CUP OF HONOUR U15 BOYS' & GIRLS' WATER POLO TOURNAMENT RULES

1. Decisions made by the tournament director during the tournament will be final and binding.

2. This is a school tournament, Cup of Honour is strict that no foul or aggressive language will be tolerated from any players, coaches, managers, or spectators. Red cards issued for inappropriate speech or behaviour will result in the guilty person being asked to leave the pool area and receive a one match suspension – this will be in the team's next game after the incident. A coach or manager that receives a red card will be suspended for their team’s next game.

3. All visitors are to note that the right of admission onto the schools premises is reserved.

4. No players, parents or spectators are allowed to approach or submit complaints to the Tournament Director or a match referee. Official complaints will only be considered from an official team coach or manager via the Tournament Director.

5. Only players eligible for this age group may participate in this tournament.

6. Tournament referees will be provided and the decisions of the match referees are final.

7. Time-outs will only be allowed in Cup Semifinals and Finals. Each team will receive one time out.

8. Waterfall Pool 1 will be situated at the furthest side opposite the main pool centre entrance. Waterfall Pool 2 will be situated at the closest side to pool centre entrance.

9. Waterfall: White caps are to start on the side closest to main grand stand.

Helderfontein: White caps are to start on the side closest to the action multi-surface.

Tournament and FINA Rules Applied (NEW)

1. Cup of Honour tournament rules will apply first, after which all Fina rules apply.

2. Boys teams entered will be split into four pools of five teams. Girls teams entered will be split into two pools of six teams. The decision of the pool allocations will be done at the discretion of the Sport & Beyond Team and the Tournament Director.

3. BOYS: Upon completion of the round robin pool matches, the top teams from each pool will advance straight to the quarterfinals and play for positions 1st-8th. Position 2nd and 3rd in each pool will enter into cross pool playoffs to qualify for quarterfinals. Remaining bottom place teams will enter straight into Shield section.

4. GIRLS: Upon completion of the round robin pool matches, the top teams from each pool will advance straight to the semifinals and play for positions 1st-4th. Position 2nd and 3rd in each pool will enter into cross pool playoffs to qualify for semifinals. Remaining bottom place teams will enter straight into playoffs for positions 5th-12th.

5. All matches will start on time according to the times listed on the fixture sheet unless otherwise determined by the Tournament Director. A contravention of this rule will result in the late team forfeiting the match.

6. The duration of all pool matches will be 4x6 minute running time with 2 minute breaks between each chukka. Teams must change sides of the pool at half time. If there are delays to fixtures due to events out of our control, duration of games and breaks can be adjusted at the discretion of the tournament director.

7. In the round robin pool matches, points will be awarded as follows:

3 points for a win

1 point for a draw

0 points for a loss

8. Positions after the group matches have been completed will be determined in the following order:

· Team with the highest points

· In the event of a tie, positioning will be determined using the Fina Bylaw BL 9.6.3

9. If any playoff match (including the final) ends in a draw, there will be no extra time. An immediate penalty shoot-out consisting of the best of three shots per team will determine the winner. If both teams are still tied after three shots, sudden death will apply.

10. Coaches, managers and reserves are to be situated on the corners opposite the table. If one of your players is excluded during the match, she is to serve her exclusion in your corner opposite the table.

11. A Red Card for Misconduct - the punishment of the exclusion from the remainder of the game shall be deemed sufficient. [Please see our tournament rule regarding this]

12. A Red Card for Brutality - any player excluded for brutality will be suspended for a minimum of one match and will be required to appear before a disciplinary committee immediately.

FINA BY LAWS: BL 9.6.3 Tie Breaking

BL 9.6.3.1 If two (2) teams shall have equal points, further classification shall be established as follows:

BL 9.6.3.1.1 The team winning the game between them shall be placed higher.

BL 9.6.3.1.2 If the game between them was tied, then the results against the highest placed team(s) in the group shall be considered.

BL 9.6.3.1.3 The first comparison shall be based on goal difference, and if still tied, then based on goals scored.

BL 9.6.3.1.4 The comparison shall be made first compared to the highest placed team (or teams, if tied) in the group.

BL 9.6.3.1.5 If still tied, the results against the next highest placed team (or teams, if tied) shall be used in succession until all results have been considered.

BL 9.6.3.1.6 If still tied, the teams shall shoot penalty shots to determine which team shall be placed higher. Each team shall nominate five (5) players and a goalkeeper who will participate in the penalty shoot-out. The team shall shoot five (5) penalty shots at the goal of the other team, alternating shots. If

a tie exists after each team has taken five (5) shots, then teams shall take sets of alternate shots until one team scores and the other does not. The procedure shall be conducted following the final game of the round or at the first practical opportunity.

BL 9.6.3.1.7 If there is more than one tie in a group, the highest placed tie shall be determined first.

BL 9.6.3.1.8 If it is the situation where there is more than one tie in a group and it is not possible to determine the highest placed team then all results within the group shall be used to determine the highest placed team.

BL 9.6.3.2 If three (3) or more teams shall have equal points, further classification shall be established as follows:

BL 9.6.3.2.1 The results among the tied teams shall determine which team is placed highest.

BL 9.6.3.2.2 If, at any time during the application of the procedure set out in this BL 9.6.3.2, the number of tied teams is reduced to two (2), then BL 9.6.3.1 shall be used to determine which of the two (2) remaining teams is placed higher.

BL 9.6.3.2.3 The comparison shall be made first, upon the points of the games among the tied teams, second, the goal difference, and third, based upon goals scored.

BL 9.6.3.2.4 If still tied, the games played against the highest placed team (or teams, if tied) shall be considered.

BL 9.6.3.2.5 The first comparison shall be based on goal difference, and if still tied, then based on goals scored.

BL 9.6.3.2.6 If still tied, the results against the next highest placed team (or teams, if tied) shall be used in succession until all results have been considered.

BL 9.6.3.2.7 If still tied, the teams shall shoot penalty shots to determine which team shall be placed highest. Each team shall nominate five (5) players and a goalkeeper who will participate in the penalty shoot-out. Each team shall shoot five (5) penalty shots at its opponent’s goal in alternate succession. The first team shall take its first penalty shot and then each other team shall take its first penalty shot, etc. If a tie shall exist after that procedure, the teams shall then take sets of alternate shots until one team misses and the other(s) score. The procedure shall be conducted following the final game of the round or at the first practical opportunity.

BL 9.6.3.2.8 If there is more than one tie in a group, the highest placed tie shall be determined first.

BL 9.6.3.3 For the purpose of calculating either goal difference or goals scored, the goals in any penalty shoot-out will not be taken into consideration.

Although we expect players to strive to win & play their best, we also recognize that the game develops players' individual skills and participation should be an enjoyable experience for everyone.

In line with this, all spectators are kindly requested to:

• Refrain from using bad language and/or rude or aggressive behaviour.
• Respect the decisions made by match officials.
• Recognize that players are aware of verbal and emotional abuse and that it can, and does, affect their level of play.
• Acknowledge good performances by players in both teams, irrespective of the team you are supporting.
• Remember that a water polo game serves as a learning experience for the players whether they win or lose. Learning to lose with dignity is an important aspect of good sportsmanship and the value of fair play.

Thank you for supporting Cup of Honour 2019 and we wish you an enjoyable experience watching water polo with us.