Aberystwyth and District Junior League
(draft amendments following AGM on 29 6 09)
CLUB RULES
1. The name of the Club is “Aberystwyth & District Junior FootballLeague”.
2. The Club is registered as a charity under the name “Aberystwyth Mini Minors Association”.
3. The Executive will look after the interests of the Junior League, who will be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
4. Membership
All applicants for membership of the League shall be vetted by the Executive Committee.
All teams should be properly accredited (or have made good progress towards accreditation) and have clear player, coach and parent code of conducts in line with those advocated by the FAW.
Teams that ‘pool’ or ‘recruit’ players outside their geographic location or main school catchment will be closely scrutinised. Teams shown to excessively recruit to the disadvantage of other clubs maybe refused entry into the League.
This rule particularly applies at U11 level to encourage a fair distribution of players where the emphasis should be on participation and fair play. At U13/U15/U17 level it is accepted that most teams are club based and games are more competitive, nevertheless teams should be made up of players in that locality.
Managers of teams will be expected to support the Leagues activities and adhere to the rules. Behaviour, which is or can be perceived to conflict with the Junior League may be lead to managers being suspended or in some circumstances expelled from the League.
The decision of the Executive Committee will be final.
5. Registration
Registration fees shall be determined each season by the Executive Committee.
Any clubs that have not paid their registration fee in full along with the corresponding registration forms by the 1st October each season will result in the immediate suspension of all fixtures in that team's league.
Every player must be registered on a separate Player Registration Form. The Form must include the signature of a parent or guardian. If an unregistered player is used the offending team will be fined. An Under 11 team will be fined £5. Teams in the U13 to Under 17 groups will be fined £10.
A player can only be registered for one team.
Once a player has registered with a team he is not permitted to transfer without applying to the Executive Committee for a transfer. Each case will be treated on its merit and the Executive Committee decision is final. A player will only be permitted to transfer once in a season and no transfers are permitted after December 31st.
6. Registration of a Player after the Season has started
The manager must make every effort to complete a Player Registration Form before the player is used. If this is not possible the opposition manager must be informed before the game starts and the unregistered player name must be included on the result sheet and the signatures of both managers to be shown alongside. Failure to do this will mean that the player will be classed as ineligible and the team will be penalised. The manager must complete and submit the Player Registration Form for the player within one week.
(It must be remembered that our CWFA Insurance only covers registered players)
7. A Team pulls out of the League
If a team ceases to exist during a season then all matches will be void and the League tables will be adjusted. Players previously registered with that team will become free agents for transfer to another team at any time.
8. Shin pads must be worn at all times in every game. Managers / referees must not allow any player to take part if they are not worn.
9. Discipline
On the field of play
All action relating to discipline on the field of play will be dealt with by the referee in the first instance. Serious offences can be dealt with by reporting the incident to the CWFA. Forms for completion are available through the League Secretary
A “sin bin” for up to 10 minutes (at the discretion of the referee) can be used in all games and at all age groups.
Yellow cards can be issued to players during games for swearing or ungentlemanly conduct.
Off the field of play
A Disciplinary Committee of three members is available to deal with matters off the field of play who are governed by a Code of Conduct. All disciplinary matters must be reported to this committee who will make decisions after having first given the individual the opportunity of a personal hearing. The decision of the Disciplinary Committee is subject to appeal to the Executive Committee.
If there is misconduct by an adult then the Executive Committee should be informed so that appropriate action can be taken.
The above 2 paragraphs apply to players.
In addition managers of teams will be expected to support the Leagues activities and adhere to the rules. Behaviour, which is or can be perceived to conflict with the Junior League may be lead to managers being suspended or in some circumstances expelled from the League. The decision in such cases will be made by the Executive Committee and will be final.
10. Changing Rooms
If changing room are being used, whether home or away, it is the responsibility of every team manager to ensure that the room is left in a clean state.
11. Home Team Managers Duties
MUST supply a football of good standard and correct size (Size 4 U11s, Size 4 or 5 at U13 and size 5 at U15/U17 age groups)
MUST referee or supply a suitable referee.
MUST return the game result sheet to the Results Secretary within six days (U13/U15/U17 age groups).
The League will endeavour to provide independent referees at U13, U15 and U17 level. This however cannot be guaranteed. In the event that there isn’t an independent referee the home team should referee the game. In such circumstances all managers are expected to accept the decision of the referee. Inappropriate behaviour should be reported.
12. Result Sheets
All results sheets must be returned to the Results Secretary not later than six days from the league fixture date. (This applies to both managers).
Fair play points are awarded to teams based on correct and timely completion of such documents as team sheets, questionnaires and other communications from the Executive Committee.
Match sheets must be completed before the game starts. It is also the time to notify the opposition manager that you have an unregistered player (see Rule 6 above). Both teams must submit the match sheets to the League Secretary within six days.
The names of referees should be placed on all team sheets.
13. Fixtures
The aim of the Club is to make sure that all players have a full season of football. The practice of “doubling-up” on games is not acceptable.
Under normal weather conditions all games must be played on the League fixture dates.
No game will be allowed to be arranged after the nominated fixture date unless it has been postponed due to weather or ground conditions or by consultation with the nominated Executive member.
Rearranged games will be dealt with by the nominated Executive member.
In exceptional circumstances game maybe postponed due to school commitments or the unavailability of a large number of players due to their appearance with League representative teams. Teams will however be expected to have a sufficient squad of players to accommodate such circumstances. Both teams must consult with the nominated Executive member who will have the final say.
If a game is not played by or on a given or agreed date the points will be awarded to the team that was available to play on the original fixture date.
14. A Team fails to turn up for a game
The offending team will lose three points from the League table and the opposing team will be awarded three points. The offending team will also be fined if an official referee had been appointed to supervise this game.
15. Games Should Start with aMinimum Amount of Players Required For a Game to take place.
11s and Under 7 or 8 players (U11 Premier should play 7 a side)
13’s and Under 11 players
15’s and Under 11 players
17’s and Under 11 players
Both team managers must agree to any deviation from this prior to the kick off. All matches must have equal numbers on each side at all times unless a player has been dismissed from the field of play
16. Venue for Games
All games are to be played on fields specified in the fixture list. No changes are to be made without the approval of the nominated Executive member
17. Qualifying Date for Players
League - 13years old and under Year 7 & 8
League - 15years old and under Year 9 &10
League - 17years old and under Years 11 & 12
No over age players are permitted in the U17League.
18. Duration of League Match
11’s game 20 minutes each way (Some games may be 15 mins each way)
13’s game 25 minutes each way
15’s game 30 minutes each way
17’s game 3540 minutes each way
All games must start on time. No allowance will given at any time. Please adhere to the fixture list.
19. Substitute Players
Each team is allowed up to five substitutes and players are allowed back on the field of play if the manager so wishes. Substitutions will be allowed on a roll on roll off basis.
20. Cup Games
Fixtures and rules for all cup matches will be circulated prior to the event.
21. Age Groups – Basic Rules
Under 7s
Players under the age of 7 years should attend Tiny Tot initiatives in the area. The Junior League will work with these activities to provide fun league days throughout the season.
Under 11’s
Players must be Primary School pupils
No limit to the number of players you can sign on.
If a club or school has more than one team in the League you are allowed to move a player up from a lower division if you are short of numbers to play a particular game. The player must then return to the team that he originally signed for.
No player is allowed to play in a division lower than the one originally signed for or to play for another team in the same division. The player will be considered to be an ineligible player and the team will incur a penalty.
The team on the day will consist of 7 or 8players and 5 reserves. Players can be used on a roll on / roll off basis.
There is no offside rule.
The ball can be passed back to the goalkeeper. In the U11 Premier Division cannot pick up the ball from a back pass. Where the goalkeeper collects a ball in open play (i.e. not from a back pass) he / she must throw rather than kick the ball from hand.
Under 13’s
A maximum of 1517 players can be signed on.
Each team will consist of 11players and 4 6 substitutes. Players can be used on a roll on / roll off basis.
The game is played under the FAW Rules, with the exception of the off-side rule.
Under 15’sand U17’s
No under 13’s are permitted to play in this league.
A maximum of 15 17 players can be signed on.
Each team will consist of 11 players and 46 substitutes. Players can be used on a roll on / roll off basis.
Eligibility for an U17 league is for players in Year 11 and 12
or any players who were born between the following period: 01/09/1992 - 31/08/1994.
Every player can only register with 1 club i.e. Tregaron under 17's could play senior football for Tregaron, but cannot then register with Bont or Dewi Stars in senior football or vice versa. Matches will be 40 minutes each way (amend Rule 18 to reflect this). No player to play more than 90 minutes football each Saturday. All fixtures to be played at Blaendolau unless both clubs agree to an alternative venue.
If an official referee is not available for a game the home manager must ensure that the game is supervised by an adult.
Either manager may request the Executive Committee (or person otherwise responsible for referees) to appoint an independent referee for any particular match provided that the request is made at least four days prior to the match in question. In the event that an independent referee is not available the match shall be rearranged to a date when an independent referee is available.
The game is played under FAW rules.
All managers must ensure that players wear shin pads
The manager takes full responsibility for the conduct of his or her team.
22
It is proposed to have an 8-a-side U14 league consisting of at least 3 teams to play home and away fixtures or at a central venue such as Blaendolau on a Saturday or Llety Parc field on a Sunday. If there is a possibility of having 3 teams at U16 and U12 then a mini league could be considered for these age groups.
Where there is no girl’s league, girls may play in mixed football up to the age of 16 years.
If there is an alternative girls league e.g. North Powys, a girls only team will require permission from the FAW Domestic Committee, via the CWFA, to join the Aberystwyth & District JFL boys league
.
Where girls do play in a girls league they may also play for a boys team, as long as those commitments do not interfere with the girls football, but it must be for the same club (not 2 different clubs)
23. Managers and / or Team Coaches
All managers / coaches must be qualified to run a team. The minimum requirement is a FAW Leader Award and be Club Accredited (or have made good progress towards accreditation).
If a Manager of a team is unavailable on a Saturday morning the person taking responsibility for the team (with a Leaders award) must make it clear to the opposing Manager who is responsible.
24. Tournaments, Competitions or Similar Events
All players in the Junior League are obliged to play for a Representative team if chosen unless there are exceptional circumstances. Team managers should encourage players chosen to represent the League wherever possible rather than select them for club games.
Players in Representative teams are obliged to attend the Football Coaching Centre (if one exists for that age group).
Players must play in their own age group in tournaments and the like.
The Representative team has first choice on a player for a tournament or competition and Junior League managers should respect and support the league where players have been chosen.
25. The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is made up of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Honorary Vice President(s), President, Secretary, Treasurer, Results Secretary, Press Officer, Girls Football Co-Ordinator and CWFA Representative.
They are the persons elected into office at the Annual General Meeting and are responsible for running the Junior League for the following year.
They will decide whether to extend or reduce the number of games in the League.
They fix the duration of games.
They ensure that fixtures are arranged and pitches are available.
They will deal with any matter not covered by a particular rule once it is brought to their attention.
They have the power to wave any of the Club rules in its absolute discretion but such waiver shall take place only in exceptional circumstances and by the unanimous decision of the Executive Committee.
They want to ensure that footballers in the Aberystwyth and District Junior League have the best opportunity to progress their skills and opportunities in the game.
Other managers may be co-opted onto the Executive during the year.
A sub committee is set up to assist the Executive Committee in running the league. This group will primarily focus on working up new ideas for improving certain aspects of the league or introducing new initiatives to the league.
In order to minimise costs all league correspondence should be conducted via e-mail unless a manager specifically asks otherwise.