Instructions
1. Postponement of Fixtures due to weather
The following procedures must be followed.
1.1. If a fixture is in doubt due to the pitch being unplayable because of bad weather or the forecast of bad weather, the visiting team must be informed as soon as practicable. A suitably accredited RFU Referee (not a person, whether a Referee or not, who regularly acts as a Clubs’ 4th Official or who is a member of the home club) must confirm the postponement after an inspection of the match pitch. Such a pitch inspection by an independent Referee must take place before the time the visiting team intend to travel to fulfil the fixture.
1.2 If the inspecting Referee deems the pitch unplayable and/or likely to be unplayable the home club must act on that judgement and immediately postpone the fixture. If the inspecting Referee deems the pitch playable and/or likely to be playable the home club must act on that judgement and notify the visiting team and NCA Secretary accordingly.
1.3 If this procedure is not followed and the fixture is postponed, because the pitch is unplayable, after the visiting team have travelled to fulfil the fixture the home club will be responsible for the costs of travel and accommodation incurred by the visiting team. Such costs will be payable by the home club within 28 days from receipt of the relevant invoice and supporting copy invoices from the visiting team.
1.4 When a late decision (i.e. within 3 hours of kick-off) as to the fitness of the pitch for playing a match is necessary, the decision shall be made by the captains of the teams involved. If the captains are not able to agree, the decision as to the fitness of the pitch should be made by the appointed Referee in accordance with Clause 13.6.6 (b) (iv) of the Principal Regulations. If the match is postponed the home club must notify the NCA Secretary immediately or as soon as possible of the decision to postpone. If the Referee declines or fails to make a decision, and the captains disagree about the fitness of the pitch, the match shall be immediately postponed and the circumstances notified to the NCA Secretary immediately or as soon as possible of the decision to postpone. Any club failing to comply with this regulation will be subject to a sanction. These sanctions will include a financial penalty of £50.00 on the first occasion and £100.00 for each occasion thereafter during that season.
1.5 When the decision to postpone is made at any time on the day preceding the match, the home Club must immediately inform the, the NCA Secretary and the match officials as well as the visiting team. If after 5pm on the day preceding the match, the home Club must immediately notify the visiting team, the NCA Secretary and the match officials.
1.6 A postponed match must be re-arranged for the next available weekend (as the same is defined in the Principal Regulations). The NCA Secretary will notify each club of the date on which the match is to be played.
1.7 If the game is postponed for any reason other than the weather, the home Club must follow the procedure outlined in 1.5 and 1.7 above. If a Club postpones any match, for any reason other than the weather, without prior approval by NCA it will be deducted such number of League points as the NCA deems appropriate (subject to the appeals procedure set out in the Principal Regulations and summarised in Paragraph 8 below) and any other sanction which NCA deems appropriate. In addition at the NCA’s discretion the match will be re-arranged in accordance with 1.6 above.
Advisory Note
Clubs are advised to keep in touch with their opposition to keep them informed of the general ground conditions. Home clubs cannot postpone matches until the pitch has been inspected by an accredited referee which should not be until 12 noon on the Friday before the game. To avoid unnecessary travel costs the home club should find out what time their opposition intend to travel and if appropriate have an inspection before this, in order that clubs can cancel their transport without incurring costs