Rules of Competition

1. Structure of Competition

This competition runs under the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game and Football Victoria Futsal Regulations.

Final placing of teams after pool games is decided by applying the following, in order:

1. Team with the most points
2. Best goal difference
3. Most goals for
4. Least goals against
5. Team with the most wins

If all of the above are equal, then the following will occur:

1. The result of the game between the two equal teams
2. If the teams still cannot be separated, a penalty shoot-out in accordance with FIFA regulations will be used to decide the placings

In the event of a Play-Off and/or Grand Final being drawn at full time, a penalty shoot-out will be conducted in accordance with FIFA regulations.

2. Match Points

3. Player Registration

All players must be registered via the Cup Manager online system, which can be accessed under the Team Login menu on the website. Registrations must be completed by the player’s parent or guardian, not by the team manager. Team Managers are responsible for ensuring each player has registered.

All team sheets must be completed online before your first game. Please ensure all players have with them proof of identification that includes a photo and date of birth. Each player is required to have a number on their playing shirt that matches up with the team sheet.

If you are asked to provide proof of a player’s age, you must do so with appropriate documentation — an FFA ID card, school ID, passport, birth certificate, learner’s permit or driver’s licence where applicable. Digital copies are acceptable.

For all divisions, each squad can only have a maximum of 5 players on the bench, and only players listed on the team sheet will be allowed to play.

Overage players will only be allowed in limited circumstances. U8, U9, U10, U11 and U12 divisions may apply for a maximum of one (1) dispensation per team, under the policy exceptions below.

• Relative Age Effect (R.A.E.): For U8–U10 age groups only, teams may register one (1) player who falls under the R.A.E. criteria — players born between 1 October and 31 December of the year immediately preceding the age group cut-off.
• Female Player Allowance: Female players are permitted to participate in mixed-gender age groups one year below their actual birth year. For example, a U13-eligible female player may compete in the U12 mixed division.
• Existing Football Victoria Dispensation: Any player who holds a current and valid Football Victoria dispensation will be considered for approval, provided the official documentation is supplied.

1. Online registration: Register the player via your online team portal and clearly state the reason for the dispensation request in the notes/comments section.
2. Supporting documentation: Email info@sportsgroup.melbourne with either a copy of the official Football Victoria dispensation letter, or a formal letter from the Club Technical Director or President detailing the specific reasons and justification for the request.

All age dispensation requests must be submitted to Tournament Management at least 10 days before the competition. Should the local federation not be able to provide written confirmation, a letter from the club president can be considered.

Team managers and coaches must ensure all players are the correct age for their age group and have the necessary documentation in case they are required to prove a player’s age.

Players are allowed to participate in more than one team, as long as they are not in the same age group and they meet the necessary age requirements. For example, a U12 player can play in the U13 comp and the U12 comp.

Girls are eligible to play in younger boys’ age groups at the discretion of Tournament Management — for example, U14 girls can play in the U13 boys’ age group. If the next available age group in the boys’ competition is not offered, girls’ teams will be eligible to play in the next available younger age group. A girls’ team can be placed in an age group where the boys are two years younger, at our discretion, in order to provide the most appropriate level of competition.

To be eligible to participate, players must:

• Comply with the age eligibility as per Section 3.2
• Be registered on an allocated team sheet for a participating team
• Ensure that the team has arranged full payment

Squads with incomplete complements are still required to participate in their scheduled matches. The opposition team does not have to reduce their numbers accordingly, however they can choose to do so.

Players from younger age groups can play up an age group in order to lessen this problem. Players from another team that participates in the same age group cannot be used.

The competition carries the following cover:

• Public & Products Liability
• Professional Indemnity
• Player Accident: For all players, whether they represent their club or academy. The policy covers injured players’ out-of-pocket medical and some non-medical expenses (capped).

4. Competition Rules

Each player is required to have a number on their playing shirt that matches up with the team sheet.

Should uniform colours clash, it is the responsibility of the away team to wear an alternate colour. All first-named teams in the fixture will be deemed the “Home” team and will therefore play in their colours. If there is still a clash, bibs will need to be used by the away team. Teams can use their own bibs or see the ground marshal in your area to obtain tournament bibs.

Goalkeepers shall wear any colour provided it does not clash with either team’s outfield players.

Match futsal balls will be provided. Only official match balls can be used for matches. The ball must be approved by the referee at the commencement of the match, or at the restart of play if the ball is changed at any time.

• Size 3 — U8 to U11 competitions
• Size 4 — U12 and above competitions

Futsal referees will be provided and appointed by Referees Australia. All decisions of the match referee are final and binding as far as the result of a match is concerned, and no protest can be lodged.

Under no circumstances are supporters allowed to approach, question or criticise referees during the competition.

There will be Tournament Officials wearing branded apparel located on all courts to enable easy identification, in case information needs to be relayed or clarification needs to be provided to coaches, parents or referees. Any higher-level issues can be directed towards the Information Desk.

We ask all players, coaches, supporters and parents to respect and work with event officials to ensure a better experience for all involved. Players, officials and supporters found to be displaying aggressive or abusive behaviour towards Tournament Officials may be subject to disciplinary action.

All courts will have clearly designated technical areas, clearly identifiable by permanent or temporary fencing and/or ropes as well as signs.

Each team will be provided 2 ID lanyards for a coach and assistant coach/team manager to enter the Technical Areas for their respective game. Tournament officials will only grant access into the Technical Areas to those clearly displaying an official lanyard. Team officials are allowed within the technical areas, however cannot enter the field of play unless approval is given by the referee, such as to attend an injured player.

Immediately at the conclusion of each game, a tournament official will obtain the official score from the referee. The official will require the coach or team manager from each team to sign off the game card before the score of the game is submitted.

Coaches are reminded not to leave the court without signing off the game card to make the score official.

5. Games Format

If a team is not on their allocated court ready to start five minutes after their scheduled kick-off time, they will forfeit the game, and a 3–0 loss will be listed as the official result for that particular game.

Generally, injury time will not apply. However, the referee and tournament officials reserve sole rights to add on injury stoppage time at their discretion.

Interchanges may take place at any time during the match without the referee’s permission. Each team can make an unlimited amount of interchanges in any given fixture, provided they only have a maximum of 5 players on the bench.

Teams will be placed in groups where they will play a round robin format and accumulate points. The season runs across 8 weeks of games, including grading and finals.

Please refer to the fixtures for further information on the progression from the group phase to the knock-out stages. To be confirmed once all groups are finalised.

After the round robin games, for some of the age groups the teams are split into the Cup and the Plate knock-out phase — Cup being for the higher placed teams and Plate for the lower placed teams.

The winning team of the Cup and Plate will receive a trophy and the players will receive medals; the runners-up will receive medals. Depending on the number of teams, additional finals divisions may be created.

6. Extreme Weather Conditions

In extreme weather conditions, Tournament Management or the appointed match official reserves the right to shorten, postpone, delay or abandon any fixture that in their opinion compromises player safety.

In extreme heat conditions, Tournament Management or the appointed match official reserves the right to include drink breaks at any time during a fixture. Matches may be shortened, postponed or cancelled as a last resort.

7. Other Important Information

Red and yellow cards can be issued during a match at the discretion of the referee, to players and team officials.

• The red card serves an automatic 1-match suspension of the subsequent game.
• Yellow cards in different games will not be accumulated for suspension throughout the competition. However, repeat offenders may be suspended at the discretion of Tournament Management.
• If a match official is assaulted, or extreme violent or abusive behaviour is demonstrated, the player, official or coach may be suspended from the competition.
• If a whole team demonstrates repeated abusive behaviour, they will be expelled from the competition and may be banned from future tournaments run by SGM and the Australian Football Skool.

The event takes crowd behaviour seriously, therefore inappropriate behaviour from spectators will not be tolerated. Each team will be required to supply a Team Marshall who will be responsible to liaise with their respective team supporters, in order to ensure the opposition, referees, tournament staff and other spectators are respected. Team Marshalls must stay outside the technical areas and be located near their team supporters.

Teams and clubs will be held responsible for their supporters’ behaviour. Matches may be forfeited at the referee’s and/or tournament officials’ discretion. Teams may also be deducted points or disqualified. Where multiple teams from a particular club are found to be displaying poor behaviour, Tournament Management reserves the right to suspend whole clubs from future SGM and Australian Football Skool tournaments.

In the event a player from either team suffers an injury or wound which results in the loss of blood, the appointed match official will request that the injured player receive attention outside the field of play. Only when the match official is satisfied that the injury or wound has been safely covered and contained will the player be permitted to re-join the game.

In the event the player’s uniform or attire contains blood, the referee will instruct that player to change their attire before being permitted to re-join. Should the player be required to change their uniform, the match official will show discretion in allowing an alternative numbered shirt if another shirt of the same number is unavailable.

In accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game, a player is forbidden to wear jewellery of any kind. Players wearing jewellery will be required to leave the court until such time as the offending jewellery is removed and the player has gained the Match Official’s permission to re-enter the playing area.

First Aid staff will be on hand for the duration of the competition. Taping and strapping will not be part of the duties of the First Aid staff. If your team requires assistance from first aid staff, please approach the nearest Tournament Official.

The consumption of alcohol is not permitted in the venue. Anyone found consuming alcohol will be instructed to move from the venue.

Smoking will not be permitted inside the venue, or within 10 metres outside the doors of the venue.

8. Codes of Conduct

The below Codes of Conduct shall apply to all players, team officials and supporters. By entering or attending, you agree to abide by the relevant Code of Conduct below.

• Winning at all costs isn’t everything; at this age learning is more important than winning.
• I will only listen to my coaches’ instructions during training and games. No one else.
• I will not engage in the use of crude, foul or abusive language that may be deemed offensive, or engage in any conduct detrimental to the image of the game when on or off the court.
• I will never argue with the referee and/or assistant referees regarding decisions they make.
• I will treat participants, officials and spectators with respect, and play by the laws of the game.
• I will cooperate with my coach, teammates, referees and officials at all times.
• I will not use any banned substance or drugs of dependence throughout my involvement.
• I will display good sportsmanship at all times.
• I will play for the fun of it and not just to please parents and coaches.

• Do not coach your child during training sessions and games. That’s what the coaches are there for; it sends mixed messages to the players, creating confusion.
• Do not interfere with training sessions; stay clear of training areas.
• Cheer on and encourage the players at all times, including the opposition. Applaud good football all round.
• Winning isn’t everything. Players need to develop, and at this age learning is more important than winning. Remember that children play sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
• Encourage children to participate; do not force them.
• Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
• Encourage children to always participate according to the rules.
• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.
• Remember that children learn best by example — applaud good play by all teams.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
• Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
• Show appreciation of coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
• Respect the facilities that are being used.
• Keep clear from technical areas, benches and change rooms during games. This is the ideal time for coaches to teach players without any interference.
• Always follow the instructions of the referee and/or tournament staff.

• Remember that players participate for fun, and winning is only part of the fun.
• Never ridicule or yell at players for making mistakes or for not winning games.
• Be reasonable in your demands on a player’s time, energy and enthusiasm.
• Always operate within the rules and spirit of the game, and teach your players to do the same.
• Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience. All players are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
• Avoid overplaying talented players. Less developed players need and deserve equal playing time.
• Ensure that the equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all players.
• Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport — opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators. Encourage players to do the same.
• Show concern and caution towards sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a doctor or tournament first aid staff when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence.
• Coaches: obtain appropriate coaching qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth, development and conditioning of junior players.
• Any physical contact with a player should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every player regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, playing ability, cultural background or religion.
• Refrain from over-coaching during games; let the players play and learn from their own mistakes.
• Set an example. Players look up to coaches as role models — display behaviours that you want your players to follow.
• Always follow the instructions of the referee and/or tournament staff.