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 Movement Of Players

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 complete 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.

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 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.

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.

8.4.2 Conditions For Doubling Up:

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

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

(c) Generally allowed for the lowest or second-lowest ranked teams only, and no more than two teams apart in the Club’s hierarchy of teams.

(d) Maximum of 13 players for the lower-ranked team for whom players are doubling up.

(e) A maximum of three players can double up, including the goalkeeper.

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

(g) 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 match day.

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

8.5.2 Goalkeepers (GK):

(a) GK doubling up as a GK 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 GK, whose Regular Team plays in Grade 3 may double up for a Grade 4 or 5 team only with an approved SXP.

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

8.5.3 Specific GK Rules:

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

(b) If the GK is doubling up as an outfield player in the lower-ranked team, that team cannot have more than 13 players selected for the match, refer to Regulation 8.4.2.

(c) In exceptional circumstances, such as a late injury to the GK selected, a GK can double up as a GK 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 GKs to fulfil their fixtures without the need for GKs to double up.

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

8.5.4 Doubling Up Summary:

7.4 Players Living Partially Away From Home

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 League Areas and the principles of Team Selection are followed to reflect player ability.
• Requires the approval of ALMC before they can play, once dual registered .

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.