CWYFL Rules

CENTRAL WARWICKSHIRE YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE RULES

SEASON 2009-2010

1. NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION

(A) The title of the competition shall be the CENTRAL WARWICKSHIRE YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE and shall consist of not more than 200 Clubs who shall be Full Member Clubs.

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 Birmingham County Football Association. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be 15 miles radius from Solihull centre.

This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Birmingham County Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped by age, with a maximum of fourteen in each division.

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

As a registered Respect League all member clubs agree to adhere to the Respect code of conduct.

RESPECT CODE OF CONDUCT

Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials

On and off the field, I will:

• Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, opposition players, coaches, managers, officials and spectators

• Adhere to the laws and spirit of the game

• Promote Fair Play and high standards of behaviour

• Always respect the match official’s decision

• Never enter the field of play without the referee’s permission

• Never engage in public criticism of the match officials

• Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour

When working with players, I will:

• Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning

• Explain exactly what I expect of players and what they can expect from me

• Ensure all parents/carers of all players under the age of 18 understand these expectations

• Never engage in or tolerate any form of bullying

• Develop mutual trust and respect with every player to build their self-esteem

• Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance

• Ensure all activities I organise are appropriate for the players’ ability level, age and maturity

• Co-operate fully with others in football (e.g. officials, doctors, physiotherapists, welfare officers) for each player’s best interests

Spectators and parents/carers

I will:

• Remember that children play for FUN.

• Applaud effort and good play as well as success

• Always respect the match officials’ decisions

• Remain outside the field of play and within the Designated Spectators’ Area (where provided)

• Let the coach do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do

• Encourage the players to respect the opposition, referee and match officials

• Avoid criticising a player for making a mistake – mistakes are part of learning

• Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behaviour

Young Players

When playing football, I will:

• Always play to the best of my ability

• Play fairly – I won’t cheat, complain or waste time

• Respect my team-mates, the other team, the referee or my coach/manager

• Play by the rules, as directed by the referee

• Shake hands with the other team and referee at the end of the game

• Listen and respond to what my coach/ team manager tells me

• Talk to someone I trust or the club welfare officer if I’m unhappy about anything at my club

Match Officials sI will:

• Be honest and completely impartial at all times

• Apply the Laws of the Game and competition rules fairly and consistently

• Manage the game in a positive, calm and confident manner

• Deal with all instances of violence, aggression, unsporting behaviour, foul play and other misconduct

• Never tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour from players and officials

• Support my match official colleagues at all times

• Set a positive personal example by promoting good behaviour and showing respect to everyone involved in the game

• Communicate with the players and encourage fair play

• Respond in a clear, calm and confident manner to any appropriate request for clarification by the team captains

• Prepare physically and mentally for every match

• Complete and submit, accurate and concise reports within the time limit required for games in which I officiate

Respect barriers and designated spectator areas must be in place for every fixture where fixed post & rail facilities are not in place.

The competition will provide 11-a-side football for players who have attained the age of 10 as at midnight 31^st 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 31^st August in a playing season.

Mini-Soccer for Under 7’s and 8’s will be on a friendly basis only; no results or league tables will be recorded or published by any of its Member Clubs or teams. Results will be recorded by the league for evalution purposes only. No results will be published by the league.

2. ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

(A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or the entry of an additional team(s) must be made in writing to the Registration Secretary and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of 50% of previous season’s League fee per team which shall be returned in the event of non-election.

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 and a team seeks a transfer or is compulsorily transferred to another division no Entry Fee shall be payable.

(B) The Annual Subscription shall be £100-00 per team participating in under 17’s & 18’s, £65-00 per team playing 11-a-side football and £65-00 per team playing Mini-Soccer payable on or before the May League Meeting in each year.

(C) Each Club shall, upon election, pay a Deposit of £50-00 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. Clubs entering a team in under 17’s & 18’s shall pay an additional deposit of £150-00.

(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 General Secretary in writing by the Annual General Meeting of its County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined £15-00. Clubs must advise the General Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition.

Existing member Clubs re-applying to participate within the League for the following season must do so on the appropriate application form(s), which must be returned on or before the April meeting, together with a minimum of 50% of the previous season’s League fees for each team entered to the Registration Secretary. At a Registration night, which will be held in May of each year at the League Headquarters,

Land Rover Sports & Social Club Solihull West Midlands Birmingham, existing Clubs must pay the balance (if any) of League fees.

Cheques should be made payable to the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League. A receipt will be issued for all fees paid.

Any Club failing to pay the full fee(s) within seven days of the May meeting will not be accepted into the League.

League application forms will be issued to new Clubs which must be returned to the Registration Secretary. Following a meeting for new Clubs in May of each year, each club must, within seven days, forward the full current League fee per team together with a club Guarantee fee of £50-00 to confirm their commitment to participate in the League.

Applications returned after that date would place that club on a reserve list pending any vacancies that may occur. No new Clubs will be accepted after the 31^st May except with the consent of the relevant Divisional Secretary. Teams will be placed in the appropriate division at the Divisional Secretary’s discretion.

Where the Management Committee feels that any new or existing Club or team’s past record is not acceptable they will recommend to the League members that the Club/team’s application be rejected. The recommendation by the Management Committee shall stand pending a vote by all members of the League

Any Club/team whose application is suspended will have the right to speak in their defence at a Special Meeting convened for that purpose, called in conformity with League Rule No 19. Any decision taken by the League members will be absolute; there will be no appeal.

Any team withdrawing from the League after the 31^st May must inform the League General Secretary in writing. All League fees paid will be forfeited.

Any Club having overdue unpaid fines with this League or Parent County Association will not be allowed (unless appealing as in Rule 16)

(a) To register for the following season

(b) To commence playing fixtures

Until such fines have been paid.

3. OFFICERS

The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Chairman, Treasurer, General Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Disciplinary Secretary, Welfare Officer.& Referees Secretary to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. Auditors are not Officers).

4. MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

(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 Divisional Secretaries and Referees Secretary who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

(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 April League Meeting 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 monthly to deal with business as it arises.

The Management Committee Comprised of the Executive Committee, Divisional Secretaries, Referees Secretary, Registration Secretary, Trophy Administrator and Press Officer will be responsible for the administration and promotion of the League.

The Executive Committee, comprising the League President, League Chairman, General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary, Treasurer, Disciplinary Secretary, Welfare Officers& Referees Secretary shall make decisions upon all matters of policy and procedure to be followed by the League members and Management Committee.

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

The Disciplinary Committee comprised of the Disciplinary Secretary and two members of the Management Committee shall deal with all matters relating to transgressions of the Rules and misconduct of Clubs, officials and spectators, and have the power to impose fines and suspensions, and recommend expulsions where deemed justified.

(D) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications, with the exception of fines, appeals or protests, which should be addressed to the Disciplinary Secretary, shall be addressed to the General Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.

Any Club failing to reply to correspondence by the prescribed date will be fined £15-00.

(E) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their Club Secretaries, unless otherwise requested.

5. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

(A) The Management Committee may appoint such other sub-committees as they may consider necessary and may delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary to such committees.

The decisions of all such 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 Birmingham 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. (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. 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.

(E) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16. Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within seven 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

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

Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose.

(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.

6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

(A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held on the second Monday of June of each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 50% of 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 therefrom.

(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 Auditors.

(viii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).

(ix) Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of playing season.

(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 audited Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, and to the Birmingham County Football Association.

(C) A signed copy of the duly Audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the “BIRMINGHAM COUNTY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION” within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting

(D) Each Full 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.

(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot is demanded by at least two thirds 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 Full Member Club unless the individual is also appointed to vote as a representative of a group of Associate Member Clubs.

(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £25-00.

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

7. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

The Chairman and the Secretary of each Club shall complete and sign an agreement (see Appendix 1) which shall be deposited with the Competition General Secretary together with the Application for Membership for the coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete, stating that their Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the CENTRAL WARWICKSHIRE 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 said Agreement MUST be notified to the appropriate County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the General Secretary of the Competition.

8. QUALIFICATIONS OF PLAYERS

(A) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition.

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.

(B) A registered youth playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has

signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by his /her parent or guardian and by an Officer of the Club, and who has been registered with the appropriate Divisional Secretary at least 24 hours prior to playing and whose completed registration card has been received by the Club prior to playing.

The registration document 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.

The registration document must incorporate a current passport-size photograph of the player seeking registration together with proof of the player’s date of birth.

The qualification dates for the competition shall be as follows:

Mini-Soccer

Under 7 – the player must have attained the age of 6 but must be under the age of 7 as at midnight on 31^st August in the playing season.

Under 8 – the player must have attained the age of 6 but must be under the age of 8 as at midnight on 31^st August in the playing season.

Under 9 – the player must have attained the age of 8 but must be under the age of 9 as at midnight on 31^st August in the playing season.

Under 10 – the player must have attained the age of 8 but must be under the age of 10 as at midnight on 31^st 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 31^st August in the playing season.

Under 12 – the player must have attained the age of 10 but must be under the age of 12 as at midnight on 31^st August in the playing season.

Under 13 – the player must have attained the age of 11 but be under the age of 13 as at midnight on 31^st August in the playing season.

Under 14 – the player must have attained the age of 12 but be under the age of 14 as at midnight on 31^st August in the playing season.

Under 15 – the player must have attained the age of 13 but be under the age of 15 as at midnight on 31^st August in the playing season.

Under 16 – the player must have attained the age of 14 but must be under the age of 16 as at midnight on 31^st August in the playing season.

Under 17 – the player must have attained the age of 15 but must be under the age of 17 by midnight 31^st August in the playing season

Under 18 – the player must have attained the age of 15 but must be under the age of 18 by midnight 31^st August in the playing season

In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player under the age of 15 as at midnight on 31^st 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) (vi)).

An initial 20 Registration Forms & I.D.Passports will be issued to all teams following payment of 50% of League Fees (The cost of these items is included in the teams’ Registration Fees). Additional or replacement Passports will be charged at £5-00 each. The passports remain the property of the League.

No copies of Registration Forms or I.D.Passports will be permitted.

Club Officials are responsible for ensuring that all players’ registrations are made in the correct manner on the Registration Forms & I.D.Passports, which must contain the following particulars of each player

REGISTRATION FORMS I.D.PASSPORTS

Two current passport photographs are required, one to be attached to the Registration Form, the second to be attached to the I.D.Passports.

The particulars stated on the Registration Form will be confirmed as correct by the signature of the player, his parent/guardian and team Manager. The team Manager will be responsible for the verification of authenticity of all signatures.

Completed Registration Forms & I.D.Passports for previously-registered players should be submitted to the appropriate Divisional Secretary for registration. (No copies of Registration Forms or Identity Cards will be accepted)

Completed Registration Forms & I.D.Passports for new players should be submitted to the appropriate Divisional Secretary for registration. (No copies of Registration Forms or I.D.Passports will be accepted) They must be accompanied by a Medical card, or a Birth Certificate or any other approved document. (NO COPIES OF THESE DOCUMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED)

The appropriate Divisional Secretary, or in his absence, the Registration Secretary ONLY, will endorse registrations, enter the player’s registration number on the Registration Form, return the I.D.Passport to the respective Club Secretaries and retain the Registration Form.

I.D.Passports for all players must be carried at all times by the team Manager to all games.

Team Managers MUST give their I.D.Passports to opposing Team Managers before the commencement of each match.

Team Managers will be entitled to hold the I.D.Passports for the duration of the match if they so desire, but must return the Identity Passports after the game.

I.D.Passports must be shown to the League Officials if requested.

ANY TEAM FAILING TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE CLAUSES RELATING TO I.D.PASSPORTS WILL BE FINED THE SUM OF £10-00 FOR EACH NON-COMPLIANCE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF £100-00.

FAILURE TO PRODUCE PLAYERS IDENTITY CARDS WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT REASON TO POSTPONE A FIXTURE.

All Youth teams must register a minimum of 11 Players and Mini-Soccer teams must register a minimum of 7 players, by the August meeting, A surcharge will be made of £5-00 per player below this minimum requirement. Any team failing to register any players by the August Meeting will be expelled from the League and all fees will be forfeited. No Player will be allowed to take part in a match in the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League without possession of a valid I.D.Passport. I.D. Passports are not required for under 17’s & 18’s

Players must be registered by 12-30pm on Saturday to be eligible to play on the following Sunday. For mid-week fixtures players must be registered at least 24hrs before the kick off.

No registrations or transfers or cancellations will be accepted after the second Monday in March of each season.

No Youth team shall have more than 20 players registered and no Mini-Soccer team have more than 14 players registered, at any one time. Any team wishing to register further players must de-register sufficient number of players to comply with this Rule. If further Registration Forms/Identity Passports are required they are obtainable from the appropriate Divisional Secretary or the Assistant General Secretary at a cost of £5-00 per each.

Any cancellations of registrations must be in writing to the Divisional Secretary and be accompanied by the original I.D.Passport. On completion of this procedure all paperwork will be passed to the League General Secretary.

a) A Player may be registered with a Club during the close season (June 1^st to June 30^th) without having to go through the transfer procedure.

b) Should a player be registered as in section (a), or subsequently, then he may not be approached unless the 7-day rule of intent procedure is followed and a transfer completed on the appropriate form.

Any player registered with a Football League Club Academy will not be allowed to register and/or play for any other team until such time as he has been officially de-registered. It is the responsibility of the player’s parent(s) and/or the Manager of any team to secure documentation to verify any player’s de-registration and to submit any such evidence to the appropriate Divisional Secretary PRIOR to registering and/or playing within the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League.

Any player registered with the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League then subsequently registered with an Academy during the playing season must be de-registered from the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League IMMEDIATELY. The Central Warwickshire Youth Football League Club holding the player’s registration prior to his registration with an Academy will have first option to secure his registration following any official de-registration from an Academy.

Any player registered with the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League and a Football League Club Centre of Excellence will not be allowed to play for any team without written approval from the Director of the Centre of Excellence. Such documentation relating to the player must be shown to the appropriate Divisional Secretary BEFORE he plays in the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League.

N.B. It is not necessary to de-register players registered with Centres of Excellence.

Any team playing an Academy player and/or a registered Centre of Excellence player without written permission as outlined in Rule 8A will be charged with misconduct as per Rule 17.

(C) Not applicable to the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League.

(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. The fees for the first twenty players registered per team are included in the Registration Fees. For under 17’s & 18’s a fee of £2.00 shall be paid for each player registered. The fees for the first twenty players registered per team are included in the Registration Fees.

(F) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.

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

(G) It shall be deemed misconduct 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 form 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 18 years of age, at their discretion who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16).

(iii) The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any player charged and 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 appropriate Divisional Secretary accompanied by a fee of £5-00. Such transfer shall be referred by the appropriate Divisional 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 appropriate Divisional 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 appropriate Divisional Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date after receipt of such transfer.

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

(J) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after the second Monday in March in any season except by special permission of the Management Committee.

(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 designated “A” and “B” etc. 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 General 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 for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12(A)) unless the player has played three games for that team in this Competition in the current season.

(N) Not applicable to the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League.

(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 may be fined and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.

(ii) In addition the team shall have three 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.

(The following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary education)

(P) (i) Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities.

(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.

(Note: For players under the age of 18 the provisions contained in Football Association Rules will apply.)

9. CLUB COLOURS, CLUB NAME

(A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the General Secretary by the August League Meeting and a decision made as to its suitability. Each under 17 & 18 club/ team shall submit their home and away team colours at a pre-season meeting, date, time and venue to be determined. (Any club/team failing to submit their team colours will incur a fine of £15.00 per offence)

· Each player’s shirt must be individually numbered. (Any team playing a player without a numbered shirt shall incur a fine of £5.00 per offence (except where a ‘Blood shirt is in use))

· If shorts are numbered they should correspond with the shirt number. (Any team playing a player wearing shorts and shirt where the numbers do not correspond shall incur a fine of £5.00 per offence)

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

No player including the goalkeeper shall be allowed to wear black or very dark shirts.

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 four days before the match.

Under 17’s and under 18’s

· Each under 17 & 18 team shall have alternative colours (in the event of a colour clash)

· All under 17 & 18 teams must carry at least one ‘blood shirt’ which does not require a number. (Failure to carry a ‘Blood shirt’ shall incur a fine of £10.00)

· Under 17 & 18 team captains MUST wear a captains arm band so as he is clearly identifiable (Failure to wear a captains armband shall incur a fine of £5.00)

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 £15-00.

The Disciplinary 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.

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

When confirming fixtures, teams should be aware that where the basic colour of the strip is the same or similar to their opponents, the away team will change colours.

10. PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS, TIMES OF KICK-OFF, POSTPONEMENTS & SUBSTITUTIONS

(A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing and concluding dates for the ensuing season which shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules. No Club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date. Original fixtures arranged by the Divisional Secretary, or at a meeting specially convened for that purpose, to be held no later than the September League Meeting, must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting.

(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.

If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed the Management Committee shall have the power to order a change of venue.

If for any reason the home pitch is not available and the opponents are able to stage the fixture, then the match will automatically transfer to that venue even though a League or Cup fixture may have been played there previously in the season, providing 24 hours notice is given to Club Officials and the appropriate Divisional Secretary has been informed. Any team, having been given notice of such a reversal of venue and refusing to comply, will be charged and fined as per Rule 10(f). The team hosting the re-arranged fixture will be entitled to claim 50% of any additional costs to stage the match, providing documentary proof of additional costs is produced.

All member clubs must adhere to the Respect code of conduct. Respect barriers and designated spectator areas must be in place for every fixture where fixed post & rail facilities are not in place. Any club failing to erect Respect barriers during a scheduled fixture shall be ?automatically fined the fixed sum of £25.00. FAILURE TO ERECT RESPECT BARRIERS WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT REASON TO POSTPONE A FIXTURE.

AT GROUNDS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE C.W.Y.F.L., DRINKING OR SERVING OF ALCOHOL WITHIN THE VICINITY OF THE PLAYING AREA DURING THE MATCH IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. ANY CLUB FOUND GUILTY OF THIS OFFENCE WILL INCUR A FINE OF £200-00 AND BE WARNED AS TO THEIR FUTURE CONDUCT.

NO EXCUSE WILL BE TOLERATED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

For Mini-Soccer – The duration of play shall be as follows (unless it is mutually agreed by all parties to reduce the playing time):

Under 7 and Under 8 age groups, 20 minutes each half.

Under 9 and Under 10 age groups, 25 minutes each half.

For Youth football – The duration of play shall be as follows unless it is mutually agreed by all parties to reduce the time:

Under 11 age group, 25 minutes each half.

Under 12 age group, 30 minutes each half.

Under 13 and Under 14 age groups, 35 minutes each half.

Under 15 and Under 16 age groups, 40 minutes each half.

Under 17 and Under 18 age groups, 45 minutes each half

The minimum time for any Youth team game will not be less than 15 minutes each half for players in the under 14 age group and below and 20 minutes each half for all other age groups.

No player under the age of 17 as at midnight on 31^st August in any season shall be permitted to play more than one game or, in the event the competition allows the playing of a double-header, i.e.: two separate matches, 100 minutes per day in this Competition.

Double header playing times in this competition are as follows

Under 9’s and Under 10’s age groups – (2 x 12 minutes e/w)

Under 11’s and Under 12’s age groups -- (2 x 15 minutes e/w)

Under 13’s and Under 14’s age groups -- (2 x 17 minutes e/w)

Under 15’s and Under 16’s age groups -- (2 x 20 minutes e/w)

Under 17’s and Under 18’s age groups -- (2 x 22 minutes e/w)

A relevant break should be allowed between double header fixtures

Where the times of kick-off shall be fixed by the A.G.M. or the Management Committee. Any Club failing to

commence at the appointed time shall be fined a sum not exceeding £15-00 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 under 9 and 10’s. For youth football – size 4 for those playing under 11, 12, 13 and 14 size 5 for all other age groups.

Goal nets must be used.

During the playing season no kick off must take place before 10-00am

During the months of September, October, March and April no kick off must take place after 2-30pm.

During the months of November, December, January and February no kick off must take place

after 2-00pm except for Cup Finals as determined by the appropriate Divisional Secretary.

All Clubs will state their precise kick off times on the form provided at the start of the season. Any team wishing to change their kick off time must give eight days notice of intent to their respective Divisional Secretary who will in turn inform the Referees Secretary of the change. Any team failing to observe this Rule will incur a fine of £30-00 plus the Referees fee if he is unable to be given another fixture.

(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 Divisional Secretary.

(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 four clear days prior to the playing of the match.

Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of £20-00.

(E) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition.

In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than eleven players they may be fined £10-00

for each missing player. For Youth Football a minimum of seven players, for Mini-Soccer a minimum of five players, will constitute a team for a Competition match.

(F) 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 points to the opponents and order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Not withstanding 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.

Any team wishing to have a match cancelled or postponed for any reason must give 21 days notice to their Divisional Secretary in writing. Except under 17’s & 18’s who must give 35 days notice in writing.

Failure to do so may result in a fine of up to £50-00 being imposed and 3 points may be deducted from the offending team.

THREE cancellations are allowed per team per season; under 17’s & 18’s will be limited to TWO cancellations per season, ONLY ONE OF WHICH CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY CUP COMPETITION. Any subsequent cancellation after this may incur a fine of up to £50-00 and the deduction of 3 points from the offending team.

The LAST DATE for using a 21 / 35 day notice of postponement will be EASTER SUNDAY in any season

Any Club failing to keep its engagement after the match has been confirmed may be fined up to a maximum of £50-00 and be liable to pay all expenses incurred by their opponents providing that receipts are produced to the Management Committee. Further to this 3 points may be deducted from the offending team and they will be liable for the full Referees fee.

Teams are expected to make every effort to complete their league matches on a “home and away” basis. This may include the necessity for mid-week (not Saturdays) games in the latter part of the season. Divisional Secretaries will advise teams of any mid-week fixtures deemed necessary. Initially, the onus will be on both teams to agree a mutually acceptable date and time to play the fixture and inform the Divisional Secretary of the details. Once thus confirmed, the fixture will be subject to Rule 10(F) with regard to non-fulfilment. If teams cannot reach agreement, then the Divisional Secretary will stipulate the date on which the fixture will be played and may take any subsequent action against either or both teams should they fail to honour the fixture, in accordance with Rule 10(F).

Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence: - First Team, Reserve Team, A Team. Clubs in breach of this requirement shall be fined a sum not exceeding £50-00 or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee.

Any club unable to fulfil a fixture must, without delay, give notice to the Divisional Secretary, the Competition Referees Secretary, the 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 any penalty it may deem suitable.

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 mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the Divisional Secretary within 7 days the Management Committee shall have power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date.

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. In addition, in league matches the offending teams will have 3 points deducted from their league record.

(G) A Club may, at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game, use five substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from five 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.

For Youth teams in the under 17 & 18 age groups a club may, at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game, use five substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from five players.

The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than ten minutes before the start of the match.

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 shall be of five minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

11. REPORTING RESULTS

(A) The Divisional Secretary must receive within four days of the date played, the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. This must include the forename(s) and surname of the team players (in block letters) and also the Referee markings required by Rule 13, or any other information required by the Competition. For under 17’s & 18’s where a fixture has been postponed by the referee the Divisional Secretary must receive within four days of the date of the scheduled fixture a postponement notice signed by the appointed referee. Failure to do so will incur a fine of £20-00 and/or the Club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.

Match Report Forms showing player’s names and signatures must be given to the Referee for his inspection prior to commencement of the match. Referees will be authorised not to commence matches until teams have adhered to this requirement.

Any player whose name is not on the Match Report Form at this stage will not be permitted to play in the match unless

(a) He is nominated to the Referee and the opposition Manager BEFORE the kick-off

(b) He is present and able to play before the expiry of the half-time interval.

(c) He signs the Match Report Form during the half-time interval in the presence of the Referee and the opposition Manager, and produces his Identity Passport.

The inclusion of any late arrivals must not result in the exclusion of any players (or substitutes) already nominated on the Match Report Form.

(B) The Home Club shall telephone the result of each match or any postponement on match days to the Divisional Secretary at the times prescribed by him/her. (This includes home teams playing in County Cup Competitions as well as away teams playing non-CWYFL teams in the same competition)

Any team failing to advise the Divisional Secretary of the results or postponements as outlined will be fined the sum of £30-00.

(C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a responsible member of the Club. The Management Committee shall have power to take such action as they deem suitable against a Club which submits an incomplete form or incorrect information.

12. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

(A) 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 the event of two or more teams being equal on points team rankings will be determined by assessing the following criteria in order:-

(i) goal difference (Not applicable to under 17’s & 18’s)

(ii) number of victories (Not applicable to under 17’s &18’s)

(iii) number of goals scored (Not applicable to under 17’s &18’s)

(iv) For under 17’s and 18’s only; a deciding match shall be played under conditions determined by the management committee

If this procedure fails to separate the teams then the Championship will be shared. (Not applicable to under 17’s & 18’s)

(B) Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first two and last two teams in each Division except as provided for hereunder.

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) discretion of Divisional Secretaries for teams with performances well above or below that of other teams in their current division.

(d) discretion of Divisional Secretaries when formatting divisions for the forthcoming season.

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

13. REFEREES

(A) Registered Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Association(s).

(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee or where the competition has been unable to appoint a Referee, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. 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 £15-00 being imposed on the defaulting Club.

(D) The appointed Referee shall have the 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 a match fee. The referees match fee shall be as determined by the sanctioning County FA and shall be announced annually at the AGM or at the earliest league meeting following notification to the league by the sanctioning County FA The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees immediately after 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 only. 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.

(G) A Referee not keeping his engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his non-appearance, may have his name removed from the list of Referees and the fact reported to the County Football Association with which he 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. 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 each season, shall submit a summary to The Football Association/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 Divisional 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.

14. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

(A) After 31^st 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 31^st March each Season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £25-00.

All Clubs wishing to remain in membership of the Competition for the following Season must confirm their intention to do so, in writing, to the Registration Secretary by the April League Meeting.

(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. Any Club infringing this Rule 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).

(C) The Membership for the coming season having been decided at a Special Registration Meeting held for that purpose not earlier than May 1^st nor later than May 15^th 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 un-incorporated 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.

15. PROTESTS AND APPEALS

(A) (i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee or the Disciplinary 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 Disciplinary 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 Disciplinary 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 Disciplinary 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 Disciplinary Committee. A Member of the Disciplinary 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 Disciplinary 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 Disciplinary Secretary a sum of £10-00. 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 be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and must have received 14 days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint the Disciplinary 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.

16. BOARD OF APPEAL

Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Disciplinary 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 Birmingham County Football Association, including a fee of £25-00, for adjudication of a Board of Appeal. 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.

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

SPECTATORS

(A) At the Annual General Meeting, or 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 Disciplinary 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 all 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.

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

(A) If a Competition be 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) Winners of any Cup or Trophy shall sign an agreement on behalf of the Club. (see Appendix 2)

All trophies must be returned to the Trophy Administrator in a clean and undamaged condition by the January meeting of each season. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £50-00 being imposed on the offending club and a further fine of £5-00 per week that the trophies remain outstanding.

The League Championship Shields and all Cups are accepted by the clubs on the condition and understanding that in the event of LOSS or DAMAGE whilst in their custody, the club WILL BE LIABLE TO PAY THE FULL COST OF REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF SUCH TROPHIES.

It shall be the responsibility of the clubs holding the trophies to make adequate arrangements to insure against LOSS or DAMAGE whilst in their custody.

16 trophies will be supplied by the League for Divisional Champions and Runners Up, and all Cup Finalists. Any extra trophies required must be ordered through the Trophy Administrator or the trophy suppliers and paid for in advance.

(C) At the close of each Competition awards may/shall be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.

19. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

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

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

At least 14 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 Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegate to all Special General Meetings (subject to meeting venue regulations). Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than 14 days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.

Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given may be fined £15-00.

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

20. ALTERATION TO RULES

(A) Alterations 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 General Secretary by the February League Meeting in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by the second Monday in March and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the GeneralSecretary by the April League Meeting. 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 70% 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 14 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.

21. RULES BINDING ON CLUBS

Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing Rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee subject to Rule 16. Each Member Club must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.

League Meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month (excluding July) at the Land Rover Sports & Social Club Solihull. All these meetings will commence at 8pm (Season’s meetings begin in August of each year).

Only two representative from each Club is permitted to attend each League Meeting.

Clubs will be issued with two League permit, to be shown on entry to each League Meeting

NO PERSON WILL BE ALLOWED ENTRY INTO ANY LEAGUE MEETING WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE PERMIT.

A roll call will be conducted at all League Meetings. It is the duty of all Clubs to be represented at League Meetings. Any Club failing to attend a League Meeting will be fined the sum of £25-00.

Any Club failing to attend a League Meeting should contact appropriate Divisional Secretaries, then submit stamped addressed envelope(s) for delivery of any paperwork within seven days. Any Club failing to comply with this instruction will be forwarded paperwork at their expense and incur an administration fee of £5-00.

It is the duty of all Club representatives to ensure that all relevant paperwork and information is passed to their team Managers.

The appropriate County FA and the General Secretary of the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League must be informed in writing of any changes relating to the position of Club Secretary.

Any changes to team Managers or their particulars must be conveyed in writing to the General Secretary and the appropriate Divisional Secretary.

22. FINANCE

(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 £500-00 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 May 31^steach year.

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

23. CUP COMPETITIONS

(A) Any player registered in accordance with Rule 8 (with the exception of Mini-Soccer Under 7’s & 8’s) shall be eligible to take part in the Open Cup and the League Cup competitions subject to the following:

a) Any player having played in a Cup competition in one age group shall not be eligible to play in the same competition in another age group.

b) Any player having played for one club in the League Cup or Open Cup is Cup Tied and cannot play in the same competition for another club.

(As far as this Rule is concerned the Divisional League Cup and the Divisional League Shield are deemed to be the same competition).

c) Any player registered after the Quarter-Final round has been played shall not be allowed to play in the appropriate competition.

(B) In Cup competitions, any team causing a match to be abandoned will forfeit the tie and will incur a fine not exceeding £100-00.

Any team playing ineligible, or suspended, player(s) in a Cup Match will forfeit the game to their opponents and a fine of £100-00 will be imposed, as per Rule 8(O). In addition, if any of the above offences are committed in a Cup Final, the opponents will be declared the winners and trophies will be withheld from the offending team.

(C) In all rounds of the Cup competitions if teams are drawing at the end of normal time, extra time will be played as appropriate to that Division (Mini-Soccer Under 7’s & 8’s N/A; Mini-Soccer Under 9’s & 10’s, five minutes each way; Youth Football Under 11’s, 12’s & 13’s, five minutes each way: Under 14’s, 15’s & 16’s, ten minutes each way. Under 17 & 18, fifteen minutes each way)

If extra time is unable to be played in a Cup-Tie because of a late kick off or refusal of one of the teams, then the offending team will be fined the sum of £30-00 and forfeit the tie.

In Cup Matches (including Cup Finals), if the teams are drawing after extra time then penalties shall decide the winners. If there is still no result following 5 penalties taken alternately by each side, then penalties will continue in the same order, until, after both teams have taken an equal number of penalties, one team has scored a goal more than the other.

Only the players who are on the pitch at the end of extra time may take penalties. Each penalty kick must be taken by a different player and not until all eligible players including goalkeepers have each taken a kick may a player of the same team take a second kick.

N.B. WHEN A TEAM FINISHES THE MATCH WITH A GREATER NUMBER OF PLAYERS THAN THEIR OPPONENTS, THEY SHALL REDUCE THEIR NUMBERS TO EQUATE WITH THAT OF THEIR OPPONENTS AND INFORM THE REFEREE OF THE NAME (AND NUMBER) OF EACH PLAYER EXCLUDED. THE TEAM CAPTAIN HAS THIS RESPONSIBILITY.

(D) In all Cup competitions 5 substitutes will be allowed from a maximum of 5 named in line with League Rule 10(G). Any player whose name appears on the Match Report Form as a substitute but does not play shall not be Cup- tied in that competition.

(E) The Management Committee will decide Cup Final venues and kick off times. Once kick off times and grounds have been established for the Cup Finals there will be no alteration except where weather conditions may intervene.

(F) In all Cup matches except Finals the home team shall be responsible for providing and paying of the ground and paying the Referees Fee (and Assistant Referees where applicable). Fees for Referees/ Assistant Referees will be shared equally between the competing Teams.

Referees/Assistant Referees will receive trophies for officiating in Cup Finals.

(G) In Cup matches any club offending as in Rule 10(f) will be fined £50-00 and forfeit the match

23 Under 17’ & 18’s Additional Entry Criteria

· Facilities

· Goal posts should be 24’ x 8’

· Playing area (minimum in meters) 90 Length x 45.5 Width (maximum in meters) 110 Length x 70 Width

· All pitches must have clearly marked technical areas in accordance with the laws of the game. (Any club failing to mark technical areas or remain confined to the technical area shall incur a fine not exceeding £20.00)

· Grounds must be available for mid-week fixtures

· ( where there is a necessity to play such matches )

· Clubs /Teams

· Entry shall be limited to one team per club (Applications for additional teams are at the discretion of the management committee)

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENT

Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a child or children, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children, shall constitute behaviour which is improper and brings the game into disrepute.
In these Regulations the expression ‘Offence’ shall mean any one or more of the offences contained in Schedule 1 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 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.
Upon receipt by the Association of:

- notification that an individual has been charged with an offence; or

- notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, Social

Services or any other authority relating to an Offence; or

- 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 period and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.

In reaching its determination as to whether an order under Regulation 3 should be made The Association shall give consideration, inter alia, to the following factors:

- whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm

- whether the matters are of a serious nature

- 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

The period of an order referred to in 3 above shall not be capable of lasting beyond the date upon which any charge under the Rules of the Association or any Offence is decided or brought to an end
Where an order is imposed on an individual under Regulation 3 as above, The Association, shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of the Association against the person relating to matters as soon as reasonably practicable.
Where a person is convicted, or is made the subject of a caution in respect of an Offence, that shall constitute a breach of the Rules of the Association and The Association shall have the power to order the suspension of the person from all or specific football activity for such a period (including indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
For the purposes of these Regulations, The Association shall act through its Council or any Committee or Sub-Committee thereof, including the Board.

Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned and/or any Club with which they are associated as soon as reasonably practicable.

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