Knowledge of the Rules 

1.1  The rules of Social Sport Netball leagues are based on that of the International Netball Federation Rules of Netball. You can view the rules HERE!

1.2  The rules in this document take precedence in the event of any discrepancy.

1.3  It is the responsibility of each player to be familiar with these rules.

​Team Registration

2.1  Team Registration Fee must be paid prior to Round 2.

2.2  All players must be registered online before participating.

2.3  The playing of unregistered players is not permitted and may result in loss of match points.

​Match Format

3.1  Matches shall consist of 4 X 9 minute quarters. Teams are to change ends at the end of each quarter.

3.2  There will be a one-minute half-time break.

3.3  A match is started and finished by the umpire's whistle. 

​Before the Match

4.1 Teams must submit their player lineup on League Up prior to match commencement.

4.2 All outstanding payments must be made prior to match commencement. Games will not start if your fees have not been paid.

4.3 The Venue Manager must receive match payment before your game can commence.

​Time of Match

5.1 Teams are to be on the court at the scheduled game time.

5.2 The umpire will start the clock at the scheduled match time to ensure that all teams have a full match.

5.3 The clock will not be stopped, except in the case of injury.

5.4 Teams are to have a minimum of 4 players on court before a match can commence.

5.5 The following penalties apply for lateness:

If a team is late they are to be penalised 1 goal for every minute they're not on court. For example, a team is 5-minutes late, they will be penalised 5 goals at the start of play.

5.6  A forfeit will result in a 20-0 win awarded to the opposition. All forfeits are charged at the full match rate of $89. The forfeit fee is to be paid prior to a team's next match. 

5.7  A forfeit without notification may result in removal from the league.

​Teams 

6.1  A maximum of 7 players are permitted on court at any one time.

6.2 A team is permitted to have an unlimited number of players on the interchange bench.

6.3  Senior Mixed teams may only have a maximum of 3 males on the court at any one time.

6.4  If requested, team contacts must notify the umpire of player names.

6.5 Players are permitted to play across multiple teams per night in the following situations:

A team can borrow players from another team as long as they start the game with a minimum of their own 4 registered players.

Individual players can play for another team as long as they are in the same or lower division. Eg. Division 1 players cannot play in a division 2 league.

6.6  Teams playing ineligible players, relating to rule 6.5, may lose match points.

6.7 There can only be one male permitted in each third of the court. This means one shooter either GS or GA, one mid-court player C, WA and WD and one defender GK or GD. There cannot be one in goals and two mid-court positions or two males in goals or defence.

6.8 For all Social Sport senior competitions, players must be a minimum of 15 years of age to participate. It is the responsibility of each team to ensure this rule is enforced at all times.

​Team Uniforms

7.1  All team tops must be the same or similar in colour.

7.2  All players must wear sporting attire and footwear. 

7.3  All players must remove all jewellery. External body piercings can be taped down.

7.4  Teams must provide their own bibs, these can be purchased from the venue.

​Interchange

8.1  Teams can make substitutions at quarter intervals. Should a player leave the court for injury or illness, a substitution can be made. Substitutions or team changes made during an injury or illness break must involve the injured or ill player.

8.2  There is no limit on the number of substitutions a team is permitted to make during a match.

​Injuries

9.1  In the case of an injury occurring, the clock will be stopped up to a maximum of 5 minutes.

9.2  An injured player must leave the court as soon as reasonably possible.  
9.3  Once an injured player leaves the court, their position may be filled by another player.

9.4  If a player is bleeding he or she must vacate the court immediately and cannot return until the bleeding has stopped.

9.5  An injury that causes a stoppage of over 15 minutes will result in the abandonment of the game. A 20-20 result will be recorded.  

9.6  Any injury that might require further medical treatment must be reported to the Venue Manager.

​Points system

10.1  Teams shall be awarded 4 points for a win.

10.2  Teams shall be awarded 2 points for a draw.

10.3  In the case of a forfeit, a team shall receive 4 points and a 20-0 result.

10.4  In the case of the game being abandoned, the game will be decided on a fault basis.

The following outlines possible outcomes:

- One team at fault: Opposition is awarded a 20-0 win

- Both teams at fault: No result (no points awarded)

10.5 In the case of a game cancellation due to weather or venue issues, the result will stand if more than 50% of the game has been played. If less than 50%, the result will be a 10-10 draw. 

​Finals

11.1  All finals fixtures will be advised to participating teams and posted online.

11.2  Participating teams must ensure they are available for all possible match times.

11.3  Finals formats are dependent on the make-up of divisions.

11.4  In the case of divisions with uneven bye allocation, points will be averaged to determine final ladder positions. Eg. A team with 1 bye and 30 points from 15 matches (2 points per match) will finish higher than a team with 2 byes and 31 points from 16 matches (1.94 points per match). Please note: Average points per game system does not apply to teams who have entered the competition after Round 3. They are only able to qualify for finals on total points.

11.5 In the case of teams having equal points and equal points per match, higher goal differences will take precedence. If still equal, higher goals will take precedence.

11.6  If teams are tied at full-time of a finals match, extra time will consist of 2 x 3-minute halves. In the event that scores remain tied, the game continues until a team obtains a 2 goal lead.

11.7  Players must have played a minimum of 3 games in the regular season to be eligible to play in finals matches. 

​Umpires

12.1  There will be two umpires assigned to each court.

12.2  The umpire’s decision is final. 

​Wet Weather 

13.1  It is assumed games will go ahead in all weather conditions unless decided otherwise by the Venue Manager on the night. 

13.2  In the event of a full night cancellation due to weather, all games will be recorded as a 10-10 draw.    

13.3  In the case of an in-game cancellation, a result will stand if more than 50% of the game has been played. If less than 50% of the game is played, a 10-10 draw will be recorded.  

​Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct is in place to ensure that all participants are able to be involved in an enjoyable and safe environment. As a condition of participation, all teams must agree to the following standards.

- Players must demonstrate respect for referees, other players, spectators and staff. 

- The team contact is responsible for the actions of their team.

- The team contact is responsible for communicating all matters regarding participation.

Any breach of the above standards will result in an official warning or immediate dismissal from the competition. Anti-social behaviour, both on and off-court, will not be tolerated. 

Please note that banned players are not permitted to play for any team or enter the stadium during the competition.

Two or more players from any one team involved in a breach of the Code of Conduct will result in the team and all individual players facing removal from the competition.

Social Sport has the right to take any action deemed necessary in the best interests of all participants.

​Suspension of Players 

The following information relates to the suspension of players: