Shinty Rule Changes on the Horizon | |
08 December 2017 The Camanachd Association Board of Directors look set to introduce a number of byelaw changes for the 2018 shinty season. The changes under consideration include: - Sin Bins - The most radical change looks set to see the introduction on Sin Bins from the start of the 2018 shinty season. At present, each booking listed in byelaw 1.13 results in 5 penalty points being recorded against the player. However, in response to feedback received at the 2017 Area consultation meetings, it is proposed that each booking listed in byelaw 1.13 results in 3 penalty points. In addition, on immediate receipt of the caution, the player shall be sent from the field of play to the touchline for a period of 10 minutes or until the end of the game, whichever is the lesser. For the avoidance of doubt, no substitute player shall be permitted to replace the player sent to the touchline as a consequence of a cautionable offence. Both Glenurquhart and Newtonmore submitted related proposals for changes to the sanctions imposed on players as a consequence of cautionable offences. The Camanachd Association executive is of the opinion that the changes proposed go at least some way towards meeting concerns whilst also bringing additional benefits. The sanctions imposed in the event of committing two cautionable offences in one game, sending off offences and points accumulation remain unchanged. The justifications for introducing this change include:
A draft byelaw change has been prepared and issued to member clubs who have been asked forward any representations to the Camanachd Association CEO by Monday 8 January 2018. - Failure to Play - At present, when a club opts not to play a scheduled fixture in Marine Harvest North Division 2 or Marine Harvest South Division 2, the match is declared won by the team not responsible for the failure and that team has two points added to their league point’s total. In response to representation made by Lewis Camanachd, any call-off in the same circumstances shall result in the match being declared won by the team not responsible for the failure and that team shall have two points added to its total league points. In addition, the offending team shall be penalised by the deduction of one point from its total league points. The justifications for introducing this change include:
- Referees Expenses - The Camanachd Association will take the opportunity to clarify that when a match is postponed, match officials’ travel expenses incurred up to the point they are contacted by the home club should be reimbursed. The referees match fee should also be paid if they have commenced their journey before being contacted by the home club. Should there be no club representative on site to settle the expenses, the Camanachd Association will make payment to the official on receipt of a claim form and recover payment from the responsible home club by invoice This clarification comes following representation by the Camanachd Referees Association. - Helmets - There is likely to be a tightening of the rules in relation to the helmets worn by youths prescribing that neither the ball nor the swinging caman be able to pass through the faceguard. This proposal is in response to representation from the Camanachd Association Youth Committee as modified faceguards have become increasingly common. Whilst clubs are encouraged to make provisions to comply with this byelaw for the start of the 2018 shinty season, it is likely that the byelaw will not be rigorously applied until 1 July 2017. Helmets do not have to be worn at First Shinty events due to the differing sticks and balls. |