League Committee - Summary
Control of League & Rules
- The control of the League shall be vested in the central League Committee ('the Committee') which may delegate powers to league area secretaries ('relevant secretaries').
- The League Committee shall consist of one member appointed by each of the eight southern counties and by the Southern Counties Hockey Umpires Association and such committee shall at its first meeting after the end of every season appoint its officers, being a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Press Officer, together with a representative to Southern Counties Hockey Association and secretaries for each division. Five members present shall form a quorum.
- Such members including the appointed members shall have equal votes of those being present with the Chairman if necessary having a casting vote.
- The Committee shall meet at least five times a year, normally the second Monday in every other month from January. Secretaries of County Open Leagues shall be invited to committee meetings.
- Changes to the rules may be made by the Committee and normally only between League seasons and with notice to participating teams.
1972-73 The League is formed with separate divisions (10 teams) for each of the South Counties, Kent, Hampshire,
Middlesex, Surrey and Sussex and combined divisions for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
1973-74 Regional divisions added - Hampshire & Surrey, Kent & Sussex and Middlesex, Berkshire,
Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire - with promotion from County to Regional.
1975-76 Regional and County Divisions increased to 12 teams.
1977-78 Regional and County Divisions increased to 14 teams.
1983-84 Premier division added - formed of the top 16 teams from the three Regional divisions,
thus completing the pyramid. Regional and County Divisions increased to 16 teams.
1988-89 National League formed - top six Premier teams join. 2nd XI League started - for 2nd XI
teams of South Clubs whose 1st XI play in the National League or South 1st XI Premier.
1990-91 3rd XI League started - for 3rd XI teams of Clubs whose 1st XI team plays in the National
League or South 1st XI Premier. 2nd XI League extended to Regional and County divisions for 2nd XI teams
of South Clubs whose 1st XI play in the National League or South Hockey League.
1991-92 1st XI Premier and 1st XI Regional Divisions increased to 18 teams.
1992-93 Promotion to National League reduced to the five Regions [East, Midlands, North, South and
West] 1st XI Champions - parallel 1st XI Premier Divisions to accomodate transfer of 1st XI teams from
London League.
1993-94 3rd XI League becomes Open to 3rd XI and lower teams of Clubs whose 2nd XI team plays in the
South Hockey League. Promotion to the Regional divisions is by agreement of the respective County Open
Leagues. 1st XI Premier and 1st XI Regional Divisions increased to 20 teams.
1999-00 12 team divisions playing home and away fixtures adopted.
2004-05 Open League is formed by the merger of the 2nd XI and Open [3rd XI] League pyramids.
Promotion to the County divisions from the respective County Open Leagues.
2009-10 Open League structure is extended with the merger of the 1st XI and Open Leagues into a
single pyramid. Promotion to County divisions from the respective County Open Leagues.
2019-20 Premier Division 1 open to 2nd XIs providing 2nd XIs a pathway to the National League.