NCRHA Rule of the Week - Uniforms

The uniform issue has been addressed many times, both formally and informally by regional directors and by the NCRHA in communication to teams and website articles. However, it seems it needs to be focused on again, in order to assure that teams are using the correct uniforms to avoid the need to have teams punished during national events. These rules MUST be adhered to, with potential penalties being that anyone who is violating these rules not being eligible to play. Rule 300: Uniforms ? Specific All players participating in NCRHA games must be uniformly dressed. (a) All teams competing in ALL Divisions shall have (2) sets of aesthetically matching long-sleeve jerseys of contrasting colors with the same numbers on both sets. These will be referred to as Home Jerseys and Away Jerseys. (1) Aesthetically matching jerseys shall be defined as identical in color, style, theme, and logo. (2) It is recommended that jerseys display their school name, logo, or mascot as the predominant image. (c) All teams competing in Division I and Division II shall have full-length roller hockey pants of the same predominant color. Matching roller hockey pants are suggested. (1) Predominant color shall be defined as the recognizably dominant color of more than 50% of the pant. (2) Goaltenders are not required to wear full-length roller hockey pants. Note: This is not the complete Rule 300. Rule 300 is not difficult to understand. All teams who are competing must have a light and dark jersey and pants with the same predominant color. It is easy to get a team set of pants, but if you do not, at least have mostly matching pants. Offending players will likely not be allowed to participate. Understand also that the jerseys must match exactly. If you got patches on your shoulders last season, make sure your new jerseys have the same patches on the shoulders. If your road jerseys had white numbers last year, make sure the new ones you order for new players this year don?t have green numbers. These jerseys must match EXACTLY to avoid violating this rule. Rule 301: Uniform Logos (a) It is recommended that teams display their school name, logo, or mascot upon the front of their jerseys. (b) Such branding shall be the predominant image of a team?s uniform. (c) A team?s uniform or any item of apparel (e.g. jersey, pants, or helmet) may not contain any aftermarket industry brandings, sponsor names, logos, or patches unless league approved. Sponsorship branding is not permitted. (d) On team jerseys, all manufacturers? branding must be contained within a geometrical figure that does not exceed 16 square inches. The jersey may contain more than one manufacturer?s or designer?s logo or trademark provided the total of measurement does not exceed 16 square inches. (e) There shall be no size restriction on manufacturer?s branding on roller hockey pants. (f) Grandfather Clause: Rule 301 was put into effect September 1, 2003 with the commencement of the 2003-2004 NCRHA season. A roster is maintained by the NCRHA listing the specific teams whose jerseys, prior to this date, are permissible for participation in the NCRHA. Teams will only be allowed to remain on this roster until whichever shall occur first: (1) The team updates their jerseys, or (2) Jerseys are out of print and no longer available, or (3) September 1, 2006 (3 years). All teams not appearing on this roster are subject to the provisions of Rule 301. Further, teams must follow the guidelines of the NCRHA for having their jerseys approved. Rule 301 is a rule that everyone needs to know well. If you buy new jerseys this year, the total of all manufacturer logos must be kept less than 16 square inches. This is not that easy of a thing to do, and many schools may be in violation of this rule. For example if you have a manufacturer?s name on both sleeves of a jersey that measure 1? by 8? or 2? by 4?, you would be on the edge of having an illegal jersey. Sometimes, logos on the shoulders of a jersey will be approximately 2 by 4, and to have that plus the company name would break this rule. If you are in violation, contact your regional director as soon as possible to find out what you should do. And if you will be purchasing new uniforms at some point during the season, make sure you adhere to these rules. It?s also important to note the grandfather clause, which points out that if your jerseys were already violating this rule last season, and you didn?t purchase new ones, you have plenty of time to correct that. If you have any questions or comments, contact your league director, or download the rulebook at www.NCRHA.org.