Wexford and District Schoolboys League

Rules for under-10 9-a-side football



The laws of the game will apply with the following exceptions:

LAW 1 - FIELD OF PLAY

  1. The field of play shall be rectangular, 70 yds long x 50 yds wide (64 metres x 45 metres). Maximum size (alternatively, one half of thenormal pitch playing across the field).
  2. A centre spot.
  3. A penalty spot - 10 yds from the goal line.

THE GOAL 6 feet high x 16 feet is recommended asthe appropriate size for children.

LAW 2 - THE BALL: SIZE 4

LAW 3 - THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Each team will consist of 9 players and up to five subs can be used at any time during the game, in a roll-on, roll-off, as often as required.

LAW 4 - Duration of game - Two x 20 minutes halves. Five minute half-time break.

LAW 5 - Offside - No offside rule.

LAW 6 - Free Kick - The opposition shall be at least six yards from the ball.

LAW 7 - Penalty Kick - Penalties are taken from a mark 10 yards from the goal line.

LAW 8 - Goal Kick - Goal kicks are taken from anywhere inside the penalty area.

Rules of the Wexford & District Schoolboys League

1 TITLE:

  1. The League shall be known as “Wexford & District Schoolboys League”, hereinafter referred to as “the League”.
  2. Subject to (a) above the Committee may include the name of a sponsor in the title.

2. OBJECTS:

The objects of the League shall be as follows:

  1. To promote the game of Association Football for boys up to seventeen years of age.
  2. To raise money by subscription and otherwise.
  3. To carry on or conduct any proceedings or business which may seem to the League capable, directly or indirectly, of advancing the stated objects.
  4. To do all or any of the above things by, or through, agents or otherwise and either alone or in conjunction with others.

3. MEMBERSHIP:

Membership of the League shall be open to all clubs in the County Wexford area having a suitable playing ground and subject to the powers of the Committee under rule.

4. AUTHORITY:

All matches shall be played under the jurisdiction of the Schoolboys Football Association of Ireland and according to the Laws of the game as modified for Schoolboys Football.

5. CONTROL:

  1. Control of the League shall be vested in the Committee which shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and eight others, all of whom shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
  2. Each candidate for Committee must be nominated and seconded by two clubs affiliated at the Annual General Meeting.

6. ORDINARY MEETINGS

  1. Any seven members of the Committee shall form a quorum. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the League at which he is present and shall conduct the business of the League in accordance with the ordinary rules of procedure. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall act as Chairman and in the absence of both Chairman and Vice-Chairman the committee shall appoint a member from those present to act as Chairman.
  2. In the case of equality of votes on any motion the presiding Chairman shall have a casting vote as well as a deliberative one.
  3. The Committee shall meet at least once every month during the course of the Schoolboys Football season and a delegate meeting for club members shall be held when necessary.
  4. Should any club fail to be represented at a delegate meeting of the League, they shall render themselves liable to a fine of not less than ten euro.
  5. A committee member cannot represent his club at a delegate meeting.
  6. Two delegates per club to attend AGM and Delegate Meetings with voting rights.

7. POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE

  1. The Committee shall have power to admit to membership, fine, suspend, expel or otherwise deal with any club, player or member who does not, in their opinion, act in a manner in conformity with the Rules, or in any manner which could be regarded as bringing the League into disrepute.
  2. The Committee shall have power to appoint such sub-committee as they may consider necessary and define the scope of their duties.
  3. In the event of any office or seat on the Committee becoming, or declared, vacant during the year of office, that the position be filled at next delegate meeting.

8. RIGHT OF APPEAL

Decisions of the Committee on all matters shall be binding, but clubs and players shall have the right of appeal to the Schoolboys F.A.I. Such an appeal must be lodged within 5 clear days of the written notification of the result of the first hearing (postdate on the envelope) excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The appeal shall be sent accompanied by €200.00 in the form of a cheque or postal order by registered post to the General Secretary of the Association. An exact copy of the appeal shall be sent by registered post to Hon. Secretary of the Divisional League concerned.

9. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

  1. The Annual General Meeting of the League shall be held on such date and at such time as the Committee may determine, but not later than the month of July.
  2. The notice convening the Annual General Meeting shall be sent to each club in membership not less than 14 days before the meeting.
  3. The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be to receive the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts, to elect the Committee and transact any other business as may arise.
  4. Only delegates aged over 18 years shall be entitled to vote: proof of age may be required.

10. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

  1. An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened by the Hon. Secretary if directed by the Committee to do so at any time, or on receiving a requisition signed by at least six clubs in membershp.
  2. No business shall be discussed at such Extraordinary General Meeting except that specified in the requisition or contained in the Agenda issued by the Hon. Secretary.

11. AMENDMENT TO RULES

  1. These Rules shall not be repeated or amended except at the Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting convened for that purpose.
  2. Notice of any proposed new rules or amendments must be sent by post not later than 21 days before the Annual General Meeting, or Extraordinary General Meeting to the Hon. Secretary who shall send due notice of same to each club.
  3. A majority of two thirds (2/3) of the delegates present and entitled to vote shall be necessary to carry any resolution, to repeal or amend any of these rules or to enact new rules.

12. FINANCE

  1. The Honorary Treasurer shall keep a record of all income and expenditure and present an account and balance sheet at the Annual General Meeting.
  2. The financial year of the League shall end not later than 30th June each year.
  3. Disbursements shall, as far as possible, be made by cheque only.
  4. The League’s Bankers shall be decided by the Committee.
  5. All cheques must be signed by the Hon. Treasurer and Ass. Treasurer

13. CLUBS IN MEMBERSHIP

  1. Every season each club must complete the official League application form.
  2. This form must be returned by the date specified and must be accompanied by the affiliation fee as laid down by the League.

14. REGISTRATIONS

  1. Birth or Baptismal Certificates (or copies) must accompany Registration Forms of all players not already registered with the League.
  2. New players must be registered on official forms supplied by the League through the Registrar each season. All details outlined on the form must be commpleted.
  3. The Registrar shall receive all documents in connection with players and transfers and a player shall be deemed registered when the Registrar is in receipt of all documentation.

15. TRANSFERS

  1. No transfer of a player, or players, between one club and another will be recognised. Any playing member of one club desirous of transferring to another club must first obtain his release.
  2. When a player becomes a registered player with a club in the League in any season it shall be an offence for any member, or members, of any other club in the League to request, encourage or influence that player, or approach his parent(s) with same intent during the season to:
    1. seek transfer to another club without the prior permission of the player’s own club and the League to the player being approached in such regard.
    2. participate in any training, coaching or games under the auspices of another club without the prior permission of the player’s own club and the League to request the player to do so. Such offences shall be called “poaching” and any person found culpable of same by the League Management Committee shall make himself/herself or his/her club liable to a fine, and/or suspension and/or removal from the League.

16. RELEASES

Players may be released by any club by giving notice in writing to the Committee. This sanction will be withheld if the Committee is dissatisfied concerning the circumstances generally, or if in their opinion the player has been induced to leave his former club.


17. SUSPENDED PLAYERS ETC.

Any player, member of a club or the Committee who has been suspended may not, during the period of his suspension, take part in any match under the League’s auspices, nor hold any office in any club, nor otherwise act in any capacity under the League.


18. PROTESTS

    1. Protests must be forwarded by registered post within three days (Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays excluded) after the cause of the protest and must be accompanied by a deposit of fifteen euros (e15) which will be returned only in the event of the protest being sustained or not heard. The protest must be signed by the Club Secretary.
    2. A copy of the protest must also be sent by registered post to the Secretary of the Club protested against within the period aforesaid.
    1. A further period of three days will be allowed for the club protested against to lodge a crossprotest which must be made in the same manner as the original protest.
    1. In the case of any protest of any over-age player, or players, the club protested against must produce the player’s original Birth Certificate, or other satisfactory evidence, otherwise the Committee shall award the game to the protesting side.
    2. If, on production of the original Birth Certificate, the player protested against is found to be under age in accordance with the Rules of the competition the protesting club, as well as losing its deposit must also pay for expenses incurred by the club protested against or as determined by the League.
  4. Protests against the eligibility of a player or players in any match must be accompanied by a deposit of fifteen euro (€15) in respect of each player protested against.
  5. Any Club found guilty on protest of playing an over-age player in any competition sponsored by the League shall be removed from that competition and/or fined a minimum of fifty euro (€50).
  6. If a club has any doubt about the qualification of any player on the opposing team they shall be at liberty to secure a photograph and a specimen signature of the player on making representations to the Referee. Refusal may be regarded as an admission of guilt.

19.    ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS
    (a)    The referee’s card must be filled in prior to start of game and signed by the official in charge who shall certify as to the eligibility of his players, the official in charge who signs the referee’s card must be over 18 years of age.
    (b)    That the person who signs the referee’s card is automatically registering himself as a member of that club.
    (c)    Clubs playing unregistered players will forfeit game plus fine.
    (d)    Incorrect name on match card may be deemed as an unregistered player.

20.    TEAMS RESIGNING FROM THE LEAGUE
    (a)    In the event of a team resigning or being suspended from the League the Committee may grant permission for players of that team to be registered by another club.
    (b)    Any team that shall be suspended, removed or otherwise withdrawn from any League competition shall have their record therein expunged.

21.    INDEMNITY OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
        Each member of the Committee shall be indemnified by the League against all costs, damanges, compensation and expenses incurred by him in the discharge of his duties except insofar as such may accrue from his own wilful acts or negligence.

22.    COACHING
    (a)    Coaching from sidelines in the League’s competitions will be permitted as long as the “coaching” is not abusive and does not interfere with the referee in the performance of his duty.
    (b)    Any person reported for abusive behaviour towards any referee or linesman shall render himself and/or his club liable to a fine and/or suspension.

23.    SUBSTITUTIONS
    (a)    Five substitutes shall be allowed in all games under the jurisdiction of the W. & D. S. L. for all age groups from ten years to and including sixteen years.

24.    POSTPONEMENTS
    (a)    No club shall have the power to postpone any fixture. Any club doing so may be adjudged to have given a walk-over and will be dealt with by the committee, who may deal with offenders as they deem fit.
    (b)    Postponements sought will only be granted for exceptionally good reasons and must be requested five clear days prior to the game.
    (c)    Games will be postponed in the event of the death of a player, official or their immediate family.

25.    NEW APPLICATIONS
    (a)    Where new applications are made to the League for admission to enter the League, the right of admission to the League shall not automatically be granted.
    (b)    New applicant clubs must have a committee consisting of at least, a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and three other members (total number required is six).
    (c)    New applicant clubs must have the use of a playing pitch.
    (d)    New applicant clubs must have enough players to compete the Leagues competitions (League committee to decide on number required).
    (e)    New applicant clubs cannot use any player who was on the Leagues registration list for any existing club in the previous season.
    (f)    New applicant clubs must have resources, finances, gear, etc, to fulfill their commitments to the League
    (g)    New applicant clubs (if successful) must comply with the Rules, Terms and Conditions as laid down by the League.
    (h)    That no League of Ireland Club be allowed to enter teams in the Wexford & District Schoolboys League.

26.    GENERAL
    (a)    League play-offs will be played on neutral ground. The venue to be decided by the fixtures secretary. In the event of a draw extra time penalties will decide the game.
    (b)    Cup finals will be played on neutral venues where possible - to be decide by committee.
    (c)    Home clubs shall be responsible for pitch markings and maintenance (particularly height of grass) and must change if their team colours clash with opponents.
    (d)    Match duration and football sizes: Under 10: 20 minutes a side (size 4 football). Under 12: 30 minutes a side (size 4 football). Under 13: 30 minutes a side (size 5 football). Under 14: 35 minutes a side (size 5 football). Under 16: 40 minutes a side (size 5 football).
    (e)    F.A.I. Directive: To be able to play in an under-age competition, a player must have reached that age before January 1st in the year the competition begins.
    (f)    DISCIPLINE:
        (1)    Any player who receives a red card or two yellow cards in a game will automatically miss next match, (FIFA/FAI rule).
        (2)    Any player who receives a red card for voilent conduct, will automatically get a three-match ban. He must serve his automatic one match ban.  Further action may be taken for a more serious offence.
        (3)    Any player receives a red card for foul and abusive language to a Referee will automatically receive a two-match ban. He must serve his automatic one match ban.
        (4)    Any player accumulates three bookings will serve a one-match ban upon receiving notification of it from the League.
        (5)    Clubs/Players who wish to lodge an appeal with regards to section 2 or 3 of rule 26f, must apply in writing within 5 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays) of the postdate on the envelope containing the notification of suspension. The appeal shall be sent, accompanied by €20.00 in the form of cheque or postal order by registered post, to the Secretary of the League.
    (g)     No player shall be registered after 1st February each season. No player can be transferred after 15th October.
    (h)    Jerseys must be numbered.
    (i)    Each team must provide one football on match days.
    (j)    Fines not paid within 30 days of receipt of notification will be doubled.
    (k)    The Committee shall be the sole interpreter of these Rules and shall have power to deal   as they think fit, with any matter not otherwise dealt with in these Rules.
    (l)    Cup Games: Cup games will finish on the day. If a game ends in a draw, extra time and penalties will decide the game.
    (m)    Official notification of games will be in the local papers, Web site and or any designated league committee official or member.
    (n)    Where clubs have more than one team in any one age group, the club must send in a panel of eleven players after its second league game in the higher division and this panel cannot move down for the duration of the league games. This rule to apply to all age groups from eleven years up and where clubs have more than one team in the under-10 9-a-side leagues, the club must send in a panel of nine players after its second league game in the higher division, and this panel cannot move down for the duration of the league games.
    (o)    In U-10 Cup or League play-off games, where penalties are required to complete a game, penalty takers can be chosen from any player listed on the match card.
    (p)    All transfers should be on a serial numbered and duplicated form supplied by the League Management Committee. Only serial numbered form, which will relate to the club that player is transferring from, will be accepted by the League Management Committee.
    (q)    Any home team that has to change the venue for a match which is different from the fixtures book should inform the opposing club a minimum of two hours before kick-off.
    (r)    All correspondence relating to protest hearings and appeals should be sent by registerd post; both by the League and Clubs.
    (s)    In Cup competitions, all 1st teams will be excluded from preliminary rounds where possible.
    (t)    Cup Panels where required, must be received before the Cup Draw. Failing to do so will mean that a club can only enter one team in the relevant age groups