USM MILO PESTA BOLA JARING-PENANG INTERNATIONAL (PBJ) is an annual netball tournament organized by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) since 1991. This event has become very popular and prestigious, not only in Malaysia but also in the Asia Pacific region. PBJ is entirely managed and organized by female USM students and has been recognized four times by The Malaysia Book of Records as the competition with the most participants in Malaysia.  

The festival aims to encourage the participation of netball players and provides a platform for young players to hone their skills. PBJ also highlights the ability of USM students to manage world-class events. This tournament attracts participation from both domestic and international teams, with more than 145 teams competing in various categories. Besides the competitive aspect, PBJ also serves as a field to promote the spirit of sportsmanship and enhance the quality of netball in Malaysia. 

The 30th USM MILO Pesta Bola Jaring aims to create an inclusive, competitive, and well-organized netball tournament that unites students, alumni, and the community. We seek to promote sportsmanship, encourage healthy competition, and celebrate the tradition and legacy of netball at USM. Our goal is to inspire participation, foster a sense of community, and highlight the importance of health, well-being, and sustainability in sports.

To celebrate 30 years of Pesta Bola Jaring by fostering community spirit, promoting sportsmanship, and providing an engaging, inclusive, and sustainable event experience for all participants and spectators. 

1. NAME

The tournament shall be called 30th USM MILO PESTA BOLA JARING 2024 PENANG INTERNATIONAL 2024  

2. OWNERSHIP 

The challenge trophies shall remain the property of USM. The winning teams shall return the respective trophies in good and proper condition to the organizing committee right after the prize giving ceremony 

3. ORGANIZER

The tournament is organized by a selected committee of women undergraduates of USM with the assistance from the Sports and Recreation Centre of USM  

4. VENUE 

30th USM MILO PESTA BOLA JARING 2024 PENANG INTERNATIONAL 2024 will be held on 25th-27th OCTOBER 2024 at the main campus of USM,PENANG,MALAYSIA. Azman Hashim-USM Sports Complex and also USM Sports Complex (Indoor Hall) 

5. GENERAL 

All matches shall be played in accordance with the latest rules of the Game of Netball issued by the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) with the exception of specific rules that the Pesta Bola Jaring USM states.  

It is hope of the organizers that cleanliness in campus be observed at all the times on or off the netball fields. This is appropriate with The Healthy concept which has been practiced in the university. 

The Healthy Campus concept emerged from the realization that the main factors for enhancing learning are the quality of life and the health of students in a wider context. Emphasis was given to the spiritual,social,physical,mental,emotional and environmental aspects. The Healthy Campus pogramme commenced in 2000 and is based on 5 main characteristics that is volunteerism,teamwork,data and information self suffiency and comprehensive documentation.  

The university had made many programme to implement The Healthy Campus. One of them is 'Say No To Plastic' programme. Effective 1st August 2008,canteen operators in USM will no longer give out thin plastic carry bag freely. The goal is to reduce the amount of trash generated by these plastic bags. With the cost of plastic resins going sky high due to the runaway petroleum prices, it is timely that we check out waste of this non-renewal source. 

6. PARTICIPANTS 

The tournament is open to all schools,colleges,institutions of higher learning and clubs. Only combined partcipation of the school and clubs is allowed. There is no restriction to foreign partcipation. The organizers reserve the right to decline partcipation of any team without any excuses. 

7. REGISTRATION  

The number of the players to be registered is 12 ; 7 players and 5 reserved players. A player is only allowed to be registered in 1 team in the same category. The categories are :- 

7.1 Under 12 

Opens to all students and members of clubs under the age of 12 before 1.1.2024 -born on or after 1.1.2012. A copy of the birth certificates must be enclosed during registration. 

7.2 Under 15  

Open to all students sand members of clubs under the age of 15 before 1.1.2024 on or after 1.1.2009. 

7.3 Under 18  

Open to all students and members of clubs under the age of 18 before 1.1.2024 - born on or after 1.1.2006. A copy of the identity cards/passports (for under 15 & under 18 ) must be enclosed during registration. 

7.4 Open Institute of Higher Learning (Women)  

Open to all full time students of Institutions Higher Learning only. Combined Institutions Higher Learning are not allowed. No age limit. Copy of student matric cards must be produced during registration. 

7.5 Open Men 

Open to all men in government agencies, private sectors, sports clubs, schools and other clubs. There will be no age limit.

7.6 Open Women

Open to all women in government agencies, private sectors, sports clubs, schools and other clubs. There will be no age limit.

8. TIME SCHEDULE 

Matches will be played according to the time scheduled  

Duration of the Match  

Each match will be played in 2 halves, each half of 7 minutes without break. The change of ends for both teams shall take not more than one minute.  

The teams/team managers are to report to the field marshals 15 minutes before each scheduled match at the respective pitches. 

However, the Organizer has the right to make changes, should the necessity arise and the teams concerned will be informed at the soonest possible time. 

Replacement and Changing of Positions 

Both teams are allowed to make changes to position/replacement of players when:- 

• An injury takes place 

• When changing ends during second half ( 1 minute)

9. MODE OF TOURNAMENT 

Preliminary Round (Group League)  

9.1 The group matches will be played on a league system. Points awarded be as follows: 

3- Win 

1- Draw 

0- Loss 

9.2 If any team arrives late after than 5 minutes and fails to play at the scheduled time then the game is considered as a walkover to the opposing team with a score of 5-0. The team concerned will be allowed to compete in the subsequent matches. If both teams fail to turn up, the match is deemed to have been 'played' but neither team will be awarded any point. This consideration is allowed only for the first match.  

9.3 Any team which does not compete for the second subsequent matches will be disqualified 

9.3.1 For any team/teams which has/have been disqualified, all accumulated points obtained by the team's opponents will automatically be removed.  

9.4 The total number of points accumulated will determine the ranking in the group. Only the top 2 teams in the group will be qualified to enter the second round. 

9.5 In the event of two or more teams having the same number of points at the end of the league tournament, their standing will be decided as follows:- 

9.5.1 The winner shall be decided on goal difference (goals for-goals against) 

9.5.2 In event of a tie again, in spite of 9.5.1 and 9.5.2 above, then the team that has defeated its opponent in that particular league tie shall be ranked higher.  

9.5.3 If the result is still a tie a 3 center pass throw will be held to decide the winner. 

Second Round Until Finals (Knock-out System) 

9.4 This round will be played on knock-out system. If both teams obtained the same score at the end of full time, then the match will continue with a 3 center passes throw. Match schedule for the second round will be prepare by the Technical Committee for all matches. 

10. TEAM GROUPING 

The number of groups or number of teams per group will be decided by the organizers and no appeal on grouping issues will be entertained. 

11. UMPIRES 

Qualifies umpires from the Malaysian Netball Association will be invited by the Organizing Committee to handle the tournament. The assignment of umpires shall be the responsbility of the Teachnical Committee. 

12. PROTESTS 

Should a team wish to protest  

12.1 All the protests other than technical are to be made in the forms provided and sent to the Technical Committee no later than 10 minutes after end of the match.

12.2 All protest on technical will be settled by the Chief Umpire in the pitch itself

12.3 The protest forms are available at the technical table on the field where the match has been played. Completed forms are to be returned to the same table with a protest fee of RM300.00 (cash) where the techincal officer shall record the time of protest.

12.4 The protest fee shall be forfeited if the protest is found to be frivolous

12.5 All protests shall be heard by the Technical Committee whose decision shall be final and binding. 

13. DRESS CODE & DISCIPLINE

All players are required to be uniformly attired. If in the opinion of the colours of the 2 opposing teams may lead to confusion, the first named team in the fixture shall change colours.

Team officials and bench players may not indulge in inappropriate comments or behaviour, inclusing running up and down the Side Lines or along the Goal Lines during play. 

14. INTERRUPTIONS TO A MATCH 

Should any match be interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances, the following shall apply.

14.1 Should a match be stopped after 7 minutes of play, the match shall continue with the exisiting score untill full time, not necessarily on the same field.

14.2 Should the match be called off before the 7th minute, the match will restart from the beginning, not necessarily on the same field.

14.3 In the event that group matches (league) cannot be completed due to unforeseen circumstances, the organizers might change the nature of the tournament.

15. ELIGIBILITY 

All players suspended by the state/national associations are not allowed to participate. 

16. MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR THE ABOVE RULES 

All matters not provided for the above rules shall be decided by the Technical Committee whose decision shall be final and binding. In the event of any dispute on the representations of the rules, the Technical Committee's rulling shall also be final and binding on all teams.