SECTION A ADFA STRUCTURE AND NOMINATIONS MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE SENIOR COMPETITION OVERVIEW Clubs that are direct members of ADFA Clubs from other NIF Associations Clubs being members of other regional associations JUNIOR COMPETITION OVERVIEW Clubs Small Sided Football Competitions Premiership Competitions NORTHERN INLAND PREMIER LEAGUE (NIF) RULE 1 NOMINATIONS SECTION B CHANGES TO RULE 2 SECTION C REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS RULE 3 GUEST PLAYERS RULE 4 PLAYER REGISTRATION General Player Registration Regulations Player Transfer Junior Competition Specific Registration Regulations SECTION D PLAYERS ELIGIBILITY RULE 5 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY RULE 6 SENIOR PLAYER GRADING RULE 7 JUNIOR PLAYER GRADING RULE 8 JUNIORS IN SENIOR COMPETITION SECTION E COMPETITION FIXTURES RULE 9 GROUNDS RULE 10 FIXTURES RULE 11 MATCH OFFICIALS RULE 12 COACHES, OFFICIALS AND SPECTATORS RULE 13 COMPETITION POINTS SECTION F FIXTURE IN DOUBT, WEATHER, DEFERRALS ETC. RULE 14 FIXTURE IN DOUBT OR DEFERRED DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES SECTION G DISCIPLINARY MATTERS, DISPUTES ETC. RULE 15 GENERAL DISCIPLINARY MATTERS RULE 16 CAUTIONS, SEND OFFS SECTION H MATCH CARDS, RESULTS, POINTS TABLE RULE 17 MATCH CARD, RESULTS SECTION I FINAL SERIES RULE 18 PLACINGS FOR THE FINAL SERIES Senior Competitions Junior Competitions RULE 19 FINAL SERIES MATCHES DRAWN AT END OF REGULATION PLAYING TIME RULE 20 PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR FINAL SERIES SECTION J GENERAL PROVISIONS RULE 21 GENERAL MATTERS 1
SECTION A ADFA STRUCTURE AND NOMINATIONS The regulations covering the competition controlled by the Armidale and District Football Association are split into two parts: Bold Section the actual rules (or regulations) of the competition Non Bold Section notes and explanations. The Armidale and District Football Association Inc. fit into the football structure within Australia and the Football State of Northern NSW as follows: Football Federation Australia (National) Northern NSW Football Federation (NNSWF) (State Member of FFA) Northern Inland Football (Region/Zone) ARMIDALE AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (ADFA) (LOCAL) MEMBER CLUB TEAMS NON - MEMBER TEAMS Management Structure The ADFA has Senior and Junior Committees which are responsible for the operation of competition and the rules of the ADFA. The Committees/Convenors are empowered to make day to day decisions regarding the running of football competitions. There are however, monthly ADFA meeting which Clubs and participating teams are able to attend. The ADFA treats these meetings as committee type meeting. Generally decisions are made by consensus of these meetings. Senior Competition Overview The senior competitions may consist of the following club/teams that have properly nominated their team in the competition Clubs that are direct members of ADFA North Armidale United East Armidale United Walcha South Armidale Uralla United Football Guyra Ex-Services / Westside The Armidale School NEGS Demon Knights UNE PLC Joeys Glen Innes Highlanders Clubs from other NIF associations Warialda Tenterfield Gilgai Tinga Inverell Ashford 2
Clubs being members of other regional associations Clubs or town teams that are members of any regional association within NNSWF and that have made separate application and have been accepted such as Moree. Junior Competition Overview Clubs The Junior Competition may consist of the following Club/teams that have properly nominated their team in the competition: North Armidale United East Armidale United Walcha South Armidale Uralla United Football Guyra Ex-Services / Westside TAS Minimbah Magic Demon Knights Joeys PLC Small Sided Football Competitions Small Sided Football competitions are conducted for 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 years teams. These competitions are non-competitive with no recording of game results. There is no end of season premiers or final series. Premiership Competitions Competitions are conducted in age groups (11 years and above) and divisions within age groups as decided from nominations from clubs by the relevant (Senior or Junior) committee. The Premiers are the team with the most points at the end of the season. A final series will be contested between the top 4 teams. Northern Inland Football League The Northern Inland Football League (NIPL) is recognised as a higher senior competition within these regulations. Any rules relating to higher, lower or adjacent divisions includes reference to the NIFPL. The regulations of the NIFPL override anything contained in these regulations in relation to NIFPL fixtures and governance. RULE 1 NOMINATIONS 1.1 A Club (including town teams that are not members) shall be eligible to enter the ADFA competitions by making application to ADFA by the time stipulated annually or at an ADFA meeting scheduled for the purpose of receiving nominations or at any other time or under any other method deemed appropriate or agreed at a monthly ADFA meeting. 1.2 Nominations are preferred in writing on the appropriate nomination form. Nominations should state the preferred division(s) that the Club is nominating for. Nominations shall be from registered clubs recognised by the ADFA. Nominations must include the club s colours for ratification. 1.3 The ultimate decision on the allocation of the divisions shall be made by the relevant (Senior/Junior) Committee and/or Convenor. 1.4 If a club (having nominated more than 1 team) withdraws a team from the competition after the competition has commenced the team withdrawn shall be from the lowest division in the competition whether or not the teams are in adjoining divisions. Junior teams must apply to the Junior Committee/Junior Convenor if the team remaining wishes to play in a lower division. 3
SECTION B CHANGES TO Rule 2 Regulations 2.1 The Regulations governing competitions are set by the ADFA from time to time. The Regulations can be altered (without the need for notices of motion) by the Senior/Junior Committee, ADFA Executive or by the clubs (by notice of motion) at the following ADFA meeting. SECTION C REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS Rule 3 Guest Player 3.1 The ADFA may allow guest players to play in its competitions. The ADFA Registrar must approve such guest players, having consideration to the level of competition being played and any other matters that are relevant. Rule 4 Player Registration General Player Registration Regulations 4.1 All players except as provided in rule 3 shall be registered. 4.2 All players must be amateur (not receiving payment for playing). 4.3 Any team found guilty of using a player who is not registered for their club at the time of the fixture, is registered with another club or plays in an age group younger than he/she is entitled shall be determined to have lost the match by forfeit or lose such points as is determined by the relevant committee (Senior/Junior). In addition a fine of $100 may be imposed upon the club. 4.4 A player who plays in any fixture during the season MUST be registered and will be Subject to the full fees as determined by the ADFA annually. No refunds will be issued to any Club for any player unless the player did not participate in any competition fixture for the season ( and providing the player has not trained with the club and sustained injury which may or may not result in a claim on the club or insurance policy). 4.5 Clubs are responsible for ensuring that their players are properly registered. 4.6 Registration is not complete until full fees have been paid to the ADFA or the club has reached an appropriate arrangement with the ADFA. 4.7 Player Transfer - a player may be transferred from one Club to another (within the NIF zone) during the course of the playing season provided that the original Club gives a verbal or written clearance to the ADFA registrar. The original club may withhold clearance if the player still owes fees to the Club from any season or if the player has property belonging to the club that has not been returned. A player MUST not be used by his/her new club until clearance has been obtained by the ADFA registrar who will advise the new club once the player is cleared. All clubs must note that a transfer from any other association within NNSW is not affected until a clearance is obtained from the player s original regional association. 4
A transfer of a player from another football state is not complete until a clearance has been obtained from the relevant State Federation (through NNSWF). A transfer of a player from overseas is not complete until a clearance is obtained from the player s previous country (through NNSWF and FFA) ALL PLAYERS MUST RECEIVE CLEARANCE BEFORE THEY CAN TAKE THE FIELD IN A FIXTURE FOR THEIR NEW CLUB. SECTION D PLAYER ELIGIBILITY Rule 5 Player Eligibility 5.1 A player s age shall be takes as at the 31 st December in the year of that competition. That is to say that a player is the age he/she turns during the calendar year of the competition. e.g. a player turning 10 on 5 th December is a 10 years player as is one who turns 10 on 3 rd January. 5.2 Each club shall forward a team sheet for each team to the ADFA PRIOR to the first fixture of the season. 5.3 Players may be added to the team sheet at any time prior to a fixture (in writing) but no later than 1 hour before the fixture. 5.4 No registration of players can be affected after 30 th June in the competition year unless exceptional circumstances apply the ADFA registrar will decide on any late registrations. Junior Competition Specific Regulations 5.5 Under 16 years teams may contain any number of 17 years old players for registration however only 3 players may be entered on the match card at any one time. 5.6 If a Youth Competition is played the following additional regulations apply: a) The competition will be limited to Armidale and District Football Clubs (Walcha, Guyra, Uralla and Armidale). b) Players to 18 years will be allowed to play in the Youth Competition with 3 (three) 19 years players allowed on each team s Match Card. Player Grading Rule 6 Senior Player Grading 6.1 No senior team shall use more than 5 players whether as substitutes or interchange that have already been listed or will be listed on the match card in a senior team in a lower division on the day (wether the higher division match is played before or after the lower division match) 6.2 No senior team shall use more than 3 players in a lower division who played in a higher division match in the previous round. 6.3 If a club has more than one team in the same division a player may only play exclusively for one team for the whole competition. 6.4 Senior players who have played for a higher division may only be relegated to the next lowest division. If however a club fields teams in senior divisions that are not adjacent they may relegate a player to the next lowest division team for their club. Rule 7 Junior Player Grading 7.1 A Player must be turning five (5) years of age in the year they register to play 5
7.2 Any female player is permitted to play in an age group one year below her age. e.g. an 11 years girl is permitted to play in the 10 s but a 12 years girl is not. 7.3 No player who has played in a higher division may be permitted to play in a lower competition of the same age group except by the permission of the Junior Convenor 7.4 After the first three competition matches, in the event of a legitimate vacancy occurring in a higher division a player from a lower division shall be allowed to play in a higher division twice only during the competition without losing his/her right to return to the lower division provided that the player does not play in a division lower than that which he/she is normally entitled. The Junior committee or convenor may at the request of a club transfer a player from a higher division or age group to a lower division or age group. This permission is automatically revoked should the player again play for the higher division or age group. 7.5 No transfers from a higher to a lower division may be made during the final four weeks of the premiership competition without the permission of the Junior committee or Junior Convenor. 7.6 Where there are two or more teams entered by the one Club in the same division of the one age group a player must play exclusively for the team in which he is registered. 7.7 If a player in the Youth Competition plays 2 (two) NIPL games they will not be allowed to return to the Youth Competition. Rule 8 Juniors in Senior Competition 8.1 To be eligible to play in a senior competition a player must have attained the age of 15 years. If the player has not yet turned 15 he/she will be ineligible to play UNLESS parental or guardian approval is given in writing and the club has made application for inclusion of the player and the application has been approved by the Senior Committee and/or the Senior Convenor. If a player is playing in the 19 s competition he/she must have turned 14 and have written parental consent to play in this competition. 8.2 Junior players aged up to 16 years are able to play across any grading in the senior competition without having effect to any other regulation governing player grading or eligibility so long as the junior player is a registered player. SECTION E COMPETITION FIXTURES Rule 9 Grounds 9.1 All clubs are required to stipulate if they have a home ground under their control, Home fixtures will be played at that ground. 9.2 Clubs not having a home ground may be required to play their home fixture at any ADFA controlled ground. 9.3 The competition will be played on a home and away basis as far as is possible. Rule 10 Fixtures 10.1 Fixtures will be governed by FIFA rules except as varied in these regulations. Games are to be played in accordance with the official draw of the ADFA or any draw that is subsequently varied or approved by the Senior/Junior committees. 10.2 Interchange of players will be allowed as determined by the Senior/Junior committee in accordance with the Laws of the Game as of 1 st July 2009. 10.3 Any player listed on a match card for a fixture is deemed to have played that fixture. The maximum number of players that can be listed on a match card is 16. Each team may have no more than 5 interchange or substitute player over and over the eleven (11) players at each fixture. 6
10.4 A team must consist of a minimum of 7 starting. Subject to rule 10.5 if a team is unable to commence the fixture at the stipulated time with 7 players the game shall be declared a forfeit to the opposition team. 10.5 A fixture that does not commence within 10 minutes of the advertised time in the draw or any amended draw due to a team not being at the field and ready to play will be declared a forfeit to the non-offending team. 10.6 A fixture which commences late MUST finish on time. Two equal halves will be played with a 5 minute half-time. 10.7 Duration of fixtures shall be as follows 6 years to 11 years as per FFA Small sided football format Under 6 & 7 2 equal 20 minute halves Under 8 & 9 s 2 equal 20 minute halves Under 10 & 11 s 2 equal 25 minute halves Under 12 s 2 equal 25 minute halves 13 and 14 years 2 equal 30 minute halves 15 and 16 years 2 equal 35 minute halves Senior Women 2 equal 40 minute halves Youth (17 & 18 years) 2 equal 45 minute halves 19 s 2 equal 45 minute halves Senior Men and Opens 2 equal 45 minute halves 10.8 Ball Sizes Each team shall provide a ball for every fixture in which it play. Ball sized to be used for each age group is as follows: 6 to 9 years size 3 10 to 12 years size 4 13 & 16 years size 5 Youth size 5 Senior Men s, Women s and Opens size 5 10.9 For the purposes of 10.3 a fixture includes any extra time. Rule 11 Match Officials Each fixture where possible shall be played under the control of an official referee and assistant referees (here in after called match officials) appointed by the referees appointments officer/board. 11.1 For Senior Fixtures in the event of no official referee being in attendance at the scheduled starting time the home team shall appoint a substitute referee for the fixture. Failure to do so shall be regarded as a forfeit to the opposition team. Failure by the visiting team to accept the appointed person will see the fixture declared a forfeit to the home team. Failure of either team to take the field within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled starting time will mean a forfeit to the opposition team. The appointed person shall assume the full responsibility of a referee and shall be treated accordingly. In the event of a game where neither is designated home team and no official referee is in attendance then each team is to supply a referee for half the fixture. 11.2 For Junior fixtures in the event of no official referee being in attendance each team is to supply a referee for half the fixture. Failure to do so shall be regarded as a forfeit for the team not complying 11.3 In the event of an official referee failing to appear the match card is to be clearly marked accordingly and the matter reported by the home team to the ADFA recorder who will pass the report on to the Referees appointments officer/board. 11.4 In the event of a substitute referee subsequently being appointed he/she shall be paid the appropriate referees fees should payment be requested by the appointed person. 11.5 Should the appointed referee subsequently arrive after the commencement of the fixture he/she shall assume the referee s duties at an appropriate time and only be paid a percentage of the fixture payment that he/she refereed. 7
11.6 If one or both of the Assistant Referees is not in attendance it is the responsibility of both teams to share the responsibilities of the lines person with duties being as directed by the referee. Rule 12 Coaches, Officials and Spectators Persons who are located within the technical area at each fixture are deemed to be a part of the Club that is playing at the fixture. This provision means that persons within this area can be dealt with directly by as per the Disciplinary Regulations 2009. Clubs must be aware that match officials can report and take action against any person in the technical area. Their presence in this area is deemed to be as an official. All other person other than players listed on the match card (team coach and manager) are to be located behind any spectator markings on the ground or if no markings at least one metre from the ground itself. Clubs are responsible for this. In the event of any accidents the ADFA will seek to pass on liability to the respective clubs. 12.1 Clubs are responsible for the behaviour of the Club Officials and players whether on the field or in the technical area and generally for the behaviour of their spectators. 12.2 The technical area at each fixture should only be occupied by a team coach, manager and players on the match card. Rule 13 Competition Points. 13.1 In all divisions points will be awarded as follows Win 3 points Forfeit win 3 points and 3 goals for Draw 1 point Loss 0 points Forfeit Loss 0 points and 3 goals against Bye 3 points SECTION F FIXTURE IN DOUBT, WEATHER DEFERRALS ETC. Rule 14 Wet Weather Procedures If contact is made by email, phone message or SMS, return confirmation needs to be made to ensure the communication was received. As soon as a field or fields are determined to be closed the respective convenor is to determine whether other fields are available to play games. ADFA and ADC (Armidale Dumaresq Council) managed fields Rologas, Jack Vallance and Newling fields unless fields are closed by Council, ADFA will leave it at late as possible to make the decision to close a field. As a guide junior game cancellations to be determined and publicised by 7:00am on game day and senior games determined and publicised by 11am on game day.club managed fields (Sportsground, UNE, Guyra, Uralla, Walcha, Glen Innes, TAS, Doody Park) if any club managed field is deemed unplayable due to wet weather or any other reason the club is to make contact with the Junior Convenor for any junior games and the Senior Convenor for senior games to determine the availability of other fields, for junior games notification needs to be made before 7:00am on game day and for senior games before 11am on game day. It is the responsibility of the club managing the field to ensure that both the opposition teams/clubs and the referees are notified of any changed to the venue and time/s of game/s. The only exception in the cancellation of Junior games at Walcha, Uralla and Guyra. These are to be advertised by the Junior Convenor as per the bulk games communication below. 8
For Bulk games 2AD contacted and given details of changes (phone, fax and email) Wet Weather number updated News added to the ADFA website Club representatives are to be notified (junior & senior convenors)?????? Club representatives to notify individual teams For individual or a couple of games: The referees are to be notified Both teams are to be notified 14.1 A fixture that is not played on the date scheduled in the official draw as a result of weather conditions or other unforeseeable conditions may be played at the opposition ground (nonhome ground) on the day and tine of the match or otherwise as follows: a) If the original fixture was scheduled for a Saturday the game shall be replayed on the Sunday being 8 days after the original fixture date. b) If the original fixture was a midweek fixture then it shall be played at the same place and time one week later. c) In accordance with rule 14.2 if the conditions are met. The ADFA concurs with the senior clubs wishes that all fixtures be played wherever is humanly possible or practical. This will not always cover every circumstance but is stated as a general principle. This rule is designed to allow some flexibility in the event of Clubs being unable to play at the stipulated time due to reasonable circumstances, such circumstances could be More than 3 of the players of the team have work commitments that clash More than 3 of the players are involved in a wedding or funeral, the replay date falls within school holidays or on a long-weekend, a local community event or soccer carnival that clashes, the required ground is not available. 14.2 A fixture may be replayed at a time other than the time stated in 14.1 a) or 14.21 b) provided that the following has taken place: a) That both teams have reached an agreement to replay the fixture at another time. b) That the Club officials (or coaches) of both teams have confirmed this either verbally or in writing to the ADFA c) That the notification of the agreement has been conveyed to the ADFA AT LEAST 48 hours prior to the dates determined in clause 14.1 a) or b) 14.3 That the home team has ascertained from the Referees Association that the referees will be available for the replayed fixture at the time agreed by the Clubs 14.4 Where the ADFA is able to determine from the facts that the provision of this regulation were not followed and a Club was at fault and a team or Club suffered a financial loss then the ADFA may (at a meeting of the ADFA Executive not a general meeting) consider the financial loss and make directions as to who shall bear the loss. Before such decisions shall be made there must be an application in writing from the Club incurring the loss AND the loss must result from an actual outlay of monies. Opportunity costs or costs that the team or club did not have to actually pay out in money will not be considered under this regulation. Furthermore, costs that are recouped or can be recouped from other sources will also not be considered as a loss. 14.5 No postponed or washed out junior rounds will be replayed. Junior games cancelled due to weather outside Armidale when Armidale junior games are played will see each team receive the equivalent to a forfeit which means 3 points and 3 goals for each team. 14.6 Any club which forfeits a senior fixture shall incur a fine of $50 for the first offence; any subsequent forfeit will incur a fine of $100 for each offence and may also result in the club being brought before the Senior Committee and/or the team being withdrawn from the competition. 9
SECTION G DISCIPLINARY MATTERS, DISPUTES ETC Rule 15 General Disciplinary matters 15.1 All protests, disputes or reports of incidents by a Referee that impact on whether a player or a team should or should not play in the next match must be submitted in writing to the Secretary no later than 8pm on the Monday following the incident upon which the protest or report is based. The Secretary will refer the matter to the competition administrator as appropriate. 15.2 All other complaints, protest or disputes are to be channelled through the club management and then to the Secretary on official club letterhead. The Secretary will refer the matter to the competition administrator, ADFA Executive or relevant committee as appropriate. 15.3 A player who is cautioned by a Referee or dismissed from the field of play by a Referee will be dealt with summarily (no hearing) and will AUTOMATICALLY receive the penalty as set out in the FFA Disciplinary Regulations. Players wishing to appeal against an automatic suspension can request an appeal hearing. 15.4 Should a person wish to appeal a suspension they may apply to the NIF for an appeal on the matter. A fee of $200 is payable for this appeal. Appeals should state the ground upon which the appeal is made and should be accompanied by any relevant documentation and an appeals letter/form by the club and must be received by NIF within 7 days of receipt of the suspension notification. 15.5 A further appeal on any decision from NIF can be made to NNSW 15.6 Any club which forfeits a senior fixture shall incur a fine of $50 for the first offence, any subsequent forfeit will incur a fine of $100 for each occasion and may also result in the club being brought before the Senior Committee and/or the team being withdrawn from the competition. Rule 16 Cautions, Send-offs A player may not play in any fixture in or out of ADFA whilst under suspension until such time as the required suspension is served. This includes Cup fixtures, NIF Premier League or any Senior/Junior competition if applicable. This general principle applies throughout FFA. For example, if a player is sent-off in a local competition match and is given a 2 match suspension he/she cannot participate again in a match until he/she misses the second match their club would have in the local competition. (This may mean that a player could miss a cup game in between and effectively serve more than 2 matches). If a player is sent-off in a Cup Competition (Mann Cup, Consolation Cup or 3 rd Division Cup) then the player must miss his/her next match unless the player received a red card in their teams last game then the suspension will need to be served in their next competition fisture(s). Rule 16 applies to the individual player and not to the individual competitions that he/she may play in. This means that if a person receives yellow cards in any age group or division then they accumulate and take affect against that player 16.1 A player who accumulates four (4) yellow cards in any one season automatically incurs a one (1) match suspension. A player who has received a suspension is unable to play until the team he was playing for at the time has played one (1) official match in the age group and division that the offence was incurred in. 16.2 Any subsequent yellow card issued during the playing season the player shall be suspended from play as per the FFA Disciplinary Regulations. 10
SECTION H MARCH CARDS, RESULTS, POINTS TABLE Rule 17 Match card, results 17.1 Match cards in a form decided upon by the Management Committee are the official record of the fixture and shall be filled in by all teams from Under 11 s up to and including Senior Divisions prior to the starting time of every fixture and handed to the Referee. After the match the Referee will lodge the card in a place appointed for the purpose of having the recorded goals scored, the Result, referees details and any infringement details. All match cards are to be written clearly in blue or black pen with all details of game venue, date etc. being filled in. 17.2 Clubs are asked to maintain their own records of fixture results. If there is any dispute about the result or score in a fixture then the club should notify the ADFA Recorder. Clubs are asked to check the official points table regularly and advise the Recording Officer of any problems. When fixtures are played outside of Armidale it is requested that the home team notify the recording officer of the results of fixtures. SECTION I FINAL SERIES During the Final Series, the principle adopted will be that the highest placed team in each fixture will receive home ground advantage. The Grand Final for seniors and the semi-finals and finals for juniors will however be played at a venue determined by the Management Committee. Rule 18 Placings for the Final Series Senior Competitions 18.1 The top two teams with the highest points will play the major semi-final and the winner will be one of the grand finalists. The loser will be a finalist. The third and fourth placed teams will play the minor semi-final; the winner will be a finalist while the loser will drop out of the competition. The winner of the Grand Final will be declared the winner of the competition while the loser will be the runner up. 18.2 If any teams are even on points at the end of the competition rounds, their position for the final series shall be determined in the following order: a) The team with the better goal difference b) If goal difference is equal, the team with the most goals for c) If still equal, then on the basis of results between the two teams involved d) If still equal, then as determined by the Senior Committee Junior Competitions The format of the Final Series for the Junior Competition will be decided by the Management Committee and may be in the format of a Final Series as set out in 18.3 and 18.4 or a First passed the Post Format. 18.3 The Premiers shall be the team with the most points at the end of the season. If two or more teams are equal the team with the better goal difference (goals scored less goals conceded) will be the Premiers. If two or more teams are still equal then the team that has scored the most goals will be Premiers. If two or more teams are still equal they will be declared joint Premiers and any positions for Semi-Finals will be decided by the drawing of lots. 11
18.4 After the Premiership competition the top four teams in each Division will play a Semi-Final and Final Series. The Premiers will play the fourth place team in one semi-final and the teams placed second and third will play the other semi-final. The winners will play the Final. Rule 19 Final Series matches drawn at end of regulation playing time. 19.1 - Opens Two further equal period of 15 minutes each is to be played. If one of the teams has scored more goals than the other at the end of these 2 periods of extra time then they are declared the winner. The interchange of players rule applies during the extra time periods. If extra time does not come up with a winner then kicks from the penalty mark are to be taken as per the FIFA Laws of the game. To accommodate the Interchange rule the players taking the kicks from the penalty spot can be any of the players who played in the game (i.e. not just the players on the field at the completion of extra time). That is except any player who has been sent off. 19.2 - Women s and Juniors Two further equal period of 10 minutes each is to be played. If one of the teams has scored more goals than the other at the end of these 2 periods of extra time then they are declared the winner. The interchange of players rule applies during the extra time periods. If extra time does not come up with a winner then kicks from the penalty mark are to be taken as per the FIFA Laws of the game. To accommodate the Interchange rule the players taking the kicks from the penalty spot can be any of the players who played in the game (i.e. not just the players on the field at the completion of extra time). That is except any player who has been sent off. Rule 20 Players Eligible for Final Series 20.1 To be eligible to play in the final series a player must have played at least five (5) games with the club and in their nominated team during the competition season. 20.2 Eligible players for final series matches shall be determined in accordance with Section D 20.3 Notwithstanding this, a player who has taken the field in a majority of a higher division games in the last five fixtures played in the premiership shall not be eligible to play in a lower division Team during the final series except as noted in part 20.4 & 20.7 12
20.4 If a player plays 70% or more of their games in a division over the whole season irrespective of where they played their last 5 games they will be eligible to play in that division in the Final Series. (e.g. A player who has played 70% of their games in Div 1 shall NOT be eligible to play in Div 2) 20.5 These regulations shall not apply to a player who is 16 years or younger playing in the Open Competition during the year, who shall be eligible to play in any Open Final series fixture. 20.6 These regulations shall not apply to a junior player who is playing in an older age group competition during the year that shall be eligible to play in that age group competition during the final series. (The intention being that younger players can fill in when vacancies occur in Higher divisions and age groups without being disadvantage and being prevented from playing in their own age group) 20.7 If a club has teams in the Open final series in consecutive divisions concurrently the interchange of up to 3 players between those divisions shall be allowed. (The intention being, provided teams concurrently, not to deny players a game who are not in the first grade starting team who might Otherwise breach 20.3) 20.8 At the conclusion of the normal competition (i.e. prior to the finals series) all cautions are cleared with the exception of players under suspension. The following to apply in the final series Any player accumulating two (2) cautions shall serve a one (1) match suspension in the next final series competition fixture and/or the next completion fixture in the following year. SECTION J GENERAL PROVISIONS Rule 21 General Matters Local Government ordinances cover the distribution of alcohol at grounds controlled by council. As Such a person breaking such ordinance can be referred to the relevant authorities. 21.1 Rologas and Wicklow Oval (fields) are a designated alcohol-free zone and smoke free zone. Persons consuming alcohol or smoking may be asked to leave the fields. This exclusion is the subject of federal & local government ordinance. 21.2 Where a registered senior player within NIF is asked to represent either ADFA or NIF in a Representative fixture and does not do so without a reason acceptable to ADFA or NIF shall be ineligible to participate in the next fixture (in any competition) that his/her club is involved in the division that player last played for. 21.3 Any club wishing to transfer fixture for any reason shall in the first instance seek approval for the change from the Senior/Junior convenor/committee, the change will then only be accepted if the opposition team and the referees association agrees. 21.4 Nothing contained in any of the regulation for competitions will prohibit the Management Committee from making decision for the proper conduct of the competition in the event of unforeseen circumstances. 21.5 Clubs may apply to the Management Committee or via motions passed at a monthly meeting for special dispensation or exemption from specific provisions. 21.6 For age groups up to and including 12 Years Small Sided Football shall be played Deleted: Updates and changes made to this document were passed by the ADFA Management Committee 8 th March 2011 13