posted on the site late this week, because League Managers were waiting for the results of matches that were in fact cancelled. If your match is postponed, you must telephone that information to your League Manager/Results Coordinator (as appropriate) by the usual results deadline. Failure to do so is not just ill-mannered, but a breach of rule 4.4 which can lead to a penalty.
Entering results in EWL- postponed games: 11 Jan: Please take the trouble to read the instructions on the input page - do not put P in the score boxes to indicate a postponed game. Report the postponment to your League Manager who will do what is necessary. A P in the score box will prevent display of the league tables.
St Ives Leisure Centre: 8 Jan: This Centre has recently be renamed to
One Leisure St Ives. Alll references here to the old name are now deleted.Postponements: 6 Jan: When a League Manager agrees a postponment the club must enter the new date, time and venue in the website match times and venues section and confirm these details DIRECTLY to the other club, the league manager, the results coordinator, and ESPECIALLY the umpiring pool organiser if in a division covered by a pool. Entering the new details on the website is not in itself sufficient.
There have been a number of badly organised postponements recently, leading to a great deal of time wasting and irritation for clubs, the league, and umpires. Our collective patience on this is currently running very thin.
Be fully aware of league rules 4.2 on postponements generally and 4.5.1 on indoor postponements, as failure to follow procedures might cost you the match.
With current weather, it is likely that most games this weekend will be cancelled. You should rearrange these to as early a date as possible, not to the end of the season. For EWL cancellations on the 9th Jan, the February break should be used, or a Sunday. Given the likelihood of more bad weather to come, we should keep March 30 and April 10 free for as long as possible. The leagues are scheduled to finish by April 11th, and we are unlikely to extend that deadline or else we will run into problems with the already tight schedule for closing the season and setting fixtures for the following season early enough for clubs to book pitches. To say nothing of giving a short break to those fules wot do this work.League Management Meeting: 14 Nov: Minutes of the Nov meeting are available via the Meetings link. Main items were review of season to date, strength of promotions into EWL, and complete revision of league rules.
Brentwood HC Sawyers Hall Lane Pitch: 13 Nov: The club apologises that the Sawyers Hall College pitch is currently unavailable due to sewage contamination. Arrangements have been made to rectify the problem but these are not likely to complete until 4th Dec. All current fixtures will be moved to another pitch or may be liable to postponement. If you need any further information please contact the relevent Brentwood Fixtures Secretary.
Spalding HC facilities: 8 Oct: The club apologises that changing facilities at Glen Park, Surfleet are still temporary and without showers. This will be sorted eventually, but your patience is appreciated in the meanwhile.
Brentwood HC travel issues: 8 Oct: Brentwood High St will be closed to for roadworks until Oct 30th. If travelling to play Brentwood, please allow extra time for the journey.
League Management Meeting: 5 Oct: Minutes of the September meeting can be found via the Meetings page. Main points were a review of rule suggestions from various clubs at the end of last season, various season preliminaries and notices, and returning the onus to clubs to monitor yellow cards.
Yellow card suspensions: 5 Oct: Reminders of multiple yellow cards will no longer be issued to Clubs. Yellow card bans are automatic, so clubs need to monitor cards and apply bans for themselves. League Managers will know from their own records when players should not be playing, and will apply match penalties when bans are not observed.
Top 3 EML Results 7th Nov to 12th Dec: 5 Oct: In the absence of Richard Munns, all results for Prem A, Prem B and Div 1 should be phoned to Chris Hillsdon on 01487 842286 by the usual deadline.
AGM and Presentation Day 2010: 5 Oct: This will be held on Sunday June 6th. Offers are invited from clubs to host this event. A room for 120 people, buffet facilities at reasonable cost, and bar are the usual requirements. Location should be reasonably central within the Region. Please email the webmaster if you are able and willing to host this event.
Postal Strike: 30 Sep
League fees: Because of the disruptions caused by random Royal Mail strikes, the deadline for the submission of league fees has been extended to the 2nd October. Any penalties applied so far to clubs for failing to meet the original deadline will be withdrawn. To help avoid such last-minute problems in future, the league will propose an additional rule in 2010 that fees must be paid by the end of August on penalty of a substantial surcharge, whilst the requirement to pay by the start of the season in order to be eligible to play will remain in force.
Team sheets: League Managers will be flexible so far as the Wednesday deadline is concerned, but will not tolerate clubs attempting to use the strikes to hide late postings. If your area is affected by mail problems, as a minimum you should post teamsheets first class on Mondays so that Managers can see that best efforts have been made.
Gloucester Park, home to Basildon HC: 28 Sep: there are major redevelopment works underway at Gloucester Park from October 2009 through to April 2011. Car Parking will be extremely limited and we recommend car-sharing wherever possible. Should you require any further information please contact Sara Hills, Chairperson BHC,sarahills1@yahoo.co.uk
Transfer system: 28 Sep: the system is now operational for 2009/10
Overseas players: 28 Sep: The new wording in League Rule 3.1 reproduces the new wording in the EHL Rules for this season, which adds the new Certificate of Sponsorship to the eligibility options. The insertion of the new wording does not alter the required status for a work permit as described in last year's rules - to confer eligibility a permit must be issued for employment as a hockey player or coach. Clubs are also reminded that the rules do not allow for one overseas player to be deregistered and another one brought in. It is one name only for the whole season, even if that player stops playing.Outstanding payments: 11 Sep: A club with any payments owing to the League at the start of the season is not eligible to play, and all matches will be irrevocably awarded 0-3 against until payment is made. This applies to fines still outstanding from last season (Old de Ferrians in EML and Bromley & Beckenham in EWL) and league fees (quite a number of clubs).
The deadline for EWL is Friday 18th and for EML is Friday 25th Sept
Emergency fixtures: 9 Sep: IES Ladies 1 is looking for a match this Saturday, at Ipswich or away. Contact Charlie Farrow on 07811 336895.
More generally, is there a need for an emegency section in the Find a Fixture system? Email the webmaster with your thoughts.
League fees: 7 Sep: The following clubs have not yet paid their league fees:
Alford and District , Basildon , BBHC , Bromley and Beckenham , Clacton , East Ldn , Ely City , Felixstowe , Folkestone , Ford , Harpenden , Havering , Horncastle , Lincoln , Luton Town , Luton Vagrants , Maldon and Little Baddow , March Town , MBDA , Newmarket , Old Buckenham , Old de Ferrians , Phoenix , Plashet , Potters Bar , Ramgarhia , Rickmansworth and Chess Valley , Rochford Casuals , Romford , Royston , St Albans , St Neots , Sudbury , Thertford Town , Thurrock , Univ East Anglia Men , University Essex , Upminster , Witham.
Failure to pay by the start of the season, i.e. 19 Sep for EWL and 26 Sep for EML, will mean permanent loss of all games 0-3 until paid.
Cheques and enquiries to the League Budget Officer, Samantha Menear, please.
Captains contact details: 5 Sep: Clubs are reminded of the obligation to send contact details for their Captains for the coming season to their League Managers. This information is needed by the start of the season at the latest, but it would be helpful if it was sent within the next few days.
Harlow 3: 2 Sep: Regrettably Harlow 3 have withdrawn from EML Division 8SE.
Times & Venues: 1 Sep: The deadline for entering home match details on the website for matches in the first half of the season is long since past, yet a number of clubs are still to input the necessary information. For some clubs there are only a few dates to complete, but for others no details have been provided at all. League Managers are now considering the application of fines to these clubs under rule 4.2.
Clubs of particular concern are:
Mens League: Broxbourne, Clacton, East London, Harlow, Holt Harlequins, MBDA, Old de Ferrians Rochford Casuals, Romford.
Womens League: BBHC, Bromley & Beckenham, Colchester, Gravesend, Haverhill, Old de Ferrians, Sevenoaks, Welwyn Garden City.
This information is needed by other clubs and by umpiring organisers, and it is unfair that the majority of clubs should be inconvenienced by the few.
East Handbooks 2009-10: 18 Aug: These will be mailed out on Thursday 20 Aug, so should arrive early next week. As usual single copies are going to all East, County, and Umpires Association officers as listed in the Handbook, plus V-P's, press, and EH. East League Clubs will receive 4 for single clubs or 6 for joint clubs, plus 1 per team. County League clubs will receive 2 copies. All Norfolk Clubs, East or County League, will receive their copies at their preseason meeting in early Sept (for details refer to Avril Mallett).
League fees: 6 Jul: Invoices have now been sent to Club CLO's at the postal adresses in the league database as at mid-July. Remember that these invoices must be paid to the League Budget Officer before the start of the league season.
New Rules 2009-10: Jul 30: A new guide for umpires has been produced by EH and is available here as a pdf file. It covers the implications of the new self-pass and five-metre rules in considerable detail.
Crane Hockey Club: 21 July: The Club has changed its name to Ipswich Cranes Hockey Club.
Fixtures and fixture systems: 21 July: all Men's, Women's and Vets fixtures are now confirmed for the coming season, and the Times/Venues system is now available for home clubs to upload fixture details.
East Hockey Handbook: 21 July: Copy now finalised - no further changes are possible to the Club information section.
Club changes for 2009-10: 17 July: Braintree and Dunmow have merged as Phoenix HC, and the new club will play its home games at The Four Releet, Braintree.
South Herts Ladies have merged with Potters Bar Men, and will play as and at Potters Bar HC.
Gainsborough Roses HC is renamed as Lincoln Roses HC, but otherwise is unchanged.Fixtures and fixture systems: 7 July: all Men's, Women's and Vets fixtures are now posted and can be seen on the usual pages. These fixtures must be treated as provisional until 19 July. If you see any errors please email details immediately. The FixtureFinder system now has 2009/10 dates and is available for use. The Times/Venues system will be updated shortly. Be patient.
Club Updates: 30 June: All Clubs have updated their Club Pages. This is greatly appreciated and is well worth everyone's efforts.
The 2009-10 East Hockey Handbook club information section will be based on this database as at 30th June. If you need to update your entry after today, please do so, but an email to alert me to what has been changed would be very helpful. After 23rd July, the handbook copy will be finalised and no further changes will be possible.
AGM & Presentation Day: 8 June: draft minutes of the AGM on 6th June are now available via the Meetings link. All Officers were re-elected, plus one new League Manager for the Men's League. All proposed rule changes were agreed. Fees remain unaltered from last season.
The Hugh Jervis Fair Play Trophy for the Men's League was won by Potters Bar HC, and the Women's Fair Play Trophy was won by Saffron Walden HC. Top goalscorer in the Men's League was Martin Gough of London Met University HC with 49 goals. Top goalscorer in the Women's League was Evie Van Poortvliet of Dereham HC with 50 goals in Premier, and divisional top goalscorer trophies were also won by Nia Evans, Olivia MacGregor, Chris Giles, Jessica Shand, Amy Blackwell, and Jo Shrimpton.
Presentation photographs have been loaded by sponsors NE14HOCKEY on Facebook.
Thanks go to Letchworth HC for hosting the event with a fine buffet and cracking beer.
EML League Entries: 1 June: All clubs bar one had entered by midnight on the 30th. Many thanks to those that did not need to be chased. Allocation of teams to divisions will start shortly.
Results of EH consultation on Men's EHL on Saturdays: 27 May: Three men’s EHL dates will move to Saturdays for the 2009/10 season to free up players and coaches for JRPC: 26 Sept, 10 and 24 Oct. Clubs may switch these games to Sundays if both teams agree but player and coach priority will be for JRPC activity. The only other Saturdays to be used for Men’s EHL games allow for Cup and Performance activity on the Sundays of those weekends. A further review will take place at the end of he 2009/10 season. Full text here (PDF).
Men's League promotions and relegations: 15 May: The consequences of the two relegations from EHL to East have now been incorporated into the tables, following completion of the EHL playoffs, and there are a number of extra relegations, and the SW quadrant is particularly affected.
Any known withdrawals from the league or refusals of promotion are not included in the tables. They will be built into the divisional allocations for next season, which will be available in late June once entry numbers are known.
New Divisions: 15 June: Allocations of teams to divisions have now been published. Please email me asap if you have any issues with your allocations, and by 26th June at the latest, after which fixtures will be set for the coming season. For details go to the Preseason Page.
EWL: 22 June: Sudbury 2 in 2NE now correctly numbered. 23 June: Braintree and Dunmow have merged - working title for new club is BDHC.
EML: 17 June: Divisional allocations for the SE quadrant have now been revised to ensure that teams are not inappropriately moved up or down following the withdrawal of London Met University, to take into account requests not to be promoted, and to deal with the bottom three divisions being smaller than last year.
18 June: Following concerns expressed about travel, Divs 6NW and 7NW have been provisionally rearranged into two divisions 6NW, north and south. Comments are needed from all the clubs involved in these divisions. Comments substantially in favour and divisions finalised on 23 June.
23 June: Braintree and Dunmow have merged, and as a consequence have dropped one team from 10SE. Working title for new club is BDHC.
Some promotions in SE and NE have been declined, with consequent changes.League AGM: 12 May: Agenda and voting papers are now in the mail. Clubs voting by post should return their papers as soon as possible. For full details of the meeting and proposed rule changes follow the meetings link on the right.
South Herts Ladies: 8 May: Following a recent merger with the Potter Bar Men's Club, South Herts will be playing as Potters Bar Ladies next season. Pitch and clubhouse arrangements remain unchanged.
Ladies League dates: 5 May: Dates for next season have been added to the Preseason page. There will be no half term break prior to Christmas, but a double Saturday break in February. First choice slip dates will be Sundays for both halves of the season.
EHL Playoff results : 3 May: City of Peterborough Men are relegated to East, and the consequent changes in relegation numbers from Premier A downwards will be input to our league tables shortly. More cheerfully, Sevenoaks Women comfortably won their playoff tournament and therefore retain their EHL place.
Congratulations to Sevenoaks, and commiserations to City of Peterborough.
Men's League entries: 27 Apr: Clubs should now complete the website form to tell us how many teams they wish to enter in the league next season. This information must be supplied by 31st May. Follow the preseason link on the right to find the form.
East Vets League: 20 Apr: The East Vets League (EVL) season has been completed with Ipswich successfully retaining their title. Looking forward to season 2009/10, EVL is hoping to recruit up to 3 more teams and welcomes entry from former members and new clubs alike. Interested clubs please contact Bob King, 07802 203112 or bob.king@crispmalt.com for further information.Photographs wanted: 19 Apr: The cover of last year's East Handbook featured action photos from club photographers. We would like to do the same again, so if you have any good resolution action shots you would like to be considered please email as jpg files to the webmaster.
Minutes of April League Committee Meeting : 19 Apr: outstanding match and disciplinary issues were discussed and resolved; final league tables cannot be published until the completition of the EHL playoffs in May, after which there is a strong possibility of extra relegations in both our Leagues; allowing abandoned match results to stand after a minimum time played was discussed but not agreed; arrangements for Presentation Day and AGM at Letchworth HC on 7th June are well under way; East League responses have been made against proposals to switch all EHL games to Saturdays. See full minutes via Meetings link.
Cambridge City are East Champions: 11 Apr: Congratulations to Cambridge City Ladies on clinching top spot in EWL Premier after a tight battle all season. They now go forward as Champions of East into the national league.
National league relegations: Mar 29: EML: Ipswich return to Premier A, and as a consequence Ipswich 2 are relegated to Premier B; City of Peterborough enter the EHL playoffs in April to determine which further teams are to be relegated to their regional leagues. EWL: Maidstone are relegated to East Premier, and Sevenoaks enter the April EHL playoffs.
Harleston are East Champions: 23 Mar: Congratulations to Harleston Men on clinching top spot in EML Premier A by winning 7-1 on Saturday and ensuring their promotion to the national league as Champions of East.
Slip matches: Mar 16: once rearranged, new match dates and venues should be immediately inserted into the Times & Venues system to help ensure that results are collected and added to league tables promptly.
Return of trophies: Mar 15: Clubs with trophies awarded last year are reminded that these must be returned to the League by March 31st, on penalty of a £50 fine. EWL trophies should go to Sarah Mann, and EML trophies to either Samantha Menear or Russell Nutter. Act now and save money.
New hockey rules: 7 Mar: Hockey rule changes to “decrease the number and duration of interruptions to the flow of play and to increase the length of time the ball is in active play” will apply in all domestic hockey in England from 1st September 2009. A self-pass from a free hit has been introduced. This enables the player taking the free hit to play the ball again after taking the free hit. In addition, to stop the ball from being played dangerously into the circle from free hits in the attacking 23 M area, these free hits can no longer be played directly into the circle. See here for a pdf giving full details of the changes.
World record attempt - more details: 7 Mar: the longest hockey match ever will take place at Highfields in Nottingham on 29/30 Aug between the Tempest Tigers and the Mercian Mercianaries. The event is supported by Tempest Sport and Mercian Hockey and will raise money for Cancer Research through corporate and participant sponsorship. Full details can be found here.Minutes of League Committee Feb meeting: 5 Mar: In addition to ongoing club and match matters, the meeting considered rule proposals for next season: the different rules on penalties for results and teamsheet failures in the two leagues are combined to give a single rule applying a warning first, a fine second, and a point deduction subsequently; League Managers to have discretion to apply fines or award matches for failures to load time & venue information on to the website properly, or to make time or venue changes without informing the opposition, or to not properly inform travelling opposition of cancellations due to weather. There will be a player registration deadline in Premier divisions of Feb 1st, and a limitation on how far bench players in higher leagues can play down for match practice is to be introduced.
The AGM and Presentation Day was confirmed at Letchworth HC on June 7th.
You can see the full minutes via the Meetings link on the right.
EWL Division 2NW: Mar 2: Folowing their fourth forfeited game, Lincoln 2 are now withdrawn from this divsion and all results to date are void. The club hope to fulfill remaining fixtures as friendly matches.
Promotions and relegations: 25 Feb: These will be appearing in league tables shortly. Please note that these will be provisional, as some promotions and relegations will depend on factors not yet settled, such as the number of relegations from the national leagues. There is a strong possibilty that more than one East team will fall from the EHL into each of our leagues, and so generate extra relegations. Details will not be available until the EHL Conference play-off after the end of the league season. Best not to be complacent about your East League position therefore.
EHL 2nd teams: 25 Feb: Clubs are reminded that only EHL Club 2nd teams are eligible to play in EWL Premier or EML Premier A. If a team is relegated from EHL to East the club's 2nd team loses that eligibility in the corresponding league, and if in one of the premier divisions will take one of the set relegation places , i.e. will become the notional bottom team.
Trophies: 17 Feb: Clubs with trophies in their possession must return them to the League by 31st March or face a hefty fine. Please make arrangements to send EML trophies to Russell Nutter or Samantha Menear and EWL trophies to Sarah Mann.
EWL rule error: 17 Feb: Please note there is an error in rule 6.3 concerning events if more than one team is relegated from the EHL into East. The extra relegation from Divs 1 will of course be of one of the the 8th-placed teams
Weather cancellations: 17 Feb: There have been too many instances where home clubs have failed to cancel matches in time to prevent the visiting team from travelling. This has usually been the first match of the day, and the home club has clearly not had proper pitch inspection arrangements in place. No matter how early the match, an inspection must be done well before the away team leaves its home club. If necessary, contact should be made the night before to check the leaving time, and perhaps to ask if travelling in the hope of a pitch thaw is acceptable.
Most clubs are well organised, but a significant number are not, and too many away teams have recently been annoyed and inconvenienced by travelling in vain.
Present league rules allow only for postponements, but a change will be proposed to the next AGM to allow the League Manager discretion to postpone, void, or award the match, depending on circumstances. Clubs that cannot be bothered to check the pitch in time can then lose out.
Ladies Division 1N and 1S: 12 Feb: Rosemary Prince will be away for the next week. For issues regarding matches on the 14th and 21st February please contact Sarah Mann 01621 892821. Team sheets should be sent to Rosemary as usual. On the 14th results can be input to the website as normal by the deadline. On the 21st when several postponed games are being played results cannot be input so please email the names of the two teams and the result to Rosemary.
Cancellations: 8 Feb: Following yesterday's mass cancellations, matches should be rearranged to the next available slip date, which for most teams will be 4th April. However, in view of the forecast of more snow next week, it would be prudent to use an earlier date if possible. Please inform your League Manager of the rearranged date within the next two weeks, otherwise a date may be imposed and a fine given.
The League is scheduled to finish on the weekend of 4th/5th April. Teams with several postponements may have to use Sundays to ensure that all matches are played by that weekend.Player transfers: 2 Feb: Routine transfers into the East League have now ceased for the season. Those incomplete by Feb 1st are not valid.
The League Management Committee may accept late transfers for reasons outside of hockey, such as a change of domicile, on application to the East Leagues Secretary.
Henry Wanchoo email: Please note this is now henry.wanchoo@ptl.co.uk
Road closure affecting access to Blueharts: 15 Jan: Old Park Rd is being re-surfaced for 9-12 weeks starting 19 January. To access the Boys School pitch, use the Fishponds Rd (small) car park by the pitch or approach the school via Bedford Rd not Old Park Rd one way system.
Old Park Rd will be closed to non-residents. To reach the Clubhouse explain that you need to get to get to the Hockey Club in Lucas Lane.
Addresses: 15 Jan: By a considerable majority, clubs favour removing all postal addresses from the website ClubSearch section and from the East Handbook League Section (but with a postal address being held by the League for mailing purposes). If your Club thinks to the contrary, email the webmaster now (see below - 26 Dec).EWL cancelled fixtures on 10th Jan: 12 Jan: Home teams should rearrange these to Feb 21st, unless that date already has a slipped league match. League matches must take precedence over friendlies. Please confirm the details with your League Manager as soon as agreed with the away team.
N.B. Sundays are an alternative to Feb 21st, the earlier the better.
We must avoid end of season slips at this stage. With February forecast to be colder than average, further games may yet be lost to freezing conditions. As usual, matches not played by the end of season in mid-April will be voided.
Outstanding fines: 12 Jan: Several clubs have long outstanding fines to pay: BBHC, Folkestone, Thurrock, and Old Loughtonians in the EWL and Vauxhall in the EML.
Please ensure that your club pays any outstanding money as soon as possible. We do not want to be forced to pursue the alternative of a 7-day notice followed by suspension from the league (and consequent 0-3 match awards).
Club Information sections : 26 Dec: The East Handbook and the ClubSearch section of the website include postal addresses for the Club Liaison Officer, League Liaison Officers, Fixture Secretaries, and Umpiring Liaison Officer of every Club. With email now being the standard mode of communication, we need to assess the value of including all these addresses. Please email the webmaster with your Club opinion on a suggestion that in future we include only the postal addresses of the Club Liaison Officer (for club correspondence) and Fixture Secretaries (for circulation of fixture cards). This would save work for everybody.
(Initial responses suggest that removing all club officer postal addresses from the Handbook and website would not be a problem - please consider this option also).Slip matches: Dec 9th: Matches postponed during the first half of the season should already have been rearranged for a date before the January restart (those cancelled on 22 Nov to be played on 13 Dec). If not, please do so immediately - there are fines for late arrangements, and your League Manager may impose a date if teams are slow to oganise. With the worst of winter weather usually after Christmas, we must hold slip dates in the second half of the season in reserve for now. Looking ahead, we are aiming to complete the Leagues before Easter Saturday, April 11th.
We hope you have enjoyed the season so far and are looking forward to your return fixtures after the break. Don't forget to thank your umpires for services rendered, and also those long-suffering servants of hockey, your Club Fixture Secretaries and your League Managers. You might just need them again next season
EML Division 7NE: Dec 2nd: Following the withdrawal of Felixstowe 4 this division has thirteen teams and an uneven distribution of games. Positions must therefore be decided on a % basis, i.e. points gained as a % of points possible. The table display now shows this.
November League Management Meeting: Dec 1st: The minutes of this meeting are now available via the Meetings page. Main items were matters arising from the first two months of the season, mainly point deductions and warnings for inadequate results and teamsheet administration; a proposal to have the same rule in both Leagues on penalties for late results etc; the need for a general clean up of the whole rulebook; and decision to hold the 2009 AGM/Presentation Day at Letchworth HC.
Postponements on Nov 22nd: In view of the large number of postponed and abandoned matches, the leagues have set a rearrangement date. These fixtures must be played on Dec 13th unless there is already a league slip match arranged for that date, in which case the match should be played on Jan 3rd (EWL) or Jan 10th (EML). Clubs with pitch booking difficulties on the proposed slip date must contact their League Manager immediately.
League slips must take precedence over friendly matches. Failure to play on the dates specified above without prior agreement from the League Manager may result in 0-3 match forfeits.
Rules of Hockey: 18 Oct: The FIH Rules Board has issued this statement: It is anticipated that the next Rules of Hockey and Rules of Indoor Hockey will take effect from 1 June 2009. Until new sets of rules are published and implemented, the 2007-2008 rules continue to apply. What changes there will be in 2009 is still under discussion within the FIH. The Hockey Rules Board has already undertaken a significant review of the Rules of Indoor Hockey. At its meeting in November 2008, it will finalise any proposals for changes to the rules for outdoor hockey.EML Division 6NW: Cambridge Nomads 4 have withdrawn from the league with immediate effect. All fixtures will be blanked. The team's home venues have likewise been blanked, but for their away matches, would the home clubs make the necessary changes please.
EML Division 8SE: Maldon and Little Baddow 3 have withdrawn from the league with immediate effect. All fixtures will be blanked. The team's home venues have likewise been blanked, but for their away matches, would the home clubs make the necessary changes please.
Telephone correction: Sept 30: The telephone number given at the beginning of the 2008 Handbook for Samantha Menear is incorrect. The number to be used for match results is 01708 700040.
Sept League Management Meeting: Sept 29: Minutes now posted on site. Main issues considered were: clubs not complying with deadlines on Captains' infomation, fee payments, premier registrations, and loading match times and venues on the website; agreement to coordinate our rules for premier divisions with those of other regional leagues on player registration, transfers, and EHL club player selections; changes in Level 1 umpire processes and requirements in league hockey; disciplinary issues from last season; and two rule proposals for the 2009 AGM - Jan 31st cut off date for new premier division player registrations, and requirement that Clubs must ensure that unqualified umpires officiating in emergencies have adequate insurance cover.EWL Premier and EML Premier A: not all Clubs have sent in registration forms. These must be received before the start of the season. Fielding unregisterd players may lead to matches being awarded 0-3 against. Please expedite your forms to Janet Goody or Robert Southgate as appropriate. (apologies for Prem B typo in original entry)
EML League Fees outstanding: Update: Sept 27: The following EML Clubs did not pay on time: Felixstowe, Maldon and Little Baddow. All matches will be irrevocably awarded 0-3 against until payment received.EML 5NE and 5NW: Update: Sept 20: Norwich Dragons 4 and Peterborough Exiles, respectively, have withdrawn from these divisions. There are no replacements and all fixtures will be blanked. The two clubs should by now have contacted other teams in those divisions.
EHL 2nd teams: 18 Sept: As the EHL season does not start until after the EWL season starts, team selection for East League matches this coming Saturday should follow the rule of selecting the 2nd team as though a full strength 1st team was playing . A note has been added to the New Rules this Season page. If in doubt, consult your League Manager.
Captain and Vice-Captain details: Sept 17: All teams must email their League Manager with contact details before the first match. Many have yet to do so. Failure will result in a £20 fine.Home game times and venues: Sept 17: Some Clubs have not yet entered these, much to everyone's inconvenience. All disputes over match arrangements will be decided in favour of the away team if time/venue details were not posted by the home club by the deadline of three weeks ago. If umpires are inconvenienced, additional penalties will be applied.
Wapping and East London pitch bookings: 10 Sept: Due to double booking by one of the venues, fixture times for Wapping have not yet been added to the website, and for East London match times are likely to have to be changed. Both clubs are working to resolve the issue and will update/amend the website (and advise opposition teams) as soon as possible. This applies only to games at Mile End. John Orwell games for Wapping are unaffected.
EWL Division 2NE and 2SW: 9 Sept: Following the withdrawal of Hadleigh from 2NE, we have now been able to bring in a new team to indirectly fill the gap. New team Wapping 2 will move into 2SW and replace Sudbury 2, and Sudbury 2 will move into 2NE to fill the gaps left by Hadleigh. Existing times and venues for home fixtures for the other teams in both divisions will be unchanged. Both Sudbury and Wapping will set up their home match arrangements as soon as possible. Any queries re 2NE to Sarah Mann and re 2SW to Samantha Menear as soon as possible please. Although these rearrangements come very close to the start of the season, we believe that the effort involved is justified by the success of maintaining all divisions at 12 teams and ensuring no loss of hockey due to the original withdrawal. Thanks are due for the initiative and work of Sam and Rosemary Prince.EML Division 5SE: 6 Sept: Harwich 1 has withdrawn from the division. All fixtures will be blanked, and each team will have two empty Saturdays.
EML Division 7NW - change of plan: following the withdrawal of March 5, all of that team's fixtures will now be taken over by Spalding 5.Reverse venues: Sept 1: an error in the dates list has been corrected. A club should only be able to access and edit times and venues for its home dates, even when they are being reversed.
East League Fees: invoices now in post to CLO's. Payment must be made before Sept 20th (EWL) or Sept 27th (EML and EMVL).
Please note that there is an erroneous reference to umpiring fees on the Remittance slip. The invoices are for League fees only - umpiring fees are being collected via invoices direct from ERHUA.
Match times and venues: Aug 15: Clubs expecting pool umpires next season should inout home times and venues to the website asap, so that Pool Secretaries can begin scheduling early season appointments.
East Handbook : 15 Aug: Handbooks were injected into Royal Mail yesterday and should be delivered to Clubs and individuals early next week.
Under-13 age limits: 5 Aug: The Board of EH agreed at its July meeting to accept a recommendation from the Regional Consutative Committee that a player becomes eligible to play adult hockey once they reach their 13th birthday. (Previously age at Jan 1st was used).
EH Code of Discipline: 5 Aug: This has recenrly been changed and incorporated into a new Code of Ethics and Behaviour, details of which can be found on the England Hockey website at: www.englandhockey.co.uk/equityandethics
The new Discipline Code has been abridged by Norman Stott, National Discipline Officer, as follows .... more here
East Men's League changes: 22 July: Marconi have withdrawn from the League and their fixtures in 6SE have been blanked, so this division will be playing with 11 teams.
East Men's League changes:16 July: there have been some minor changes to fixtures: 5SW now has the correct team St Albans 5; in 3NE the H/A sequences for Harleston Magpies 3 and 4 have been reversed - this will have no effect on other clubs' pitch bookings.
Match venues and times: 7 July: Now that fixtures are reasonably well settled, the system for adding your home match venues and times has been activated. To use this you need your usual club password. Access is via the link on the left. To see venues and times that have been added, follow the Results and Tables links.
Find a Fixture: 5 July: dates for 2008-9 season now applied.
Club Updates: 4 July: These clubs did not meet the deadline for updating their info page and will pay a 50% surcharge on league fees: Hadleigh, LincolnEH Code of Discipline: 5 Aug: This has recenrly been changed and incorporated into a new Code of Ethics and Behaviour, details of which can be found on the England Hockey website at: www.englandhockey.co.uk/equityandethics
The new Discipline Code has been abridged by Norman Stott, National Discipline Officer, as follows:
I suspect players and umpires will be particularly interested in the new provisions for dealing with red cards and matchday misconduct offences, and it is here that some of the most significant changes have been implemented. In particular, we have tried to simplify matters by reducing the number of categories of offences from 7 down to 3. Under the new arrangements, a red card/ MMO will therefore be categorised as either:-
a. Physical violence neither used, offered nor threatened;
b. Physical violence offered or threated to another person (including another player); or
c. Physical violence offered or threated to an umpire/ match official/ tournament official.
The principle of mandatory minimum suspensions continues to apply and has been set at 16, 30 and 60 for categories (a), (b) and (c) respectively. It is however, important, to appreciate that these are mandatory minimum suspensions, and that the changes do not represent any softening to the ”zero tolerance” approach to poor discipline.
The other significant change has been to try and introduce greater consistency in penalties. CDAs will therefore have discretion to impose penalties not exceeding 30 days for offences in categories (a) and (b), and not exceding 60 days in category (c), but will need RDA approval for penalties above those times. From a practical point of view, this means a CDA could impose a suspension not just of 16 but (say) 25 days for a category (a) offence under his/ her inherent authority. If the CDA felt that the offence merited suspension in excess of 30 days this too would be permitted under the Code, subject to the approval of the RDA having been secured.
A Summary of the Code of Ethics and well as the full Code of Ethics, that now includes the Discipline Code can be found on the EH web site, http://www.englandhockey.co.uk Click on Equity and Ethics and it is the first two documents on the right hand side under links/documents.Fixtures: 30 June: All East League fixtures loaded on the site. Follow the Results and Tables link. Please advise any apparent errors as soon as possible.
Changes have been made to all NE divisions, to 7SE, 8SE and 9SW.
Kenneth Lochhead: 23 June: All involved with East hockey will be saddened to know that Kenneth died yesterday. Further details of funeral arrangements will be published as soon as they become available. Follow this link to see detailed arrangments for the Funeral and Thanksgiving.
Women's League Divisions 2008: 18 June: The allocation of teams to divisions is now complete, and fixtures will be produced shortly. A few suggestions that would reduce travel for some clubs were considered, but not utilised as they would result in a disproportionate increase in travel for others. Follow the Preseason link to see the final layout.
Men's League Divisions 2008: 16 June: The allocation of teams to divisions is now complete, and fixtures will be produced shortly. Follow the Preseason link to see the final layout.
Men's League Divs 5,6 and 7NE: 16 June: The email debate about the structure of these divisions has ended with a decision to revert to a 12-team 5NE and a 14-team 6NE.
Club Changes: 3 June: Norwich Union are leaving Pinebanks and will play under the name of Norwich Dragons from this coming season, and St Albans Exiles have merged with St Albans HC but will continue to play under the Exiles name.Women's League tables: 31 May: These are now finalised and show all promotions and relegations, including the extra relegations caused by the restructuring of the EHL, and changes due to match awards against Ipswich, Old Loughtonians and Sevenoaks in Premier and 1S.Men's, Women's and Vets Leagues: 9 May 2008: All Clubs playing in these Leagues next season must complete an entry form and update their information page. This must be done after April 1st and before June 30th, on penalty of increased league fees. No dispensations are allowed. Some Clubs have already completed the form, most have not. Apologies to any Club with an AGM later than June 30th, but a later deadline would cause delays in publishing the East Handbook. Use the Club Update link onthis or the Home Page.
Club changes: 3 June 2008: please note that Norwich Union are leaving Pinebanks and will play under the name of Norwich Dragons from this coming season; Marconi HC has merged into Old De Ferrians HC; and St Albans Exiles have become part of St Albans HC and though continuing to play under the Exiles name will adopt St Albans colours. 10th June: Correction: Marconi will remain as an independent Club.
9 May 2008
League dates 2008-9: now available on the Preseason Page. Follow the link on the right.
League Committee: April minutes now posted.5 May 2008
EHL play-off results: Harleston Magpies and Holcombe Ladies kept their promotion hopes alive until the last day of the play-offs, but by the end had narrowly missed out, Harleston on goal difference and Holcombe by just two points. Regrettably, that will lead to extra relegations from our two premier divisions and downwards.
25 Apr 2008
EWL Premier Division : Following an extensive review, a number of matches were awarded against Old Loughtonians 2 and ipswich 2 due to incorrect selection of 1st team players. The league table and results pages have now been amended to show these awards. Clubs in Premier should note that the relegation of Cambridge City 1 from the EHL has increased the relegation places to four. Should Holcombe fail to qualify for the EHL in the playoffs (due 5th May) there will be five relegations.25 Apr 2008
Presentation Day and AGM: Details of venue, times, and propsed new rules and officers are now available. Follow the link on the right to see the AGM pages.04-04-2008
Return of League Trophies: A number of Clubs have not yet returned their trophies awarded last season. Theyshould be sent immediately to David Burt, 30 St Peter's Street , Duxford, Cambridge , CB22 4RP (01223 834097 / 573550 (H/F) 07881 815567 (M) d.burt@bas.ac.uk) Late trophies attract a £50 fine.04-04-2008
2008 Handbook photographs: If you have any club hockey action photoes from this season that you would like to see on the cover of the Handbook, please email a jpeg to the webmaster along with a note of the match details.19-03-2008
East Women's League, Divisions 2C, 2N, and 2S: following the decision to enlarge the League next season, there will be no relegation from these three divisons at the end of this season.
19-03-2008
Promotions and relegations: These are now being indicated on some league tables. Clubs shoukd remember that these are for the moment provisional placings, and may be modified in light of EHL promotions/relegations or disciplinary point deductions and match awards yet to be decided. For the Men's league, promotions and relegations in lower divisions may as always be affected by the number of league entries made next season. The best policy in light of any uncertainties is to endeavour to win all your remaining matches.18-03-2008
Men's Premier B and Women's Premier Divisions: A detailed investigation is being carried out on team selections by some EHL Club 2nd teams playing in these divisions. The League Management meeting on 17th April may consequently apply penalties and match awards. Unfortunately, no relegation positions can be determined for these divisions until that process is completed. The patience of the other clubs not under review but potentially affected by this would be appreciated. Sad to say, a further consequence of this issue will be an extensive tightening of League Rules 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 for next season.10-03-2008
East League Champions: Congratulations go to Harleston Magpies for establishing an unassailable lead in Premier A and becoming East Champions. Harleston from EML and Holcombe from EWL will now go forward to the Slazenger National League play-offs after East. We wish them the best of luck in that competition.27-02-2008
Natonal League promotions and relegations (clarified) : At the end of the season, the teams in 11th and 12th positions in EHL North and South Divisions will be relegated to their regional leagues. The two teams finishing 10th will have a play-off, and the loser will go into the regional play-offs from which there will be only two promotions to the national league. Our East Champions will not be automatically promoted to the national league, but will also have to enter the regional play-offs.
If our Champions fail to be promoted or if an East club should drop down from the national league, there may be additional relegations from our Premier Divisions. In EML Premier A we have already allowed for one such addtional relegation by reducing the number of promotions from Prem B this year to two, but that is not the case in the EWL. Looking at current national league tables suggests that the EWL is more likely to be affected than the EML, with a knock on effect on lower divisions.27-02-2008
Website : Thinking about next season, it would be very helpful to hear reactions from users about the current layouts of results and tables pages compared to the old layouts. Given a choice, which would you prefer - one division per page, or groups of divisions per page? Is there a better layout than either of these? Please email the webmaster with your comments, and help to inform planning for next season.18-02-2008
League Management Meeting : Minutes of the meeting on Feb 7th are now posted on the site. Main topics included an agreement to expand the East Women's League in 2008/9 by a further Division 2 to reduce travel distances; the need to have more stringent rules for postponements for indoor; the Club Umpires website list showing that virtually every club complies with League rules on numbers of qualified umpires; alignment of regional league rules, and the need for stricter procedures for inter-league transfers; and various playing and disciplinary matters arising during the season so far.