Competition Rules

Purpose & Intrepretation of Competition Rules

The overall intent of these by-laws is to provide a competition structure that:

Is well run
Fosters a spirit of fun and good sportsmanship
Provides an opportunity for everyone to participate in a division at a level that suits their skills and competitive desire
Is responsive to the demands of our customers.

The Competitions Managers has discretion to give effect to the intent of the competition rules when required, be that clarification of existing written rules or overrulling a literal intrepretation of the rules when a more open intrepretation may serve the situation better or other circumstances require it. If the Competitions Manager does not engage with the competition rules, then they are consider to operate as written.

Player Registrations:

All players and officials must be registered with The U League before participating in an The U League competition.
It is the team and player’s responsibility to maintain a current registration. The U League reserves the right to refuse participation to any unregistered party.
When requested, a player or official, must provide proof of identity or of their registration with The U League and they may be excluded from competition until such time as they provide the information.
Any player found to be playing under a false name, or alias, shall be suspended from all levels of participation at The U League for a period of no less than 2 weeks and may be fined for each game they played under the false name.
Players that are currently on an NBL1 roster or the previous years NBL1 roster can compete in the Sydney Uni Premier Division without an exception but a maximum of two NBL1 players are allowed per Premier team. If a NBL1 player wants to compete below Sydney Uni Premier (i.e. any other division in The U League) an exception must be requested to play at that level.
A team can comprise of no more than three players from a higher grade even as registered players
Players can compete no more than two grades below their highest grade without requesting an exception (approved at The U League's discreation) from management, i.e. a player competiting in Division 1 can play no lower than Division 3 without an exception
A registered player may play in more than one The U League division during the period of their registration, however, can only play for one team in any particular division in a competition and a maximum of three total teams on a single day.

Team Nomination:

A team wanting to compete in an The U League competition must:

Nominate two team contacts who are both over the age of 18 and return their nomination form
Pay the advised season fees on or before the due date
It is at NSBA’s discretion whether a team is offered a position in a competition
A team that has at least three players who played in the team in the preceding competition, and nominates again within the notified deadlines, will be given priority over new teams seeking to enter that competition
Team names will be approved at The U Leagues discretion.

Player Participation & Sign-In:

Teams require at least four players to start a game including a minimum of two registered (i.e. listed with the team) players. If a team does not meet these criteria then the clock will start and the opposition with receive two (2) points per minute until 10 mintues game time have elsped at which point the game becomes a forfeit but if players arrive during that time they can begin the game (accounting for point penatly) once they meet the criteria to start play.
Each player must enter, and/or confirm, their full legal name and playing number on the scoresheet (either paper or electronic, whichever is being used on the game) before participating in any game
At the end of the game if any player named on the scoresheet was not at the game, the referee or bench official shall remove their name from the scoresheet (paper/electronic).
Before the forth round of games in each competition, every team must confirm the list of registered players that make up the team roster. If a team still has players incorrectly registered by Round 4 then the opposition team will start with a six (6) point headstart
A team may add additional players to the team roster at any time during the season, however a player can only be on the team roster of one team in any given division and must play three games to qualify for finals
The U League at any time can rule that a player is not eligible to be included on a team roster on the basis that the player is: (a) of a standard significantly higher than the standard of competition in which the team is competing; and (b) the player’s inclusion in the team is likely to significantly improve the team’s performance.
Where The U League believes that a team is of a significantly higher standard than other teams in their division, The U League may require them to take one or more of the following actions: (a) play in the division, without being eligible to compete in finals. (b) Make changes to their team roster, including limiting the number of “higher standard” players that play in any particular game.
If a registered player has played less than three games for a particular team in a division and the player wants to move to another team in the division, they may seek permission from The U League to do so.

Fill-ins:

The intent of this clause is to allow teams that are short of player numbers for a particular game to play that game without needing to forfeit.

A fill-in player may play up to two games for a team when they are not on the team’s roster, provided they: (a) are not on the team roster of another team in that division or a higher division and (b) have not been ruled ineligible by The U League to play in that division
Fill-in players compete at their own risk if they are not regsitered with a team
Each team is limited to a maximum of 3 fill-in players for any game, to bring the total players for that game up to six. If additional team members arrive, after the fill in players have played, that bring the total number of players to more than 6, the fill in players must be substituted off the court and cannot participate for the remainder of the game, unless the available players drop to six or less due to injury.
Fill-in players must comply with the relevant uniform requirements or be penalised per our policy on uniforms
The U League requires all fill-ins to be suitable for divison level and can declare a player to be of an inappropraite standard for a division and rule them inelgible to play at their discreation
Fill-ins cannot join the game after half-time, only registered players can join after halftime has concluded:

Competition Ladder:

The competition ladder operates as follows:

3 competitions points for a win or BYE
2 competition points for a draw
1 competition point for a loss
0 competition points for a notified forfeit
-3 competition points for an unnotified forfeit

With the following criteria for ladder order:

Competition points
Competition points (head-to-head)
Point difference (head-to-head)
Total scored points (head-to-head)
Point difference (league)
Scored points (league)
By coin flip
Games

Finals Eligiblity:

The intent of this clause is for teams that compete in finals to be those players that have played a a reasonable number of the games during the season, but also to allow for genuine circumstances where a player has been a member of a team and, due to injury, work, or similar commitments, has missed games.

A player is eligible to play with a team in finals if they meet one of the following conditions and can provide documentary evidence required by The U League:

They played in at least three of the games during the season as a registered player
In the event of a forfeit, all players registered with the team at the time of the forfeit are considered to have played. Players registered after the forfeit occured do not receive credit for a game played.
They were injured during the season and were it not for the injury they would meet the games played requirement (evidence must be submitted)
They missed games that their team participated in due to work travel commitments, or the work travel commitments of their domestic partner and if they had played in those games, they would meet the games played requirement (evidence must be submitted)
Other extenuating circumstances meant that they missed games that their team played in and if they had played in those games, they would meet the hey would meet the games played requirement (evidence must be submitted)
The team has paid all fees (including any fines).

Withdrawing for a competition:

The intent of this clause is to inconvenience teams as little as possible in the event that team withdraws from a competition.

A team may withdraw from a competition by giving 14 days’ notice in writing to The U League.
Due to the short nature of the season (10 games) teams are considered required to complete payment for the full season unless directed otherwise by The U League. However, in some case The U League may offer a discounted withdrawal fee of games played plus three additional games fees but this is solely at The U League discreation
When replacing a team that has withdrawn The U League reserves the right to make adjustments to the ladder to ensure replacement teams have a competitive chance at final

Forfeits & Fines:

A forfeit is when a team is unable to complete a game under The U League rules and a team must advise The U League in writing to info@theuleague.org.au at least 24 hours before the scheduled game time that they have to forfeit.

A 'Acceptable Notified Forfeit' is one where this policy is followed and 24 hours or more notice is provided. The result of the game shall be recorded as a notified forfeit to the team that forfeited and win to their oppoent, with the score entered as 20-0 and no fine will be imposed.
A 'Late Notified Forfeit' is one where notice is provided inside of 24 hours but at least 3 hours before the scheduled game time. The result of the game shall be recorded as a notified forfeit to the team that forfeited and win to their oppoent, with the score entered as 20-0 and a fine of one (1) games team fees will be imposed.
A 'No Notice Forfeit' is one where notice is not provided before the scheduled game time. The result of the game shall be recorded as a unnotified forfeit to the team that forfeited and win to their oppoent, with the score entered as 20-0 and a fine of two (2) games team fees will be imposed.
A 'In-game Forfeit' occurs due to injury, players being fouled out or other factors, during a game a team have less than 2 players that are eligible and able to play for the remainder of the game. (d) The game shall be recorded as a loss to the team that forfeited. If the team that forfeited: (i) was ahead at the point of the game when they forfeited, the score shall be recorded as 20-0. (ii) was behind at the point of the game when they forfeited, the score shall be recorded as it was at that time. (e) No fine will be imposed.
Where both teams are ineligible to play, the score shall be recorded as a loss to both teams, with the score entered as 0-0. At the discretion of The U League, a fine may be imposed.
If a team arrives with less than the required players but plays a friendly game then The U League will assess these events on merits but will default to considering the game a loss for ladder and fine purposes in most context as we want teams to make the effort to play games when possible
In the event a team has their opponent forfeit more than one (1) game per season against them they can request credit to the next season. If a team has only one (1) forfeit against them they are not eligible to receive credit as one forfeit is considered reasonable in a season
If a team forfeits multiple times in a single season then The U League reserves the right to remove them from priority registrations for next season
If a team forfeits during the season they cannot claim forfeit credits to the next season

Team Penalties for use of ineligible players:

The intent of this clause is to ensure that teams do their best to play in all scheduled games and comply with the registration requirements for players.

Where it is discovered a player that was not registered with The U League or ineligible to compete in a given division of The U League played for a team in a competition game, the team forfeits the game in favour of the opposition and it is the discreation of The U League whether that forfeit is considered notified or unnotified (including related fines)
The U League will consider whether or not the team ought to have known the player was ineligible to play for them; and (the team’s record of compliance with registering of players when assess these forfeits and related fines

Team Payments:

Once registered for a season a team is liable for the full seasons fees unless directed otherwise
The cut-off date for paying the season’s fees will be Round 3
Teams must complete payment in full by Round 3, team with an outstanding balance after Round 3 will be a subject to a 10% late penatly and teams with an outstanding balance after Round 4 will have games declared forfeits in favour of opponents.
A team that does not complete payment will have all players permenantly banned until such time as payment is made by their team in full (i.e. all outstanding team fees are paid, not just a single players fees)

Game Timing:

Premier Division games are made up of four fully-timed 8 minute quarters with teams having one timeout in the first half and two timeouts in the second half (only one timeout per team can be used in the last two minutes) with quarter and half time breaks approximately 1 minute
All other divisions are made up of two running-clock 20 minute halves with the clock stopping in the last minute if the score is within single digits (9 points or less) and referees keeping a loose shot-clock in the last two minutes of competitive (within 15 points) games to ensure players play in the spirit of the game
Overtime occurs only in finals games, in the event that the score is tied at the game's end then team will play a three-minute overtime with all foul staying on the board and one timeout per team in the overtime. Overtimes will continue until the game has a winner.
In events where conduct becomes an issue officials may elect to use time or point penalties to de-escalate or remove individuals as required or cancel the game if required.

Uniforms:

The purpose of The U League uniform policy ensure players and teams can be readily identified by officials and opponents, promote and present our leagues as the best domestic league in NSW and foster a sense of “team identity” within our participants.

All players must be in matching uniforms, with clearly visible numbers on front and back of jersey. Minor differences in design are permitted but uniforms should be at minimum an 80% match with The U League having discreation as to whether a uniform meets that standard.
Teams are encouraged to wear reversible singlets, but it is not mandatory.
Teams are not allowed to tape, draw, paint or otherwise create their own numbers on jerseys, numbers must be pre-printed
No player can take the court with any visible, unprotected piercings and if discovered after taking the court, they must immediately be substituted out of the game, and cannot return to the court until the piercings have been covered or removed
If a player states that they cannot remove the piercing or other item of jewellery (such as a wedding ring) without causing damage to the item or injury to themselves, they may be permitted to play with the item provided it can be covered and remain safely covered with some form of protective covering.
Undergarments may be worn provided it does not pose a danger of injury to other players. Compression garments may be worn underneath the uniform even if they extend beyond the uniform. T-shirts may be worn underneath the singlet, provided it does not pose a danger of injury to other players
Items of clothing worn for religious, or other reasons, may be worn if they do not pose a danger of injuring another player. This decision is at the discretion of The U League who may need to inspect the item prior to making any decision.
If there is a clash in team uniform colours, the team with most players out of uniform shall wear bibs or if both teams are in uniforms then the second named team on the scoresheet must provide an alternate-coloured singlet or use The U League bibs, at no cost.

From Round 4 all players are expected to be in uniform and the opposition team will receive two points per player for each player out of uniform up to a maximum of ten points. These points must be added by or at halftime, if a player out out of uniform is missed for officials then teams must flagging it at or prior to that juncture as adjustments after that point, including retroactive adjustments, are not possible.

Conduct & Sportsmanship:

The U League maintains a Zero Tolerance Policy for negative conduct to oppoents, officials, spectators and staff in order to provide competitions that are safe for all participants. This polocy of zero tolerance applies to:

Persistent and/or wilful challenging of the decisions of referees
Abuse of referees, players, officials, or spectators
Violence against players, officials, or spectators
Conduct deemed inappropriate for a community sporting environment.

Any person whose actions are outside the Zero Tolerance Policy (i.e. acting in an aggressive, inappropriate, demeaning, or unsportsmanlike manner) may be directed to leave the venue, must do so immediately and may be referred to The U League Disciplinary Committee. This includes, in the opinion of The U League staff, the person could possibly be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

A player that receives two technical fouls, two unsportsmanlike fouls or a disqualifying foul is immediately disqualified from the game (and may be replaced) and is automatically suspended from The U League Competitions for seven (7) days. The player may take no further part in that game or any other at The U League for seven (7) days (e.g. If a Game Disqualification was on a Monday, the player/coach cannot participate until Tuesday the following week). In the event of one technical and one unsportsmanlike foul a player is immedaitely disqualfied from the game but whether they suspended seven day is at the discreation of The U League

If a player received three technical or unsportsmanlike fouls in a season they will be automatically suspended from The U League Competitions for seven (7) days. The player may take no further part in that game or any other at The U League for seven (7) days.

Players and/or coaches, who are disqualified from a game must leave the playing area/venue immediately and may not return, during the game, without the permission of The U League staff; and may be reported to the The U League Discplinary Committee.

Anyone who exhibits a loss of control which compromises the safety of themselves, or others may be removed from the court area by an The U League staff member.

Any person may be cited and reported to The U League Disciplinary Committee if, in the opinion of a game official or authorised representative of The U League, they have: drawn the sport of Basketball into disrepute, drawn the operations or reputation of The U League into disrepute and drawn the role of a game official into disrepute or acted in a manner that is detrimental to the proper and efficient conduct, control, or administration of basketball by The U League.

Disciplinary C ommittee :

The Disciplinary Commitee's role is to manage incidents and related teams and/or individuals within The U League and can investigate an incident or incidents with a veiw to holding a hearing and imposing penalties on any team or individual if required.

The Disciplinary Commitee may investigate incidents as they see fit including incidents not directly refereed to them, however, in order for the Commitee to assess an incident and impose judgement a quarom of at least three members is required. When assessing incidents The Disciplinary Commitee will use The U League Offences and Penalties as a guideline for suspensions, these Offences and Penalties are available

Disciplinary Committee members are senior The U League officials whom a) where not engaged in or witnesses to the events they are investigating or assessing, b) are not connected in any way to the individuals or teams involved in the events they are investigating or assessing and c) have the relevant d isciplinary experience either with The U League or other basketball organisation. The Disciplinary Committee will provide a written report detailing their assessment of a given event, this report will include a summary of events, any offences committed during those events and any penatlies related to those offences.

There is no appeal for a penalty by The Disciplinary Committee but i f an individual or team disputes the penalty, they may request the matter to be reviewed by the Competitions Managers. To do so, the player or team must: (a) pay $100 upfront to The U League; and (b) set out in writing the reasons for which the penalty should be reviewed and any relevant information for consideration. In reviewing the matter, the Competitions Manager may have regard to whatever information they believe is necessary. Upon review of the matter, the Competitions Manager may decide to uphold the penalty, revoke the penalty, or impose a further penalty. If the penalty is revoked, the $100 payment will be refunded. The Competitions Manager will give reasons if they decide to uphold the penalty. The decision of the Competitions Manager is final and is not subject to appeal. If the Competitions Manager cannot, due to a conflict of interest or that they are a witness to events, reveiw a decision they can appoint someone to reveiw it on their behalf.

Games