NW League Regulations & Guidance

The North West League Regulations have been updated for new season. The latest adult regulation and key extracts from the regulations can be found below.

Check the North West League Website for the latest versions of all documents:

• Standard Adult League Regulations
• Key Changes to Regulations
• GMS Match Day guidance
• Development Team Guidance
• Expected Behaviour - Spirit of Hockey
• Match Official Log
• Match Offical Checklist
• Extreme weather guidance

For queries, contact the relevant NW League Secretary

Our teams are the following Grades: (2025/2026)

• Grade 1: -
• Grade 2: L1
• Grade 3: M1
• Grade 4: M2, L2, L3, L4, L5
• Grade 5: -

8.3.1 Selection for Higher-Ranked Teams: Selection for Higher-Ranked Teams: Players can be selected for a team ranked higher than their Regular Team without restriction.

8.3.2 Selection for Lower-Ranked Teams:

(a) Restrictions apply to selecting players for teams ranked lower than their Regular Team for the purpose of strengthening those teams.

(b) Clubs must not “drop” players to strengthen a lower-ranked team by selecting players who normally compete at a higher level.

(c) In this context, to “drop” a player refers to the act of selecting or reassigning a player from a higher-ranked team to a lower-ranked team temporarily, typically for a specific match.

(d) Second teams of clubs whose first teams play in the EHL Premier Division shall be permitted to play players with an SXP approved by the Area, in line with EHL Regulation 8.3.5.

8.3.3 Eligibility Summary: The table below summarises weekly player eligibility guidelines.

8.3.4 If a Higher-Ranked Team has no Fixture or Does Not Play its Scheduled Fixture: In a Matchweek where a team has a League fixture but any of the higher-ranked teams in their Club do not:

(a)The team can only select players who have made at least 50% of their playing appearances for either that team or a lower-ranked team – refer to the definition of Regular Team.

(b)Regulation 8.3.3 does not apply in such a Matchweek.

(c)Data from the prior season may be used to determine eligibility in the first week of the season.

8.3.5 If a Team has more than one Fixture: In a Matchweek where a team has more than one fixture i.e. a team has both a scheduled League fixture and a rearranged fixture, on Saturday and Sunday, for example:

(a) For the rearranged match, the team can only select players who have made at least 50% of their playing appearances for either that team or a lower-ranked team – refer to the definition of Regular Team.

(b) Regulation 8.3.3 does not apply in such a Matchweek.

8.3.6 Final Four matches:

For the final four League matches that a team plays all players must have played a minimum of 50% of their matches for either that team or a lower-ranked team.

8.4 Doubling Up

8.4.1 Definition:

Doubling Up refers to a player participating in two Adult League fixtures within the same Matchweek, one of which is for their Regular Team, including NL and Area League fixtures. This includes when one fixture is scheduled on Saturday and another on the Sunday, for example, which might be due to the rearrangement of a postponed or abandoned game.

When considering eligibility of a player to double up the player is considered to have been selected to play for the HIGHER team and is doubling up to play for the LOWER team.

8.4.2 Doubling Up Checklist:

(a) Permitted at Grades 4 and 5 only to ensure that matches take place.

(b) Permitted for a Club's lowest or second-lowest ranked teams only, and no more than two teams below the player's Regular Team.

(c) Maximum of 12 players permitted for the lower-ranked team for whom players are doubling up.

(d) Permitted only as a last resort to cover player shortage.

8.4.3 Conditions:

(a) A maximum of three players can double up, including the goalkeeper;

(b) Each player can only play in two games per matchday;

(c) Regulation 8.3.6 applies to both teams, in their final four matches;

(d) Excludes designated Development Teams.

8.5 Player Eligibility For Doubling Up

8.5.1 Outfield Players:

(a) No Doubling Up permitted by players from higher-ranked teams that played for a higher-ranked team on the previous Matchweek.

(b) No Club-wide restriction on the total number of players Doubling Up, provided that one match is for each player’s Regular Team.

(c) A regular outfield player may play once as a goalkeeper - i.e. for the whole game in full goalkeeper kit - and once as an outfield player on the same match day.

8.5.2 Goalkeepers:

(a) A goalkeeper Doubling Up as a goalkeeper is limited to lower teams within two ranks of their Regular Team, as shown in the Doubling Up Summary table in Regulation 8.5.4 below and subject to the conditions stated in Regulation 8.4.2 above.

(b) A goalkeeper, whose Regular Team plays in Grade 3 may double up for a Grade 4 or 5 team only

with an approved SXP. Goalkeepers may only Double Up without an SXP in Grades 4 & 5.

(c) A regular goalkeeper may play once as a goalkeeper - i.e. for the whole game in full goalkeeper kit - and once as an outfield player on the same match day.

8.5.3 Specific Goalkeeper Rules:

(a) If the goalkeeper is doubling up as a goalkeeper in the lower-ranked team: no overall player limit for the lower team unless other outfield players also double up.

(b) If the goalkeeper is doubling up as an outfield player in the lower-ranked team, that team cannot have more than 12 players selected for the match, refer to Regulation 8.4.2.

(c)In exceptional circumstances, such as a late injury to the goalkeeper selected, a goalkeeper can double up as a goalkeeper for a higher team within two ranks of their Regular Team without a pre- approved SXP. However, it is expected that Clubs will have the appropriate number of goalkeepers to fulfil their fixtures without the need for goalkeepers to double up.

(d) If a Regular Grade 3 goalkeeper doubles up by playing outfield at Grade 4 or 5, no SXP is required.

8.5.4 Doubling Up Summary:

7.2 Multiple Registrations

7.2.4 Dual Registration: At Grade 3 and below, players living partially away from home (e.g., university students or individuals working away from home for significant periods) may register for more than one Club and play for either Club, but only one Club per Matchweek.

• This is permitted only if the two Clubs are in different Area Leagues, and the principles of Team Selection are followed to reflect playing standard. It is not permitted in a team's final 4 matches of the season.
• Requires the approval of ALMC before they can play, once Dual Registered. This approval will not last beyond the end of the season.
• Dual-registered players must complete a transfer to change their Primary Club.

Section 11 sets out the regulations in relation to Umpires and Match Officials.

The table below outlines the requirements for umpires at each Grade of competition.

The first port of call to discuss concerns or questions you may have in regards to fixtures, results, fielding a team, regulations and transfers is your Divisional Secretary for the relevant team.