Congratulations to all players, teams and clubs on a fantastic season so far.  The response to the league structure since it was introduced 2012-13 continues to be very positive and with the finals just around the corner, we would appreciate and welcome any suggestions and feedback before we close out. 

Participation numbers continue to increase in Leinster Girls Club leagues.  We have seen a spike in the 1st year leagues as more clubs are playing 6th class players on those teams. Likewise we have seen a slight dip in the Minor leagues as fewer clubs are entering 1st years in the minor leagues.

We re-started the 5^th & 6^th year leagues this year - with 5 teams taking part.  These are not reflected in our numbers as some clubs used their 4^th years in order to try to get the league up and running.  We would encourage all clubs to consider entering next year and to start promoting it to your players - particularly the 4^th years who may not wish to play ladies hockey just yet.

Junior Girls League Finals:

In line with previous years and as communicated earlier this season we have scheduled all finals on the same day - 29^th March.

Many thanks to the clubs who have offered to provide pitch space:

Avoca, Botanic, Boyne, Clontarf, Genesis, Loreto, Monkstown, Muckross (1.5 pitches), North Kildare, Pembroke Wanderers, Railway Union, St Brendans Phoenix Park, Suttonians, Three Rock (2 pitches), and Weston

We have tried to allocate at least two finals to each venue to add to the atmosphere.  Please see below for the times and locations of each final.

We would like to respectfully remind clubs that the finals are junior girls games and would ask that the supporters and officials comply with the LHA Code of Conduct for behaviour at all times. The players and officials will be doing their best on the day and we would hope that the events are fun for all.

Prizes / Medals / Refreshments:

Host clubs are asked to make an “occasion” of the finals and to ensure that a pitch manager is there to co-ordinate teams, keep to the time schedule and ensure that there is a formal presentation ceremony!  The captains from both teams should be invited to make a speech as part of the presentation ceremony.

Andrea McAuley from our committee has been busy chasing down trophies from last year and we will make arrangements over the coming weeks to ensure that these are in the venues on the day.

Rules for the Finals:

Each team provides their own umpire for the finals. 

Minor & Junior Finals are 25 minutes each way and Extreme 8 Finals are 20 minutes each way.

The allocated pitch time for the finals is very tight at 90 minutes - this period of time is to include on the pitch warm-up of 10 minutes, match time of 55 minutes, (including a quick 5 min turnover), extra time (10 mins) and a penalty shoot out (15 mins) if required. 

Therefore teams should complete their physical warm up off the pitch and be ready to start the match within 10 minutes of the pitch being available.  

-       Drawn matches shall go to extra time provided the umpires decide the conditions permit and provided there are no pitch time constraints

-       The silver goal rule shall apply - i.e. up to two periods of five (5) minutes (Finish out the half when a goal has been scored).

-       If the teams are tied at the end of extra time, a penalty shoot out competition shall decide the outcome for the Leagues and Penalty stroke competition for the cups

·       5 players from each team are nominated to take the penalties

·       Teams must field a fully padded (including helmet) goal-keeper

·       Toss to decide who goes first

·       In the case of a shoot-out the attacking player has 8 seconds to score a goal at 11-a-side level (Minor, Junior, Senior) and 10 seconds at the 8-a-side level

·       If tied after the first round, then subsequent rounds are sudden death

·       In a sudden death situation

o   The team that started the penalty competition goes 2nd for the duration of the sudden death phase

o   Teams may change the order of their penalty takers for each set of 5 penalties, but they may not change the penalty takers

Extreme 8s:ALL teams are expected to field a goal-keeper in the finals and if they choose not to play one, they are restricted to 7 outfield players.

This game format is a key part of the IHA long term player development plan.  Skills are being developed which will naturally scale up to the 11-a-side game.

-       Full size circles or full depth scoring zones to be marked out

-       A penalty free is played instead of a penalty corner (4 attackers vs. 3 defenders, including the goal-keeper)

-       The penalty free is played as follows

o    The Free is taken 5m from outside the top of the circle or the centre of the scoring zone

o    No crash balls to be played into the zone / circle - the ball must move 5m before a shot on goal can be taken

o    ALL players not involved must be in the opposite circle / zone when the free is being taken

o    Defending players (3 including the goal-keeper) do not need to be behind the goal-line for the start of the free

Results:

Please respond to the results texts on the day of the finals.  The text will be sent to the first named team in each event (deemed to be the home team for colours and fixture purposes).

The winning club should email details of the nominated person responsible for the safe-keeping of the trophies so that our collection process is easier next season!

And finally:

Please contact us if you would like to get involved with the junior girls club committee next year.  The commitment is not huge – perhaps 2-3 meetings per year – primarily at the start of the season, the end of the round robin stage of the leagues and once more at the end of the season.

Please encourage your players to attend and support the Irish Women’s hockey team who commence their quest to be the first Irish team in any sport to qualify for an Olympic Games.  The Women’s world league round two event is being held in UCD from the 14^th to 22^nd March – it’s a super opportunity to witness top class hockey up close and it’s right on the doorstep for junior girls in Leinster.

Best of Luck to all the teams & their supporters and coaches involved in the finals on 29^th March.

Leinster Junior Girls Club Committee:

Ann Ronan (Chair), Andrea McAuley, Maria Wilson, Una McCarthy, Síle Mullin