Event Information
Booking
- This is a Development Festival event.
- Schools may enter this event now.
- 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: Year 5/6
- Mixed gender event
- Matches will be 4 a side
- 2 boys and 2 girls on pitch during matches.
- Maximum of 8 competitors in a squad.
Event Eligibility
- This is a Development Festival event. The intent is to encourage participation and no scores or results will be recorded at this event.
- There will be an initial rotation of skill-based hockey games followed by a group of hockey matches for each team.
- School squads should be familiar with the competition rules before attending this event, although umpiring will be appropriate for the level of competition.
- The intent and principles of the competition have been designed to support pupils learning of the game and not be restricted by enforcement of the rules. We anticipate that many children may not have played competitively before and aim for children to learn more about the sport throughout the day.
- There is also Hockey Borough Championships event being delivered this year. Please consider the most appropriate event for your pupils to attend before registering.
- Schools cannot select the same pupils for the Development event and the Borough Championships. In the instance that a Championship team player has 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 Borough Championships.
- 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.
- 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.
Rules
- 4 players on the pitch at any one time.
- No Goal Keepers.
- 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.
Event Format
- There will be an initial rotation of skill-based hockey games followed by a group of hockey matches for each team.
- Match duration will be dependent on entries and determined at the time of the draw.
Draw Format
- This will be confirmed depending on the number of team entries.
Awards and Results
Awards
- This is a festival-based event with no group or overall winners.
- 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 from this event and there may not be an overall winner.
MSSP Duty of Care
At Merton School Sport Partnership, the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of every participant is our highest priority. Our Duty of Care framework outlines the measures we take to ensure all events are safe, enjoyable and accessible, covering key areas including safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, risk assessments, medical provision, codes of conduct, photography and data protection.
We ask all schools, staff, volunteers and participants to familiarise themselves with these expectations before attending MSSP events.
For full details, please download the MSSP Duty of Care document or visit the relevant section of our website HERE for further guidance, policies and event information.