Senior Handbook 2026–27.

Executive Committee 2026–27

Mission & values

The SBA is a voluntary association, responsible for administering and governing basketball at junior and senior levels within the county of Surrey, South East England. We share the same mission statement as Basketball England:

SBA values

Ethical and transparent. We must be reliable, credible, fair and trustworthy as an organisation.

Responsible. We have a responsibility to the sport, to all involved in the sport within the county, and to the promotion, development and furthering of the game at all levels.

Dedication. All involved in the SBA perform their roles to the best of their abilities with passion and drive, maintaining a professional, pro-active approach.

Rules & regulations

1. Playing season

The playing season shall be within the dates of 3 October 2026 and 31 May 2027. The cup finals will be held on 8/9 May 2027 (TBC).

2. Number of teams in a division / players in a game

The number of teams in a division will be at the discretion of the Senior Competitions Committee.

3. League points

Three points shall be awarded to the winning team and one point to the losing team. No points shall be awarded to a defaulting team.

4. Suitability of courts

All clubs are required to provide details of court address, travel directions and availability to the Competitions Secretary. The earliest tip-off time on a weekday (Monday to Friday) shall be 1915hrs and the latest tip-off time shall be 2115hrs, unless a mutually agreed time is made for both teams. The Surrey Basketball Association Committee may rule a court as unsuitable.

Teams playing home fixtures at sports centres shall be responsible for ensuring that away teams are not obliged to pay an entrance fee to the sports centre in order to fulfil fixtures. This only applies to the team and coach, not followers.

5. Non-playing regulations

• All clubs are required to pay a one-off joining fee of £50.00 to the Surrey Basketball Association as a condition of entry into the Association’s competitions, for which additional entry fees will be charged. Any unpaid fines will be deducted from this at the start of the season. The joining fee will then require ‘topping up’ prior to the start of the following season.
• Any club that withdraws from SBA competitions and subsequently re-joins will be subject to a new joining fee.
• It is a condition of entry to the Surrey League that each club must send a representative to the Annual General Meeting at the end of the season. A fine of £20 will be incurred for not doing so.

6. Player regulations

Player eligibility

a) Men’s divisions

• Any person with a foreign player’s National Basketball League licence may not play in any division of the Surrey League.
• No player with an SLB or BCB licence can play in the Surrey League.
• Teams cannot play more than two National League (Basketball England NBL) players in any one game.
• The above conditions do not apply to junior under 18 players registered to play in junior or senior leagues.
• No player may play for more than one club in the same Surrey League competition. No player may play for more than one team in the same division unless authorised by the SBA. See (f).

b) Women’s division

• Any person with a foreign player’s National League licence may not play in any division of the Surrey League.
• No player may play for more than one club in the Surrey Women’s League.
• All teams may play a maximum of two senior National Women’s (Division I and II) basketball players in any of the women’s leagues, including cup games.
• The above conditions do not apply to junior / cadet under 18 players registered to play in junior or senior leagues.

c) Cup games

For Cup (and Plate) games, only players who have played in at least one cup game may compete from the quarter-final stage onwards. Rules (a) and (b) above also apply to the Cup and Plate competitions.

d) Kit regulations

• The home team must confirm their playing colours seven days prior to the fixture. In the event of a colour clash, the away team changes.
• All teams must have two contrasting sets of kit, including shorts.
• All teams shall wear uniform (vest and shorts). Players will be asked to remove any item that is not regulation kit.
• In addition, in any competition final or semi-final event staged by the SBA, players will not be allowed on court without the correct team uniform.

e) Registration

• All clubs competing in the Surrey Basketball League must register their club and players with Basketball England via the PlayHQ platform.
• In all matches players must have a valid licence in order to play. From the first game of the season, all teams must produce participants’ licences with photos using the HoopsHQ app.

• The cut-off date for player registrations in the Surrey Senior Divisions is 31 January of that season.
• Coaches, referees and table officials should be licensed either through their club or through the Surrey Basketball Association. Coaches and officials must also have an up-to-date DBS check through Basketball England.

f) Clubs having more than one team in the league

No player may play for more than one team in the same competition. This also applies to the Cup / Plate competition.

g) Transfers

A player may transfer from one club to another only by written permission from the Surrey Executive Committee. Written intention to transfer must be received from the player and the two clubs concerned before permission can be granted. This process should be completed directly through PlayHQ.

h) Fixture dates

The schedules printed in the fixture list shall be deemed to be confirmed. Fixtures can be changed up until five days prior to the game using the change request function in PlayHQ, which must be confirmed by the opposing team. After this time, changes can only be made in exceptional circumstances and with the permission of the Competitions Secretary.

The home team must confirm the fixture, i.e. team jersey colours, tip-off time and any other information relevant to the game. This must be done with the away team no later than seven days prior to the match.

The SBA is not in favour of ‘double-header’ fixtures. These may only be played in exceptional circumstances and only with the agreement of the SBA Executive Committee. Failure to do so may invoke penalties.

i) Postponed games

The game should be re-arranged by mutual consent prior to the league closure dates, and any unplayed games by the end of the season will be subject to a fine (see rule 10).

If a game is postponed, a new date must be agreed no later than two weeks after the date the game was meant to be played. Failure to comply may lead to the match being voided and one or both teams being fined.

j) Forfeiture of points

Any team failing to appear on court within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time could be subject to a fine, as reported and at the discretion of the Surrey Basketball Association. If the match is played with a late start, the result will stand.

If the game is not played:

• The game will hopefully be re-arranged by mutual consent.
• Officials will be paid.
• The visiting team could be liable for a portion of the home team’s expenses, as decided by the SBA.
• If the game cannot be re-arranged, the home team will claim the game.
• The visiting team will forfeit league points and the SBA will decide upon invoking rule 10 (ix).
• Responsibility for playing the re-arranged game rests firmly with the visiting team.

k) Late start

Any game failing to make its scheduled tip-off time will be reported (by either team or official) to the Senior Competitions Committee, who will decide whether a fine will be levied.

l) Unplayed fixtures

See rule 10 (ix).

7. Home court duties

It is the responsibility of the home team to:

• Provide two qualified referees from the approved list of SBA referees, and to pay the appropriate fee (see below). Only experienced Level 1 referees can officiate senior games, and their co-official must be Level 2 or above.
• Provide two competent, qualified table officials.
• Provide suitable table equipment: a device for e-scoring, personal foul markers, team foul markers, directional arrow, sounding device(s) and a visual scoreboard.
• Provide a match ball.

a) E-scoring

• The PlayHQ e-scoring platform shall be used to score all games: be.score.playhq.com
• Both teams must complete their team lists on PlayHQ prior to arriving at the game. This can be done through the game day option on the website.
• The home team shall ensure that there is a suitable device which is logged in, with a session started for the scorer to use. After the game, the home team must ensure the device has been synced and the session ended.
• If for whatever reason the e-scoring system is unavailable, a handwritten scoresheet may be completed. In this instance, it will be the home team’s responsibility to input the player / team scores onto PlayHQ before sending the scoresheet to the Competitions Secretary.

b) Payment of officials

Basketball England has recommended levels of payment for officials, set out below. However, clubs are free to make their own financial arrangement with officials. Officials are to be paid prior to the start of the match.

Officials’ rates

Surrey minimum payments

Recommended non-NBL officiating rates

Below are Basketball England’s recommended rates for officiating for games that take place in local leagues, schools, colleges, universities and other affiliated competitions.

These fees are intended as a guide, and there is no responsibility for any league, association or provider to meet them. Always check with your appointing body to check the fees agreed for each game.

In addition to the recommended match fee, Basketball England suggest that relevant expenses are paid at 45p per mile or public transport cost.

Referee recommended rates 2026–27

Table official recommended rates 2026–27

Travel expenses for referees and table officials: £0.45 per mile.

8. Player disqualifications

If a player, coach or player / coach commits a disqualifying foul, s/he must leave the arena. There will be an automatic one game ban from the team’s next Surrey League game. If this ban is ignored, the team shall forfeit the game in which the ban should have been effective. This doesn’t apply to players / coaches game-disqualified as a result of two technical fouls (category 1), two flagrant fouls, or one of each.

• A full report by both referees must be sent to the Disciplinary Officer within 48 hours. A player / coach who is disqualified can neither play nor coach during the one match ban.
• Teams will receive notification of the banned player / coach or coach / player, with the restriction added on PlayHQ.
• All disqualifications must be referred to the Disciplinary Committee, where further action may be taken. All case reviews will be done on an individual basis and the club will be notified of all action to be taken and decisions made by the Disciplinary Committee. The player, coach or player / coach’s previous disciplinary record will be taken into consideration.

9. Appeals procedure

Clubs, teams or individual members have the right of appeal to the Surrey Basketball Association Committee on any fine imposed or on any decision that affects them within seven days of that fine or decision, or on any dispute considered by the Surrey Basketball Association Committee to be within the Association’s jurisdiction. Appeals received outside this timeframe will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Any appeal must be accompanied by the specified appeal fee of £50.00. On receipt of the appropriate fee, the Appeals Committee (the Surrey Basketball Association Chairperson, plus two non-involved members from the SBA Committee) will convene and review the appeal.

Should the appeal be upheld, any monies paid may be returned as the Surrey Basketball Association deems appropriate. The club, team or individual lodging the appeal shall have the right to be represented when the appeal is heard, reasonable notice having been given to the party or parties concerned.

10. Fines

The Senior Competitions Officer will notify the Fines Administrator / Treasurer of any breach of rules incurring a fine. A fine will then be issued to the clubs concerned. Fine details will be reported to the SBA Executive monthly meetings for ratification.

Fine reasons and amounts

1. Failure to supply two referees to a game (1st and 2nd occasions) – £40 per occasion.
2. On 3rd and subsequent occasions, one league point will be deducted for each occasion, including 1st and 2nd occasions.
3. Home team appointing a referee to their game who is not on the approved SBA referees list – £20 per referee, per game.
4. Ineligible and unregistered players (ringer / SLB / plays for another team) – maximum £100 fine plus loss of game.
5. Failure to provide participants’ licence cards on the HoopsHQ app – £10 per offence.
6. Incorrect team uniform – £10.
7. Failure to make scheduled tip-off time (as reported) – £10.
8. Club non-attendance at the Surrey AGM – £20.
9. Teams responsible for unplayed fixtures:
   • will incur a £50 administrative charge by the SBA, payable immediately (not at the end of the season);
   • will concede the game at a 20–0 loss;
   • may be invoiced for expenses (court, referee, travel) via the SBA from their opponents.

11. Miscellaneous

• Any other situations not covered by the Surrey Basketball rules above will be sanctioned under Basketball England rules.
• Surrey Basketball may appoint a commissioner to a game to report back to the Committee on an ad hoc basis.
• Please be advised that all players must be registered prior to their first game. Players can register themselves through PlayHQ.

Codes of conduct

Basic standards of sportspersonship, such as players shaking hands and thanking referees and table officials, are expected from all teams in the Surrey League as a matter of common courtesy. Clubs are also responsible for the conduct of their officials and supporters, who should likewise behave in a respectful manner.

Supporters must not shout obscenities to, boo or distract players from the opposing team. Failure to observe these requirements may result in disciplinary action being taken against the club and fines imposed.

Those involved in the Surrey League, in whatever capacity, must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person – player and non-player alike – and treat everyone equally within the context of the game. In particular, those involved in the league are expected to be aware of the special needs of young people and vulnerable adults, including their well-being and potential difficulties or possible abuse.

The Surrey Basketball Association is committed to achieving and maintaining the highest possible standards of behaviour and conduct at basketball games and events. Any concerns regarding a breach of the codes of conduct should be presented to the SBA Executive Committee as soon as possible after a game.

Safeguarding

Please refer to the Basketball England Safeguarding Policy for information on guidance and good practice.

Under 18s also play in senior games. For more detail on keeping young players safe, including who to contact if a child is in danger, see the safeguarding section of the Junior CVL handbook.

Tournaments & events

A very successful and well attended junior league, known as the CVL, runs throughout the playing season at various venues throughout Surrey.

The SBA is proud of its involvement in basketball throughout the county, and is always happy and willing to promote events organised by Surrey teams to encourage participation in the sport. For more information on this, please contact anyone on the Committee, who will be happy to help.

Newsletters are produced periodically to keep all those involved in the Surrey League up to date with rule changes, courses for table officials and referees, and any guest speakers that are invited to talk on topical matters.

The Annual General Meeting is held during the summer off-season – all clubs must send a representative to this meeting or else suffer a fine.

Links & appendix

• Basketball England
• Results on PlayHQ, or the HoopsHQ app

Safeguarding issue reporting form

The reporting form is on the last page of the handbook PDF, ready to print. It records:

• the date, match number, the two teams, the division (Senior Men’s or Senior Women’s) and the venue;
• the referee, umpire and commissioner;
• who observed or was informed of the safeguarding issue, and when and where;
• the nature of the issue, with as much detail on the behaviours involved as possible;
• how the situation was addressed by the person who observed or was informed of it;
• the name, signature and date of the person completing it.