Booking
- This is a Borough Championships event.
- Schools may choose EITHER a Borough Championships OR a Development Competition per each sport, on the initial booking date of:
- Monday 15th September 2025 at 5pm
- They can then book onto the other event, should they wish to for another set of children, on the open booking date, a week later:
- Monday 22nd September 2025 at 5pm
- If an event is full, schools will be placed on a waiting list and be notified of this.
- MSSP will contact schools should places become available in the build-up to events.
Team Eligibility
- Age: Yr 5/6
- Mixed gender event
- 6 v 6 matches – minimum of 2 players of opposite gender on pitch at any time.
- Max of 9 players per squad. Minimum 3 players of opposite gender to a squad.
- NO ROTATION SHEETS – but please ensure all players get regular game time.
Event Eligibility
- This is a Borough Championships event.
- Schools are encouraged to select their strongest squad. School squads should be well prepared and have time to practise with the competition rules before attending this event.
- There is also a Hockey Development Competition event being delivered this year. Please consider the most appropriate event for your pupils to attend before registering as you may only be able to take part in one event if entrees exceed capacity.
- Schools cannot select the same pupils for the Development Competition and the Borough Championships. In the instance that a Championship team player is also played in a Development Competition team, the team will not be able to progress to a medal winning position.
- If our Hockey events exceed their capacity for school entrees, priority will be given to schools who are not registered for the Hockey Development Competition.
- It is our aim to ensure all schools can access at least one of the events.
Kit & Equipment
- All schools MUST provide their own First Aid kit along with a first aid qualified member of staff.
- Schools must supply their own hockey sticks.
- Shin-protectors and mouthguards are highly recommended.
- Players of the same team should wear the same colour tops/bibs.
- No studded boots to be worn
- No jewellery, baseball caps etc.
- It is advised that if eyewear is essential, it should be made from plastic rather than glass.
Staffing and Spectators
- Spectators will not be permitted entry to the school/private sports facilities.
- Primary schools must inform parents in advance when inviting students to take part.
- All staff attending the event must have enhanced DBS clearance and have been fully vetted by their primary school. DBS numbers, Full name and School will be required in advance by the host school.
Rules
- 6 players per team on pitch at any time. Minimum 2 boys and 2 girls.
- Maximum of 9 players per squad
- NO ROTATION SHEETS – but please ensure all players get regular game time.
- No Goal Keepers permitted.
- A goal is scored if the ball crosses the line after being struck by any stick within the scoring circle.
- A penalty goal is given if a defender deliberately prevents the ball crossing the line using their feet or body.
- A free pass is given when an offence occurs. It is to be taken from where the offence occurred (unless in scoring circle) and all opposing players must move 3 metres away.
- Fouls in the scoring circle will be taken from 1m outside the circle nearest to where the foul took place.
- A foot foul or stick tackle is only applicable if deliberate, if it causes a significant advantage to the defending team or, if in the umpire’s opinion, it is deemed as dangerous play.
- When the ball crosses the back line after being touched by an attacker, the defending team play the ball from the top of the scoring circle while the attacking team must all retreat to their defending half.
- Players cannot play any ball over knee height.
- Players cannot use the back (rounded) part of the stick.
Competition Format
- Match duration will be dependent on entries and determined at the time of the draw.
- Points awarded are: 3 for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss.
- Group placing determined by: points accrued, goal difference, goals for, head-to-head result between the two teams, penalty runs.
- In the event of a tie during any knockout fixture, a penalty-run event will be held. From the halfway line, the attacker will have 8 seconds to score a goal past a solo defender without the ball going out of play. The players on the pitch at the end of regulation time must take the shots.
- The defenders must rotate too.
- If it is still tie after 6 shots each, those not on the field of play at the end of regulation time may be nominated to take a penalty-run.
Draw Format
- First stage is round robin groups. Final group standings will be determined from results. Winners of the groups will take top seed of their group, 2nd take 2nd seed of their group, etc.
- All teams will progress to a second stage of competition according to their placement in the first round, with the format to be determined by the number of schools entered. After the first round, if necessary, it may progress into a knockout format.
Awards
- Winners: GOLD medal, Certificates, Trophy.
- Runners Up: SILVER medal and certificates
- 3rd Place: BRONZE medal and certificates
- REFSPECT winners – Certificate
- Participation certificates will be presented to all participants.
Results
- Results and event report will be available on the news webpage within 24 hours of the event ending.
Winner’s Pathway
- There is no planned pathway for this event.
First Aid
MSSP will have a basic first aid kit and qualified person at all events but will not be available to tend to less urgent first aid, as they will be delivering the event. As part of the school’s risk assessment a qualified first aider should always be with the school team (including travel) to tend to their children during the event.
Team-sheets
To help us support our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aims, all school teams must complete and submit the attached MSSP Event Entry – EDI Team sheet to register for this event. We do not require the children’s names, just initials or first names are fine. This data is vital to help us improve equity and access for all. We want all Merton students to be able to represent their schools in activities they enjoy and, in an environment, where they feel a sense of belonging. The data you provide us will help us to review and improve our offer as we strive to achieve this.
Risk Assessments
Please see the Risk Assessment in the ‘Resources’ section on the event webpage for event specific planning and considerations.
mertonssp.org.uk/competitions
REFSPECT
MSSP values the contributions by all those involved in making our events a FUN, safe and enjoyable environment for children to take part in sport. To ensure our events continue to be successful we promote our REFSPECT campaign. We expect everyone attending our events to maintain respect for the rules, officials, opponents, teammates and themselves. Only designated staff and volunteers will be allowed on the side-lines. All spectators are to remain behind the barriers, providing positive support and encouraging a fun and fair event.
If any staff, adults or children are deemed to be in breach of our REFSPECT codes of conduct they will be asked to leave the event, and the Head Teacher of the relevant school will be informed immediately.
For more information about REFSPECT and codes of conduct for attendance at our events, please click here
mertonssp.org.uk/refspect
Photo Consent
Photographs will be taken at this event by staff members from MSSP and may be used for promotional material. If you have any children that do not have permission to be photographed, please inform a member of staff before the start of the event.
Please ensure your school only take photographs of their own students and do not share any photos of other children on social media without consent from that school.
Social Media
For information and updates from our events, please follow and use the platforms below:
Email: info@mertonssp.org.uk
Instagram: instagram.com/mertonssp
MSSP Duty of Care
MSSP have a duty to take all measures that are reasonable in the circumstances to ensure the health, safety, wellbeing and welfare of all participants and any other attendees involved in the relevant event. MSSP have tried to ensure that all reasonable steps have been taken in its duty of care being discharged, and to the requisite standard of care, MSSP have ensured the following guidance and actions have been adhered to and carried out:
That the advice of the UK Government and public health authorities has been followed
That the bespoke guidance and protocols issued by the relevant NGB, federation and/or umbrella organisation (if applicable) have been followed.
Safeguarding and DBS
MSSP acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and the requirements of the Partnership’s host organisation, the Harris Federation.
We recognise that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. We aim to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children and young leaders:
have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport or physical activity at MSSP events in a safe and child centred environment are protected from abuse whilst participating or officiating at MSSP events.
All MSSP staff at the event are fully vetted and enhanced DBS checked. It is the schools’ responsibility to ensure any staff and volunteers who attend the event comply with the host venue safeguarding and welfare policy and can provide documentation to support this on request.
If you have any concerns about a child at our event, please make sure you say something. The MSSP safeguarding team contact details will be on display at all events or for more information on who to speak to please click here
mertonssp.org.uk/contact
Comments, Compliments and Complaints
MSSP aims to deliver a first-class service to all its stakeholders. We see all feedback, whether good or bad, as a valuable way for us to learn and improve. Therefore, we welcome all comments, compliments and complaints. For further details, please click here
mertonssp.org.uk/comments-compliments-and-complaints