The Board of the Leinster Hockey Association propose the following extension of the pilot phase amendment to current Bye-Laws to be adopted with immediate effect (5th June 2024). During this time, this amendment will continue to be considered a Pilot phase until ratified in the 2025 AGM.
New Bye-Law wording proposal:
1. Players registered with a club for Senior competitions while still eligible for underage events, can opt to play as a "Guest Player" for a different club's 'Youth' team while maintaining their primary club affiliation.
To be eligible as a Guest Player in Youth events for a different club, the following conditions must be met:
a. The player must be of eligible age for junior events as specified in the regulations.
b. The player's primary senior club must grant permission for the player to participate as a Guest Player for the 'Youth' club. Fixtures for the primary senior club take precedence over fixtures for the youth club in which they would partake as a guest.
c. The Youth club seeking the player's participation must request and receive approval from the LHA Board.
d. The player's participation as a guest player shall be subject to all LHA player welfare guidance of 6 units per week when activities of both teams are considered.
e. The senior club must have no underage team that the individual would be eligible to play for.
f. The player must not be attending an educational institution that provides hockey.
g. The individual must not be part of Leinster JAG squads.
h. The parents must grant approval for the individual to play in both categories and should maintain a training diary in the interest of the player's welfare. The LHA Children's Officer Panel may request to review this.
i. Current Hockey Ireland membership must be in place.
j. Receiving club may, as a maximum only have 2 Guest Players per season.
k. Approval for 'Guest Player' arrangements are for one season only as approval expires when season ends. It must be applied for in any future season to the LHA.
l. Guest players shall be considered eligible for participation in Youth events only and shall not affect their eligibility for Senior events with their primary club.
2. Documentation and Record-Keeping:
The LHA shall maintain appropriate records of players participating as Guest Players in Youth events, including permissions from primary senior clubs.
Implementation: This amendment to player eligibility shall take effect 6th June 2024. Clubs and players shall be informed of this change through official channels.
Ken Miller
Chair Youth Hockey, LHA Director
Circulated to Clubs 07th June 2024