Senior Player Regulations 2015

1.0        GENERAL

1.1        All Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation competitions shall be conducted under the current FIFA and New Zealand Football regulations except as otherwise specified within these regulations.

1.2        The control and management of all Federation competitions shall be vested in the Chief Executive Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation.

1.3        Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation reserves the right to amend or replace these regulations from time to time, such amendments to be notified to all Clubs. No change to these regulations shall be implemented without a minimum notice period to clubs of 28 days.

1.4        Final decisions on interpretation of any part of these regulations shall rest with the Chief Executive Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation or such other delegated person. Any decision of the Chief Executive, in regard to these regulations can be appealed to the Federation Board in accordance with the Disputes and Protests procedure as laid down in these regulations.(refer clause 8)

  • Each Club desiring to compete in Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation competitions shall lodge an entry in writing by the date specified including verification of the current registration data as supplied by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation
  • The final composition of such divisions shall be at the discretion of Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation Chief Executive but will take into account the majority wishes of the Clubs as determined at a properly called pre season Club meeting at which at least 2/3rds of clubs are in attendance. All Clubs are required to notify the Football Competitions Manager of all changes of Club Personnel, Telephone numbers, Club Colours etc. within seven (7) days of any such changes.
  • The Chief Executive shall have the authority to accept further entries from registered Clubs during the season if, in his/her opinion, it is expedient to do so.
  • The Chief Executive shall have the authority to increase or reduce the number of divisions and to form or discontinue sections in any division as and when the need arises.
  • Promotion / Relegation divisions. The number of promotion / relegation divisions to be determined by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation, dependent on the number of entries received and subject to any re-organisation of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation League and/or the Local Club leagues.

2.0        PROMOTION / RELEGATION

2.1        In all Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation Leagues and Local Leagues, the following will determine promotion/relegation:

  1. Any Club with a Northern League team/s will be entitled to enter a team in the Federation League where eligible through the promotion/relegation procedure from the Northern League.
  1. Multiple teams from the same club will be permitted from the first local division and lower
  1. Promotion from the lowest local league will be compulsory unless an eligible team makes application to stay in the lower league – applications to be made in writing to the Football Competitions Manager.

3.0        PLAYOFFS

3.1        All playoffs, if required, shall take place at a suitable time after the conclusion of the season as determined by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation through the Football Competitions Manager.

3.2        The rules of Playoff competition/s, and the venue/s, will be determined by the League Manager prior to the commencement of the competition.   The Playoff Rules and venue may be subject to consultation, but decisions made in this regard by the Football Competitions Manager will be final and not subject to Appeal.

  • Players of any Club taking part in the playoffs are required to be registered players of the Club concerned. Where the playoffs are to be held within 2 months of the end of the current season the players must have played for the Team involved in no less than four competition games prior to the completion of the current season or to have played in more than 50% of matches for a team in a lower division.
  • PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

4.1        All players must be registered with the participating Club and Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation.  It is the club’s responsibility to ensure the player is registered with Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation on GoalNet in the current season prior to taking the field in any match. 

4.2        Where players are taking part in age-determined grades, it is the clubs responsibility to sight a copy of proof of age of players. Birth Certificates, Passport or other internationally recognized legal documents shall constitute proof. The club is required to produce proof of age if requested by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation

4.3       A club may only play up to three players in any game who have played in a higher division or teams in their previous game. Once a competition is completed no more than three players will be eligible to play in a lower division. This rule will be negated between seasons.

4.4       Any team playing an unregistered or ineligible player shall be penalized in accordance with the schedule of service costs for the relative season. The offending team shall forfeit any points gained. Goals scored by that team shall be forfeited goals against will stand. The opposing team shall be awarded the points for the match. Goals scored by that team shall stand, goals against shall be cancelled.

4.5        Where a club has 2 or more teams playing the same division no player is eligible to move between those teams without prior approval from Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation. Applications for movement must be made in writing to Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation at least 1 working day before the match in which the transferring player wishes to play.

4.6        Males competing in Senior Men’s competitions must be 16 years of age or older. (Must have had their 16th Birthday before the game commences).

Males are not permitted to play in Senior Women’s or Girls-only competitions.

Females competing in Senior Women’s competitions must be 15 years of age or older must have had their 15th Birthday before the game commences

Females competing in Senior Men’s competitions must be 16 years of age or older must have had their 16th Birthday before the game commences

Parent or Guardian Permission

  • Required for all female players aged 15 playing in Women’s competitions.
  • Required for all female players aged 16 playing in Men’s competitions.
  • Required for male players aged 16 playing in Men’s competitions.

The player’s Club must have signed permission, from a parent or the guardian of the player and approval from Waibop federation, prior to the player competing in a Senior competition game.

Such dispensation shall have regard to player welfare and safety, and to the development implications for the player.

  • TRANSFERS 
  • No player shall play for any Club except that of which he/she is registered as a member but he/she may transfer to another club. All applications for transfer must be on the approved form and submitted online in the Goalnet system to the club for which the player last played. Transfers may not be arbitrarily withheld. Transfers are not complete until authorised by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation.

The club to which an application for transfer is made shall either approve or decline, online in the Goalnet system within 7 days of its receipt by the old club and default in doing so will allow Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation, at its discretion to approve the transfer.

  • Request to Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation to approve a transfer not returned in accordance with these rules, must be accompanied by proof of the online transfer
  • Fees are payable within 30 calendar days with Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation as per the schedule of service costs for the relevant season.
  • A transfer need not be approved if the player has not fulfilled any obligation he or she has to the current club – including but not limited to payment of subscription – where such obligation has been agreed between the player and the club, and where such obligation(s) are not older than the last year in which the player played for the club.

5.6        Any player currently serving a term of suspension imposed by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation can be transferred but the approval of transfer must clearly show the player is under suspension and the period of the suspension remaining.

5.7        No player shall be transferred after June 30 in any year, excepting with the written authorization of Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation or where otherwise provided for in NZ Football’s transfer provisions. (Refer NZ Football Regulation Status and Transfer of players 9.1)

6.0        MATCH REGULATIONS

  • Defaults must be notified to Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation no later than 12.00 noon on the day prior to the game. Clubs will be fined in accordance with the schedule of service cost where Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation has not been notified in this time.

Any team defaulting two games consequential or three in a season may be expelled from the competition.

Defaulting teams must also advise their opposition and the Referees Association. Defaults in the Federation League carry a fine; at the discretion of the Chief Executive any such fine may be waived.

Away teams that default will have the return leg played at their opposition’s home ground; this will carry through to subsequent years

  • At the conclusion of the game both team managers/coaches must agree the score, countersign team cards and also have these signed by the referee. These cards must then be sent to Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation within the required time. Penalties for non-compliance are set out in the schedule of service costs.

If teams have seven or more players the match must start on time. In the event of either team not being ready to begin the game 10 minutes after the scheduled start time the team present and ready to start may claim the match as a default.

  • If there is no appointed official, the home team will provide a Club Based Referee to the game. The CBR controls the whole fixture. If the home team does not have a CBR, and the visiting team does, then the visiting CBR shall control the fixture. If none of the above are available the home team shall provide a referee for the first half and the visiting team shall provide one for the second half. In any event, the referee controlling the fixture has the same rights and obligations as an appointed official. Failure to be able to provide an accredited CBR for teams in Federation Premiership, Federation Championship, Men’s Bay One, Waikato Men’s A, B & C and Waikato Women’s A & B may result in loss of points at the discretion of the Competitions Manager
  • CBR are expected to wear the Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation approved shirt at any match they are officiating in.

6.6        Corner flags must be supplied by the home team and in place before the allocated kick-off time. Nets are recommended at all Senior games but are mandatory for all Federation Leagues matches and for Federation League matches the Technical Area is mandatory, as per FIFA Laws. The home team must provide a FIFA approved match ball Size 5.

For Federation, Waikato A and Bay 1 matches, 3 such balls must be provided and sidelines must be roped off.

  • Failing to meet requirements of 6.6 will incur a fine as detailed in the schedule of service costs under competition criteria
  • In the event of a clash of strip colours, the away team is responsible for providing a strip that does not clash with the registered colours of the home team. Failing to provide such alternative strip will incur a fine as detailed in the schedule of service costs.

Teams shall have a maximum of 11 players and a minimum of 7 players on the field at any time. Should any team fail to field 7 eligible players whether through shortage or sending off, they shall forfeit the match. All players, whether at the ground or not, shall be listed on the team card prior to the match starting, as per FIFA Law 3

  • 3 substitutes may be used for all Senior matches except for competition lower than Division 1 in the Bay of Plenty and Division B in the Waikato. In these grades a maximum of 4 rolling subs are allowed all women’s competitions a maximum of 4 rolling subs are allowed.
  • The duration of matches shall be 45 minutes each way with a maximum 15 minutes for half time.
  • Results must only be submitted online by the home team to Goalnet by 10.00am on the Monday following the weekend of the match or if midweek by 10.00am on the day following the match
  • Teams in breach of any of the regulations shall be subject to fines as set out in the schedule of service costs attached to these regulations
  • DISCIPLINE AND MISCONDUCT
  • Teams, players, officials and spectators shall at all times behave in a manner that shall not damage the image of the game. Clubs are required to ensure their representatives abide by the FIFA code of conduct and uphold the Spirit of Fair Play.

Clubs are deemed to be responsible for the behavior of their spectators, players and coaching staff.

  • All senior fines and service costs will apply to the competition not the age of the player.

All misconduct shall be dealt with by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation in accordance with NZ Football Rules and Regulations and Code of Conduct.

  • If a request by the match referee, referee inspector or Federation Board or Staff, to the bench/manager of the appropriate team to cease the consumption of alcohol outside licensed areas is not remedied then the Federation will seek an explanation from the Club If this explanation is considered unsatisfactory; the club may lose points, be fined or expelled, as per the Federation’s schedule of service costs.
  • Reported verbal, written or electronic abusive comments against or criticism of match officials, made by a club, team official or player after the game while at the grounds or during after match speeches, may incur an automatic fine of $250 to the offending club. Any further incident during the season involving the same club may result in a monetary fine of $500 each instance.

8.0        PROTESTS, DISPUTES AND APPEALS 

  • Any Club playing within Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation may bring a dispute or protest to the Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation Board through the Chief Executive. The Board of Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation shall appoint a Disciplinary Committee who will make a decision and advise that decision to the party or parties concerned. The dispute, protest or appeal must be on the Club’s letterhead and a fee of $125 + GST will be payable on lodging the appeal.  The protest must be lodged within 3 working days of the breach complained of. Appeals that overturn the original decision will have the fee refunded
  • Each Club has the right of appeal against any ruling of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation Board to NZ Football as per NZ Football Rules and Regulations.

A fee of $250 + GST is payable on lodging the appeal.

  • Any protest shall be made by the Club Secretary or another authorised officer of the Club, within 96 hours of the alleged breach. The protest must be in writing to the Competitions Manager. All protests must be specific and in detail, setting out the full circumstances and including all relevant points. The Competitions Manager reserves the right to disregard any non specific or non detailed protest.
  • COMPETITIONS
  • Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation shall have the right and responsibility to set up and organize such competitions as are appropriate and meet the needs of the Clubs and players.            Refer Section 2
  • Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation shall determine Leagues, times, dates and grounds for any fixture in Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation and shall have the right at all times to amend, postpone or cancel any fixture. 
  • In all Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation league competition games three(3) points shall be awarded for a win, one(1) point for a draw and zero(0) points for a loss. Defaults shall be recorded as a 3-0 loss. 
  • At the conclusion of any Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation competition where two or more teams are tied on points the winner shall be determined by:
  • Goal difference; if still level
  • Higher number of goals scored; if still level
  • The league result/s between the two teams; if still level
  • The toss of a coin 
  • POSTPONED OR ABANDONED MATCHES

10.1      Any match abandoned should be reported within 12 hours using the email address [email protected] by both clubs and the match official.

10.2      After considering the facts Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation may decide that:

The scores at the time of the abandonment shall stand where 75% of more of the match time has elapsed, or The match shall be rescheduled.

10.3      Matches not played for any reason eg Weather, Referee, abandoned as above Chatham Cup etc will be rescheduled. Waikato Bay of Plenty Football may reschedule and notify the clubs, bearing in mind the necessity for the league to be completed by the set due date. The Clubs can then mutually agree on a different appropriate date.

10.4      Any team with three or more players away on Federation or NZF duty will be entitled to request postponement of their game. Such request to be received by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation at least 36 hours prior to the scheduled game. 

11        TEAM CARDS/SHEETS 

11.1      All team cards/sheet are to contain the first name and surname of each player, including substitutes, coaches and managers, with the numbers on the team card corresponding correctly with the number on the individual player’s uniform. Team Card must also include the goal scorer’s number.

11.2      Each team card/sheet should be signed after the game by the team manager or coach to confirm that the result, reported on the card, is correct.

11.3      Team card/sheets for all Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation games shall be sent by all participating Clubs, these to be in the hands of the Football Competitions Manager within 5 working days following the match. Clubs failing to comply with this Regulation shall be liable to a fine as set out in the schedule of service costs.

11.4      Team Managers or Coaches are to be responsible to clearly mark on their team card/sheet the number of the substitutes taking the field, the player being replaced and the time of the substitution. Clubs failing to comply with this Regulation shall be liable to a fine as set out in the Schedule of Service Costs. For Rolling Substitution games the player being replaced and the time of the substitution does not need to be recorded

12.0      TRAVELLING EXPENSES

12.1      All Clubs travelling expenses shall be the responsibility of the individual Competing Club.

  • TROPHIES

13.1      All Trophies shall remain the property of Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation

13.2      It is the responsibility of Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation to ensure that all Trophies are engraved correctly.  Cost of the engraving shall be borne by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation

13.3      It is the responsibility of the Trophy winner to ensure that the Trophy is kept in safe custody and is returned to Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation when requested, but not later than 31 July each year.  Failure to return the Trophy will involve the Club in the costs of providing a replacement Trophy, including engraving, similar to that damaged or lost.

14.0      RESPONSIBILITIES

14.1      Each Club has a wider responsibility to the code and to any Sponsors and to the supporting public. This is achieved by providing and maintaining Soccer of the best achievable standard, a well presented playing surface and first class facilities.

14.2      Where a Club lodges a complaint or questions the behavior of a player/official/spectators of the other team Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation will seek a response within 7 days. If no response the Club will forfeit points for that match and any subsequent matches until a response is received.

14.3      Each club is to nominate one club personnel per registered team for training as a Club Based Referee (CBR) and notify the Federation before the start of the season, Failure to provide a qualified CBR for teams in Federation Premiership, Federation Championship, Men’s Bay One, Waikato Men’s A, B & C and Waikato Women’s A & B may attract a fine of $200 and or loss of points at the discretion of the Competitions Manager, Clubs have until 30 May 2015 to meet this requirement. 

15.0      FEDERATION LEAGUE (Premiership and Championship) 

  • The Federation League ( Premiership and Championship) will consist of a minimum of 10 teams and maximum of 12 teams each year and will be reviewed by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation at the end of the season where a decision to increase or decrease the size of the League will be made. 
  • Only one team from a club is permitted in each division of the Federation League. 
  • The club must have all their financial commitments to Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation fulfilled before entering the Federation League. 
  • Any Club that has a team relegated or choose not to play in the Northern League competition will have an automatic entry into the Federation League for the following year.
  • Promotion to the Federation League Division 1 will come from the winner and runner up of Federation League Division 2. 
  • Relegation from the Federation League Division 1 to Division 2 will come from the two teams finishing last

The team that wins the Federation League will have a possible playoff with other teams from Auckland Football for possible promotion to the Northern Regional League (TBC)  

KNOCKOUT COMPETITION

             All draws will be carried out by Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation

Competition structure and format to be advised to Clubs before start of the

Competition after consultation with Sponsors

Squads limited to 18 players only over the length of the competition Players to be ‘Cup tied’ i.e. can play for one team only

Any additional local regulation will be advised after consultation with Clubs