23rd May 2007
Cardiff HC Ineligible for Promotion to the Slazenger EHL

ENGLISH HOCKEY PRESS RELEASE, 21 May 2007

Following a recent investigation by the Slazenger England Hockey League (EHL) committee, it has been decided that the 2006/07 Men ’s West of England & South Wales League champions Cardiff shall not be eligible for promotion to the Slazenger EHL in 2007/08.

Under Slazenger EHL regulations, the winners of the five Regional Leagues shall be promoted, providing that they are able to show that they have complied with the requirements of the Slazenger EHL.  Part of the requirement is in relation to “Overseas” players and current regulations state that the no more than two “Overseas” players can be fielded at any time in any one season.  Discussions with Cardiff HC have revealed that the club has fielded a total of five “Overseas” players throughout 2006/07 and therefore they will not be accepted into the Slazenger EHL for season 2007/08. 

Under Slazenger EHL regulations, there are three criteria which a player must meet in order to not be deemed as an overseas player.  The full regulation, which includes the criteria also known as the Kolpak Agreement, can be found in Notes for Editors.

The West of England & South Wales League regulations confirm that teams must comply with these EHL regulations. 

The EHL requested that the West of England & South Wales League nominated the next highest eligible team in the Division and Robinsons, who finished runners-up in the league in 2006-07, are now promoted to the Slazenger EHL. They will play in the National South Division in 2007-08.

Competitions and Events Manager Stephen Barlow said “This was not a decision that has been taken lightly. The regulations were introduced to ensure that all clubs in Regional Premier Divisions compete for a place in the Slazenger EHL on an equitable basis”.

Further information:
Stephen Barlow
Competitions and Events Manager, English Hockey, 01908 544611

Slazenger EHL regulation 5.3.3:
“The winners of the five Regional Leagues shall be promoted to the EHL for season 2007-08, provided that whilst playing in their relevant Regional League in 2006-07 they are able to demonstrate that they complied fully with the requirements of EHL regulation 4.2.13 save that for season 2006-07 the maximum number of players who do not meet the criteria shown in 4.2.13 I, ii and iii is two.”

Slazenger EHL Regulation 4.2.13:
An EHL team shall not be allowed to register more than one player who does not:

• Hold a European Union or UK passport, or
• Have permanent right or abode as defined by Sections 1 and 2 of the immigration Act 1971, or
• Hold a current work permit, as defined by the Immigration Act 1971, as a hockey player or player coach in the United Kingdom and hold a passport for a country with whom the European Union has an agreement containing provisions prohibiting discrimination in employment. (also known as the Kolpak Agreement)

Download this press release as an MS Word document (76kb)

For information regarding the Welsh Hockey Union, please contact
Chris Brewer on 02920 573940 or email [email protected]

Please note: Information published in news stories was correct at the time of publication. Information, circumstances and data may have chance since.

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