Paddock Wood Football Tournament 2015

Saturday 4thSunday 5thJuly 2015

Rules & Structure:

1. Name of Competition:

Shall be known as the "Paddock Wood F.C Football Tournament" and shall be played in accordance with the Rules and Laws of the Football Association. The festival will be run over two days.

2. Age Groups:

The football festival will consist of age groups ranging from Under 7 to Under U16. The number of entries will determine league structures for each age group. (Max 21 Teams per age Group)

All age groups are able to select 6 players from a Max squad size of 9players and all players must be eligible to play within the age groups that they are entered for (based on 2014/15 playing season).

Teams may only field those players listed on the submitted registrations sheets and players are strictly prohibited from switching teams after registration has closed.

Clubs may field Non Registered players in order to prepare for following season but they must be eligible to play within the age groups that they are entered for (based on 2014/15 playing season)

3. Under 7's

The Under 7s will play in a non-competitive fun day, with all players receiving a commemorative medal at the end of their session.

4. under8's and above.

Group Structure

Number of Groups will be dependant on the number of teams entered in each age group.

  • 8 teams or less 1 Group:
  • 9-14 Teams 2 Groups:
  • 15-21 Teams 3 Groups:

Where there is 1 Group in an age group - the teams finishing in 1st & 2nd will progress to the final. The Final winners will receive trophies with the runners up receiving Medals:

Where there are 2Groups in an age group - the teams finishing 1st and 2nd from each group will progress to the semi-finals.

  • Winner Group 1 v Runner Up Group 2:
  • Runner Up Group 1 v Winner Group 2:

The winners will progress to the final. The Final winners will receive trophies, with the runners up receiving Medals:

Where there are 3 Groups in an age group–The group Winners & Runners up, plus best two third place teams shall qualify for the Quarter Finals. Teams will be seeded as per group standings

  • No 1 v No 8 - No 2 v No 7
  • No 3 v No 6 - No 4 v No 5

The winners of each Quarter final will progress to the Semi-final etc. Final. The Final winners will receive individual trophies & winner’s Trophy with therunners up receiving Medals:

5 - Match Control:

A referee will be allocated for each match. The referee's decision will be final. Club officials will be present though-out the day to monitor behaviour etc

6 - Points:

3 points are awarded for a win, 1 point for draw, 0 points for a defeat.

If teams are level on points after the group section the result of the group match between the two teams will be decisive. If this match was drawn, then goal difference will determine the placings, followed by goals scored. If still level then a penalty shoot-out will be held with 3 penalties per team to be taken alternately. Sudden-death penalties will then follow if required.

7 - Results:

Result cards produced by referees are to be taken to the registration/committee tent at the end of each match by a representative of home team (first listed on the match schedule).

8 - Playing Time:

Under 7's.

Max accumulative playing time not to exceed 60 minutes. Match duration will be 10minutes.

All other age groups.

All Group matches will be 10minutes.

Quarter-Finals, Semi- Finals & Finals will be 12 minutes.

Quarter final - Semi-finals & Finals - in the event of a draw after full-time - an additional 5 minutes will be played with "Golden Goal" rules applying.

Quarter finals; Semi-finals & Finals; in the event of a draw after extra-time - then 3 penalties per team will be taken. Sudden-death penalties will then follow if required.

All Groups, Fixtures, Match durations etc will be relayed to all parties before the tournament starts & once number of entries have been confirmed.

9. Playing Rules:

  • The offside rule will NOT apply.
  • Defending players must stand at least 5 yards from the ball at centre, corners & free-kicks.
  • All free Kicks will be direct – Where an infringement takes place in the penalty area, a penalty will be awarded.
  • The "Home" team for each match is deemed to be that which appears first on the programme schedule.
  • The "Away" team to provide a change of strip/bibs in the event of a colour clash.

U7s & U8s

Goal-Kicks, Free Kicks & Throw-on’s

  • Keepers may drop kick the ball from open play.
  • Dead-ball kicks to be taken from the edge of the penalty area.
  • For Dead-ball kicks the opposition will retreat to half way line.
  • The back-pass rule will not apply. - Keepers will be allowed to pick up back passes.
  • Throw-ons - Should be over head but players will not be penalised for foul throws

U9s and above

Goal-Kicks,Free Kicks & Throw-on’s

  • Keepers must NOTdrop kick the ball from open play & must throw, roll or place kick the ball out.
  • Dead-ball goal-kicks must be taken from the dead ball goal line. .
  • If the event of a dead ball goal kick not be taken from the dead ball line a free kick will be awarded from the place of the infringement
  • Throw-ons - normal foul throw rules apply.
  • The Back pass Rule WILL apply.
  • The Referee will check with each Manager & Goal-keeper before the match starts to make sure teams are aware. No warning will be given during the game

10 - Substitutions:

Substitutions will be on a roll-on/roll of basis once the ball has gone out of play.

11. Disciplinary Rules:

Any player receiving either 2 separate cautions or 1 red card will be automatically suspended from the rest of the Football Festival. If a player receives a caution he or she will be suspended from the next match.

Managers must ensure that their team is ready to play at least 5 minutes prior to scheduled kick-off time. Late arrivals (over 5 minutes) may result in the points being forfeited and a 2-0 win awarded to their opponents.

If the tournament is running ahead of schedule, semi finals and finals may start earlier than scheduled. Any revised times will be announced over the public address system.

Any team unable to complete a match will forfeit with a 2-0 win awarded to their opponents.

The referee will be the sole arbitrator of all decisions, time keeping and all points of dispute.

The Football Festival Committee will entertain no dispute regarding a referee's decision. The Referees decision is final.

The Football Festival Committee will decide upon any other disputes or points of issue.

Any parents using foul and abusive language or aggressive behaviour will be asked to leave. Should they refuse then the team will be asked to leave and all results will be deemed to be 0.2. No refunds will be given.

Should any manager or coach use foul and abusive langue or aggressive behaviour towards the referee, the opposition or a tournament committee member their team will be asked to leave, their results will be deemed to be 0.2 and they will be reported to the relevant FA. They will not be invited back. No refunds will be given.

12. Pitches:

9 Pitches will be used. There will be6grass pitches & 3 3G pitches. The 3G pitches will only be used should the need arise and will only be used for older age. Advance warning will be given to all teams due to play of the 3G pitches, so make sure suitable footwear is brought.

13. Photography:

Please note that it is our intention to have a professional photographer on site. If you have any safeguarding concerns regarding event photography please contact a tournament official as soon as possible. Photos should only be taken in accordance with the FA safeguarding rules i.e.

  • Photos are not published on any social media website unless you have written consent from the parents.
  • Player profiles with pictures and detailed personal are not published on websites.
  • The image is not used for something other than that which it was initially agreed.
  • Images are not to be recorded in changing rooms, showers or toilets areas.
  • Where possible we would ask that if you wish to take pictures you do so towards the end of the tournament i.e. Medal presentation etc.
  • We reserve the right to ask people to stop taking photo's should the need arise.

14. Dogs:

As the Tournament is being held within Mascalls school premises, NO dogs are allowed except for Guide Dogs.

15. Parking:

Please note that without exception, all cars and motorcycles are to be parked in the designated parking areas as directed by parking stewards. Car parking is £3 per car, this includes the cost of parking, a program and entry.

16. Entrance:

Entry is £3, this includes the program and if required use of the Car parking facilities. Spectators on foot can gain entry upon purchased of a program. We reserve the right to refuse admission.

17. Smoking & Alcohol:

Smoking is not allowed on the School premise. Those wishing to smoke can do so outside of the school premises and re-entry can be achieved upon production of a token.

Under no circumstance is alcohol allowed. Anyone caught drinking or smoking on the premises will be asked to leave and will not be readmitted.

18: Food:

Picnics, snacks etc are welcome. All litter must be placed in the bins provided or taken with you when you leave. However there will be an Ice cream van, Cake & Sweet stall and shop on site serving hot & cold drinks & BBQ.

19. First Aid:

It is a requirement that all visiting teams have coaching staff who are suitably first aid trained and will be in possession of a suitable first aid kit for use if required. Emergency first aid supplies will be available from the control tent if needed. A First aid tent will be on site

20: Feed Back & Complaints:

During the tournament should there be any complaints please go to the committee tent. A member of the committee will endeavour to sort out any issues. No protests in relation to a referee's decision will be considered but will be noted - Any feed back,positive or negative, will be noted so to help improve the tournament going forward.

21. General:

Paddock Wood FC will not accept any liability arising from or responsibility for any injury, damage or loss incurred whilst visiting teams and their supporters are present during tournament. The Organisers reserve the right to make amendments to these rules, which may be made at short notice. Teams affected by any such change will be informed as soon as possible.