North Down fined by Ulster Hockey

North Down (Ladies) have been fined £100 for not reaching the minimum percentage (80.00%) of availability of panel umpires in the period up to 31 December 2016, our actual availability was 63.6 %.  This represents 4 games not covered in October from a total of 11 before the Xmas break.  During the pre season in late August we discovered that our nominated umpire for the ladies panel was unable to umpire this season due to ill health.  We took immediate steps to provide replacement cover.  At the UHU pre season Clubs’ Briefing we advised from the floor that players from North Down would provide cover to the panel until they passed the UHU Umpires’ Rules test.  This was accepted on the night as a solution and we were advised from the Chair that this would be favourably considered at the mid season (31 December) break when availability stats were monitored.

The UHU were unable to provide an Umpires’ Rules test until October and the two North Down players, who had otherwise intended to play during the season, passed and were added to the panel.  At an umpires’ meeting, North Down offered to make up for the shortfall in October by making both of North Down’s new panel umpires available from November to provide double coverage.

North Down members should know that the UHU are prepared to fine clubs at every step in the processes of club administration for offences such as registration irregularities, incorrect completion or submission of match cards, late submission of results etc etc etc whilst at the same time ignoring emails sent to UHU on such topics.  It should be noted that we were first advised of the above fine when we actually directly received from UHU the notification of the £100 fine imposed on Kilkeel Mens Hockey Club in mistake for the North Down notification!!