Rules and Guidelines

The following local rules of the Bethlehem Touch Competition are applicable to all participants and must be adhered to at all times. These rules should be read in conjunction with the Touch New Zealand Playing Rules 8th Edition, and any other policy papers put forward by Touch New Zealand. The playing rules are as per the Touch NZ rules.

Please ensure you are aware of all these rules as a tea, captain, coach or manager.

If there are any queries regarding the interpretation of these rules, in the first instance please contact the Bethlehem Touch Committee.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

REGISTRATION PROCESS

1.          Payment of entry fee in full confirms your place in the competition.

2.          Complete player registration details online.

3.          Ensure two members of your team attend the preseason meeting .

TEAM REGISTRATION FEES, PULL OUTS, UNPAID FEES·Your team will not be entered into the competition until your fees have been paid in full.·Teams will be placed into grades based on our assessment on grading day.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY Players MUST NOT be younger than 12 years old for adult grades. Teams may register up to 16 players*  in the season. 6 players on the field at any one time, with a maximum of 3 males on at any one time for mixed teams. For a game to commence, a minimum of 4 players is required (including 1 male for mixed teams). All players must be registered before they play. No player may register for two teams within the same grade. No player can transfer to another team once the season has started. Teams playing unregistered players will forfeit the game. Players must play five games for their team, to be eligible to participate in semi finals and finals.

GAME NIGHT All players must sign on their team sheet before taking the field, on each game night. A separate team sheet must be signed for each team you play for.

TEAM RESPONSIBILITY·All Team Managers are responsible for having their Team Registration completed either online or in hardcopy to the Module Coordinator, before the first week of competition. Teams must be on their allocated field and ready to play when the horn sounds.·Teams will forfeit points for not adhering to any of the terms and conditions outlined.

UNIFORM·All players must wear identical coloured shirts.·All shirts must have a playing number on the back. All players must be in the correct team uniform. All players shall wear shorts that sit above the knees. Suitable footwear must be worn. No spikes, and rugby boots (with removable sprigs) allowed.

COMPETITION FORMAT·Please adhere to the Touch New Zealand 8th Edition rulebook. Base rules will be published on our website under ‘Rules of Touch’.·There will be two rounds of mixed touch, the first starting at 5:30 pm·Mens competition will commence at 6.45pm·Games are 2 x 20 minute brackets. 2 minute halftime and a 5 minute break between games. Be ready on the field at these times as the horn will go on the dot.  Junior games are 15 minute halves·Games may be shorter at the start of the season to cater for reduced daylight hours.·We reserve the right to re-grade teams if there are extreme mis-gradings.

REFEREEING·Bethlehem Touch aim to provide referees where possible. However, from time to time, teams may have to assist by providing a referee.Teams must accept the referees decisions without dispute, and the games played in the spirit of good sportsmanship.·The referee MUST collect the score card from the Module Coordinator, keep the score, get each team captain to sign the card to confirm the final game score or any anomalies and return it after each game.·The referee MUST report any player sent off. Conditions are addressed in the Disputes/Discipline section of these terms and conditions.

POINTS SYSTEM·3 for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 for a loss, 0 for a default, uniform infringements or outstanding fees. In the event of a win by default, the winning team will be awarded seven touchdowns.·If at the end of the competition round, two teams have equal points:·If still undecided, the difference between the points scored for and those scored against will be collated and the team with the highest points differential will be placed ahead.·The team who beat the other team will be placed ahead.·If still undecided, points scored for will be divided by the points scored against and the team with the highest points differential will be placed ahead.·In all situations if the result is still a draw after each step has been applied, a toss of the coin will decide.·Drop off rules will apply for all semi finals and finals games where a result is required.

DEFAULTS / FORFEITS·Defaults are taken seriously, as this is not fair on the opposition, Referees or Adminstrators. If your team is going to default a game you must give the Module Coordinator and the opposition at least 24 hours notice. A $20 default fee will be imposed on teams that do not give sufficient, or any notice. The team will not receive further competition points, until the default fee is paid. If your team is short of players, Bethlehem Touch recommend that your team show up for a friendly game. No team likes showing up to find they have travelled to find no game at all, please be considerate. A referee may not be provided. Please note: A team will be considered to have defaulted should they not field a team within the first ten minute period of the game. For every two minutes that a team is late, one touchdown will be awarded against that team to a maximum of seven touchdowns.

DISPUTES / DISCIPLINE·Due to the social and fun nature of our competitions, protests and appeals are a rarity. Most matters can usually be dealt with although we have a formal complaints procedure. An automatic two game suspension will be placed on any player who is ordered off the field by a Referee.Three sin bins on any one player will result in an automatic two game suspension. Any abusive or threatening situations that may cause damage or assault to property or persons at the premises during the duration of our module, will result in the Police being called immediately. This is a family environment designed for fun and Bethlehem Touch WILL NOT tolerate any fighting at our competition. The accused person(s), either a player or non-player will be banned from the premises if found guilty of not adhering to these conditions.

DRAWS & RESULTS The draw will be published on our website. As soon as possible after games are completed.·There may be times that the draws will be delayed for reasons such as new rounds and semis/finals. We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time.

CANCELLATIONS We try to make the most of our already short touch season. Please also check our website and facebook page for details of cancellations

PRIZEGIVING·Prizegiving will be held after the completion of all finals.

FIRST AID·An emergency First Aid Kit will be available at the Gazebos. It is the responsibility of the teams to provide their own strapping tape and ice packs.·In the event of a major incident, an ambulance will be called.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES CONTACT US