Senior Netball Division

SENIOR NETBALL (year 10 and above)

The Free Reformed Soccer League has adopted the following custom rules that apply in addition to the official International Netball Federation Rules of the Game.  

1. Every player must observe the rules of the game as detailed in the International Netball Federation Rules of the Game as accessed from  www.netball.com.au. The official rules governing the game of netball. The version of the rules published at the commencement of the season will apply for the duration of that season. Every player is expected to maintain good conduct both on and off the field.  

2. The umpire is in full control of a team’s game. Their decision is final. Only the team captain may approach the umpire at half time and speak on behalf of the team.  

TEAM AND SUBSTITUTIONS:  

3. At the start of a match, the names of all players, umpires and scorers are recorded on the score sheet. Each team names one player as captain for the match.  

4. All players (this includes registered team players and pool players) must be present to start play 15 minutes before their starting time.  

5. During a match a minimum of five and maximum of seven players from a team may be on the court at any one time, one of whom must play as centre.  

6. The initial centre pass will be taken by the team that won the toss and all other centre passes shall be alternated by each team.  

7. Any team with less than 5 registered players at the scheduled start of the match will forfeit the match. If a scratch match is played, no records will be kept.  

1. Consequence: Lack of players leading to forfeiture of the match awards the match points in favour of the opposing team.  

8. A team with less than 4 of their own registered players (playing with 3 subs to make 7) automatically forfeits the match.

1. Consequence: Lack of players leads to forfeiture of the match and awards the match points to the opposing team.

9. A captain may make up to 7 players from the pool and her own team ONLY, provided the arrangements are concluded prior to 8.00pm Thursday night. All arrangements are to be made through the Netball Coordinator.

1. Each week the captain must advise the coordinator of how many pool players they want. The coordinator is to organise the substitute players for each team.  

2. The substitute players will then be divided as equally and proportionally as possible with the emphasis on teams having 7 players before the rest of the pool players are distributed.  

3. For example, if team 1 asks for 4 and another for 2, and 4 players are available, the first team will receive 3 and the other 1. However, if the team that asked for 4 has 7 players of its own players, and the team that asked for 2 only has 5 of its own players, then the team with 5 will get 2 and the team with 7 will get 2.  

4. The coordinator will inform the captains who the pool players are and who will play for them.  

5. Due to the lack of pool players for the netball league; players from bye teams are allowed to sub, this will be organised by the Netball coordinator.  

6. The substitute players will be assigned to the teams based on their age, ability and/or playing position to best match the player they are filling in for, this will be determined by the Netball coordinator.

7. Substitute players can play any position on the court at the discretion of the captain of team they are playing for.  

10. Both teams have the right to make substitutions and or team changes during an interval or when play is stopped for injury/illness or blood. The number of substitutions is not limited provided the players used are those names for the match.  

11. If a team plays a registered or non-registered player that is not part of their team, and has not been arranged with the coordinator, the team will lose 1 point for every player who has illegally played. (NOTE: the umpire cannot make any decisions with regards to pool players on game day.)  

12. Players must have played a minimum of four games to qualify for finals.  

UNIFORM

13. Each member of a team and pool players shall wear the nominated team colour shirt or a colour that is not the same as the opposing team (to prevent confusion) and suitable sports footwear (spiked soles are not allowed).  

14. Each team will receive a set of coloured bibs displaying the playing position initials which must be clearly visible and worn above the waist.  

15. The captain must ensure all bibs are returned to the coordinator at the end of the match and the coordinator will ensure that the bibs are launder and ready for use the following week.  

SAFETY

16. Players may not wear anything that could endanger themselves or other players.  

1. Players must remove all jewellery before the start of a match to avoid injury. This rule includes all piercings. The only exception is a wedding ring and/or medical alert bracelet. If either or both are worn, each shall be taped. Tape must be supplied by the player and attached during the whole game.  

2. Nails must be kept short and smooth. As a guideline, nails should not be seen from the underside of the finger. Gloves are acceptable.  

3. Hair must be suitably tied back so as not to interfere with play.  

4. Umpires will check all players for nail length and jewellery prior to the match if this does not meet the umpire’s satisfaction you will be asked to remedy this before you may enter the court.  

17. Wet weather; in order to preserve the safety of players, there are occasions where the committee needs to cancel games due to bad weather. On such occasions; the committee will assess the situation in the proceeding days and make a final inspection of the grounds before or early on game day. Players will be notified of any cancellation as soon as possible via email, the website, social media and/or by informing the captains and coaches of the teams. Where possible, the FRSL, will seek to reschedule missed matches and will inform all relevant parties as soon as this has been arranged.

MATCH LENGTH:  

18. In normal circumstances, the standard match duration will be 60 minutes. This consists of four quarters of 15-minutes playing duration with an interval of 2 mins between the first-second and third-fourth quarters. The half time interval is 5 minutes.  

EXTRA TIME:  

19. In the event that the scores are tied at full time, extra time will be played to determine the winner. There is a 5-minute interval at the end of full time. The length of each half will not exceed 7 minutes each, with a half time interval of 1 minute. In the event of a tie remaining at the end of extra time, play will continue until one team lead by two goals. This will only be done during final matches.

GAME MANAGEMENT:

20. A player who infringes any part of the foul play rule will be disciplined. Foul play is anything a player does within the field of play that is contrary to the letter and spirit of the rules of the game or does not meet accepted standards of good sportsmanship. It includes unfair play, dangerous play and misconduct.  

21. The umpires apply the rules of the game fairly, communicate clearly and maintain a calm, decisive control. To manage a match the umpire may, in addition to the normal sanctions/infringements, use any of the following actions:

1. Caution a player; a player is advised that the behaviour specified must change.  

2. Issue a warning to a player; a player is warned that suspension will follow if the player continues to infringe the foul play rule.  

3. Suspend a player; a player who is suspended takes no part of the play for 2mins playing time.  

4. Order a player off; a player who is ordered off takes no further part in the match.  

22. A player may not dispute a ruling given by an umpire or direct any offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures at an umpire. If an umpire’s call is not clearly heard a player may ask the umpire to repeat the infringement penalised or seek clarification of where a sanction is to be taken.  

23. Players that are found to be abusing/slandering umpires will be suspended for a minimum of two weeks. Depending on the seriousness of the matter at hand this suspension could be lengthened.  

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