SUFFOLK GIRLS’ AND WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE - RULES – Youth Divisions
FINAL approved by FA Council on 6 April 2016
Revised 21 June 2016
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(AR 2B.1) For a division to run for the following season a minimum of 4 teams must be playing within it.
FINAL approved by FA Council on 6 April 2016
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(AR 4A.1) The Officers of the competition shall comprise of the President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer,
Secretary, Registration Secretary, Results & Fixtures Secretary, Referees Appointments Officer, Welfare Officer
(FA Respect Co-Ordinator), Charter Standard Co-ordinator, Minutes Secretary, Development Officer and Media
Officer.
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6(H)
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(Note: The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signatures and addresses of officers and
members).
(Note: By signing the above agreement you are agreeing to abide by the FA Respect programme and its Codes
of Conduct).
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Rule not applicable in this league.
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(AR 8O) Each team joining the league will receive registration forms which will be issued electronically.
(AR 8P) A team may de-register players during the season provided it maintains the minimum number required
to fulfil fixtures (subject to Rule 8B). It is the responsibility of the Club to advise any player whom they have deregistered of their action. A player, once de-registered, may join another Club (subject to Rule 8I) without the
need for a transfer, after a lapse of 14 days.
(AR 8Q) In the event of a team withdrawing from the competition, all of their players will be de-registered
automatically, and consequently will be free immediately to register for other Clubs subject to Rule 8I.
(AR 8R) Within 14 days of the playing season, the Registration Secretary shall send to all clubs, a list of their
registered players, listed according to age group. Clubs must return these lists to the Registration Secretary by
no later than the date of the AGM, confirming those players registrations they wish to retain for the following
season. Failure to comply may incur a fine of £10 per list not returned. Each player, if she so wishes, shall
signify her wish to re-register by signing the list prior to its return. Those players not retained or not wishing to
re-register shall be free to register for any other Club without the need for a transfer. It is the responsibility of
the Club to inform the player that she has been de-registered.
FINAL approved by FA Council on 6 April 2016
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(AR 10A.2) Unless by prior agreement by both teams and the match referee, the match duration will be as in
column 3 above (maximum duration per half). In addition, kick-off times must be between 10.00am and
3.00pm – unless by prior agreement of both teams.
(AR 10A.3) Where a game is to be played on the same pitch as another fixture, on the same day, a
minimum of 30 minutes must be allowed between one match’s schedule completion and the next match
commencing.
(AR 10Eii.1) Postponements and the reason for the postponement must be notified to the Fixtures Secretary
on the appropriate form within 3 days of the date of postponement. Unless in the case of bad weather,
no postponement will be accepted after 8pm on the Friday evening prior to the fixture and will also not
be accepted if the postponing team has previously postponed 2 fixtures with less than 10 days’ notice,
unless any of these were due to bad weather. Furthermore no team is permitted to postpone fixtures
against the same opponents more than twice with any length of notice. Any Club failing to comply with
this rule shall be charged with failing to fulfil the fixture under Rule 10Ei.
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handed a Team Sheet from each Team and
(AR 10I) For matches in the under 13, under-14, under-15 and under 16 groups, teams will play 9v9 format
football. For matches in the under-17 and under 18 groups, teams will play 11v11 format football. However,
teams in the under-16 group are permitted to play the 11v11 format and in the under-17 group of the game
are permitted to play the 9v9 format, provided agreement between the teams is reached at least 48 hours
before the match is due to be played and the Referee (if appointed) has also been informed. Matches in the
under-10, under-11 and under-12 groups will play Mini-Soccer, with the following number of players in each
team; U10 5 or 6 or 7 by agreement between the teams, U11 5 or 6 or 7 by agreement between the teams
and U12 7.
(AR 10J) TEAM SHEETS a copy should be handed to the Referee, no later than 30 minutes before Kick Off, with
the names of the players who start the match and the substitutes ticked. The sheet should also name up to
two coaches, who will be permitted in the technical area during the match.
(AR 10K) TECHNICAL AREAS shall be provided and managed in accordance with FA rules. The League shall
permit a maximum of two coaches (one first aid trained) and five substitutes from each team to occupy the
Technical area, during the match, who should be noted on the team-sheet provided to the referee prior to
kick-off. Technical areas should be situated between 3ft and 5ft either side of the halfway line and not
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measure more than 2 yards by 10 yards and may extend forward up to a distance of 1 yard from the touch
line. Where Technical Areas boundaries are not marked, a safe alternative method of marking the
boundaries may be used. Tactical instructions may only be conveyed to the players from within the
Technical area and from nowhere else on the side-lines.
(AR 10L) FA RESPECT HANDSHAKE: Both Teams, Coaches, The Match Official(s) and Club Assistants, will take
part in a RESPECT handshake before KO, in all League & Cup matches. The Referee will be responsible for
managing this event.
(AR 10M) For matches in the under 13, under 14, under 15 and under 16 groups, matches will take place on
pitches measuring between 70 and 90 yards long and between 40 and 60 yards wide. Goal sizes shall be
between 16 and 21 feet in width with the cross bar at 7 foot high. However, if 11v11 format is agreed, then
the match may be played on a pitch measuring no more than 110 by 70 yards, with goals measuring 24 by 8
feet. For matches in the under 17 and under 18 groups, matches will take place on pitches measuring no
more than 130 by 100 yards, with goals measuring 24 by 8 feet. Mini Soccer matches shall take place on
pitches measuring between 50 and 60 yards in length and between 30 and 40 yards in width, whilst Under
12 matches shall take place on pitches measuring 60 yards long by 40 yards wide.
FULL-TIME System
Promotion and relegation will be dependent on the constitution as decided at the Annual General Meeting.
(AR 12D) If a team withdraws having completed 75% or more of it’s fixtures, three points will be awarded to
each of their remaining opponents in the competition.
FINAL approved by FA Council on 6 April 2016
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(A13B.1) The agreed referee must declare any interest or involvement with a Club. Where the management
committee are satisfied that a Club has contravened this rule for their benefit, the Club in default may be
liable to a fine of not more than £10 and any additional action the Management Committee may decide.
Should any Club arrive at their opponents ground and only then be informed that the referee has an
association with their opponents, if they subsequently fulfil the fixture, there can be no recourse to the
competition.
Any Club wishing to resign from the Competition must do so at least 14 days before the AGM. Failure to do so
will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).
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(Note: Clubs shall bear the full cost of engraving, which shall be carried out by a reputable engraver prior to
1st March of the following year.)
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