Rules & Competition Information

Know the Rules for Your Team

Football Queensland competitions operate under different playing formats and competition rules depending on the age and level of the team.

Coaches and Managers aren't expected to memorise every rule, but you should have a good understanding of the rules that apply to your team — particularly around playing formats, player eligibility, borrowing players, match-day requirements and team administration.

We've included the four key documents below so you can easily find the information relevant to your team.

⚽ MiniRoos Playing Rules

For our younger MiniRoos teams

These rules explain the age-appropriate playing formats used in MiniRoos football, including the number of players, field and goal sizes, ball sizes, game duration, goalkeepers, restarts, offside and other game-day rules.

The playing format changes as players progress through MiniRoos, so make sure you're looking at the section for your team's age group. For example, U6–U7 is 4-a-side with no goalkeeper, U8–U9 moves to 7-a-side with a goalkeeper, and U10–U11 is 9-a-side.

[VIEW MINIROOS PLAYING RULES →] 

⚽ Under 12 Playing Rules

For Under 12 teams

Under 12 has its own playing format as players prepare for the transition into competitive 11-a-side football.

U12 is played 9-a-side, using a Size 4 ball with 25-minute halves. The document also covers goalkeeper rules, throw-ins, goal kicks, corners, fouls and the modified approach to offside used at this age.

[VIEW U12 PLAYING RULES →]

🏆 FQ Statewide Rules of Competition

The main competition rules applying to our community teams

This is an important reference for Coaches and Managers involved in Football Queensland competitions. The Statewide Rules cover Junior Community Competitive leagues, Girls Only competitions, Senior Community Competitive leagues, MiniRoos and U12, with Northern (Townsville) specifically identified as one of the FQ regions.

The document covers areas such as player registration and eligibility, borrowing and regrading players, finals eligibility, fixtures and forfeits, wet weather, ground officials, playing strips, Squadi team sheets and match-day operations.
If you're unsure whether a player can play for your team, please check with the Club before playing them.

[VIEW FQ STATEWIDE RULES OF COMPETITION →]

🦅 FQ Advanced (FQPL) Leagues Rules of Competition

For teams participating in Football Queensland's Advanced Leagues (FQPL)

These rules apply to FQ's Advanced competitions and cover areas including player eligibility and movement, competition structures, match-day procedures, substitutions/interchange, technical areas, Squadi team sheets, match officials and other competition requirements.
Coaches and Managers involved with an Advanced League team should familiarise themselves with the requirements that apply specifically to their competition.

[VIEW ADVANCED (FQPL) LEAGUES RULES OF COMPETITION →] 

❓ Not Sure Which Rule Applies ❓

Please ask before assuming.

Rules can vary depending on a player's age, team, division and competition. This is particularly important when borrowing players, playing players up an age group or division, or determining player eligibility.

If you're unsure, go to our Need Help section to find the relevant email before the player takes the field.

It's much easier for us to check beforehand than try to fix an eligibility issue afterwards!

❤️🤍🖤 Play Fair • Play Safe • Know the Rules