1. BUCS Fixtures 2014

2. What is BUCS?
British Universities & Colleges Sport is the national governing body for sport in higher education.
They organise weekly fixtures between universities for 17 sports.
They also look team & individual championships for over 40 sports and govern sport in the higher education sector.
We look after around 400 fixtures – but we also need your help to make them run smoothly.
Michelle is the Fixtures Co-ordinator for Stafford, whilst Lindsay looks after the Stoke teams.
You need to be organised – otherwise you could be penalised.

3. How does BUCS work?
Leagues are split into 5 Conferences, defined by regions.
There are also two Premier Leagues above.
There are multiple leagues from Tier 2 and below.
Teams are promoted & relegated at end of the season.
Leagues are ideally 6 teams, creating 10 fixtures
There is also a knockout competition held through the season.

4. What does the Activities Team do?
The initial part of fixtures work is done by the Activities Team. This includes:
Planning the schedule of fixtures for the year
Contacting the oppositions to confirm start times, venues and kit colours.
Booking home match facilities and setting start times.
Checking pitch conditions.
Rearranging fixtures that are postponed.

5. What do you need to do for all Fixtures?
There are some responsibilities you will need to take on for all fixtures:
Arranging team selection and submitting a team sheet.
Checking the opposition kit colours through the BUCS website.
Taking a first aid kit, Playing Under Protest Form and emergency procedure, BUCS Score Card.
Making sure you let us know if you need to postpone a fixture.
Reporting your results by 10am the next day by completion of a BUCS Score Card

6. What do you need to do? (Home/Away Fixtures)
There are some responsibilities you will need to take on for home fixtures:
Booking the correct number and level of officials.
Meeting and greeting match officials and opponents.
Paying for officials – then claim this back using a claim form and a completed BUCS Score Card
There are some responsibilities you will need to take for away fixtures:
Arranging your transport to the fixture.
Planning your journey – and communicating that to the team.
Completing a Passenger List and submitting with team sheet by 11am day of fixture.
For transport – if hiring vehicles let Michelle know by Thurs 12pm the week before, and Lindsay by 12pm Fri the week before LATEST!

7. BUCS Rules & Regulations
Matches aren’t just governed by your sport’s rules. There are also regulations from BUCS.
All players must be university students!!!
Teams should be selected as if all teams are playing.
Some officials need to be neutral, some do not.
However, officials’ decisions are final.
Fixtures cannot begin before 1pm (except Tennis & Am Football).
The home team is responsible for changing kit if there is a clash.
All fixtures need to be completed by end of March with the exception of some sports – check with activities team.
There are also BUCS Sport Specific regulations.

8. All fixture information can be found online at www.bucs.org.uk
Fixture Confirmation
All fixture information can be found online at
Final confirmation for all fixtures is 48 hours before the start.
Therefore a match on Weds 16th October at 2pm will have final confirmation on Mon 14th October at 2pm.
Before this date, we may be able to make changes to the fixture if the opposition agrees to move the fixture.
The earlier you let us know about a problem, the sooner we can try and change the fixture.
If a change happens within the 48hr period, we will contact you directly.

9. Transport to fixtures
Booking transport to fixtures must be done by the Thursday before the match.
It is far easier to cancel transport than to try and book it last minute.
Think logically according to your budget and where you’re going:
If you’re using your own cars, we reimburse fuel at 24p/mile.
Booking a car will cost approx £80 + fuel costs.
Ordering a coach will cost at least £300.
We will you confirmation of your transport once it has been booked.
We will not contact you if we have not heard from you by Thursday, and cannot guarantee you will be able to book anything!!!

10. We need to know who’s playing in your team.
Team Selection
We need to know who’s playing in your team.
All players must be Staffs Uni students and members of your club.
Teams must be selected as if all teams are playing.
The First team should have priority in fielding a team: best players should be in your first team.
Because of these rules, we need a Team Sheet for each fixture.
We need them by 11am on the day of your fixture, either dropped off in person or sent via .

11. Submitting Results
It’s your responsibility to tell us the result of your match – we need to know by 10am the following day.
Home institutions input the result – please check it is correct.
This is also used as a receipt for your official(s)

12. What if there’s a problem?
If you think there’s a problem before a fixture – let your BUCS Co-ordinator know as soon as possible!
Before a fixture, we have until 48 hours before the match to try to rearrange it.
Come in and speak to us and we will try to resolve the matter.
If we can’t rearrange / solve the problem, the fixture will stand and you will be expected to play.
If you still cannot play, then you will face a walkover:
A three point deduction
A fine
A discussion with Student Activities

13. What if there’s a problem?
If you think there’s a problem on the way to a fixture – let your BUCS Co-ordinator know as soon as possible!
It is your responsibility to get to a fixture on time.
Ring Student Activities: or or mobile so we can let the opposition know.
If the opposition can’t fit the fixture in, you will face a walkover.
Check the rules – most sports can play a reduced fixture but agree with the opposition in writing when you arrived.
In major situations (eg motorway closure that you’re stuck in), it may be possible to rearrange the fixture but don’t rely on it

14. What if there’s a problem?
If you think there’s a problem at your fixture – let your BUCS Co-ordinator know as soon as possible!
If you believe a BUCS rule is being broken, contact Student Activities: or or mobile
Fill out a Playing Under Protest form before the second half starts: if you have forgotten the form, get it in writing with signatures!
The opposition cannot refuse to sign the form – it is an acknowledgement of the form, not an admission of guilt.
Return the form to your co-ordinator by 10am the next day.
We will then contact the opposition co-ordinator and try to resolve the situation without BUCS Head Office involvement.
Only if the regulation has affected the outcome of the match will the protest go ahead.
It’s worth taking a ‘Playing Under protest form’ with you to all games.

15. Most BUCS fixtures start mid October:
What you need to do now
Most BUCS fixtures start mid October:
Have a look at your fixtures and identify any problems now – on BUCS around mid to end August – these fixtures are subject throughout the year!!!
Check the BUCS rules –
Work out how you’re getting to matches – do you need to:
Register your own / teammates’ cars?
Put yourself / teammates on our insurance?
Book transport for games?
Start to think about officials – who do you need to get?
Make sure students sign up to your club – remember the deadline is Sunday 12th October 23:59pm!