Netball UK

Challenge Cup

FAQs

Netball UK

Challenge Cup

Competition FAQs

Q. Do both teams contribute to the Umpire's travel expenses which are paid prior to the commencement of the fixture?

A. Each team provides their own Umpire and cover the expenses for this for each fixture.

Q. Is the home team responsible for providing both named umpire's with confirmation in writing of the fixture, its start time, and travel directions (including a map) no less than 10 days prior to the date of the fixture?

A. The home team is responsible for providing all the relevant details to the away team. Both teams are then responsible for supplying the information to thier allocated umpire for each fixture.

Q. Are teams required to complete an IFNA Results sheet following each match?

A. Teams can complete either an IFNA Results sheet or an Official Challenge Cup Results Sheet which is under the Administration section. On whichever Results sheets used for a fixture, both umpires must be named on both sheets.

Q. How do team's contact each other prior to each round of fixtures?

A. There is a spreadsheet available under the Challenge Cup teams section, which has each teams main contact details.

Q. What level of umpring award is needed to officiate during the Challenge Cup?

A. All umpires who officiate in the Challenge Cup competition must actively hold a Netball Europe 'B' Award or above and must have achieved a minimum level 5:1 of the multistage fitness test. Clubs need to check with any Umpires they might appoint to check whether they have completed a fitness test. If yes, then they need to confirm with that umpire what level they reached and where they sent the fitness form to, be it either their Regional Office or to England Netball.

Q. What happens if an umpire fails to arrive for a fixture?

A. In the event that an umpire fails to arrive, or is injured or taken ill during a match, the following procedure will be applied:

If another umpire of the appropriate standard is available then she/he will umpire the match.
Failing that, the next best qualified umpire should be used (who shall be no less than a 'C' Award standard.
England Netball must be informed immediately after the match

Q. Do teams have to provide scorers?

A. Scorers will be required for all fixtures. Each team must provide a competent scorer who is either a 'C' Award umpire, or certified as competent by his/her County Association prior to the start of the competition.

Q. How do teams register their results?

A. Following completion of each match both teams must text thier result to the England Netball Results Line - 07858 161 075 within two hours of thier match being completed. Please begin each text with CC - followed by your result. Both teams must also complete a Results sheet and send to England Netball's Competitions and Events department within three working days of the match.

Q. How do teams add new squad members to thier team during the competition?

A. There is no limit to the number of players each team can have in their squad. To add squad members each team must either contact the events department on 01462 428317 and provide the players name and id number or email events@englandnetball.co.uk. All players must be affiliated to thier clubs. Any additions to each team's squads must be lodged with England Netball's Competitions and Events department by 5pm on the Thursday prior to a fixture weekend. Please be aware that teams cannot add to thier squads after this deadline for a fixture on that weekend.

Q. What age do players have to be to participate in the competition?

A. All players must be over 16 years of age as at midnight 31st August/1st September prior to the commencement of the Challenge Cup. Any player below 16 years of age as at midnight 31st August/1st September must complete an England Netball Age Banding Application Form and return to England Netball. A letter to approve or decline the application will be sent to the named contact as soon as possible. Applications can be sent to England Netball's postal address, titled AGE BANDING or faxed to 01462 442343.

Q. What is the total amount of playing time a registered player is permitted to play each weekend of the Challenge Cup competition?

A. Registered players are not permitted to play more than 6 quarters of domestic competition netball in any one weekend of England Netball Competition including (Netball Superleague, Premier League, Regional League and Challenge Cup). For the purposes of this clause a weekend shall be defined as extending from a Friday to Monday inclusive. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a ban from domestic competition netball for that player implemented during the following weekend of competition.

Q. When are matches played?

A. The draws for each round will be completed as soon as possible following completion of the round before. Each round of fixtures is available to view on the website. The start time of each match will be mutually agreed between the teams, but will not normally be earlier than 10.30am or later than 3pm. These can take place on either the Saturday or a Sunday of the specified weekend.

Q. What if a team has to cancel or postpone a fixture?

A. No team may postpone or cancel a fixture without the agreement of the England Netball Board of Directors, or its nominee(s). Matches which are postponed due to extreme and unforeseen circumstances, e.g. flash flood, heavy snowfall, must be played before the next scheduled fixture date unless otherwise agreed by the England Netball Board of Directors, or its nominee(s). The primary responsibility for rescheduling shall reside with the home team. PLEASE NOTE THAT MULTIPLE INJURIES DO NOT COUNT AS UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.

Q. Can a player move between clubs during the competition?

A. Once a player has been named on a squad sheet and has played she cannot transfer to another club or team during the course of the competition.

Q. Do players have to carry i.d. with them to matches?

A. All players must carry with them some form of proof of age as random checks may be carried out.

Please consult the Challenge Cup Regulations for any other enquiries. They are available to view under the administration section.