Tournament Rules – Wargrave Women and Girls Football Club

The tournament will be played according to the Laws of Association Football except where other
provisions are made below.

Schedule

8 pitches will be used for the competition, and these will be clearly marked on the day
Teams should ensure they are at the appropriate pitch at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time of their games (pitch coordinators will be present to keep matches on schedule)
The schedule and live updates can be viewed at http://5aside.wargravegirlsfc.co.uk/
Team managers will also be given a paper copy of the schedule on registration
The U8 and U9 age groups will play friendly matches on a league basis, with the emphasis on participation and fun, rather than winning or losing
For everyone else, the format is a League competition, followed by a knockout competition determined by the number of Age Group entries:
Age Groups with 8 or more entries will be formed into 2 leagues and then a Champions knockout for teams placed 1st and 2nd and a Europa knockout for teams placed 3rd and 4th in each league.
Age Groups where there are up 7 entries will be formed into a single league followed by a Champions knockout for the top 4 teams.
Teams will play a minimum of 4 games and a maximum of 7 games (depending upon the number of teams entered), with most teams playing 5-6 games
You might also like to follow our Twitter account @WargraveGLFC for updates throughout the day

Teams

Tournament entry is restricted to FA affiliated clubs.
Players must be within their age limit for season 2023-2024 Proof (league ID) of affiliation and player age may be requested.
A first aider will be present and a first aid area provided. Each team must however have a nominated & qualified emergency aider present for all games.
Clubs/Teams must be Affiliated to a County FA.
The tournament is for recreational and not Academy players.
U8/U9, U10 age groups will play 6-aside with a maximum of 8 in a squad
All other age groups will play 5-aside with a maximum of 7 in a squad
Players can only represent one team in each age group

In the event of a colour clash the team named first shall be required to change shirts/turn them inside out/or wear bibs
The team named first shall have choice of ends
The team named second shall take kick off
The team named first shall provide the match ball
The U8 and U9 matches are 8 minutes long, all other matches are 10 minutes long – there is no half-time
There is a 2-minute break between all matches. Please ensure you are not late for your kick off, lateness may result in the referee awarding a one goal head start to the opposition followed by decreased playing time
Substitutions are roll on roll off. Please however wait for a break in play, and the referee’s consent to do so
Any player who has been replaced may return to the playing area as a substitute for another player
Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that the referee is informed and that the change is made during a stoppage in the game
If a team is reduced to 2 players the match will be awarded to the opposition
Once the game has finished, a member of the winning team, or in the event of a draw the team named first, must take the result slip to the administration tent; please be prompt

3 points shall be awarded for a win, 1 for a draw and 1 bonus point for scoring 2 or more goals
If points are still level after all group games placing shall be determined via the following:
- Goals for
- Goal difference
- Results between the two teams
- Earliest registered team
In the event of a draw in the knockout phase the match shall go straight to penalties
Penalties are sudden death, i.e. the first team to miss loses (the first named team in the match goes first). Penalties will have a one-step run-up. There is a maximum of 8 penalties per team, if after that there is still no winner then the match will be decided by a coin toss.
The tournament directors may at any time award the penalty shoot via a coin toss

The goalkeeper can’t handle the ball from a direct pass back, but can kick it
Goal kicks will be taken from the goal line
The penalty area will be clearly marked
Goalkeepers are allowed to leave the penalty area, and equally players are allowed inside it
Fly kicks are not allowed at U12 and above
At U12 and above the ball must be rolled under arm or thrown over arm
Another player must touch the ball before the keeper can touch the ball again

Any cautions shall result in a goal awarded to the opposition
A red card will result in the player being banned from taking part in any further matches
There will be no off-sides
All dead ball situations will require the opposition to stand at least 3 metres back from the placement of the ball, including corners, free kicks and throw ins
A goal cannot be scored directly from kick off
Please deal with any minor injuries via the substitution rule
The referee has the right to stop play for any injury he/she deems to be serious
Please note that first aid will be in attendance for any injuries to players
All players participate at their own risk
All of the officials used in the tournament, will have the full backing of the tournament directors. We will be using a wide range of match officials, some with more experience than others, and we would ask that you be tolerant. Referees will be appointed to age groups that are relevant to their own age and experience.
WGFC reserves the right to remove any team, player, coach or spectator whose conduct is deemed to be unacceptable
The referee’s decision is final
Any major disputes can be taken up with one of the tournament directors

A trophy and medals will be awarded to the overall winners of the Champions knockout stage
Medals will also be awarded to the runners up in the Champions knockout stage
Winners of the Europa knockout stage will also be awarded medals
Trophies and medals will be presented on completion of the group (see Schedule for timings)
The U8 and U9 age groups will receive participation medals

Play well, play fair and have fun