Competition Rules

COMPETITION RULES

This document contains the Standard Code of Rules developed by The Football Association, English Schools’ Football Association and Independent Schools’ Football Association for Schools, Mini Soccer and Youth Football Competitions (the “Standard Code”).

The Standard Code is mandatory for all Schools, Mini Soccer and Youth Football Competitions at County, Regional and National levels. A glossary of the terms used within the Standard Code is shown at the end of this document.

1. COMPETITION GOVERNANCE

(A) The geographical area covered by the Kent Schools’ Football Association (KSFA) competitions shall be the County of Kent, Unitary Authority of Medway and the London Boroughs of Bexley and Bromley. Districts and Schools outside this area may participate in the competitions, if invited to do so by the KSFA Executive Committee, and with the approval of their parent County SFA.

(B) Entry to KSFA Inter-District and Inter-School competitions is by invitation, and by paying an entry fee as determined by the KSFA Executive Committee. The KSFA reserves the right not to issues invitations, and to refuse entries.

(C) The administration of the Competitions under these Rules will be carried out by the Competitions acting (save where otherwise specifically mentioned herein) through the KSFA Executive Committee in accordance with the rules, regulations and policies of the KSFA and ESFA.

(D) All participants shall adhere to the Rules. Every District and School shall be deemed to have accepted the Rules and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the KSFA Executive Committee in relation thereto, subject to the provisions of Rule 3.

(E) The Rules are taken from the Standard Code of Rules for Youth Competitions - schools (the “Standard Code”) determined by the FA and the ESFA from time to time. In the event of any omissions from the Standard Code then the requirements of the Standard Code shall be deemed to apply to the Competition.

(F) Inclusivity and Non-discrimination

The Competitions and each team involved in them 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).

The Competitions and each team involved in them 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.

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

(G) 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.

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

(I) Entries must be made by the date determined by the KSFA Executive Committee and shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. The entry fee for each competition entered by an Association an individual school shall be determined by the Executive Committee. The KSFA shall have the right to refuse entries.

2. CONTROL

(A) The entire control and management of the competitions shall be vested in the KSFA Executive Committee, or such sub-committees that shall be appointed by the KSFA Executive Committee.

(B) The rules of the game shall be those of the International Football Association Board, except as otherwise stated.

(C) For representative football:

(i) All representative teams must be under the ultimate control of either:

• A practising teacher, recognised as such by the Department for Education, OR a recognised teacher who is retired, or
• An AOTT who has received direct approval in writing from the appropriate Local or County Schools’ Football Association to undertake such responsibilities. Approval may be withdrawn by the FA or the ESFA at any time.

(ii) Everyone regularly assisting with or coaching a team must:

• Have an accepted FA Enhanced DBS check, issued within the previous 3 years.
• Complete the FA Safeguarding Children Course in line with FA policy and renew every 2 years, unless they are a practising schoolteacher who receives annual safeguarding training through their employment in a recognised educational establishment. Any cost associated with this shall be the responsibility of the District or County SFA

(iii) Everyone regularly assisting with or coaching a representative team must be named and accepted on the ESFA affiliation portal by ESFA National Welfare Officers before they can be involved in any activity.

(iv) Practicing schoolteachers must be identified as such on the ESFA affiliation portal.

(v) AOTTs (Adults Other Than Teachers) must be identified as such on the ESFA affiliation portal.

(vi) Retired teachers must be identified as such on the ESFA affiliation portal.

(vii) Anybody who has an expired FA DBS and/or expired safeguarding training under (e above must not be involved in any activity.

(viii) All coaches and helpers/assistants must operate in the presence of a person who is qualified under (c) above.

(ix) Districts must comply with the FA’s/ESFA’s Safeguarding criteria. Compliance must be in place at the time of affiliation and throughout the season.

(x) An individual cannot be the named manager/coach for more than two teams within the same Association, although they can be named as assistant manager/assistant coach for more than two teams.

(xi) All Districts that run representative teams must register all team personnel with the ESFA as a requirement of the affiliation. This information must be registered with the ESFA as part of the affiliation process, prior to affiliation being approved.

(xii) All ESFA affiliated Associations running representative football teams must have an FA qualified and ESFA approved Welfare Officer

(xiii) Association Welfare Officers must comply with the current training requirements of the Football Association.

3. PROTESTS, CLAIMS, COMPLAINTS, APPEALS

(A) Protests arising from competitions organised for schools by the KSFA shall be submitted to the KSFA Executive 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 KSFA nominated address within 2 working days of the match concerned, accompanied by a fee as determined by the KSFA Executive Committee.

(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 acknowledgement of their approval of its submission, or, in the case of Districts, by the Chair.

(iv) The KSFA Executive Committee will gather any evidence they wish to have before making their decision, which shall be final and binding on all parties.

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

4. TROPHIES & MEDALS

(A) All Trophies are the property of the KSFA. The Trophies shall be offered for annual competition amongst the affiliated District Associations and Schools. The KSFA Executive Committee will decide the conditions for the presentation, safekeeping and return of KSFA trophies.

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

(i) 16 mementoes in 11-a-side Cups and 14 mementoes in 9-a-side Cups shall be awarded to each School or Association taking part in the final tie of a knockout competition.

(ii) The KSFA Executive 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) Four mementoes shall be awarded to the match officials (referee, two assistant referees and reserve official if appointed) officiating at a final tie.

(iv) Additional mementoes may be purchased at the discretion of the KSFA Executive Committee.

(v) A player sent off in a final shall only receive a medal at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

(C) Small-Sided Competitions

(i) Ten mementoes will be 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 KSFA Executive Committee.

(iii) Additional mementoes may be purchased.

(iv) A player sent off in a final shall only receive a medal at the discretion of the KSFA Executive Committee.

5. ALTERATION TO RULES

These rules may be altered only at a General Meeting of the Association in accordance with the principles laid down in the Rules of the Association.

6. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

(A) 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 player 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. Individual competition rules may cater for one year age bands.

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

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.

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

(B) 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, provided that the school or college is affiliated to an affiliated District of Kent, or to the KSFA

(C) Players who spend any part of the normal school day at a football club are ineligible to play in KSFA inter-school competitions (the only exception to this shall be recognised work experience of a single period not exceeding 10 consecutive school days).

(D) At the discretion of the KSFA Executive Committee, players who do not make themselves available for District or County teams will not be eligible to play for their schools in KSFA competitions.

(E) The KSFA Executive Committee may stipulate additional eligibility criteria for certain specific competitions (e.g. players who represent their school in an A team competition will be ineligible to play for the B team), and will publish these annually.

(F) If the KSFA Executive Committee 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 may be disqualified from the competition or have points deducted.

(G) Mixed-gender matches shall be played in line with current FA regulations.

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

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

(J) Eligibility for Inter-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 (“URN”).
• What is an eligible player? On a full time programme in an eligible institution.

(K) Eligibility for Representative Football

(i) Players must be in full time education at a DfE registered institution to be eligible to represent their District, County or Country.

(ii) A player shall only be eligible for selection for the Kent Schools’ FA if they attend a school in the geographical area of the KSFA.

(iii) A player shall only be eligible for selection for the District Schools’ FA in which they attend school, unless there are exceptional educational reasons why this is not possible.

(iv) For players who attend a Pupil Referral Unit, eligibility to play for the KSFA or for a District shall be determined by the location of the school/unit in which they are primarily registered, unless the pupil has been prohibited from playing football as part of the terms of his/her exclusion, in which case such pupils would not be eligible for selection. PRU-educated pupils able to play for their District/County Association are eligible for national selection.

(v) Players who are home educated shall be eligible to play for the District or County in which they reside, unless they are registered with a school for exams, in which case the school’s locality shall define eligibility. (vi) Players eligible to play for their County are eligible for national selection. 

(vii) The KSFA Executive Committee may require players to be registered to participate in its competitions, and to pay a registration fee.

8. COLOURS, PLAYERS’ ATTIRE  

(A) District Associations and schools must wear their registered colours in competition matches. Where Districts or 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, except in a final when both teams must change.

(B) Teams must not wear shirt advertising of a conflicting interest to that of the competition’s sponsor.

(C) Players’ shirts shall be numbered in a final, and in other fixtures, where this is where possible.

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

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

(F) No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.

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

(A) All Competition Matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board or, for Mini-Soccer, and 9v9 football, the Rules as set down by the FA.

(B) Schools and Districts 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 KSFA Executive Committee. If through any fault of the home Team a Competition Match has to be replayed, the KSFA Executive Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed.

(C) The Executive 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/4G) are allowed in KSFA Competitions 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 can be played on sand-based pitches where necessary.

(D) The home team is responsible for advising participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 9(C).

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

(F) Competition Matches should be played in accordance with the Laws appropriate to the relevant age group, as laid down by the FA, as detailed below:

Matches for age-groups from U7 to U10 can be played in either quarters or halves. This competition uses halves.

For round robin/trophy events, the maximum duration of play per half cannot be exceeded, but the minimum duration of play per half may be adjusted.

(G) The home team must provide goal nets, corner flags and at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if any of the items provided are unsuitable.

(H) After the closing of entries for the season’s competitions the KSFA Executive Committee shall arrange for the draw of the fixtures, the first District or School drawn in each fixture having the choice of grounds. The Executive shall fix the dates within which or on which such fixtures shall be played. In the case of matches for which dates are fixed, they must be played on a the fixed dates, unless both the KSFA Executive Committee agree otherwise.

(I) District and Schools must obtain the permission of the KSFA Executive Committee, through the General Secretary, before arranging a competition match on a date when a county match, county training session or county trial is due to take place. Where this rule is not followed, the District or School at fault may be withdrawn from the competition at the discretion of the KSFA Executive Committee.

(J) In the event of a District or School withdrawing a team from a cup competition, that District or School shall pay a withdrawal fee of £50. In the event of a School withdrawing from a league competition after the publication of fixtures, that School shall pay a withdrawal fee of £200.   

(K) The home team must give notice of full particulars of the location of the venue and time of kick-off to the Match Officials and an Officer of the opposing team at least 5 clear days prior to the playing of the Competition Match (e.g., by the Monday for a game scheduled to be played the following Saturday). If not so provided, the away team shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the KSFA.

(L) The minimum number of Players that will constitute a Team for a Competition Match is as follows:

(M) (i) In competitions where points are awarded, home and away matches shall be played (unless a single fixture programme has been agreed by the KSFA Executive Committee).

(ii) Any District or School unable to fulfil a fixture or where a Competition Match has been postponed for any reason must, without delay, give notice to the Competition Secretary, the secretary of the opposing District or school and, if applicable, the Match Officials.

(iii) In the event of a Competition Match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither school has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two teams and approved by the KSFA Executive Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the Competition Secretary within 2 days the KSFA Executive Committee shall have the power to order the Competition Match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and the teams involved agree, the KSFA Executive Committee shall also be empowered to order the score at the time of an abandonment to stand.

(iv) The KSFA Executive Committee shall review any Competition Match that has taken place where either or both Teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by ESFA. In each case the Team that was under suspension would be dealt with in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players.  (v) Where both Teams were under suspension the Competition Match must be declared null and void and shall not be replayed.

(N) 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. In 9v9 and 11v11 matches, teams are permitted to use 5 substitutes from 5 named players. In Small-Sided matches (Indoor 5-a-side and all 7 a side matches) teams are permitted to use 5 substitutes from 5 named players.

(O) The half time interval shall be of 5 minutes’ duration, but it shall not exceed 15 minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

(P) All Teams taking part KSFA competitions 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.

(Q) Extra time of 10 minutes each way (15 minutes each way for U19 games, and 5 minutes each way for U11 games) will be played in all games in which the scores are level at the end of normal time. In the event of scores still being level at the end of extra tie, the tie will be decided by penalties, in accordance with the procedure outlined in the Referees Chart. The referee, with the consent of both Schools and Associations, may reduce the match by no more than 5 minutes each half if deemed desirable.

(R) The Competition Secretary may, at his/her discretion in the case of a match taking place after the scheduled limit date, order the venue of the match to be reversed.

(S) Every District and School shall play its best available team in all KSFA competition matches. The intention of this rule is not to interfere with normal team selection, but to prevent deliberately weakened teams being fielded, and to prevent players being released to play in club football. It is not intended that Districts and Schools must field higher team players in lower teams when the higher team has no engagement). If in the opinion of the KSFA Executive Committee the substance or spirit of this Rule is disregarded, the Districts or Schools concerned will be liable to be disqualified from competitions.

10. FINALS

Arrangements for all KSFA Finals will be determined by the KSFA Executive Committee.

11. REPORTING RESULTS

(A) In Inter-District competitions, results must be notified by the home District within 24 hours of the conclusion of the match.

(B) In Inter-School competitions, the winning School to notify results 24 hours of the conclusion of the match.

(C) Any District or School failing to submit a result on time shall pay a fine of £10.

(D) The Competition and teams are permitted to collect but NOT publish results or any grading tables for fixtures involving Under 7s, Under 8s, Under 9s and Under 10s. Any Competition failing to abide by this Rule may be dealt with by the Sanctioning Authority. The Competition and teams are permitted to collect and publish results for trophy events.

12. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

(A) In Competitions where points are awarded, places will 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:

• Goal difference.
• Most goals scored.
• Highest goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded)

13. MATCH OFFICIALS

(A) Registeredreferees (and assistant referees where approved by the FA or County FA) for all Competition Matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the KSFA Executive Committee and by the Sanctioning Authority. (Rule B applies in most inter schools football matches) Registered referees should always be used for Inter-District matches and cup finals

(B) 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.

(C) 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.

(D) For individual schools’ competition matches prior to the final, the home school shall provide/appoint a suitable referee. For quarter- and semi-finals, the home school shall appoint a neutral referee from the list published by the Kent FA. In KSFA Finals, officials will be appointed by the KSFA Referees’ Secretary.

(E) Each school shall provide an assistant referee in all games except the final.

(F) For all Inter-District group games, the Home District shall appoint a suitable referee from the lists of referees available from a County FA. Each District shall provide an assistant referee.

(G) The appointed referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the Ground in all Competition Matches and that decision shall be final, subject to the determination of the Local Authority or the owners of a Ground, which must be accepted.

(H) Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Authority, Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee as determined by the KSFA Executive Committee.

(I) Match Officials will be paid their fees by the home team before/immediately after the Competition Match, unless otherwise ordered by the KSFA Executive Committee.

(J) In the event of a Competition Match not being played because of circumstances over which the teams have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to full fee / half fee. Where a Competition Match is not played owing to one team being in default, that team shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the Ground, their full fee.

(K) A referee not keeping his or her engagement and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Affiliated Association with which he or she is registered.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

In these Rules:

“Affiliated Association” or “Affiliated District” means an Association or District accorded the status of an Affiliated Association or District  under the rules of the ESFA.

“Competition” means the KSFA League or cup competition.

“Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition.

“DfE” means Department for Education

“Ground” means the ground on which the School Team(s) plays each Competition Match.

“ISFA” means Independent Schools’ football Association.

“Management Committee” means the management committee elected to manage the running of the Competition and where the Competition is incorporated it means the committee appointed in accordance with the constitution of the association.

“Match Officials” means the referee, the assistant referees and any fourth official appointed to a Competition Match.

“Mini Soccer” means those participating at ages mainly between year 2 to year 5 (or any match played in accordance with those rules)

“Officer” means an individual who is appointed or elected to a position in a School, Association or Competition which requires that individual to make day to day decisions.

“Participant” shall have the same meaning as set out in the rules of The FA from time to time.

“Player” means any Player or other player who plays or who is eligible to play for a School or a Representative Team formed by a District Schools’ Football Association and / or County Schools’ Football Association.

“Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the Competition is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the Competition is played.

“Representative Football” means matches played by teams formed by a District and / or a County Schools’ Football Association in accordance with the rules of ESFA / ISFA (as appropriate). Players selected for Representative Matches must meet the eligibility criteria set out in Rule 6(G) on page 4.

“Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered.

“Sanctioning Authority” means either the ESFA, ISFA or the County Schools FA for the purposes of football organized by an LFO under its auspices.

“School” means a school or schools’ representative side for the time being in membership of the Competition.

“Season” means the period of time between 1st July in each year and 30th June in the following year, unless otherwise determined by the Management Committee and / or the Sanctioning Authority.

“Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration of the Competition.

“SGM” means a special general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition. Association not competition

“Team” means a team affiliated to a School or Association or representative team including where a school provides more than one team in the Competition in accordance with the Rules.

“The ESFA” means the English Schools’ Football Association

“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.

“Written” or “In Writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise.

“Youth Football” means those participating at year 6 to year 13. 

Unless stated otherwise, terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. Any term in the singular applies to the plural and vice-versa.