Devon FA Walking Football
2016-17 League Programme
Frequently Asked Questions / Rules & regulations
Ethos:
The aim of the programme is to provide men & women aged 50+ with the opportunity to play 5-aside walking football in a formalised competition, taking their participation to the next level from
the recreational sessions they currently participate in.
Venues:
Sports Halls, 3G’s or Sand-based Astro football turf pitches, with flood light & changing facilities in
Respect:
This competition and its Clubs shall support The FA’s Respect programme. As such it recognises
that everyone in football has a collective responsibility to create a fair, safe and enjoyable
environment in which the game can take place. A Respect League values the contribution of match
officials, players and spectators and ensures that they are treated with courtesy and fairness by
opposing players, club officials and spectators. The League and its Clubs will seek to play fixtures in
a fair, competitive but not antagonistic environment.
League format
Format:
The league will target the recruitment of 10 teams in season 2, producing 2 groups of 5 teams
Matchday 1 – Random Groups, Top 5 make Premier Division, Bottom 5 Make Championship
Matchday 2-6: 2 teams Promoted from Championship & 2 Relegated after each Matchday
Teams will play each team in their group once on each match day. Match days will be played at
central venues across the county in the season at host club sites
LEAGUE Matchdays- October 2016, November 2016, January 2017 - April 2016
1x County Cup (May 2017) – One-off Tournament
Teams will be expected to commit to ALL 6 Match-days (County Cup Optional at end of season)
Kick-off times: Games will be played on Sundays
Fixtures and results will be published online using The FA’s Full-Time league website.
Points system: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss.
Standings:
League positions will be determined on: Points - goal difference - goals scored - goals conceded
League Winners- Team top of the Premiership at end of April match day
Page 1 of 3
League/Match fees
Entry fee:
League Registration fees & affiliation is FREE to the first 10 registering teams in 2016-17 season.
The league costs £30 per team thereafter.
Match fee:
Covered by host club. Visiting clubs not required to pay
Matches
Match length: Matches will last 10 minutes each
Team size:
Squads will consist of maximum 12 players, 5 playing plus 7 substitutes max.
Substitutions: A player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace a player at any
time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of
Association Football. This rule is commonly known as “roll on roll off subs”.
Players/Squads
Squad size:
Teams can register and use up to 12 players within their squad across the season.
Qualification: Players must be aged 50+
Player equipment
Kit:
Teams are encouraged to wear matching shirts where possible. However, coloured bibs will be
provided by the league if teams wish to use them.
Shin pads:
Shin pads are mandatory for all players at all times.
Footwear:
Astro-turf trainers or moulded boots are permitted, dependent on the venue’s surface. Metal studs
are strictly not permitted.
Staffing
Officials:
Referees and assistant referees will be qualified officials, appointed by Devon FA. Host clubs are
required to cover referee costs on the day
Co-ordinator: The County FA will provide a co-ordinator on-site, who will be the first point of contact for teams
on the night. The Football Development Officer will be the first point of contact at all other times.
Responsibilities on team organisers
Team organisers will be required to:



register the team with the league organiser (online registration)
coordinate your club’s host event (facility booking)
Be the main point of contact for the league co-ordinator for all team-related matters (the
majority of which will be done via email)
The ethos of the league is to keep administrative work for team organisers to a minimum
Page 2 of 3
League Governance
Laws:
All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the
International Football Association Board.
Affiliation:
The league is affiliated to Devon Football Association, which means that:


Insurance:
The competition is covered under the Devon FA discipline process
The competition’s referees are qualified and registered with The FA
The competition is covered under the Devon FA’s Public Liability Insurance
Registered players are covered by a personal accident insurance policy with Sportsguard. Contact
the league co-ordinator if you wish to make a claim.
Queries:
All questions of eligibility, qualification of players or interpretation of the rules shall be referred to
the Adult Football Development Officer.
Entries
How to enter: In the first instance, team organisers should contact Howard Shaddick at Devon FA:
Mobile:
07585 403993
Email:
[email protected]
Page 3 of 3