Annex J
Work Permit Arrangements for Ice Hockey—1999-2000
Season
INTRODUCTION
Work permits are issued by the Department for
Education and Employment's Overseas Labour Service (OLS) for established
ice hockey players of the highest standard who meet the criteria
set out below and who are also judged to be able to make a significant
contribution to the development of the sport within the UK at
its highest level, ie Ice Hockey Superleague (ISL) and the British
National League (BNL). Permits will not be issued to players below
this level.
All information submitted by clubs in their
applications will be subject to verification by OLS who will be
responsible for making the final decision, following consultation
with Ice Hockey UK (formerly British Ice Hockey Association) and
the Ice Hockey Players Association (IHPA).
CRITERIA
1. First Time Applications
(a) Players from USA or Canada
Players coming to the UK from the USA or Canada
should have played in at least 75 per cent of competitive games
in the last complete season (in any of the following leagues)
prior to the start date of the relevant current domestic season:
— East Coast Hockey League (ECHL);
— American Hockey League (AHL);
— International Hockey League (IHL);
and
— National Hockey League (NHL).
(b) Players from European Elite Teams
Players from European Elite League teams should
have played in at least 75 per cent of that team's competitive
games within the last complete season prior to the start date
of the relevant current domestic season. European Elite League
players may only qualify for a work permit if their league is
within a Pool A championship nation.
(c) Olympic Players
Olympic players should have played in 75 per
cent of competitive games for a Pool A national side within the
12 months prior to the work permit application.
(d) Statistics
It is the responsibility of the UK club to provide
copies of press information relating to the player and playing
statistics for the previous season to demonstrate that the player
meets the above criteria. The statistics must be supplied by the
overseas club for whom the player played the previous season and
must be on the club's letter headed paper. The use of statistics
from official websites can be accepted where information from
clubs may be difficult to obtain.
(e) Injuries
Where clubs make applications for first time
players who do not meet the criteria due to an injury, sustained
in the previous season abroad, OLS will consider the application
if it is supported by written independent medical evidence stipulating
the injury sustained and the period of incapacity.
2. RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
(a) Returning Players
Where an overseas player is returning for another
season (after playing in the UK during the previous season) the
UK club will have to demonstrate that the player played in at
least 75 per cent of their previous UK team's competitive games.
(b) Playing Statistics
The UK club should provide a copy of the player's
previous season's statistics in order to demonstrate that the
player meets the agreed criteria.
(c) Injuries
Injuries sustained in the UK during the previous
season which are substantiated by written independent medical
evidence stipulating the injury sustained and the period of incapacity
will be taken into account.
3. NETMINDERS
(a) First Time Applications
A netminder coming to the UK for the first time
needs to have played 50 per cent of games, at the agreed standard,
in the last complete season prior to the start date of the relevant
current domestic season.
(b) Renewals
A netminder returning for another season (after
playing in the UK during the previous season) will be required
to have played in 75 per cent of their previous team's competitive
fixtures.
Note: For the renewal applications, if
a netminder is on a team's game roster then they are classed as
having played even if they did not get on the ice.
4. COACHES
Coaches should possess a Canadian Hockey Association
(CHA) coaching qualification at advanced level two or above. OLS
will consider applications for ISL, BNL and EPL Division One (English
Premier League), but no lower than this.
Extensions to work permits can only be considered
exceptionally for coaches who may be required to coach the national
team or run summer schools in order to make a significant contribution
to the development of the game in the UK. Clubs will need to provide
good reasons for the extension request.
5. CONTRACTS
A full contract to be signed by both parties
(player/coach and club) must be supplied. Clauses for trials or
loan deals should not be included).
6. RESIDENT SEARCH
In all cases clubs should provide evidence that
they have undertaken a genuine and thorough resident search of
the UK and European Economic Area (EEA) labour market. The other
EEA members are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Eire, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
7. SALARY
The basic salary is set at a minimum of £400
per week gross. This figure should not include the payment of
such sums as expenses, accommodation costs, share issues and the
like.
8. LENGTH OF
WORK PERMITS
A work permit is issued to cover the relevant
domestic ice hockey season. Where appropriate permits will be
issued three weeks prior to the start of the relevant domestic
season.
9. TRANSFER OF
WORK PERMIT
PLAYERS
Should a player or netminder leave a club either
to go abroad or transfer to another club within the UK, the work
permit must be returned to OLS.
If a player or netminder has been released by
a club, their re-employment by another club may not be automatic.
OLS in consultation with Ice Hockey UK and IHPA, considers such
requests carefully and takes account of the player's contribution
to the development of the game and to the terms and conditions
associated with the transfer. Players are not permitted to join
a new club until OLS has sanctioned such a move and the relevant
permission has been granted by the Home Office if necessary.
In the event of a club requiring an emergency
replacement for a player who has been injured OLS will do all
it can to issue a work permit quickly. All such applications should
be accompanied by written independent medical evidence detailing
the injury of the player to be replaced.
10. TIMESCALES/HANDLING
OF APPLICATIONS
OLS will consider all applications as quickly
as possible, normally within four working weeks of receipt (please
refer to the Guide for Employers). Clubs are strongly advised
to submit an application to OLS as soon as they have identified
the overseas national they wish to employ.
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