Welsh Schools' Football Association
Cymdeithas Pel-droed Ysgolian Cymru
COMPETITION RULES
JULY 2014
RHEOLAU CYSTADLEUAETH
GORFFENNAF 2014
WELSH SCHOOLS’ FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Competition General Rules
Introduction
The rules detailed below apply to all WSFA competitions except where stated
under the heading of any specific competition.
1. The Trophies
(a) The trophies are the property of the Welsh Schools’ Football
Association.
(b) The trophy shall be presented to the captain of the winning team
immediately after the match, or at the match function should that be held after
the match.
(c) The winning school, college, Association or Region shall be
responsible for suitable engraving and for the maintenance of the trophy in good
order. The Competitions Department must agree arrangements for the display of
the trophy.
(d) It shall be the responsibility of the school, college, Association or
Region concerned to ensure the return of the trophy in time for the Presentation
at the following season’s Final.
2. Mementoes
(a) 11 a-side Competitions
Eighteen mementoes for players shall be awarded to each school, college,
Association or Region taking part in a final tie. The finalists subject to the
approval of the WSFA may purchase additional identical mementoes. Four
mementoes may be awarded to the match officials (referee, two assistant
referees and a fourth official), officiating at a final tie.
(b) Small –Sided Competitions (Tom Yeoman Festivals)
Certificates and or mementoes to be decided by the Competitions Department
following discussion with Officers.
3. Control
(a) The entire control and management of the competitions shall be vested
in Council, or such Departments or Committees that shall be appointed by
Council.
(b) The rules of the game shall be those of the International Football
Association Board except as otherwise stated.
(c) All teams must be under the ultimate control of either
(i) A practising teacher, recognised as such by the Department of
Education, or
(ii) A retired teacher, or present or past employee of the education service
who has received direct approval in writing from the appropriate Regional or
Area Schools’ Football Association to undertake such responsibilities.
(iii) A person who has direct approval in writing from the appropriate
Regional or Area Schools’ Football Association to undertake such
responsibilities.
(a) Has at least an FA coaching qualification as approved by FAW.
(b) Has undergone a DBS Check which must be updated every 3 years in
accordance with the FAW Welfare Policy.
(c) This information must be registered with the WSFA Welfare Officer on the
appropriate form (GEN 012) and the FAW DBS Number must be filled in on the
form. This registration is to be done on an annual basis. The WSFA or the
Regional or Area Schools’ Football Association may withdraw approval at any
time. Any other person assisting with or coaching a team must operate in the
presence of a person who is qualified under (i) or (ii) above.
(d) Any official or player representing a school or college or Association in
membership with the ESFA participating in any of the WSFA national
competitions who is reported for misconduct, on or off the field of play, shall be
referred to the Council of the English Schools’ FA for appropriate action.
4. The Field of Play
The minimum size of the ground in 11 a-side matches shall be 90 yards by 60
yards. National Competition matches may be played on artificial pitches subject
to the agreement of the official representatives of each team.
5. The Ball
The ball shall be size 5 except where stated under a specific rule.
6. Substitutes
Repeated substitutions are allowed in all competitions. A player who has been
substituted during a match becomes a substitute and may, in turn, replace
another player at any time subject to the substitution carried out in accordance
to Law 3 of the Laws of the Game. In eleven a side matches teams are only
permitted to use four outfield players plus a goalkeeper as substitutes, who must
be named on the team sheet given to the match official prior to the game
commencing. Any player, who has been substituted during the game due to an
apparent serious injury, should only return to the field of play following serious
consideration by the designated team official.
7. Protests
Any protest by a School, College, Association or Region shall be made in writing
to the Competitions Department (via the WSFA Office) within two working days
and accompanied by a £25 administration fee (refundable if the appeal is
upheld). No protest relative to the ground, goalposts or other appurtenances of
the game shall be considered unless a protest in writing was made to the
referee before the start of the match. A copy of the protest shall be sent to all
parties involved and the Competitions Department shall have the power of
Council in relation to the competition to make all decisions on matters arising out
of, or in relation to the organisation, control and management of the competition
which shall be deemed to be decisions of Council and shall be binding on all
participants in the competition. Associations have the right to a further appeals
procedure.
8. Competition Dates
Council shall fix competition dates within which all matches shall be played.
Failure to keep to those dates may lead to disqualification. The Competitions
Department (via the WSFA Office) shall have the power to:
(a) Order a match to be played on, or by, the given date.
(b) Grant a reasonable extension to the competition date.
(c) Expel any team from the competition.
9. Similar Colours
(a) Where Schools, Colleges, Associations or Regions have similar colours,
the home team shall be entitled to retain their colours and the visiting team
shall change to colours that provides a satisfactory contrast.
(b) Teams must not wear shirt advertising of a conflicting interest of the
Competition’s sponsor if one is in place.
(c) Players’ shirts must be numbered.
(d) No black shirts are to be worn in Association, Regional or Interschool
Competitions.
10. Players
(a) Any player taking part in any WSFA fixture must be registered in accordance
with the procedure set out by the WSFA.
(b) Any Association that plays any unregistered player or uses as a substitute
any unregistered player may be disqualified from the competition or set any
other sanction that the WSFA may deem fit for the circumstances.
(c) If the Competitions Department has any doubt over the qualification of a
player taking part in any competition, it shall have the power to call upon the
player’s Association or school to which he or she belongs to prove that he or she
is qualified according to the rules, and failing satisfactory proof the offending
school or Association shall be disqualified from the Competition.
(d) A pupil/s should play for the Association in which their school is situated. In
exceptional circumstance exemption may be authorised by the Head of the
Competitions Department. (See the rest of this section.) If an Association does
not enter a competition, then pupils from that Association may play for an
adjacent Association. Also if a child attends a school outside the Unitary
Authority that he lives in he may play for the Association in which he resides as
long as both Associations agree. In both above cases before a player plays
his/her parents or guardians and officials of both Associations must complete
the necessary form by downloading Comp 009 from the website and forward it
to the Head of the Competitions Department who will assess the situation and
return the form with his decision. Players must not play until the form is returned
to the Association. Authority is given on a season-by-season basis.
A pupil shall not play for more than one School/ College/ Association/County in
the same competition during any season except by permission of the
Competitions Department. Where an Association does not enter an Inter
Association Competition the WFT Development Group in that Unitary Authority
or a Welsh Premier League Academy may enter the Competition. They may
only play players in WSFA Competitions who are registered with them and who
attend schools within the Unitary Authority where the Development Group or
Welsh Premier League Club is situated. ie. They will not be permitted to play
pupils who attend schools within another Unitary Authority where the
Association enters the WSFA Competitions.
(e) A player may only play for the school or college he or she is currently
attending and on whose roll he or she appears at the time of the game in which
he or she is playing.
(f) A pupil shall not play for more than one School/ College/ Association/County
in the same competition during any Season, except by permission of the
Competition Department whatever reason is receiving education in a school
year which is different from that of his/her birth school year, that player should
revert to his/her birth school year for the purposes of all WSFA competitions,
unless there are exceptional circumstances which have been brought to the
attention of Council and approved.
11. Match Arrangements
(a) All 11 a-side matches shall be organised by the Competitions
Department either on a league basis or a knock out basis. The
Competitions Department shall make the draw for all of the
competitions as soon as possible after the entry closing date. In all
competitions organised on a league/group basis, the teams to go
through to the later stage(s) will be determined by criteria defined by
the Competitions Department. Should these later stage matches end in
a draw at full time and an outright winner is necessary, then a series of
five penalties and sudden death penalty kicks will decide the results.
(b) Where there are competitions without sponsorship, the WSFA reserves
the right for the result of the Competition final to stand at full time and
the trophy to be shared by both competing teams.
(c) All mini football festivals shall be organised and run by the
Competitions Department as per the Tom Yeoman Shield Festival rules.
(d) Postponed or abandoned matches in the Inter Association
Competitions shall be played as the Competitions Department directs.
(e) There shall be a half time interval of ten minutes in all of the11 a-side
matches, which can only be altered, with the consent of the referee.
(f) All arrangements for Semi-Finals and Finals shall be subject to the
approval of the Competitions Department.
12. Match Officials
(a) The match officials appointed shall perform their duties in accordance
with the Laws of the Game as sanctioned and enforced by the
International Football Association Board.
(b) In the event of a referee failing to appear the teams concerned must
agree in writing to appoint a person at the ground to conduct the game in
accordance with the rules. The official so acting shall have the powers of a
duly appointed referee.
(c)The Match Officials for National Competitions shall be arranged by the
Competitions Department in accordance with the rules of the competition.
13. Match Days in Competitions
Matches will be played on mutually agreed date and times on or before the set
target dates. If dates and times cannot be mutually agreed the Competitions
Department must be informed immediately and they will make a decision as per
Competition Rule 8.
14. Finance
An entry fee may be charged to enter a competition. The amount of such a fee
will be determined by the Competitions Department and notified to all
participants.
15. Alteration of Rules
These rules may be altered only at a Rules Revision Meeting of the Association
in accordance with the principles laid down in General Rule 28.
-------------------------------SPECIFIC COMPETITION RULES
Inter Regional Competitions
Under 13 Girls Regional Competition (Year 7 and 8 pupils).
Introduction: The rules below are as per general competition rules except for:
Entry: A trophy is offered for annual competition to Regional Associations in
affiliated membership with the WSFA
Eligible Players: Only bona fide girls receiving full time education in
accordance with the Education Act affiliated to the WSFA who must be under
the age of 13 years at midnight between the previous 31st August and 1st
September can play in this competition (i.e. Current years 7 & 8 pupils).
Any player taking part in any WSFA fixture must be registered in accordance
with the procedure set out by the WSFA (See Competition Rule 10).
The Competition:
The games are to be Area based according to entries:Eg. Group 1
West Glamorgan, Glamorgan Valleys, Vale of Glamorgan and
Gwent.
Eg. Group 2
Pembs & Carms, Ceredigion & Powys, NE Wales and Eryri.
The winners of Group 1 will play the winners of Group 2 for the trophy.
The competition format may change dependent on the number of regions
entering. The responsibility for any changes lies with the Competitions
Department.
Match Duration: This will vary according to the facilities.
Ball Size: A size 4 Ball will be used.
Under 15 Girls Regional Competition (Year 9 and 10 pupils).
Introduction: The rules below are as per general competition rules except for:
Entry: A trophy is offered for annual competition to Regional Associations in
affiliated membership with the WSFA.
Eligible Players: Only bona fide girls receiving full time education in
accordance with the Education Act affiliated to the WSFA who must be under
the age of 15 years at midnight between the previous 31st August and
1st September can play in this competition (i.e. Current years 9 & 10 pupils).
Any player taking part in any WSFA fixture must be registered in accordance
with the procedure set out by the WSFA (See Competition Rule 10).
The Competition:
The games are to be Area based according to entries:Eg. Group 1
West Glamorgan, Glamorgan Valleys, Vale of Glamorgan and
Gwent.
Eg. Group 2
Pembs & Carms, Ceredigion & Powys, NE Wales and Eryri.
The winners of Group 1 will play the winners of Group 2 for the trophy.
The competition format may change dependent on the number of regions
entering. The responsibility for any changes lies with the Competitions
Department.
Match Duration: This will vary according to the facilities.
Ball Size: A size 5 Ball will be used.
WSFA Inter Association Competitions
Rules to be adopted for WSFA Inter Association Games
1).All fixture dates must be adhered to. Please play matches well before
the date set.
2). If half of an Association’s fixtures have not been played by the end of
the Autumn Term then expulsion could be possible after consultation with
the WSFA Inter Association Secretary.
3). To play matches all Associations and Regions must have a current
Sports Liability Indemnity Insurance.
4). WSFA ID cards must be available to view by WSFA officials at
matches. Failure to make these available will result in a WSFA sanction.
These MUST be available by October half term of each season at the
latest.
5). Team sheets with accurate numbers of players must be provided for
WSFA/WFT Officials at match. Team sheets can be downloaded from the
website if needed.
6). A play off may be used at season’s finale to decide semi-final positions.
7) In the event of a group being tied on points, the winner will be decided
by head to head goal difference. This will remove the need for larger
Associations to feel the need to beat smaller ones by large score lines.
8).To ensure all matches are played, any outstanding fixtures will see the
deduction of 3 points per match not played.
9).To progress through to the semi-finals 60% of fixtures must be
completed. This must be adhered to.
10) Two weeks notice must be given or requested before a match can
take place. Please ensure you keep all emails stating times and dates of
requested match. Please ensure that you are flexible in offering dates to
opposition and offer 3 different dates over a 6 week period. (1 date must
be a midweek night) 2 weeks per match date.
11). All matches to have a qualified referee in charge of the match. It is not
always possible for the referee to be from an area that does not involve
both participating Associations.
12) A barrier/coned zone must be used to keep parents and spectators
away from the touchline. If this is not possible parents and spectators must
be kept on the side away from the teams and coaches.
13.) Players must line up either side of the referee before kick off and then
must shake hands with each other. ‘Fair Play’ is of paramount importance.
14) If competition rules are not adhered to then sanctions will apply.
15). In the event of any problems then please contact WSFA Inter
Association Secretary Matt Davies who will seek to resolve any disputes
or clarify any queries.
Email- MLD.CARDIFF@YAHOO.COM
Mobile Number – 07725996424
Tom Yeoman Primary Festivals
(Under 11 - Current years 5 & 6 pupils).
Introduction: The rules stated below shall be in addition to those entitled
General Competition Rules.
Entry: An annual Primary National Festival be offered to all Associations in
affiliated membership with the WSFA
Eligible Players: Only bona fide boys and girls receiving full time education in
a Primary School affiliated to the Association who are under 11 years of age at
midnight between the previous 31st August and 1st September can take part in
this Festival. All players must be registered with the WSFA in accordance with
its registration procedure (Competition Rule 10).
The Festival: Each association taking part comprises of 2 Squads A & B each
having 11 players only, (3 of whom are substitutes who may be used on a roll
on-roll off basis). Players must remain in the chosen squad throughout the
festival - NO TRANSFERS PERMITTED. In addition, Associations may
nominate a third goalkeeper who must be named and this goalkeeper may
substitute for either A or B squads or both in an individual festival. Each
association festival comprises 4 matches, the length of games will comply with
the FAW guidelines in relation to player’s ages whereby A plays A, B plays B, A
plays B, B plays A. For banding purposes three points awarded for a win and
one point for a draw giving a total of 12 points available for each festival. The
format of the Annual National End of Season Festival is to be decided by the
Competitions Department.
Pitch Size: The pitch should be a minimum size of 55 yards x 35yards and a
maximum size of 60 yards x 40 yards.
Goal size: Goals shall be 12 feet wide x 6 feet high.
Goalkeeper area Full width of the pitch 10 yards from the goal.
Ball Size: A size 4 ball shall be used.
Referees: Two referees or suitably qualified persons shall be provided by the
Home Association at each Festival to oversee time keeping and match
decisions.
Match Duration: For all Festivals 18 minutes each way will be played.
David Nickless Shield (Under 12’s - Current year 7 pupils).
Introduction: The Rules below are as per General Competition Rules except
for:Entry: The trophy is offered for annual competition to Associations in affiliated
membership with the Welsh Schools’ FA.
Eligible Players: Only bona fide boys receiving full time education in
accordance with the Education Acts, affiliated to the Association who must be
under the age of 12years at midnight between the previous 31st August and
September 1st can play in this competition (Current year 7 pupils).
All players must be registered with the WSFA in accordance with its registration
procedure (See Competition Rule 10).
The Competition: The Competition is played on a League basis in the early
stages with a Semi Final Festival of Football on a set date each year, involving
four teams to be determined by criteria defined by the Competitions Department.
Match Duration: The duration of these games shall be 35 minutes each way.
Ball Size: A size 4 ball shall be used.
S.B. Williams Shield (Under 13‘s –Current year 8 pupils).
Introduction: The rules below are as per general Competition Rules except
for:Entry: The trophy is offered for annual competition to Associations in affiliated
membership with the Welsh Schools’ FA.
Eligible Players: Only bona fide boys receiving full time education in
accordance with the Education Acts, affiliated to the Welsh Schools’ Football
Association who must be under the age of 13 years at midnight between the
previous 31st August and September 1st can play in this competition. (Current
year 8 pupils.)
All players must be registered with the WSFA in accordance with its registration
procedure. (See Competition Rule 10).
The Competition: The Competition is played on a League basis in the early
stages with a Semi Final Festival of Football on a set date each year, involving
four teams to be determined by criteria defined by the Competitions Department.
Match Duration: The duration of the game shall be 35 minutes each way.
Ball Size: A size 4 football shall be used.
Evan Davies Cup (Under 14’s- Current year 9 pupils).
Introduction: The rules below are as per General Competition Rules except
for:Entry: The trophy is offered for annual competition to Associations in affiliated
membership with the Welsh Schools’ FA.
Eligible Players: Only bona fide boys receiving full time education in
accordance with the Education Acts, affiliated to the Association who must be
under the age of 14 years at midnight between the previous 31st August and
September 1st can play in this competition (Current year 9 pupils).
All players must be registered with the WSFA in accordance with its registration
procedure (See Competition Rule 10).
The Competition: The competition is played on a League basis in the early
stages with a Semi Final Festival of Football on a set date each year, involving
four teams to be determined by criteria defined by the Competitions Department.
Match Duration: The duration of these games shall be 40 minutes each way.
Ball Size: A size 5 ball shall be used.
Glyncoed Shield (Under 15’s - Current year 10 pupils).
Introduction
The rules below are as per General Competition Rules except for:Entry
The trophy is offered for annual competition to Associations in affiliated
membership with the Welsh Schools’ FA.
Eligible Players
Only bona fide boys receiving full time education in accordance with the
Education Acts, affiliated to the Association who must be under the age of 15
years at midnight between the previous 31st August and September 1st can play
in this competition (Current year 10 pupils).
All players must be registered with the WSFA in accordance with its registration
procedure (See Competition Rule 10).
The Competition
The competition is played on a League basis in the early stages with a Semi
Final Festival of Football on a set dare each year, involving four teams to be
determined by criteria defined by the Competitions Department.
Match Duration
The duration of these games shall be 40 minutes each way.
Ball Size
A size 5 ball shall be used.
WSFA Inter-School Competition Rules
Introduction:
All the School Competitions are run in two stages:(a) The Regional Stage: The entry forms for all these competitions are sent out
in early June to schools throughout Wales by the Competition Secretary. The
forms are to be returned by the end of June. They are then sorted into regions
based upon the old 8 Counties of Wales. Area Secretaries make the regional
draw and distribute it to the schools in their area. These matches take place
during the Autumn Term and the winners and runners up for each area are
forwarded to the Competition Secretary by early December to be entered into
the national draw.
(b) The National Stage: The National Draw is made up of the last sixteen teams
in each Competition and is sent to the schools by early January with set
completion dates for each round. It is still regionally based as far as possible to
cut down on excessive travel and expense. Dates are set for the Finals.
(c) Rules: The Rules are as per FAW 11 a-side and WSFA General Rules
except for the following:-
Under 12 Boys (Year 7 pupils.)
Entry
A Cup shall be offered for Annual Competition for those schools entering this
competition
Eligible Players
Only bona fide boys receiving full time education in accordance with the
Education Acts and who are over the age of 11 years and under the age of 12
years at midnight between the previous 31st August and 1st September are to
take part in this Competition.
Match Duration
The duration of these games shall be 35 minutes each way.
Ball Size
A size 4 football shall be used.
Under 13 Boys (Years 7& 8 pupils)
Entry
A Cup shall be offered for Annual Competition for those schools entering this
competition
Eligible Players
Only bona fide boys receiving full time education in accordance with the
Education Acts and who are over the age of 11 years and under the age of 13
years at midnight between the previous August 31st and September 1st can take
part in this competition (i.e. Years 7 & 8).
Match Duration
The duration of these games shall be 35 minutes each way.
Ball Size
A size 4 ball shall be used.
Under 14 Boys (Years 8 & 9 pupils.)
Entry
A Cup shall be offered for Annual Competition for those schools entering this
competition
Eligible Players
Only bona fide boys receiving full time education in accordance with the
Education Acts and who are over the age of 13 years and under the age of 14
years at midnight between the previous August 31st and September 1st can take
part in this competition (i.e. Year 9 pupils.).
Match Duration
The duration of these games shall be 40 minutes each way.
Ball Size
A size 5 ball shall be used.
Under 15 Boys (Years 9&10 pupils.)
Entry
A Cup shall be offered for Annual Competition for those schools entering this
competition
Eligible Players
Only bona fide boys receiving full time education in accordance with the
Education Acts and who are over the age of 13 years and under the age of 15
years at midnight between the previous August 31st and September 1st can take
part in this competition (i.e. Years 9 &10 pupils.).
Match Duration
The duration of these games shall be 40 minutes each way.
Ball Size
A size 5 ball shall be used.
Under 18 Boys (Years 11 to 13 pupils.)
Entry
A Cup shall be offered for Annual Competition for schools entering this
competition but excluding 6th Form Colleges, Colleges or Football Academies
attached to schools or Colleges entering this Competition.
Eligible Players
Only bona fide boys receiving full time education in accordance with the
Education Acts and who are over the age of 16 years and under the age of 18
years at midnight between the previous August 31st and September 1st can take
part in this competition (i.e. Years 11 to 13).
Match Duration
The duration of these games shall be 45 minutes each way.
Ball Size
A size 5 ball shall be used.
Under 19 Colleges (Years 12 to 14 pupils.)
Entry
A Cup shall be offered for Annual Competition for those schools, 6th Form
Colleges, Colleges and Football Academies entering this competition
Eligible Players
Only bona fide boys receiving full time education in accordance with the
Education Acts and who are over the age of 16 years and under the age of 19
years at midnight between the previous August 31st and September 1st can take
part in this competition (i.e. Years 12 to 14 pupils.).
Match Duration
The duration of these games shall be 45 minutes each way.
Ball Size
A size 5 ball shall be used.
Under 13 Girls (Years 7 and 8 pupils.)
Entry
A Cup shall be offered for Annual Competition for those schools entering the
Competition.
Eligible Players
Only bona fide girls receiving full time education in accordance with the
Education Acts and who are over the age of 11 years and under the age of 13
years at midnight between the previous 31st August and 1st September are to
take part in this competition.
Match Duration
The duration of these games shall be 30 minutes each way.
Ball Size
A size 4 ball shall be used.
Under 15 Girls (Years 9 & 10)
Entry
A Cup shall be offered for Annual Competition for those schools entering this
competition
Eligible Players
Only bona fide girls receiving full time education in accordance with the
Education Acts and who are over the age of 13 years and under the age of 15
years at midnight between the previous August 31st and September 1st can take
part in this competition (i.e. Years 9 &10 pupils).
Match Duration
The duration of these games shall be 35 minutes each way.
Ball Size
A size 5 ball shall be used.
WSFA Competitions Department
It is the responsibility of the WSFA Competitions Department to make sure that
the finals of all competitions conform to a minimum standard. The criteria is to
include:(i)
Suitable venue.
(ii) Match programme.
(iii) Suitable medals or trophies.
(iv) Representative to present trophies.
(v) Qualified match officials.
(vi) 14 days notice of the arrangements of the finals to finalists.
(vii) Match coordinator.
COMP001 Revised July 2015
Keith R James, Head of Competition Dept.