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Sport Specific Affiliations
Sections 1 and 2 include affiliations, memberships, ranking lists and other requirements that MUST be undertaken to compete in the BUCS 2019-20 season, and as a result, carry sanctions if not completed by the published deadlines.
Section 3 includes affiliations/registrations/memberships that BUCS believes are valuable for members to undertake. These do not carry any sanctions but may still be a compulsory requirement. Please read the details associated with each one for further detail.
This year, team ranking lists are no longer online as a submission form and can be completed directly on BUCS Play. If you do need help with completing the ranking lists, check out the guidelines.
Deadlines for the 2019-20 season will ONLY be listed below, not on the sport specific pages or in the rules and regulations. You can also download all affiliation information here:
Please note that this information is subject to change. Should any updates be required then the document will be re-published, and institutions will be notified via BUCS Essentials.
Have any further questions? Please don't hesitate to contact us.
1: BUCS Team Championships (Leagues and Knockouts)
American Football
Requirement
Club Affiliation (including players)
All institutions/Playing Entities must affiliate with the British American Football Association (BAFA) via BUCS.
How
In a change to the previous process, institutions will now affiliate with BAFA via BUCS. BUCS will issue institutions/Playing Entities with the relevant membership package information.
Following the first two rounds of the season, BUCS will use the player roster information on BUCS Play to calculate each institution/Playing Entity’s annual BAFA affiliation fee. The affiliation fee is £20 per player.
Institutions will be invoiced by BUCS and given a 28-day payment period.
BUCS will repeat this process once the league season deadline has passed. Any extra players recruited during the season will then be accounted for.
Coaching staff will continue to purchase membership through BAFA’s registration system.
Deadline
Payment expected within 28 days of receipt of affiliation invoice issued by BUCS.
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until completed.
Badminton
Requirement
Premier Tier Player Ranking List
All institutions/Playing Entities with teams in Premier Tier leagues must submit the names of four players who are unable to play below the first team at any stage of the season as per BAD 7.
How
The Excel template can be downloaded here and should be e-mailed to info@bucs.org.uk.
Deadline
Tuesday 1 October 2019
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until completed.
Basketball
Requirement
Club Affiliation (including teams) and Licencing of Players
All institutions/Playing Entities must affiliate to their respective National Governing Body (NGB).
All players competing in the BUCS Leagues must hold a valid licence issued via the relevant NGB. Players must be able to present their individual licence at each fixture should they be requested to do so.
How
English Institutions/Playing Entities
Basketball England (BE) requires all clubs to affiliate at a cost of £60. Once the club affiliation has been completed and the fee paid, individual players can then register at a cost of £15.
BE have changed the way players, coaches, officials and bench personnel register. All members will register and licence themselves through the membership portal. It is no longer club administrators doing this on their behalf.
To affiliate/register visit the membership portal.
The BUCS administrator and player/coach step-by-step guides will help you through the registration process.
This year, BE will be using an online only license card system. This means there will not be printed licence cards to be posted and presented at games. It is all online and can be displayed on a smart phone or tablet to the table officials, showing a copy of each licence.
If you have any queries regarding the process, please contact Basketball England.
Scottish Institutions/Playing Entities
Basketball Scotland requires all clubs to affiliate at a cost of £75. Once the club affiliation has been completed and the fee paid, individual players can then register.
All members will register and licence themselves through the membership portal.
To affiliate/register visit the membership portal. New clubs should register here.
Welsh Institutions/Playing Entities
Basketball Wales (BW) requires all clubs to affiliate at a cost of £30. Once the club affiliation has been completed and the fee paid, individual players can then register.
BW have changed the way players, coaches, officials and bench personnel register. All registrations will be done online via their registration portal.
To affiliate/register visit the registration portal.
Once payment has been made online and received, licences will be distributed. All Basketball Wales referees are instructed to check licences prior to all matches in Wales.
If you have any queries regarding the process, please contact Basketball Wales.
Deadline
Prior to their first BUCS fixture, each team and all players playing in the fixture must comply with the requirements outlined.
New players added or selected to play later in the season, must hold a valid licence before playing in a BUCS fixture.
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the first fixture. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until the affiliation is complete.
For subsequent fixtures, a fine of £100 will be levied if a team is found to field new players without a valid licence.
Cricket
Requirement
MCCU Player Registration
Each of the MCCU teams must supply BUCS with the names of three players, who, as their better players, will not be permitted to play at a level below that of the joint MCCU team regardless of circumstance.
How
The online submission form will be available on the BUCS website from January 2020.
Deadline
Two days before the first round of fixtures – exact date to be confirmed January 2020.
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until completed.
Equestrian
Equestrian 1
Requirement
Rider List
All institutions/Playing Entities must submit team lists of their riders, providing 4-5 names per team, from which any rider listed may not compete below the team they are listed for during any stage of the competition (Mini Leagues, Regional Rounds and National Finals), as well as any further riders in their club which may be required to ride if those listed for specific teams are not available as per EQU 3.3.
How
To be submitted online here.
Deadline
Monday 28 October 2019
Sanction
£250 fine if not submitted prior to the deadline.
Equestrian 2
Requirement
Submission of Mini League Match Dates and Venues
All institutions/Playing Entities must confirm all home match dates and venues to BUCS as per EQU 4.3.3.
Date of league matches submitted online to BUCS.
How
To be submitted online here.
Deadline
Friday 11 October 2019
Sanction
£100 fine if not submitted prior the deadline.
Equestrian 3
Requirement
Submission of Mini League Match Scoresheet
Each home team’s Athletic Union is responsible for completing and submitting via e-mail to info@bucs.org.uk and all opposition Athletic Unions within the league the full Excel scoresheet for each match by the end of the relevant hosting window.
NB: If hosting on the last day of a window there will be an additional 24 hour allowance to submit the scoresheet.
How
The Excel scoresheet template can be downloaded here and should be e-mailed to info@bucs.org.uk and all opposition Athletic Unions within the league.
Deadlines
1st Hosting Window: 29 November 2019
2nd Hosting Window: 19 January 2020
3rd Hosting Window: 21 February 2020
4th Hosting Window: 20 March 2020
Sanction
£100 fine if not submitted prior the deadline.
Fencing
Requirement
British Fencing Membership
British Fencing memberships are required by all competitors; FIE Licences will not be accepted. For the Team Championships all competitors require a minimum of ‘Recreational’ membership.
NB: ‘Starter’ memberships are classed at the ‘Recreational’ level.
How
Memberships should be purchased here.
Deadline
Prior to first BUCS fixture
Sanction
Not eligible to compete without valid membership. A fine of £100 will be levied if a team is found to field competitors without a valid licence.
Football & Futsal
Requirement
Club Affiliation (including teams)
All institutions/Playing Entities must affiliate to their respective Home Nation Football Association.
How
English Institutions/Playing Entities
Clubs should affiliate their teams directly with their County FA and ensure that all their teams are added to the relevant BUCS ‘League’ on the Whole Game System (WGS). The ‘League’ options on WGS are:
- BUCS (MENS COMPETITION)
- BUCS (WOMENS COMPETITION)
- BUCS FUTSAL – WOMENS
- BUCS FUSTAL – MENS
Teams should be named as per the following examples:
University of Bristol Men’s 1st Team (BUCS)
Loughborough University Women’s 1st Team (BUCS)
University of Bristol Men’s Futsal 1st Team (BUCS)
Loughborough University Women’s Futsal 1st Team (BUCS)
If you are unsure about the WGS process, please contact your County FA directly.
Following the deadline, BUCS will access the WGS to confirm completed affiliations.
Welsh Institutions/Playing Entities
Clubs should affiliate their teams directly with their County FA and then submit the affiliation number to BUCS here.
If you are unsure about the WGS process, please contact your County FA directly
Scottish Institutions/Playing Entities
Clubs should affiliate their Men’s teams directly to the Scottish Amateur Football Association (SAFA) and then submit their affiliation details to info@scottishstudentsport.com.
Clubs should affiliate their Women’s teams directly to Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) and then submit their affiliation details to info@scottishstudentsport.com. (Women’s affiliations should have been completed in March 2019 for the coming season.)
Institutions should receive affiliation information directly from the SAFA and SWF.
If you have any queries regarding the process, please contact Ben Philip at Scottish Student Sport.
Deadline
Monday 30 September 2019
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until completed.
Golf
Requirement
Submission of Home Course Scorecard, Local Rules and Winter Rules
Institutions/Playing Entities with teams in Premier North, Premier South and Scottish 1A must submit to BUCS for approval, the scorecard (or appropriate document) for their home course showing the Men’s medal (white) and Women’s (red) course lengths along with SSS for both the full length course and the winter course, as well as a copy of the local rules and winter rules as per GOL 4.3.4 and GOL 4.3.5.
How
To be submitted online here.
Deadline
Tuesday 1 October 2019 (This is to enable BUCS and the Golf SAG enough time to review these ahead of the first matches taking place)
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until completed.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse 1
Requirement
Club Affiliation (English and Welsh Institutions/Playing Entities)
All institutions/Playing Entities must affiliate with England Lacrosse (EL).
NB: EL’s Club Affiliation is the only affiliation requirement for BUCS Lacrosse. EL’s Individual Player Memberships are NOT a requirement to compete in BUCS competition.
How
To affiliate visit the England Lacrosse website affiliation page.
Deadline
Prior to first BUCS fixture
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until completed.
Lacrosse 2
Requirement
Submission of Qualified Officials
All institutions/Playing Entities are required to submit the names of at least two officials within their Men’s/Women’s club(s) who are able to officiate the respective format in the absence of neutral officials as per LAC 4.1.
NB: For English and Welsh institutions/Playing Entities, these officials must be registered with England Lacrosse via Individual Membership.
How
To be submitted online here.
England Lacrosse uses an online course to ensure all universities/colleges can take full advantage of qualifying student officials for the upcoming season to meet this requirement. Find out more here.
Deadline
Monday 25 November 2019
Sanction
£100 fine if not completed prior to the deadline.
Rugby League
Rugby League 1
Requirement
RFL Club Affiliation (including teams)
All institutions/Playing Entities must be an associated member of, and all teams must be affiliated with, the Rugby Football League (RFL) as per RUL 3.1 and RUL 3.2.
The annual affiliation fee scheme is based on a tiered pricing system: 1 Team - £200; 2 Teams - £270 (£200+ £70 for a second team); 3 Teams - £290 (£200 + £70 for a second team + £20 for a third team). If it’s your first year as an institution/Playing Entity in the BUCS Rugby League programme, your affiliation is free.
How
To complete the affiliation process, invoices issued directly by the RFL and sent by post to each institution/Playing Entity (by Monday 2 September) must be paid by Monday 14 October 2019.
Once all relevant paperwork and payment of fees is received, your club will be covered by the RFL Public Liability and Personal Accident policy for a period of 12 months.
If you have any questions regarding affiliation please contact Adam Hughes at the RFL.
Deadline
Monday 14 October 2019
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until the affiliation is complete.
Rugby League 2
Requirement
RFL Player Registration
All players must be registered with the Rugby Football League (RFL) prior to playing in any BUCS Rugby League fixture as per RUL 3.3. There is no maximum number of players that can be registered, however institutions/Playing Entities must register at least 13 players per team with the RFL prior to playing in any BUCS Rugby League fixture to facilitate the completion of team sheets through their online system.
How
Player registrations can be completed here.
Deadline
Prior to their first BUCS fixture, all players playing in the fixture must be registered and each team must have a minimum of 13 players registered.
New players added or selected to play later in the season, must be registered before playing in a BUCS fixture.
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. For subsequent fixtures, a fine of £100 will be levied if a team is found to field new players who are not registered with the RFL.
Squash
Requirements
Player Ranking List
All institutions/Playing Entities must rank all their players prior to the start of each season as per SQU 7.2.
Ranking lists will be locked until the opening of the re-ranking windows and cannot be changed outside the set re-ranking windows under any circumstances. Re-rankings only come into effect at the end of the re-ranking windows.
Institutions/Playing Entities may request to add a player to the bottom of their ranking list when the re-ranking windows are not open. Requests must be submitted and approved by the BUCS Executive in advance of the player competing in any fixtures. This is to encourage the fulfilment of fixtures and must not be manipulated. Teams found to be attempting to manipulate the rankings using this regulation will face disciplinary action under REG 5.
How
The Excel template can be downloaded here and should be e-mailed to info@bucs.org.uk.
Deadlines
Initial Deadline: Monday 7 October 2019
First Re-ranking Window: Thursday 17 – Monday 21 October 2019
Second Re-ranking Window: Monday 13 – Monday 20 January 2020
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until completed.
Table Tennis
Requirement
Player Ranking List
All institutions/Playing Entities must rank all their players prior to the start of each season as per TAB 8.2.
Ranking lists will be locked until the opening of the re-ranking windows and cannot be changed outside the set re-ranking windows under any circumstances. Re-rankings only come into effect at the end of the re-ranking windows.
Institutions/Playing Entities may request to add a player to the bottom of their ranking list when the re-ranking windows are not open. Requests must be submitted and approved by the BUCS Executive in advance of the player competing in any fixtures. This is to encourage the fulfilment of fixtures and must not be manipulated. Teams found to be attempting to manipulate the rankings using this regulation will face disciplinary action under REG 5.
How
The Excel template can be downloaded here and should be e-mailed to info@bucs.org.uk.
Deadlines
Initial Deadline: Monday 7 October 2019
First Re-ranking Window: Thursday 24 – Monday 28 October 2019
Second Re-ranking Window: Monday 13 – Monday 20 January 2020
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until completed.
Tennis
Requirement
Player Ranking List
All institutions/Playing Entities must rank all their players prior to the start of each season as per TEN 8.2.
Ranking lists will be locked until the opening of the re-ranking windows and cannot be changed outside the set re-ranking windows under any circumstances. Re-rankings only come into effect at the end of the re-ranking windows.
Institutions/Playing Entities may request to add a player to the bottom of their ranking list when the re-ranking windows are not open. Requests must be submitted and approved by the BUCS Executive in advance of the player competing in any fixtures. This is to encourage the fulfilment of fixtures and must not be manipulated. Teams found to be attempting to manipulate the rankings using this regulation will face disciplinary action under REG 5.
How
The Excel template can be downloaded here and should be e-mailed to info@bucs.org.uk.
Deadlines
Initial Deadlines: Monday 23 September 2019 (Scottish institutions/Playing Entities with teams with fixtures on Wednesday 25 September 2019); Monday 30 September 2019 (Scottish institutions/Playing Entities with teams with fixtures on Wednesday 2 October 2019); Monday 7 October 2019 (All Premier Tier [National + North/South] teams, and all English & Welsh teams in Tier 1 and below)
First Re-ranking Window: Thursday 24 – Monday 28 October 2019*
*Institutions with teams in the National League may submit full squad lists by Friday 25 October 2019 in order to apply for the Super Weekend event.
Second Re-ranking Window: Thursday 16 – Monday 20 January 2020
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until completed.
Ultimate (Outdoor)
Requirement
UK Ultimate Membership
UK Ultimate (UKU) memberships are required by all competitors. Players competing in the Outdoor Championships leagues and Shield knockout competition (rounds prior to the National Finals) require "Basic" membership. Players competing at the Outdoor National Finals events will require "Full" membership.
NB: Team registration to the UKU is not mandatory to compete in the BUCS Ultimate programme. However, in order to facilitate the individual membership process, an institution/Playing Entity's club must be registered with the UKU.
More information relating to this can be found on the UKU website here.
How
Memberships should be purchased here.
Deadline
Prior to first BUCS fixture
Sanction
£25 fine per player without UKU Individual Membership once league fixtures have commenced.
Volleyball
Requirement
Club Affiliation (including players)
All institutions/Playing Entities must affiliate to their respective National Governing Body (NGB).
How
English and Welsh Institutions/Playing Entities
BUCS works closely with Volleyball England to provide the best value club affiliation and player registration scheme possible. All clubs must be affiliated through Volleyball England. In return, several benefits are available to BUCS clubs and players.
To affiliate visit the Volleyball England Website. To log on you will need to be listed as the current secretary. It is suggested that a generic email address (e.g. info@university.ac.uk) is used for accounts. Your online account will help you keep track of your affiliation and see when renewals are due.
Clubs competing in BUCS Volleyball only should select their club type as BUCS when registering to receive a 50% discount on affiliation.
Clubs playing in additional affiliated leagues to BUCS (e.g. National, Regional or Local leagues) should register as a 'Standard Club' or as a 'New Club' dependent on previous affiliations.
If you are experiencing trouble with registering, please email Volleyball England, or call them on 01509 227722.
Scottish Institutions/Playing Entities
Affiliation directly through the Scottish Volleyball Association.
Deadline
Prior to first BUCS fixture
Sanctions
£250 fine if not completed prior to the deadline. After the deadline, walkovers will be applied until completed.
2: BUCS Individual and Team Championships (Events)
Archery
Requirement
Archery GB Membership
All competitors must have a valid Archery GB membership.
For further details please refer to the ‘Entry Information’ document which will be published on the relevant BUCS Archery event website page when entries open on BUCS Play.
How/Useful Links
Archery GB University Club Handy Guide
Deadline
Before entries are submitted on BUCS Play
Sanction
Individuals without a valid Archery GB membership will not be permitted to compete.
Boxing
Requirements
Licence
All boxers must have a valid licence with their home nation governing body, as well as a record book which details their number of bouts.
Medical Card
A valid Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) medical card must be produced by all competitors at weigh-in.
How/Useful Links
Deadline
Before entries are submitted on BUCS Play
Sanction
Individuals without a valid licence, record book and medical card will not be permitted to compete.
Cycling (Track)
Requirement
British Cycling Race Licence
All competitors must hold a valid British Cycling Race Licence.
How/Useful Links
Deadline
Before entries are submitted on BUCS Play OR purchased on the day at the event
Sanction
Individuals without a valid British Cycling Race Licence will not be permitted to compete.
Fencing
Requirement
British Fencing Membership
British Fencing memberships are required by all competitors; FIE Licences will not be accepted. For the Team Championships all competitors require a minimum of ‘Recreational’ membership.
NB: ‘Starter’ memberships are classed at the ‘Recreational’ level.
How
Memberships should be purchased here.
Deadline
Prior to first BUCS fixture
Sanction
Not eligible to compete without valid membership. A fine of £100 will be levied if a team is found to field competitors without a valid licence.
Judo
Requirement
Licence
All competitors must hold a valid British Judo (BJA) or equivalent international association licence.
How/Useful Links
Deadline
Before entries are submitted on BUCS Play
Sanction
Individuals without a valid BJA or equivalent international association licence will not be permitted to compete.
Jiu Jitsu
Requirement
The Jiu Jitsu Foundation Licence
All competitors must hold a valid The Jiu Jitsu Foundation (TJJF) licence.
How/Useful Links
Deadline
Before entries are submitted on BUCS Play
Sanction
Individuals without a valid TJJF licence will not be permitted to compete.
Korfball
Requirement
British Student Korfball Association Club Affiliation (including teams)
All institutions/Playing Entities must affiliate with the British Student Korfball Association (BSKA).
How/Useful Links
Please contact the British Student Korfball Association for affiliation details.
Deadline
Prior to competing
Sanction
Teams who are not affiliated to the BSKA will not be permitted to compete.
Sailing
Requirement
British Universities Sailing Association Club Membership
All institutions/Playing Entities must have a valid British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA) membership.
More information relating to this can be found on the BUSA website here.
How/Useful Links
Invoices will be issued directly by BUSA to each institution/Playing Entity (by Friday 1 November 2019).
Please note: If you have not received your invoice by Friday 1 November 2019 please BUSA.
Deadline
Prior to competing
Sanction
Clubs without a valid BUSA membership will not be permitted to compete.
Taekwondo
Requirement
British Student Taekwondo Federation Membership
All competitors must hold a valid British Student Taekwondo Federation (BSTF) membership pass.
NB: If competitors are members of an institution/Playing Entity’s Athletic Union (or equivalent) registered club, it is required to hold a club membership with the BSTF (with a nominal £1 annual club fee to join the charity).
How/Useful Links
Membership pass registration will open here on Tuesday 24 September 2019.
Institution Administrators/Captains may group purchase student-athlete passes via the Institution Administrator portal.
An individual’s BSTF ID code is required for entry on BUCS Play. This can be found on the Manage My Account page after registration.
Deadline
One week before entries are submitted on BUCS Play
Sanction
Individuals without a valid BSTF membership pass will not be permitted to compete.
Ultimate (Indoor)
Requirement
UK Ultimate Membership
UK Ultimate (UKU) memberships are required by all competitors. Players competing in the Indoor Championships Regional Rounds require "Basic" membership. Players competing at the Indoor National Finals events will require "Full" membership.
NB: Team registration to the UKU is not mandatory to compete in the BUCS Ultimate programme. However, in order to facilitate the individual membership process, an institution/Playing Entity's club must be registered with the UKU.
More information relating to this can be found on the UKU website here.
How/Useful Links
Memberships should be purchased here.
Deadline
Prior to competing
Sanction
£25 fine per player without UKU Individual Membership once the Championships have commenced.
3: Other Affiliations, Memberships and Licences
Athletics
Requirement
To compete in any BUCS/UKA competition, all Institutions should have a Club Affiliation with their Home Nation’s National Governing Body.
If students are representing their Institution/any other club at any other UKA athletics events, they will need to have completed the Athlete Registration process and have a valid URN to compete.
How/Useful Links
Deadline
Before entries are submitted on BUCS Play
Compulsory?
No
Badminton
Requirement
Badminton England Membership Number, Badminton Scotland Membership ID, to support seeding and selection process of BUCS Badminton Individual Championships.
How/Useful Links
Deadline
Before entries are submitted on BUCS Play
Compulsory?
No
Cycling (Down Hill Mountain Biking)
Requirement
Competitors do not need to be a member of British Cycling, however those who hold a Full Racing Licence must supply these details as part of the BUCS Play entry form in order to be eligible for earning licence ranking points. These licences must also be presented when registering at the event
How/Useful Links
Deadline
Before entries are submitted on BUCS Play
Compulsory?
No
Hockey
Requirement
Institutions should provide information such as: number of players within the university, facilities used, types of hockey played and contact details of key members. BUCS teams are free but any teams playing in local leagues are charged at £80 per team.
How/Useful Links
England Hockey Portal (Please email England Hockey if you do not know your login details)
Deadline
Friday 29 November 2019
Compulsory?
Yes
Rowing
Requirement
British Rowing membership is not a requirement to compete in BUCS Rowing events. However, BUCS events are eligible for British Rowing ranking points. These will be attributed to competitors who have British Rowing membership, or a visitor number.
How/Useful Links
Deadline
Prior to competing
Compulsory?
No
Surfing
Requirement
Recommended affiliation to their Home Nation’s National Governing Body.
How/Useful Links
Deadline
Prior to competing
Compulsory?
No
Swimming
Requirement
Swim England membership is not a requirement to compete in the BUCS Swimming Championships. However, Swim England registered swimmers who wish their times to be submitted to Swim England for ranking purposes must complete their Date of Birth and Swim England number on the BUCS Play entry form.
For para-swimmers to be eligible for para-swimming points and awards they must be nationally/internationally classified and have a current governing body registration to validate their entry.
Swim England numbers must be provided at the point of entry.
How/Useful Links
Deadline
Before entries are submitted on BUCS Play
Compulsory?
No
Windsurfing
Requirement
Recommended affiliation to The Student Windsurfing Association.
How/Useful Links
Deadline
Prior to competing
Compulsory?
No
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