HKHAMS 15-16 Circular No. 4 - Men's Winter League 2015-2016 League structure and format
Dear Convenors,
At the MS Committee Meeting held on July 16, the MS Committee has discussed and approved the league structure, format and related matters for Season 2015/16. During the discussion, the MS Committee had taken into account the views and feedback given by clubs earlier.
The purpose of this Circular is to draw your attention of the changes to be made. Please ensure the team captains and players of your clubs are aware of the changes. Details of the changes to be made are summarised as follows.
League structure
|
Men's Winter League Structure 2015/2016 |
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|
Premier Div |
Division 1 |
Division 2 |
Division 3 |
Division 4 |
Division 5 |
Division 6 |
Vet Division |
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|
1 |
SSSC A |
1 |
SSSC B |
1 |
144U A |
1 |
HKCC C |
1 |
RHOBA B |
1 |
Dragons C |
1 |
HKCC D |
1 |
HKCC Vets A |
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|
2 |
Khalsa A |
2 |
NBC A |
2 |
Elite A |
2 |
144U B |
2 |
Aquila C |
2 |
Recreio E |
2 |
Antlers B |
2 |
Valley Vets A |
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|
3 |
Punjab A |
3 |
HKFC C |
3 |
Valley C |
3 |
Valley D |
3 |
Recreio C |
3 |
Scorpion A |
3 |
KCC D |
3 |
Shaheen Vets A |
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|
4 |
HKFC A |
4 |
Valley B |
4 |
Recreio B |
4 |
DBS |
4 |
Elite B |
4 |
Police A |
4 |
Elite C |
4 |
KCC Vets A |
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|
5 |
Valley A |
5 |
HKCC B |
5 |
HKFC E |
5 |
HKFC F |
5 |
Dutch B |
5 |
NBC B |
5 |
Elite D |
5 |
KNS Vets A |
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|
6 |
KNS A |
6 |
Khalsa B |
6 |
Recreio A |
6 |
Punjab B |
6 |
Skyers B |
6 |
Khalsa D |
6 |
HKU B |
6 |
HKFC Vets A |
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|
7 |
Shaheen A |
7 |
Dutch A |
7 |
KCC C |
7 |
HKFC G |
7 |
KNS C |
7 |
HKFC H |
7 |
Marvellin A |
7 |
Pak Vet A |
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|
8 |
HKFC B |
8 |
KCC B |
8 |
Dragons A |
8 |
Skyers A |
8 |
Valley E |
8 |
Recreio D |
8 |
HKU C |
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|
9 |
HKCC A |
9 |
Shaheen B |
9 |
Khalsa C |
9 |
Shaheen C |
9 |
Rhino A |
9 |
Skyers C |
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|
10 |
KCC A |
10 |
Aquila A |
10 |
Pak B |
10 |
IUHK |
10 |
Aquila B |
10 |
Shaheen D |
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|
11 |
Pak A |
11 |
RHOBA A |
11 |
SSSC C |
11 |
Dragons B |
11 |
RHOBA C |
11 |
KNS D |
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|
12 |
HKU A |
12 |
HKFC D |
12 |
KNS B |
12 |
IAM A |
12 |
Scorpion B |
12 |
Antlers A |
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Please note that:
(a) there are 3 new teams joining the league (IAM A, Marcellin A, HKU C) against 4 withdrawals (Rhino B, 2 teams of Elite, and 144U C). The new teams will play in D-6, except IAM A, which will play at D-3. MS committee has taken into consideration of the balance of the league structure, the level of skill and experience of the new team in our decision.
(b) since SSSC B and NBA A have both declined an invitation to join the Premier Division, HKU A has been invited by MS to join the Premier Division to replace Rhino A. It is noted from the joint letter of application from Rhino A's current players will join HKU A and that Rhino B will be renamed as Rhino;
(c) in order to maintain 12 teams in each division as far as possible, some of the teams that should have been relegated are being invited to play in their current divisions; and
(d)t here will be eight teams in the Veterans Division. A separate circular regarding team and player registration for Veterans teams will be sent shortly.
League Format
After taking into account the feedback and comments given by club on the matter, the MS Committee agreed and approved the following league format for Season 2015-16:
(a) Premier division: round-the-robin for the first round (i.e. each team to play 11 matches). Teams would then be divided into two groups. Top 6 teams in Group A and the rest in Group B. Two more rounds of round-the-robin will be played at each of the groups, with points and goal records carried from first round. The total number of games to be played by each team is 21.
(b) For D1 to D5: two rounds of round-the-robin matches. Total 22 league matches for each team.
(c) For D6: 3 full rounds of round-the-robin matches among the 8 teams. Total 21 league matches for each team.
(d) For Vets Division: format to be finalized and teams will be informed in due course.
No-match day request
The above mentioned league format will significantly increase the number of league matches, there will not be too much room for game re-scheduling. As such, the MS Committee has agreed that in the coming season:
(a) only 1 no-match day request will be accepted for each team. Further request(s) will only be entertained on a best effort basis. Please consult your teams and submit the no-match day request to the HKHA Office on or before July 28;
(b) late request made after July 28 might not be accepted or entertained;
(c) request for rescheduling of matches due to players shortage will only be considered under special situations. The MS Committee will consider on a case-by-case basis. An example of special situations is that if significant number of players are public officers and are required to perform urgent public duties;
(d) all matches postponed due to weather or pitch problems will be rescheduled.
Cup tournament format
The MS Committee has also agreed to put on trial a new cup match format for the coming season pitch-slots in order to cater for the increased number of league matches.
(a) Holland Cup: after first round of the Premier League, teams in Group A will enter the Holland Cup directly. Top 2 teams in the Group B based on the results of the third round matches, will also enter the Holland Cup. These eight teams will play knock-out matches.
(b) HKHA Cup: teams in D1 and D2 will be divided into 2 groups each for the HKHA Cup Tournament by drawing at the Conveners' Meeting on Aug 18. The results of the second round will be used to decide the final standing of each group. Only the top 2 teams in each of the 4 groups will enter the knock-out stage of the HKHA cup tournament. Top 2 teams of Group A in Division 1 will play against the top 2 teams of Group A in Division 2; and top 2 teams of Group B in Division 1 will play against the top 2 teams of Group B in Division 2. The higher ranked team in each group will play against the lowered ranked teams in the other group.
(c) HKHA Plate: Similar format as HKHA Cup will be adopted.
(d) HKHA Bowl: teams in D5 and D6 will be divided into 2 groups by drawing at the Conveners' meeting on Aug 18. The results of the second round will be used to decide the final standing of each group. Top 3 teams in Group A and B of D-5 and top ranked teams of Group A and B in D-6 will enter the knock-stage (last 8). At the quarter finals, the top ranked team of Group A and Group B in D-5 will play against the top ranked team of Group A and Group B in D-6 respectively. The second ranked team of Group A in D5 will play against the third ranked team of Group B in D5, and vice versa.
(e) There will be no seeded team in cup tournament.
The above new measures will be reviewed by the end of the coming season.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to write to us.
Regards,
Tony NG
Hon Secretary
The HKHAMS