EAST REGION HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Chairman Appeals Panel - Report to AGM 9^th July 2009

Appeals Review 2008/2009

Since the start of the 2008/2009 season the Appeals panel have only had to meet to hear three East Appeals, (vs. 6 appeal hearings season 2007/08)

The following Appeals Panel members have made themselves available this season to hear the appeals, John Helliwell, (Chairman of Appeals panel), Ian Brown, (past Chairman of Suffolk) and Chris Hatch, (Secretary and Treasurer of Suffolk), and Peter Wright (President of Norfolk), Margaret McCall, (East Treasurer), and Derek Henley ( Herts).

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the above officials for giving up their time to consider the appeals, often at very short notice.

I would also like to thank the County Disciplinary Administrators and Mick Pullin, the East Disciplinary Administrator for their timely action of the required paperwork, allowing the Appeals Panel to meet and action the hearings on time.

All three Appeals were against Red Card decisions.

The revised Red Card and Match Day Misconduct Offence Regulations effective 1^st September 2008, allowed for a club to Appeal to the National Governing Body should they not be happy with the decision taken by the Regional Appeals Panel. One of the above appeals went to the National Appeal Panel who rejected the clubs further appeal.

This season, I am pleased to report there was a reduction in Red Cards, 45 vs. 58 in 2007/08. Let’s hope this trend continues.

John Helliwell

Appeals Chairman