Leicestershire and Rutland Schools Football Association

Competition Rules

KNOCK-OUT CUP COMPETITION RULES

 

NOTE  :  matches in national competitions (organised by The English Schools Football Association  (ESFA) have priority over all local competitions in Leicestershire and Rutland.

1.  The rules of the game shall be those of the International Football Association Board except as otherwise stated.

All inter-school, local association and county representative teams must be under the ultimate control of either:

(a)  a practicing teacher, recognised as such by the Department for Education or a recognised teacher who is retired.

(b)  an AOTT who has received direct approval in writing from the appropriate localor county schools football association to undertake such responsibilities.  Approval may be withdrawn, at any time, by the ESFA, the local and / or county schools association

(c) everyone regularly assisting with or coaching a team must (i) have an accepted FA Enhance DBS check, issued with the previous three years  (ii)  complete the FA Safeguarding Children course in line with FA Policy and renewed every two years, unless they are a practicing school teacher who receives annual safeguarding training through their employment in a recognised educational establishment.

(d)  Any cost associated with DBS and Safeguarding Children shall be the responsibility of the local or county schools football association.

(e)  Everyone regularly assisting with or coaching a representative team must be named and accepted on the ESFA affiliation portal by the ESFA National Welfare Officers before they can be involved in any activity..  Practicing teachers must be identified as such on the ESFA portal.  AOTTs (Adults Other than Teachers) must be identified as such on the ESFA affiliation portal.  Retired teachers must be identified as such on the ESFA portal.

(f)  Anyone who has an expired FA DBS and /or expired sageguarding training must not be involved in any activity.

(g)  All coaches and helpers / assistants must operate in the presence of a person qualified under the paragraphs above.

 

2.  The entire control and management of the competitions shall be vested in Council or such Committees that shall be appointed by Council.   Rules as laid down herein must be adhered to throughout.    These rules may be altered only at a General Meeting of the Association in accordance with the principles laid down by the General Rules.

 

3.  The trophies shall be offered for annual competition amongst the schools  affiliated to Leicestershire & Rutland Sport (Team Leicestershire)

The Trophy pertaining to each section of the Competition 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.

The winning School, College, or Association shall be responsible for suitable engraving and for the maintenance of the Trophy in good order. Arrangements for display of the Trophy must be agreed by the Management Committee.

(A)   11-a-side & 9-a-side Competitions

(i)     Sixteen mementoes in 11-a-side Cups and fourteen mementoes in 9-a-side Cups shall be awarded to each School  taking part in the final tie of a Knockout competition.

(ii)    The Management Committee shall determine the number of mementoes presented to each School or Association which finishes as the Champion or runner-up in a League competition.

(iii)    Three mementoes shall be awarded to the match officials (referee, two assistant referees), officiating at a final tie.

(B)     Small-Sided Competitions

(i)     The Management Committee shall determine the number of mementoes presented to each School or Association which finishes as the Champion or runner-up in a Small-Sided competition.

(ii)     The award of additional mementoes to participating players, coaches and/or match officials shall be at the sole discretion of the Management Committee.

 

 

4. (a) Matches must be played on or before the date stated unless permission for a change of date has been given by the competition organiser.

(b) The home school shall give the visitors and the referee, if appointed, at least three days notice of the match arrangements.

(c)  Both teams are responsible for notifying the result to the competition organiser.

Schools must take all reasonable precautions to keep their Grounds in a playable condition. All Competition Matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home Team a Competition Match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed.

The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for Competition Matches and to order the team concerned to play its Competition Matches on another ground.

Football Turf Pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition provided they meet the required performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf Pitches. All Football Turf Pitches used must be tested ((by a

FIFA accredited test institute) every three years and the results passed to the FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use and add the pitch to the Register. Mini-soccer may be played on sand-based pitches if necessary.

The home team is also responsible for advising Participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements.

 

5. Competitions.

A "limit date" shall be notified to all schools entering any competition.      In the event of competition matches not being played by the limit date, the relevant Competition Organiser shall have discretion to resolve the tie by either:

1. Permitting the tie to be played as soon as practical after the deadline.
2. Where they are satisfied that one school has made all reasonable efforts to ensure the tie was played but those efforts have not been reciprocated by the opposing school, then the school which attempted to play the match shall advance to the next round.
3. Where both schools have made reasonable efforts to play the tie, or have been unable to do so for reasons beyond their control, they may toss a coin to determine which school advances.
4. In extreme circumstances, where a tie has been unplayed and neither school can demonstrate they have attempted to arrange the playing of the match, the Competition Organiser may remove both schools from the competition. This course of action shall only be taken where limit dates have been missed by a considerable margin and attempts to communicate with the schools involved have failed

 

(a)  Qualification of Players

Players who are under six years of age on 1st September in any playing season shall not be allowed to participate in competitions sanctioned by ESFA. A child who has not attained the age of ten years at midnight between 31 August and 1 September shall not play and shall not be permitted or encouraged to play in a match between sides of more than seven players in that playing season.

The relevant age for each Player is determined by his or her age as at midnight on 31 August of the relevant Playing Season i.e., children who are aged 6 as at midnight on 31 August in a Playing Season (together with those who attain the age of 6 during the Playing Season) will be classed as Year 2 Players for that Playing Season. Children who are aged 7 as at midnight on 31 August in a Playing Season will be classed as Year 3 Players for that Playing Season, and so on.

The age groups that children are eligible to play in are set out in the table below, along with the permitted football formats for each of those age groups.

A Child in the age ranges Under 7 (Year 2), Under 8 (Year 3),  Under 9 (Year 4), Under 10 (Year 5),  Under 11 (Year 6), Under 12 (Year 7),  Under 13 (Year 8), Under 14 (Year 9),  and Under 15 (Year 10),  must not play, and shall not be permitted or encouraged to play in a match where any other player is older or younger by two years or more than that child. Note: Individual competition rules may cater for one year age bands.

The following apply to Competitions involving Players in full-time education.

(i)    Whilst a player is receiving full-time education in accordance with the Education Acts, priority must be given to school or schools’ organisations activities in accordance with FA regulations.

(ii)   The availability of children must be cleared with their head teacher (except for Sunday league competitions).

(A)    If the Competition and / or Sanctioning Authority 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.

(B)     Mixed-gender matches shall be played in line with current FA regulations. However, in all Competition matches in the U12, U13, U14, U15 and U16 age groups which may involve players of mixed gender then only players from the same chronological academic year group shall take part.

(C)     A player may only play for the School or College he/she is currently attending and on whose roll he/she appears at the time of the game in which he/she is playing.

(D)     A pupil shall not play for more than one School / Association / County in the same competition during any season, except by permission of the Management Committee.

(E)  Any team playing an ineligble player(s) shall be removed from the competition and the match awarded to their last opponents.

(F)     Pupils under the statutory school leaving age who are not on the roll of a school may apply to the Management Committee to participate in representative football for the District Association in which they reside.

(G)      Eligibility for Schools’ Football

What is full time education? At least 15 hours per week, on average, for the full academic year.

What is an eligible institution? An institution with a Department for Education number.

What is an eligible player? On a full time, programme in an eligible institution.

(H)  Minimum number of players.  The minimum number of players that shall constitute a team shall be as follows:  (5 v 5)  -  4 players              7 v 7  -  5 players          9 v 9  -  6 players         11 v  11  -  7 players

 

COLOURS, PLAYERS’ ATTIRE

Where Schools  have similar colours, the home team shall be entitled to retain their colours and the visiting team shall change to colours that provide a satisfactory contrast.

Teams must not wear shirt advertising of a conflicting interest to that of any sponsor.

Players’ shirts shall be numbered where possible.

Attire worn by players and staff must only reflect their School, College or Association and not make any reference to other football organisations.

Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from all other Players and the Match Officials.

No Player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.

 

(a) The Rice Bowl (U11) (nine-a-side)

The age of this competition shall be under eleven at midnight between 31st August and 1st September in any year.  A size four ball shall be used and, where possible, 21ft  x  7ft goal posts.  The Rice Bowl shall only be open to children at primary and junior schools.  The duration of these matches shall be 25 minutes each way.  When a match ends in a draw extra time of five minutes each way shall be played.  If the scores remain level at the end of extra time then the result of the match will be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark (taken in accordance with the rules of F.I.F.A.  i.e five penalties to be taken by each team followed by "sudden death").  Note: Each kick is taken by a different player and all eligible players must take a kick before any player can take a second kick.

If the scores are level at the end of normal playing time in the final, then the trophy shall be shared.

 

(b) (Boys competitions)      The Leicestershire & Rutland Schools Cup (u16) The County Cup (U15), The Secondary Shield (U14), The Leicestershire Trophy (u13),   The Ron Jackson Trophy  (U12)  (eleven-a-side except the u12 competition which is nine-a-side).

The duration of these matches shall be:

u16 Leicestershire & Rutland Schools Cup  -  40 minutes each way           u15  County Cup - 35 minutes each way

u14 Secondary Shield, Under 13 Leicestershire Trophy and Under 12 Ron Jackson Cup : 30 minutes each way.

When a match has resulted in a draw ten minutes (seven minutes at u12 and u13) each way extra time shall be played, and should the scores again be equal, the result shall be determined by the taking of penalty kicks (taken in accordance with the rules of F.I.F.A.  -  as descibed above for the u11 Rice Bowl competition).

The ball used for each competition shall be size 5 (u15 and u16)), size 4 for other competitions.

(c)The Senior Cup (U18)

This is open to schools with over statutory school leaving age pupils. A player in the u19 age group may play if he has rejoined his school / college to resit examinations.   Matches shall be 45 minutes each way.  When a match has ended in a draw, extra time of ten minutes each way shall be played.  Should the scores again be equal, the result shall be determined by the taking of penalty kicks (taken in accordance with the rules of F.I.F.A.)

 

(d) Under 11 seven-a-side competition (Y5 and Y6) (ESFA national qualifying competition)

This shall be organised to obtain a team to represent the County in the national competition.  The rules shall be as decided by E.S.F.A.  A competition for both girls and for mixed teams shall be organised.

 

(e) Under 11 'small schools' seven-a-side competition (Y5 and Y6) (ESFA national qualifying competition)

The competition is for primary schools with lno more than 65 children in Years five and six..  It shall be organised to obtain a winner to represent the county in the national competition.  The rules shall be as decided by E.S.F.A.

(f)  (Girls competitions).  The duration of matches shall be

u12 (Y7) nine-a-side Cup    30 minutes each way           u14 (Y8 & Y9)  (eleven-a-side)   30 minutes each way       u16     (Y10 & Y11)   (eleven-a-side)      40 minutes each way      u18  (Y12 & Y13)  45 minutes each way.

For all matches  -  when a match ends in a draw after normal playing time, extra time of ten minutes each way (7 minutes at u12 (Y7) shall be played.  If the scores remain equal then the result shall be detyermined by the taking of penalty kicks (taken in accordance with the rules of F.I.F.A.).  See notes for the u11 Rice Bowl competition (above).

The ball used  shall be size 4 (u12 and u14),  size 5  (u16)

(h) Futsal competitions.

The rules shall be the same as the rules for FA competitions.  The winner of each local competition shall meet for the County Final.  The futsal competitions are open to girls in Years 7, 9 and 11.  For Year 7 the ball shall be size 3, for Years 9 and 11 the ball shall be size 4.  A separate document, showing an abridges version of the FA Rules for futsal, is available on the website under "competition rules".

 

6.  The Council shall have direct control over all matters connected with the Finals.

 

7(a)  Referees and assistant referees.

Where possible neutral referees will be appointed by the competition secretary.  A standard match fee is payable by the home school. The teacher in charge of the team shall decide the fitness of the ground.  Postponed matches shall be played on a date to be mutually agreed, failing which, Council shall decide.  Each team should endeavour to appoint an assistant referee (linesman).     In cases where there are no officially appointed Match Officials in attendance, the teams shall agree upon a referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that Competition Match, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered referee. Individuals under the age of 16 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any open age competition and individuals under the age of 14 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any Competition Match. Referees between the ages of 14 and 16 are only eligible to officiate in competitions where the Players’ age band is at least one year younger than the age of the referee, for example a 15-year-old referee may only officiate in competitions where the age banding is 14 or younger.

 

8.  The method of making the draws shall be decided by Council who shall have power over any other matter not provided for in these rules.

 

9. Substitutes.

In all outdoor matches, five repeated (or rolling) substitutions shall be allowed.   In all indoor matches, three substitutes shall be allowed.

‘Repeated’ substitutions are allowed in all competitions up to and including the Under 18 age group. In these age groups, 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 being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of the Game.

(i)             9v9 and 11v11 matches: Teams are permitted to use 5 substitutes from five named players.

(ii)          Small-Sided matches: Indoor 5-a-side - 3 named substitutes 7-a-side - 3 named substitutes

 

10.

The Teams taking part in any competition shall identify a Team captain who shall wear an armband and shall have a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of his/her teammates.

11.    Determining a Championship

In Competitions where points are awarded, Team rankings within the Competition may be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn Competition Match. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective divisions at the end of the Playing Season shall be adjudged the winners. Competition Matches must not be played for double points.

In the event of two or more Teams being equal on points the highest placed team shall be decided as follows:

(i)      Goal difference.         (ii)    Most goals scored

12..  Inclusivity and non-discrimination

(i)    The Competition and each team must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination and should abide and adhere to The FA Equality Policy and any legislative requirements (to include those contained in the Equality Act 2010).

(ii)    This Competition and each team must make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise.

(iii)     Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate Sanctioning Authority for investigation.

(H)   Teams must comply with the provisions of any initiatives of the FA / ESFA which are adopted by the Competition including, but not limited to, the RESPECT programmes.

(I)    All Participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by the FA from time to time.

12.  Protests, Claims, Complaints, Appeals

(A)        Protests arising from competitions organised for schools by the Leicestershire & Rutland Schools Football Association shall be submitted to the Management Committee in line with the ESFA policy for protests, which shall apply as follows:

(i)                  All protests shall be in writing and shall be received at the CSFA nominated address within 2 working days of the match concerned.

(ii)               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.

(iii)            Any protest shall be signed by the Headteacher/Principal as acknowledgment of their approval of its submission.

(iv)           The Association Officers will gather any evidence they wish to have before making their decision.

(v)              A copy of this decision must be relayed to both teams in writing.

(B)        Should the complainant not be satisfied with the decision of the Association, an appeal shall be submitted to the ESFA in line with the ESFA policy for appeals, which shall apply as follows:

(i)                  Any appeal against the decision of the Leicestershire & Rutland Schools Football Association  must be made within 2 working days of the receipt of the ruling that the CSFA has made.

(ii)               The appeal must arrive at the ESFA  headquarters by letter, countersigned by the Headteacher/Principal/Association Secretary and accompanied by a School/College/Association payment for £50. This will be returned if the appeal is upheld.

(iii)            The appeal will be considered by the ESFA’s  Governance Committee and shall be final and binding on all participants.

13.  Dissolution

(A)     Dissolution of the Competition shall be by resolution approved at a general meeting in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.

(B)     The Management Committee shall deal with any surplus assets in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the Competition.

(i)      If a Competition or an individual section of it is discontinued for any reason a trophy or any other presentation shall be returned to the donor if the conditions attached to it so provide or, if not, dealt with as the Sanctioning Authority may decide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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