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Tournament Staff Guide

Page 1: Tournament Setup & Equipment Standards

This guide outlines responsibilities and authority falling under the Event Director (ED) and event staff, distinct from on-pitch referee jurisdiction.

1. Field Setup & Verification

Tournament staff are responsible for ensuring all fields meet IQA standards before play begins. Referees verify these conditions, but the provision and correction of facilities fall to tournament staff.

Field & Pitch Requirements:

  • Dimensions: Verify pitch is 33m x 60m. Keeper zone lines are 16.5m from the endlines (13.5m from midfield). Hoops are on the endlines. (Rules 2.1.1, 2.1.3, 2.2.3)
  • Player Area: Ensure the 44m x 66m player area is clear of all non-essential obstacles (bags, water bottles, spectators). The scorekeeper's table must be outside this area. (Rule 2.1.12.B)
  • Hoop Standards:
    • Positioning: Hoops must be on the goal line at the correct spacing and orientation (short, tall, medium). (Rule 2.2.3)
    • Safety & Stability: Hoops must be freestanding and made of safe materials (no exposed hard metal/concrete posts or bases). They must pass a stability check. (Rule 2.2.1)
    • Authority: The Head Referee can disallow a dangerous hoop for a specific game, but the TD is responsible for providing compliant hoops for the event.

Tournament Staff Authority vs. Referee Jurisdiction:

  • Tournament Staff: Provide, build, and maintain all fields to spec. Correct systemic issues (e.g., all hoops are faulty, field markings are incorrect).
  • Referees: Inspect their assigned field before each game. They can delay a game due to an unsafe condition (e.g., a single broken hoop, a sprinkler head) and will report it to staff for resolution. They do not build or fix the fields.

2. Equipment Inspection & Approval Processes

The TD sets event-wide equipment policies. Referees enforce these policies on a per-game basis.

Equipment Provision & Policy:

  • Sticks: The TD must provide at least 10 equal sticks per team. The event policy, set by the TD, dictates whether teams may use their own sticks. (Rule 2.4.3)
  • Forbidden Equipment: Beyond the rulebook, the TD may ban other non-required equipment to comply with venue requirements (e.g., specific types of cleats on a turf field). This must be communicated to teams pre-event. (Rule 2.5.8)
  • Equipment Waivers: The governing league/event organization (represented by the TD) is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and approving/denying any player requests for exemptions to equipment rules (e.g., for medical or religious reasons). A log of approved waivers should be available to Head Referees. (Rule 2.5.11)

Tournament Staff Authority vs. Referee Jurisdiction:

  • Tournament Staff: Set the event's equipment policies. Manage and approve waiver requests. Provide compliant standard equipment (sticks, balls).
  • Referees: Conduct pre-game checks to ensure players' personal equipment (mouthguards, padding, jerseys) is compliant with the rulebook and any specific event policies set by the TD. They enforce the rules; they do not create them.

3. Pre-Tournament & Event-Wide Responsibilities

  • Team Staff Limits: The default number of non-playing team staffers (e.g., coaches) is three. The TD may, at their discretion, expand this limit. (Rule 1.1.2.A)
  • Coin Toss Determination: The TD may set a consistent event-wide method for determining which team calls the pre-game coin toss, overriding the default "farthest traveled" rule. (Rule 3.1.2.A.i)
  • Heat Procedure: The TD is responsible for checking the weather forecast and mandating the use of heat stoppages for all games if conditions are met per the rulebook appendix. (Rule 3.3.5)
  • Communication: All discretionary event-wide policies (e.g., expanded team staff limits, custom coin toss methods) must be communicated clearly to all participating teams well in advance of the event.

Page 2: Game Day Operations & Discretionary Authority

4. Weather & Safety Decision Authority

While referees manage game-level safety, the TD holds ultimate authority over event-wide safety and scheduling.

Suspension & Abandonment of Games:

  • Authority: The TD or Head Referee can suspend a game due to weather, field safety concerns, or other external interference. (Rule 3.7.1.A)
  • TD's Role: The decision to resume, relocate, or cancel a suspended game for the entire event falls to the TD. Referees manage the in-game suspension procedure but await direction from the TD on event logistics.
  • Abandonment: If a suspended game cannot be resumed, only the TD can declare the game "abandoned" and determine the outcome based on event policy. (Rule 3.7.3)

Tournament Staff Authority vs. Referee Jurisdiction:

  • Tournament Staff: Monitor weather for the entire venue. Make decisions to suspend or cancel all games. Manage the logistical challenges of resuming play (e.g., moving to a backup field, altering schedules).
  • Referees: Suspend a single game if a dangerous situation arises on their specific field. They do not have the authority to cancel the remainder of a game or alter the event schedule.

5. Schedule Modifications & Dispute Escalation

  • Forfeits:
    • Referees declare forfeits for in-game situations (e.g., refusal to play, not enough players).
    • The TD can declare a game forfeit for violations of league or event policy (e.g., use of an ineligible player). (Rule 3.6.1.B)
  • Schedule Changes: Only the TD has the authority to change game times, field assignments, or the overall tournament schedule.
  • Dispute Escalation:
    • Referee Jurisdiction: Disputes over the application of a rule during a game (e.g., a contact call, a goal decision). These are handled by the Head Referee and are final.
    • Tournament Staff Jurisdiction: Disputes regarding matters outside of a single game's officiating. These are escalated to the TD.

Dispute Channels:

  • On-Pitch Rule Application: Player -> Speaking Captain -> Head Referee (Decision is final).
  • Event Policy, Eligibility, or Off-Pitch Conduct: Player/Team Leadership -> Event Director.

6. Team Registration & Roster Management

  • Rosters: Event staff are responsible for collecting and verifying official team rosters before the event.
  • Player Eligibility: Tournament staff must confirm all players on a roster are eligible to compete according to league/event rules.
  • Gender Maximum Rule: The governing league/TD is responsible for granting any pre-approved exemptions to the gender maximum rule. Staff must provide a list of these exemptions to all Head Referees. (Rule 1.2.3.A.i)

7. Event Logistics & Discretionary Authority

The following logistical decisions fall under the authority of the Event Director:

  • Benches & Coaching Areas: TDs can elect to expand the size of team benches for all fields at the event. (Rule 2.1.8.A)
  • Staff Access: The TD determines which event staff members are given access to the player area. (Rule 2.1.12.C.iii)
  • Scoresheet Certification: While referees and captains sign the scoresheet to confirm the score, the TD is responsible for collecting, auditing, and archiving these official documents.
  • Incident Reporting: The TD is the recipient of all formal incident reports from Head Referees (e.g., for red cards or serious injuries). The TD is then responsible for convening any necessary disciplinary committees and determining further sanctions, such as multi-game suspensions, that apply beyond the initial game ejection.