STANDARD RULES

HORSHAM & DISTRICT YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

League Rules

NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION

1. (A) This Competition shall be designated the Horsham & District Youth Football League and known as the Horsham & District Youth Football League and shall consist of not more than 55 Clubs approved by the sanctioning authority.

All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to an affiliated County Football Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the Form “D” to the Sussex County Football Association. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be within a 15 mile radius from Horsham Carfax. Clubs can only play on grounds within a 15 mile radius of Horsham.

This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Sussex County Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding 11 in number.

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 Competition and its Clubs will seek to play fixtures in a fair, competitive but not antagonistic environment.

Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of F.A. and County F.A. Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition.

The competition will provide 11-a-side football for players who have attained the age of 10 as at midnight 31st August in a playing season and Mini-Soccer for players who have attained the age of 6 years but not the age of 10 years as at midnight on 31st August in a playing season. 9v9 may be provided for players who have attained the age of 10 as at midnight on 31st August

Other formats of youth football as authorised from time to time by the FA are also permitted.

ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

2. (A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition must be made in writing to the Secretary and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of £10.00 per team which shall be returned in the event of non-election.

Applications should be received no later than the 15th of April of that year.

At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting. The Entry Fee shall apply.

When Rule 12 (B) is applied or a team seeks a transfer or is compulsorily transferred to another division no Entry Fee shall be payable.

(B) The Annual Subscription shall be £10.00 per Team playing 11-a-side football and £10.00 per Team playing Mini-Soccer payable on or before the 31st of August in each year.

(C) Each Club shall within 14 days of election pay a Deposit of £25.00, which shall be returnable to Clubs on leaving the Competition provided they have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with all orders of the Management Committee.

(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee, Annual Subscription and Deposit have been paid.

(E) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by the 15th of July of its County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined £10.00. Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition.

OFFICERS

3. The Officers of the Competition shall be determined by the Annual General Meeting and elected thereat. (normally this would consist of the President, Vice-President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Committee Secretary, League Welfare Officer, Registration Secretary, Referees Appointments Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, Competitions Secretary, Match Returns Secretaries (x3), Press Officer, Bulletin Editor, Mini-Soccer Co-ordinator, Representative Teams Co-ordinator and Breach of League Rules Co-ordinator and Development Officer)

**Guidance when compiling - (N.B. the Qualified Accountants must not be Officers).

MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

4. (A) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association by a Management Committee comprised of the Officers and a Divisional Representative of each Youth age group who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. All participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by The Association from time to time.

(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than the 30th of April in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting

(C) The Management Committee shall meet at least quarterly.

On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Members of the Management Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Committee.

(D) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.

(E) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their Secretary.

(F) No phone calls will be accepted by any Committee Member between the hours of 9pm and 8am or on Sundays, except for submission of the Sussex County Cup Results to the Fixtures Secretary. Calls outside of these Restrictions will receive a fine of £10.00.

POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

5. (A) The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary. The decisions of all sub-committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have power to deal only with matters within the Competition and not for any matters of misconduct that are under the jurisdiction of the Football Association or affiliated Association.

(B) Subject to the permission of the Sussex County Football Association having been obtained the Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each Club (including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the season. (See Rule 6(E)).

(C) Each Member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee Meetings and have one vote thereat, but no Member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly appertaining to such Member or to the Club so represented or where there may be a conflict of interest. (This shall apply to the procedure of any sub-committee).

In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules.

With the exception of Rules 5(I), 6(H), 11 and 19, for all breaches of Rule a formal written charge must be issued. The respondent shall be given seven days from the date of notice to reply to the charge and given the opportunity to:-

(i) Accept or deny the charge
(ii) Submit in writing a case of mitigation, or
(iii) Put their case before the Management Committee.

Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty any Club, Club Official (limited to Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer) or Player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. Financial penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of Competition Rules. All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with F.A. Rules by the appropriate Association.

With the exception of Clubs playing at Step 7 of the Football Pyramid and the FA Women’s Premier League, the maximum fine permitted for any breach of a Competition rule is £250 and, when setting any fine, the Competition must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances.

(E) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.

Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 14 days.

(F) Five Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and three Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Competition.

(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.

(H) A Club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee, or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition shall be liable to be fined or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the Management Committee.

A Club considered by the Management Committee to be failing to adhere to its code of conduct shall be liable to a fine of £25.00.

(I) All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of posting of the written notification.

Any Club failing to do so will be fined a maximum of £50. Further failure to pay the fine including the additional sum within 14 days will result in fixtures being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding payments are settled.

(J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.

(K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the Annual General or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.

(L) No participant under the age of 18 can be fined.

(M) Competitions who organise Mini Soccer for teams playing U7 and U8 football may not, with the exception of Rules 6, 11d, 14 and 19 fine clubs for breaches of League Rules.

(N) The business of the Competition as determined by the Management Committee may be transacted by electronic mail or facsimile.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

6. (A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the 31st of May in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 30 Members are present and entitled to vote:-

(i) To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.
(ii) To consider any business arising there from.
(iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.
(iv) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee).
(v) Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.
(vi) Election of Officers and Management Committee.
(vii) Appointment of Independent Examiner.
(viii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).
(ix) Fix the date for the commencement of the season and kick off times applicable to the Competitions.
(x) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting.

(B) A copy of the duly verified Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club, and to the Sussex County Football Association, at least fourteen days prior to the meeting.

(C) A signed copy of the duly verified Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Sussex County Football Association by September 30, following of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.

(D) Each Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than fourteen days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.

(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded or who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17.

(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least ten of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.

(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Member Club.

(H) Any new or continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £10.00

(I) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting.

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

7. The Chairman and the Secretary of each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the Application for Membership for the coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete.

"We, A,__________________of _________________________(Chairman) and B,________________________ of _________________________(Secretary) of the _________________________________Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Bedford Sports Horsham & District Youth Football League Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into Membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16."

Any alteration of the Chairman and /or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Competition.

(Note: The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signatures and addresses of officers and members).

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

8. (A)(i) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition. A contract player may only play for the Club that holds his contract.

It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player signing a registration form for that Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any Player aged 12 and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

(ii) No player registered with a F.A. Premier League or Football League Academy will be permitted to play in this competition. A Player registered with a Centre of Excellence may only play in this Competition subject to the Regulations of the Programme for Excellence.

(iii) While serving in any branch of Her Majesty’s Regular Forces, a player must first obtain the consent of his Association Secretary before signing a registration form to play for a Club.

(B) A registered youth playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has completed a club registration form signed by the player and his parent or guardian. On behalf of the player, the Club Secretary or a second league authorised signatory for the club has: -

(i) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition Player ID/Registration Card in ink, which has been countersigned by an Officer of the Club, who has been registered with the Registration Secretary at least seven days prior to playing and whose completed ID card is in the possession of the manager prior to playing. A maximum of 20 players may be registered in this way. The Club registration form must incorporate any known serious medical conditions of the player and emergency contact details of the player’s parents or guardians. These details must be available at matches and training events the player attends within the management of the Club or Competition.

(ii) The Registration acceptance and agreement form (which may be received electronically) is also endorsed by the Club Secretary to confirm that the club has a current club membership form signed by the player and his/her parent/guardian, and indemnifying the Competition as and when injuries occur.

(iii) The player ID/Registration Card (which is held by each club) must incorporate a current passport-size photograph of the player seeking registration, together with the name of the team for which he is registered. If a player’s age is required for registration purposes The Club Secretary must accept an original birth certificate or a photocopy. In cases where the birth certificate is not available, the Club Secretary is required to accept a photocopy of the player’s passport or other official document issued by a Government Agency attesting to the player’s date of birth
The qualification dates for the competition shall be as follows:

Mini-Soccer

To play in a KO Cup game or a game where points are awarded, or results published, a player must have achieved the age of eight on or before the 31st of August.

Under 7 – the player must have attained the age of 6 as at midnight on 31st of August in the playing season but must be under the age of 7 as at midnight on the 31st of August in the playing season. Currently not formally offered by the league, but Under 7 sides are linked together by a league officer – the details being available on the league Website.

Under 8 – the player must be under the age of 8 as at midnight on the 31st of August in the playing season.

Under 9 – the player must be under the age of 9 as at midnight on the 31st of August in the playing season.

Under 10 – the player must be under the age of 10 as at midnight on the 31st of August in the playing season.

In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player in the above age ranges must not play in a match where any other player is older or younger by 2 years or more.

Youth Football

Under 11 – the player must have attained the age of 10 but must be under the age of 11 by midnight on the 31st of August in the playing season.

Girls may not play in mixed football after the U11 season.

Under 12 – the player must be under the age of 12 as at midnight on the 31st of August in the playing season.

Under 13 – the player must be under the age of 13 as at midnight on the 31st of August in the playing season.

Under 14 – the player must be under the age of 14 as at midnight on the 31st of August in the playing season.

Under 15 – the player must be under the age of 15 as at midnight on the 31st of August in the playing season.

Under 16 – the player must be under the age of 16 as at midnight on the 31st of August in the playing season.

In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player under the age of 15 as at midnight on the 31st of August in the playing season must not play in a match where any other player is older or younger by 2 years or more.

(The above qualification dates are subject to the provisions contained in FA Rule C.4(a)(v) and (vi)).

(C) Standard Rule not applicable to this Competition.

(D) A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football Association shall not be allowed to join, be transferred to, or sign for a Club in the Competition without first proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs, and a Club official may not accept such player's signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club, or Clubs, for which the player last played.

(E) A fee of £5.00 shall be paid for each player registered.

20 Registration cards per team shall be obtained from the Registration Secretary.

Additional blocks of 10 cards can be supplied at a cost of £10.00 per block. Duplicate Registration Card can be obtained from the Registration Secretary at a cost of £5.00 per card.
(F) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.

Where there is a query about the registration details of a player, upon the request of the Registration Secretary, the club must provide the requested documentation within three days.

In the event of a player signing a registration card or having a registration submitted for more than one Club, priority of registration shall decide for which Club the player shall be registered. The Registration Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration.

(G) It shall be a breach of Rule for a player to: -

(i) Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season without first being transferred.

(ii) Having signed for one Club in the Competition, sign for another Club in the Competition in that season except for the purpose of a transfer.

(iii) Submit a signed registration card for registration that the player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.

(H) (i) The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any player.

(ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player, except those under the age of 18, at their discretion who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16). However, the Club will be fined in respect of players under 18, and it is expected that clubs, where appropriate, will recover monies due from the parents or guardians.

(iii) The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player found guilty of undesirable conduct (Subject to Rule 16) subject to the right of appeal to the FA or the relevant County Football Association. Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated conduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the player is registered with.

(Note: Action under Clause (iii) shall not be taken against a player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any case be subject to an Appeal to the Football Association.) For the purpose of this Rule, bringing the competition into disrepute can only be considered where the player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match based discipline, in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.

(I) Subject to The Football Association Rules dealing with players without a written contract when a player desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form to the Registration Secretary accompanied by a fee of £5, together with a completed new ID/Registration Card, old ID/Registration Card, and updated team sheets for both clubs involved (for full details please see guidance note from the Competition.) Such transfer shall be referred by the Registration Secretary to the Club for which the player is registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the Registration Secretary and to the player concerned within seven days of receipt of the transfer form. Upon receipt of the Club's consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within seven days, the Registration Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from receipt of such transfer and receipt of new card. Transfers of players are only allowed between the 1st October and the 31st December.

(J) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after the last day of December, except by special permission of the Management Committee.

In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.

(K) A Club shall keep a list of the players it registers and a record of the games in which they have played, and shall produce such records upon demand by the Management Committee.

In the event a Club has more than one team in an age group, each team must be clearly identifiable but not designated “A” or “B” or 1st or 2nd. In such cases, players will be registered for one team
only. A player so registered will be allowed to play for his Club in a younger or older age group within the provisions of Rule 8 (B).

(L) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Registration Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one Season only.

(M) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship; promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12(A)) unless the player has registered by 31st December for that team in this Competition in the current season.

(N) Standard Rule not applicable to this Competition.

(O) (i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players shall have the points gained in the match deducted from its total and will be fined £25.00 and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.

(ii) In addition the team may have 3 points deducted from its total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be fit.

(iii) The Management Committee may, at its discretion, award the points available in the match in question to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.

(P) (i) Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisation activities. This is not applicable to Under 17/18s football.

(ii) The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers (except for Sunday Competitions).

(iii) Children under 15 shall not play in a team involving players who are more than 2 years older.

(Q) A minimum number of 14 players registered per team is required on the Registration Day (The date of the Registration Day to be fixed at the AGM), excepting by agreement with the Management Committee.

Failure to comply with this rule will make the team ineligible to compete in the first fixture of the playing season which will be dealt with as an unfulfilled fixture under rule 10 (f)

Teams with less than 14 players registered after the first fixture of the playing season will be investigated by the Management Committee

(R) A maximum of 20 registered players per team shall be permitted at any given time. A Club wishing to de-register a player must do so by application to the Registration Secretary on the appropriate form, together with the old ID/Registration Card, an updated team sheet and a fee of £5.00. (In addition please see guidance note from the Competition.)

CLUB COLOURS, CLUB NAME

9. (A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Treasurer by 30th June who shall decide as to their suitability.

Goalkeepers must wear colours, which distinguish them from other players and the referee.

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

Player’s names will not be allowed on their playing kit.

Any team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify the colours in which they will play to its opponents at least 5 days before the match.

If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fined £10.

The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit.

The player’s shirts must be clearly numbered.

(B) Any Club wishing to change its name, sponsorship and/or colours must obtain permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee.

PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY. TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES

10. (A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the date for the commencement of the season in accordance with Football Association Rules. Original fixtures arranged by the Fixtures Secretary must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date.

(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board or, for Mini-Soccer, the Laws of Mini-Soccer as set down by The Football Association.

Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home team a 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 matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground.

All matches shall have a duration as set out below unless a shorter time is mutually arranged by the two Clubs in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves.

For Mini-Soccer – The maximum duration of play shall be two halves of 20 minutes each way. The maximum playing time in any one day for under 7 and under 8 age groups is 40 minutes and for under 9 and under 10 age groups is 60 minutes.

For Youth football – The duration of play shall be as follows unless it is mutually agreed by all parties to reduce the time. For under 11 and under 12, 30 minutes each half; for under 13 and under 14, 35 minutes each half; for under 15 and under 16, 40 minutes each half; for under 17 and under 18, 45 minutes each half.

The minimum time for any game will not be less than 20 minutes each half for players in the under 14 age group and below and 25 minutes each half for all other age groups.

No player participating in an under 17 division or lower age group shall be permitted to play more than one game or, in the event the competition allows the playing of a double-header, ie: two separate matches, 100 minutes per day in this Competition. The Fixtures Secretary may require teams to play double-headers.

The times of kick-off shall be fixed at the A.G.M. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time may be fined a sum not exceeding £10.00 or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine.

Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition.

The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. The size of football to be used shall be: For Mini-Soccer, size 3 for players in the under 7 and 8 age categories; size 4 for the under 9's and 10s. For youth football – size 4 for those playing under 11, 12, 13 and 14 age groups; size 5 for all other age groups. Goal nets must be used.

(C) Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all relevant County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the Fixtures Secretary.

In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed).

(D) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice in writing of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least five clear days prior to the playing of the match. The away Club shall seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars.

Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of £10.00

(E) In the event of a Club playing in any youth match with less than nine players they shall be fined £3.00 for each missing player. A minimum of eight players will constitute a team for a Competition match.

Mini-Soccer matches for under 9 and under 10 will be seven-a-side for under 8 five a-side. Teams for Mini-Soccer matches must constitute the required minimum number for that age group.

(F) (i) Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the match in question to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent's ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.

(ii) Not applicable to this Competition

(iii) Any club unable to fulfil a fixture must, without delay, give notice to the Divisional Representative, acting on behalf of the Fixtures Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the Secretary or Fixtures Secretary of the opposing Club and the match officials. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may inflict a fine.

(iv) In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it shall be played in its entirety on a date to be arranged by the Fixtures Secretary or Divisional Representative.

(v) The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both teams. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponent. In cases where a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club member(s), the Management Committee shall rule all points for the match as void. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee for an abandoned match.

(G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 3 substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 3 players.
 
For Mini-Soccer – any number of substitutions may be used at any time with the permission of the Referee. Entry onto the field of play will only be allowed during a stoppage in play. A player who has been replaced may return to the play as a substitute for another player. A Team must not have a squad greater than double the size of its team in an age group.

For Youth Football – for teams in the under 16 age group and below, a player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace another player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football.
 
The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than ten minutes before the start of the match. If a player is unavoidably late, he/she must identify themselves to the opposing Manager and Referee before entering the field of play.

A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.

(H) The half time interval for youth football shall be at least 5 minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval for Mini-Soccer must not exceed 5 minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

(I) The Competition shall require all players and club officials to have signed the FA’s Respect Codes of Conduct and produce these if so requested by the Competition management committee.

Prior to each match the participating teams and officials shall conduct the ‘Respect’ handshake and/or participating teams to offer ‘three cheers’ and handshakes to the opposing team after the match.

The participating clubs taking part in the fixture shall identify a team captain designated with a captain’s armband who has a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of his/her team mates. If the participating players are considered to be too young to take on this role a member of the team coaching staff should provide this support.

Each home club shall make arrangements for the provision of designated areas for spectators. This area can be marked by an additional painted line, the use of cones, a roped off area or use of a temporary spectator barrier. The area for spectators should start two metres from the touchline on both sides of the pitch. Each area should run the full length of the pitch. It is recognised, however, that the alignment of some public pitches does not allow for this arrangement in which case other appropriate arrangements should be made.

(J) Before every match the two managers of the participating teams will check the identity cards of all players nominated to play for the opposing team including substitutes, and check the players against the Full Time Registration List. Any player without an identity card or with a defaced or altered identity card will not be permitted to play. Any team that fails to produce identity cards for its player(s) will
be fined £10.00 in addition to any penalties that may be imposed for its failure to fulfil the fixture in accordance with Rule 10.

(K) The home team must ensure that the field of play has adequate markings and regulation equipment including two Assistant Referees’ flags and a whistle. They must also have a Qualified First Aider (QFA) in attendance.

All teams shall provide at every match a well equipped first aid kit, which must be available for inspection by any Competition or match official. For fuller details, please see Competition Guidance Note 4.

(L) All clubs in membership of the league shall endeavour to ensure that players selected to play in any team representing the Bedford Sports Horsham & District Youth Football League fully co-operate and take part. Players selected should have played a minimum of 4 games in the season in which he is selected.

REPORTING RESULTS

11. (A) The appropriate Match Return Secretary for each age group must receive within four days of the date played, the result of each Competition match, and Cup match, including external Competitions and any abandonment, in the prescribed manner. This must include the forename(s) and surname of the team players, including the substitutes used, who scored the goals, yellow and red cards issues, the sportsmanship mark and also the Referee markings required by Rule 13, or any other information required by the Competition. Failure to do so will incur a fine of £10.00 and/or the Club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.

(B) Both Clubs shall notify the result of each match by returning a text request by 18:00 on Saturday, or for other fixtures within 24 hours of the scheduled kick-off of the match. Clubs in default shall be fined.

For the purposes of this rule the result to include any postponement caused through inclement weather. The reason for the postponement must be notified to the Divisional Representative.

(C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be entered onto the Full-Time system by a responsible member of the Club. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £10.00

NB. If the fixed penalty exceeds £20 the Club must be charged as detailed in Rule 5(D).

(D) Competitions are permitted to collect but not to publish results for fixtures they organise for U7 and U8 Mini Soccer. They may require a Club to confirm that a set fixture has been played. A maximum fine of £5.00 may be imposed for a breach of this Rule.

(E) U8 age group match results and/or match reports must not be reported in the media. Contravention of this rule will incur a fine of £10.00.

DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

12. Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn match. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective Divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points.

In Mini Soccer points will not be awarded.

In the event of two or more teams being equal on points team rankings will be decided in the following order:

(i) goal difference
(ii) goals scored
(iii) the result of the matches played between those teams
(iv) deciding match(es) played under conditions determined by the Management Committee.

For deciding matches, in the event of the scores in a special championship match played under conditions determined by the management committee being level at the end of the game, extra time shall be played in two equal periods. The length of extra time period shall be played as follows:

U11- 5 minutes each way
U12 - 8 minutes each way
U13 - 8 minutes each way
U14 - 10 minutes each way
U15 - 10 minutes each way
U16 - 10 minutes each way

Should the scores be level at the end of extra time, the winners will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the International Board Decision contained in the Laws of Association Football.

(B) Automatic promotion (excepting the top division) and relegation (excepting for the bottom division) shall be applied for the first two and last two teams in each Division

(i) Should one or more teams withdraw from any one Division after the fixtures have commenced an equal number of teams to those withdrawing in that Division shall not be automatically relegated. If a restructure of divisions is deemed necessary by the Management Committee, then the Management Committee shall have absolute discretion to vary the number of teams that are promoted or relegated in order to achieve an appropriate divisional structure.

(ii) Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the season may be filled on any of the following ways:
(a) retention of otherwise relegated team(s)
(b) additional promotion of the next ranked team(s) from the Division below
(c) election

(iii) All final decisions on promotion and relegation are taken by the Management Committee.

(C) In the event of a team not completing 75% of its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table.

Final decisions on team data being expunged are taken by the Management Committee.

REFEREES

13. (A) Whenever possible Registered Referees (and Assistant Referees where approved by the FA or County FA) for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Association(s).

When such appointments are made the relevant clubs are required to use the appropriate appointed official(s) unless otherwise agreed by the Referees Secretary. Failure to use the services of an Appointed Referee may result in a fine of £50.00 being imposed on the defaulting Team.

(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a substitute Assistant Referee be appointed by the competing teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed Assistant Referees, or where the competition has been unable to appoint a Referee, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. Where the Clubs are unable to agree, the Home Club shall provide a Referee whose minimum age shall be fourteen. A Referee thus agreed upon shall, for that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee

(C) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or upon application by the two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant Referees, if available, to any match. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £10.00 being imposed on the defaulting Team.

(D) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of a ground, the Representative of that body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted unless the ground is declared fit for play.

(E) Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to the following match fees: Referee £21.00 / Assistant Referees £10.50
(inclusive of travel or private car expenses of 28p per mile) and any other permitted expenses actually incurred subject to any limits laid down by the sanctioning Association(s)

The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and expenses before the match.
(F) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to half fee plus expenses. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee and expenses.

(G) A Referee not keeping an engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to any non-appearance, may be reported to the Association with which the Referee is registered.

(H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match and the name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed Form provided. Where a mark of 60 or less is given, a written explanation of the reason for the marking must be given. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.

(I) The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form provided by the prescribed date(s) each season (currently required on a monthly basis), shall submit a summary to The Sussex County Football Association.

(J) The Referee shall submit a report form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of players in each team and the time of kick-off to the Referee’s Secretary within two days of the match.

(K) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.

(L) Referees and Assistant Referees shall have undertaken a Respect briefing offered by the FA/County FA or the Competition.

CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

14. (A) After 31st December in the current Season a Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to withdraw a team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Secretary in writing by the 31st March each Season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £20.00

(B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the arrangement of fixtures for the following Season.
(i) Any Club infringing this Rule after the fixtures have commenced shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £50.00 per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(B).
(ii) Any Club infringing this Rule and not disbanding before the fixtures have commenced shall be liable to a fine not exceeding£75.00 per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(B).
(iii) Any Club infringing this Rule and disbanding before the fixtures have commenced cannot be fined but will be liable for their financial commitments prior to disbanding.

(C) The Membership for the coming season having been decided at a Special General Meeting held for that purpose not earlier than 1st of May nor later than 31st of July or at the Annual General Meeting the Competition shall have the right, irrespective of other provisions in this Rule, to refuse to permit a Club to withdraw its team(s) in order to join another Competition and may hold the Club to its engagements.

(D) In the event of a Member Club which is an unincorporated association withdrawing and/or disbanding it shall be immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations to the Competition.

In the event that any such obligation remains undischarged after a period of twenty-one (21) days then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club Members, excluding those under the statutory school leaving age. Until a Member’s pro rata obligation is discharged in full the Member shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club’s Parent County Association for a suspension order.

If the debt remains unpaid after eighty-four (84) days the Competition may apply to the Club’s parent County Association for the debt to be recovered in accordance with the FA Football Debt Recovery System. Once the matter has been passed to the Club’s parent County Association the debt can only be cleared by payment to that County Association.
.
PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS

15. (A)(i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee.
(ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.

(B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the Competition Secretary within seven days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A Member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.

(C) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination by the Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.

(D) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum of £25.00 This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.

(E) All parties to a protest or complaint must receive a copy of the submission and must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement at least 7 days prior to the protest or complaint being heard.
(i) All parties must have received fourteen days’ notice of the Hearing should they be instructed to attend.
(ii) Should a Club elect to state its case in person then they should forward a deposit of £10.00 and indicate such when forwarding the written response.

(F) When dealing with a protest or complaint the Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club of any information which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.

BOARD OF APPEAL

16. Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee or the Competition a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the Sussex County Football Association, including a fee of £35 for adjudication of a Board of Appeal. A copy of the particulars of the Appeal shall also be sent to the Competition Secretary. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.

No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an Annual or Special General Meeting unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct.

EXCLUSION OF CLUBS.OR TEAMS. MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS

17. (A) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, Notice of Motion having been duly circulated on the Agenda, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club or Team from further membership which must be supported by more than two-thirds (⅔) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.

(B) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club or team of a Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by more than two-thirds (2/3rds) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.

(C) Any official or member of a Club proved guilty of either a breach of Rule, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a player or players of another Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as a General Meeting or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule.

(D) Any Club or Team failing to complete 25% of its fixtures in any season shall (unless the conditions are beyond their control, or the accredited delegates present at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting decide otherwise by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast) be debarred from membership the following season.

TROPHIES:- LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED. AWARDS.

18. (A) If a Competition 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 Association may decide.

(B) The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:

“We ___________________________ FC, members of and representing the Club, have been declared winners of _____________________Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, as Team Manager, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the ENGRAVED Cup or Trophy to the nominated Committee Member on or before the last day of February. If the Cup or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care we agree to refund to the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.”

Failure to comply will result in a fine as determined by the Management Committee.

The respective Club is responsible for engraving the Trophy, which must follow the style of previous engravings. Any Club failing to engrave a Trophy correctly will incur a fine of £20.00

(C) At the close of each Competition awards of a maximum of sixteen medals (sixteen for Mini-Soccer) shall be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

19. Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in membership the Competition Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting.

The Management Committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time.

At least seven days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.

Each Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only, as will members of the Management Committee.

Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £10.00

Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.

ALTERATION TO RULES

20. Alterations, for which consent has been given by the sanctioning Association, shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season.

Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by the 15th of March in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by the 1st of April and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by the 15th of April The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if a majority of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.

A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association 21 days prior to the date of the meeting.

Any alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the Association issuing sanction shall have been obtained.

FINANCE

21. (A) The Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged.

(B) All expenditure in excess of £200.00 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.

(C) The financial year of the Competition will end on 31st March.

(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of the Competition shall be prepared and shall be verified annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed as independent examiners at the Annual General Meeting.

SPORTSMANSHIP SHIELDS

1. A sportsmanship shield has been donated for each of the Divisions in the League and for the mini-soccer teams. They will be under the entire control of the Horsham & District Youth Football League Management Committee and all teams taking part will qualify. No shield shall be won outright.

2. Each team manager will enter on the result card for each league match and cup match marks out of 100 awarded to the opposing teams for sportsmanship. This will not apply to final ties. At the end of the season, the Registration Secretary will accumulate the marks for each team, and the team achieving the highest average will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie the shield will be shared.

3. The shield will not be an individual personal award but a team award. Managers should bear this in mind when giving their marking and take into account Club efficiency, sportsmanship on the field of play and the behaviour of spectators.

4. Donors of the shields are:

Under 11s D Webb, Esq.
Under 12s W Edwardes, Esq.
Under 13s A Sheppard, Esq.
Under 14s Henfield Boys Sports Club
Under 15s S Christie, Esq.
Mini-Soccer Southwater Swifts (Under 10)
Mrs Lucas (Under 9)

CUP COMPETITIONS

1. (A) The entire control of the competition shall be vested in the Management Committee, herein after referred to as the Committee and their decisions shall be final subject to the Right of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16.

(B) The rules of the League shall apply to these Competitions except where they are inappropriate or are amended by these rules.

2. These Competitions shall be designated the Horsham & District Youth Football League Cups and known as their sponsorship names below:

U11s Heron Way Cup
U12s Roffey Robins Frank Giess Memorial Cup
U13s John Laker Memorial Trophy
U14s President’s Cup
U15s Fred Sparkes Cup
U16s Edwin Hill Cup

These competitions shall be open to all teams competing in the relevant divisions.

3 (A) A player shall not have played for another club during the season in the same competition and no player may play in more than one Cup competition in the same season.

(B) For the semi-final and final ties, players must be registered for respective team by 31st December during the current season.

Where a team experiences unforeseen problems, they may apply to the League in writing for consideration for players registered after 31 December.

(C) In the case of postponed matches, only those players eligible on the date fixed for the original match shall be allowed to play.

(D) Protests with regard to the eligibility of players must be lodged with the League Secretary within four days of the match. If it is proved that a team played an ineligible player(s), the Management Committee shall fine the offending Club the sum of £25.00 for each ineligible player and either eliminate from the competition the offending team or order the match to be replayed. The ineligible player(s) shall not be eligible to take part should the match be replayed.

4. (A) The Management Committee shall divide teams into pairs or ties, and the winners of such ties shall in like manner be divided into other ties, and so on until there are four Clubs left in the competition. The four Clubs left in the competition shall be divided into the semi-final ties, which shall be played over one leg on neutral pitches where available The winners of the semi-finals shall meet in the final tie. The first drawn team shall be the home team.

(B) The home teams shall be responsible for the arranging of matches, referees (if one is not allocated by the League together with payment of match expenses

(C) The Committee shall have the power to select any number of clubs to be exempt until the Second or subsequent rounds.

5. The ties shall be drawn and the matches played as the Management Committee may determine. The Competitions Secretary, Fixtures Secretary or Divisional Representative shall notify each Club of its opponents, the date and venue of the match and any other details that may be appropriate.

6. Matches shall be of the duration appropriate to the Division in which the teams play. Where scores are level at the end of full-time, extra-time shall be played as follows:

Heron Way Cup - 5 minutes each way
Roffey Robins Frank Giess Memorial Cup - 8 minutes each way
John Laker Memorial Trophy - 8 minutes each way
President’s Cup - 10 minutes each way
Fred Sparkes Cup - 10 minutes each way
Edwin Hill Cup - 10 minutes each way

When the scores are level at the end of extra time, the winners will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the International FA Board Decision contained in the Laws of Football.

7. The Cup/Plate Competitions take precedence over League Fixtures as directed by the Management Committee.

8. Any point not covered by these Rules shall be decided by the Management Committee whose decision shall be final and conclusive. Subject to the Right of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16.

PLATE COMPETITION

1. These competitions shall be known as The Plate Competitions and shall be entirely under the control of the Horsham & District Youth Football League Management Committee. These plates shall never be won outright.

2. The Competitions shall be open to teams who lose their first match in the Cup Competitions be it preliminary, first or second rounds, provided that they have actually fulfilled that fixture. For the avoidance of doubt it shall not apply to teams losing by a walkover.

3. In addition to the provisions of Rule 4 of the Cup Competitions that shall be deemed similarly to the Plate Competitions, no player shall be eligible to play in the Plate Competition if the player has already played in that season for another Cup Competition in the Horsham & District Youth Football League for another team.

4. All Plate fixtures shall be completed on the first attempt. With the exception of this, the rules as defined in Cup Competitions Rule 6 apply.

5. Except for the Plate Competition Rules, the Rules applicable to the Horsham & District Youth Football League Competitions or Cup Competitions as appropriate shall apply.

THE ASSOCIATION’S SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY

Every child or young person, defined as any person under the age of 18, who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football, thus every club is required to endorse and adhere to The Association’s Safeguarding Children policy.

The FA recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. The FA is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all children and young people to participate in the sport to the best of their abilities for as long as they choose to do so. The Safeguarding Children Policy is supported by The FA’s Respect programme to address verbal abuse and bullying of youngsters by parents and coaches on the sidelines. The Association’s Safeguarding Children policy principles are that:

• the child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration
• all children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of
  their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, faith or sexual
  orientation
• all suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to
  swiftly and appropriately
• working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their
  parents and carers is essential.

The FA is committed to working in partnership with the Police, Children’s Services Departments, and Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards (LSCB) in accordance with their procedures. This is essential to enable these organisations to carry out their statutory duties to investigate concerns and protect all children and young people.
The Association’s Safeguarding Children Policy is in response to government legislation and guidance, developed to safeguard the welfare and development of children and young people.

As set out in The Football Association’s Safeguarding Children Policy, The Association is committed to safeguarding children within football and has Case Management procedures in place to assess the suitability of individuals to be involved with children in football.
In assessing that suitability, children’s welfare is the paramount consideration.
Towards this, The Association has the power under the Safeguarding Children Regulations
to issue a suspension where any one or more of the following applies:-

1. The individual fails to comply with any part of The Association’s Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Process;
2. The individual has been barred by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) from engaging in regulated activity relating to children;
3. The individual has been disqualified from working with children under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000;
4. The individual is subject to any other restriction to their involvement with children due to an order made pursuant to statute;
5. The individual has been convicted of, or made the subject of a caution for, an “Offence” defined in paragraph 1 of the Regulations;
6. Following a risk assessment, The Association is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the individual poses or may pose a risk of harm to children.

1(a) In these Regulations the expression “Offence” shall mean any one or more of the offences contained in the Schedules of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes The Association to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.

(b) Where any case is referred to the Safeguarding Review Panel pursuant to these Regulations, it shall be considered by the Panel on the basis of written material only. No party shall be permitted to attend to address the Safeguarding Review Panel.

THE ASSOCIATION’S CRB PROCESS

2. All persons applying for or currently in such positions that The Association deems relevant whose duties include regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in charge of children, must comply with the requirements of The Association’s CRB process. These requirements are:–

(i) To obtain an FA Enhanced CRB Disclosure; and
(ii) To provide any such further detail, explanation or clarification of any or all part or parts of that Enhanced Disclosure, or any matter revealed by it, as may be required by The Association; and
(iii) Where required, to provide at least two references that attest to their suitability to be involved in youth football. The spouse or partner of the person subject to this requirement cannot act as a referee for this purpose. Any reference provided by a spouse or partner will not be accepted; and
(iv) To comply with each of the requirements set out in regulations (i) – (iii) above
within any such time limit as The Association may stipulate.
Any person who fails to comply with any of the requirements set out in sub-paragraphs (i) – (iv) above shall be subject to an immediate suspension from football activity, on such terms and for such period as The Association may stipulate.

INTERIM SUSPENSION ORDERS
 
3. Upon receipt by The Association of:

3.1 Notification that an individual has been charged with an Offence; or
3.2 Notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, Children’s
  Services or any other authority relating to an Offence; or
3.3 Any other information which causes The Association reasonably to believe that a
  person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.

The Association shall have the power to order that the individual be suspended from all or any specific football activity for such a period and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate. Such suspensions will be issued by the Case Manager or his/her nominee. The initial notification of any such suspension sent to an individual shall set out the right of appeal contained in Regulation 6 below.

4. In determining whether an order under regulation 3 should be made, the Case Manager or his/her nominee shall give consideration, inter alia, to the following factors:-

4.1 Whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm;
4.2 Whether the matters are of a serious nature;
4.3 Whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of any investigation by
  The Association or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded having regard to
  the need for any suspension order to be proportionate.

All such suspension orders will be reviewed at the next meeting of The Association’s Safeguarding Review Panel. The Panel may ratify, modify or remove any such suspension, or make any other order in relation to that suspension as it deems appropriate.
 
5. The total period of an order referred to in Regulation 3 above shall not last beyond the final determination of any related case under the Rules of The Association.

6. Any individual subject to a suspension order under Regulation 3 may appeal against it once the period of three months from the imposition of the suspension order by the Case Manager/nominee has elapsed.

7. Such appeals shall be considered by the Safeguarding Review Panel. At least one member of any Panel considering an appeal shall not have been a member of any Panel which conducted the initial review, under Regulation 4 above, of the suspension order being appealed.

8. To bring an appeal under Regulation 6, the individual must give notice in writing to the Case Manager/nominee, requesting such an appeal. The individual may submit any written material in support of the appeal. Such material must be submitted within 14 days of giving such notice or it may not be considered by the Safeguarding Review Panel.

9. The Safeguarding Review Panel shall consider all written material submitted by the individual requesting the appeal and in support of that appeal. The Case Manager/nominee may also submit any written material for consideration by the Panel.

10. On considering an appeal, the Safeguarding Review Panel shall have the power to make any order in relation to the interim suspension order as it deems appropriate, including ratifying, modifying or removing it. The Panel shall also have power to make any order in relation to the conduct of the appeal proceedings as it deems appropriate, including requiring more information from either the individual or the Case Manager/nominee.

11. Any appeal under Regulation 6 shall be heard by the Safeguarding Review Panel at the
earliest opportunity, following receipt of notice in writing and any written material in support of the appeal from the individual.

12. Where an order is imposed on an individual under Regulation 3 above, The Association shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of The Association against the person relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.