FA National Futsal League

Season 2014 - 15

New Club

Application Pack

The FA National Futsal League

The FA National Futsal League was established in 2007/08 to provide an elite Futsal competition for the best teams in the country to regularly play against each other. The aims and intentions of creating these Futsal leagues were to:

  • Increase & improve the quality of Futsal players and clubs in England
  • Increase the awareness of Futsal across the country
  • Provide an incentive through high level competitive games to retain players in Futsal
  • To provide a pool of talented players to support the England national team

The FA National Futsal League comprises of a two tier structure: with a first division and a second division. The diagram below helps to illustrate the structure of the National Futsal League.

FA National Futsal League – Division One

As the diagram illustrates, the top division ofThe FA National Futsal Leaguehas three regional divisions: Southern, Midlands and Northern divisions. With Futsal still being an amateur game in England, playing matches in regional divisions is the most appropriate structure for the game in its current state of development.

The FA aims for each divisionto have eight teams who play home and away matches throughout the season. At the end of the season the top four teams from each of these three regional divisions progress to The FA National Futsal Super Leagues. The Super Leagues consist of four groups of three teams (one team from each of the regional divisions) that play home and away against each other. The top team from each of the Super Leagues then progress to the FA National Futsal League Grand Finals, where the four teams compete against each other during an exciting weekend of Futsal to determine The FA National Futsal League Champion, with the winning team becoming the English representative in the UEFA Futsal Cup (the Champions League for Futsal!). The diagram below illustrates the progression from the Division One to the Super League and Grand Finals.

FA National Futsal League – Division Two

Beneath the top division is the Second Division. The Second Division mirrors that of Division One with three regional leagues; The FA aspires to attract eight good quality teams in each of these regional leagues. The Second Division has been established, amongst other reasons, to assist Futsal clubs to demonstrate that they have the structure and ability to compete in the top division.

Teams involved in Division Two play the same format of Futsal as in the top division in terms of home and away fixtures. The top teams from each Division Two leaguewill be promoted to Division One, whilst the bottom teams in Division One are relegated.

FA National Futsal League Development

With Futsal still very much in a development phase in England, The FA are keen to continue to raise the standards and quality of all aspects of the game: from the grassroots up to the elite level. This means that The FA looks for the support of the FA National Futsal League clubs to help in proactively improving the quality of Futsal. For this reason The FA are working with the country’s leading Futsal clubs to instigate a development programme to enhance the National Futsal Leagues and the club structures within them.

Teams within the FA National Futsal Leagues are encouraged to establish a more club-based approach to their structures, particularly in terms of a long-term development plan. This means that the leading teams are required to:

  • Appoint nominated volunteers into key positions and functions within the club (e.g. chairman, club secretary, treasurer, marketing officer, fundraising officer etc)
  • Consider financial sustainability
  • Ensure coaches have attended appropriate FA coaching courses
  • Produce & deliver a Club Development Plan

The Club Development Plan should outline the key actions and programmes that the club will instigate over the next three years to establish a structure that can support an elite Futsal club. These plans will look to implement:

Coaching development

Player development & training programmes

Talent identification plans

Establishing links with the local community & creating reserve / junior teams to feed into the top team

Marketing & promotion of Futsal into the local community to attract a fan-base

Development of sponsorship & investment plans

Any new club wishing to join the FA National Futsal League should be prepared and willing to initiate a programme of development over the next three years in order to improve the sustainability, quality and professionalism of Futsal at the highest level in this country.

Format & Structure of the 2014 – 15 Season

Clubs looking to apply to join the FA National Futsal League for 2014-15 would join the Second Division (if successful on their application). Below is an outline of the potential format and structure of the Second Division for next season, but this could change depending on the number and quality of clubs that apply for the Leagues.

  • Format: Matches are played in a home and away format in line with the full FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game.
  • Home & Away Fixtures: All clubs will be required to identify a home venue(s) that they will use for their home matches during the impending season. Each club will be required to coordinate and organise home match-days in accordance with the standards and requirements expected of The FA National Futsal Leagues. Clubs will be allowed to share their home venue with other neighbouring clubs if required.
  • Home Venues:Clubs will be required to identify their intended home venue(s) in the attached application form. The venue(s) must conform to the requirements as stated within The FA National Futsal League Venue Specification. The FA will spot-check each club’s home venue to ensure that it meets the required standard. During the season random checks will take place on match days to ensure the quality of the match day delivery is of the standard expected.
  • Referees & Match Officials: The FA will appoint all match officials involved in FA National Futsal League matches.
  • Season Duration: The 2014/15 season will start in September 2013and finish in May 2014. Fixtures will be played on a Sunday.
  • Funding: All aspects associated with playing the matches will be funded by the clubs, this includes the venue costs for home matches, travel costs and a contribution of £200 towards the costs of referees.

FA National Futsal League Rules

The FA National Futsal League Ruleswhich will apply to this competition are attached to this document – Appendix 1. These Laws cover issues around registration of players, teams, transfers of players, team bond, and disciplinary procedures. Please study these Laws carefully as they may have an impact on your decision to apply for admittance to the League. Particularly take note of the English Player Eligibility rules (Rule 8).

Please Note: These Rules are the 2013/14 season version and are subject to amendment prior to the start of the 2014/15 season.

FA National Futsal League Administration

The FA National Futsal Leagues are administered and managed nationally by The FA National Futsal League Management Committee, who oversees the running of the League.

On behalf of The FA National Futsal League Management Committee, responsibility for the day-to-day running of the FA National Futsal League Division Two is delegated to:

Southern Division / Amateur Football Alliance (Bob Leeds)
MidlandsDivision / Northamptonshire County FA (Don Welch)
Northern Division / Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA (Sarah Hicking)

Application Process

If your Futsal club wishes to apply to join The FA National Futsal League and believes that they are of a sufficient standard to compete at this level, then please take time to complete the attached application form and return to The FA by 14thMarch 2014.

Clubs are invited to apply for consideration to join The FA National Futsal Leagues for the 2014/15 season. Applications will be weighed against the following criteria, and new clubs should demonstrate to the best of their abilities in their application how they meet these criteria:

  1. The club has been playing Futsal for at least one season.
  2. The club has played competitive Futsal preferably in a league and can demonstrate success. It would also reflect positively on the club if they have competed in the current season’s FA Futsal Cup.
  3. You have a club structure (e.g. Reserves, Youth teams etc) or are willing to develop such a club structure.
  4. You have a wide pool of players to select your team from (including players eligible to play for England)
  5. Your club has appropriate financial sustainability
  6. Your club has access to a venue that meets the FA National Futsal League Venue Specifications
  7. Your club is organised and able to manage the administrational elements of being involved in a National League.

Please provide any appropriate supporting evidence to accompany your application form.Applications from new clubs wishing to join The FA National Futsal League must be received by The FA before: 14th March 2014

Applications should be emailed to: Laura Dove at or posted to:

Laura Dove, National Game Administrator

The Football Association, Wembley Stadium, PO BOX 1966, London, SW1P 9EQ

Please note:

  • An application does not necessarily mean that your team will be successful to play in the FA National Futsal League. The FA National Futsal League Management Committee will first judge the merits of your club’s application, and only if your club is considered to be of a suitable standard will your club be potentially invited to compete in the leagues.
  • The FA National Futsal League that you apply for may not necessarily be the League that you are entered in or considered for. The FA National Futsal League Committee will consider geographic locations of club’s home venues in deciding which league that they are put forward in to.
  • Strong applicants are normally requested to be interviewed by the Management Committee prior to a decision being reached.

The decision of The FA National Futsal League Committee is final. No appeals will be received.

FA National Futsal League 2014-15 Season

New Club Application Form

Club Name
Club Contact Name
Position at Club
Contact Address
Contact Phone Numbers / Home: / Mobile:
Contact Email Address
Club Website
Preferred League to Join / NORTH MIDLANDS SOUTH
Name & address of home venue(s)
Home Kit Colour
(Shirt, shorts, socks)
Away Kit Colour
(Shirt, shorts, socks)
Does this venue(s) meet the required facility specifications for the National Futsal Leagues? / YES / NO
Will you be able to host your home fixtures out of this venue(s)? / YES / NO
Does this venue(s) have the necessary Futsal pitch markings? / YES / NO
Does the venue(s) meet the basic Futsal pitch size requirements (including run-off) – 35m x 18m? / YES / NO
What is the surface type of your venue(s) / Wooden Rubber Polymeric
Other (please detail):
Does the venue(s) have metal / aluminium Futsal goals? / YES / NO
Does the venue(s) have 3 changing rooms? / YES / NO
How long has your club been playing Futsal?
Has your club had any regular Futsal competition (e.g. local leagues, tournaments)? If so please provide information & outline any success you have had
Has your club competed in this season’s FA Futsal Cup? If so which round of the competition did you reach?
Does your club have a bank account? / YES / NO
Does your club have appropriate public liability insurance? / YES / NO
How many players are currently registered to your club?
Does your club have a coach? If so please provide information (e.g. qualifications, Futsal experience etc)
Has your coach attended the FA Coaching Futsal Beginners Guide course? / YES / NO
Has your coach achieved the FA Coaching Futsal Level 1 course? / YES / NO
Does your club have a physio? / YES / NO
Do you have any other volunteers supporting the club (e.g. Chairman, Club Secretary, Treasurer etc)?
Do you currently have a club structure (e.g. reserve teams, links with junior clubs etc)? Please provide information
If not, are you prepared to establish a club structure? / YES / NO
How do you intend to develop your club over the next 3 yrs? (Please provide headline aims & plans)
How is the club currently funded?
What financial plans are in place to support the development of the club?
How will the club develop awareness of Futsal and spectators within the local community?
Any further information to support your application as to why The FA should include your club in the FA National Futsal League

Please provide detailed answers to explain why your club is suitable for consideration to join the FA National Futsal League. If required please attach any additional information or evidence.

Once completed please return to Laura Dove at The FA:

The Football Association, Wembley Stadium, PO BOX 1966, London, SW1P 9EQ

Closing Date for Applications is: 14th March 2014

FA National Futsal League 2013/14
STANDARD CODE OF RULES

1 - NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION

This Competition shall be designated the FA National Futsal League(a sponsorship title can be incorporated).

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 Football Association.

The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be determined by the Football Association.

This Competition shall be sanctioned by the Football Association. The Competition, all Clubs and players, and other persons, shall be subject to the Rules and Regulations of the Football Association.

2 - ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

(i) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition mustbe made in writing to the Secretary of the management committee by the appointed date.

(ii) The Annual Subscription/Entry Fee shall be £50.00 per Club payable to The Football Association as specified in each year.

(iii) Each Club shall within 21 daysofelection pay a Deposit of £200.00 to The Football Association, 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.

(iv) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee/Annual Subscription and Deposit have been paid.

(v) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing when specified of its County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season together with details of any other information required by the Competition.

3 - OFFICERS

The Officers of the Competition shall be the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary of The FA Small Sided Football Committee. These Officers will make up the Board of the FA National Futsal League to oversee the day-to-day operations of the competition.

4 –THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

(i) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association by a Management Committee comprised of the Officers of the Board, up to three League Administrators, an appointed Referees Officer and four other members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. All participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by The Football Association from time to time.

(ii) Retiring Management Committee Members shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, and the Officers will provide a timetable for nominations to be considered. 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.

(iii) The Management Committee shall meet as often as is necessary.

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

(iv) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.

(v) All communications received from clubs must be conducted through their nominated Officers.

(vi) Management Committee meetings must have a quorum of four members of the Management Committee in attendance for decisions to be officially ratified.

5 - POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

(i) The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary. The decisions of all sub-committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification.

(ii) 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 or where there may be a conflict of interest (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.

(iii) 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.

With the exception of Rules 5(i), 6(h), 10(a), 11 and 19 for all breaches of Rule a formal written charge must be issued. The respondent shall be given seven days from the date of notice to reply to the charge and given the opportunity to:

a)Accept or deny the charge

b)Submit in writing a case of mitigation, or

c)Put their case before the Management Committee

All breaches of the Futsal Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with FA Rules by the appropriate Association.