Competition Rules

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Competition

Rules

The rules are here to ensure a safe fair competition for all players, staff and supporters.

Referees

5.1 Official referees are appointed by NRF for each match.
5.2 All decisions made by the referee are final. No protests or appeals will be accepted.
5.3 In the event an official referee is unavailable for a match, the following steps must be followed:

Both teams must agree on an alternate referee to officiate the match.
If only one team is able to provide an alternate referee, and the opposing team cannot, the team providing the referee will be deemed the winner.
Alternate referees may issue yellow and red cards, and these must be reported to NRF Management.

Governance

1.1 5-a-side football competitions are offered by Northern Rivers Football (NRF), a registered Incorporated Association.
1.2 All players must complete all registration requirements (see section 2) to participate in the competition.
1.3 NRF Management reserves the right to:

Refuse or cancel a player or team’s registration.
Suspend or disqualify any player or team from the competition.
Amend competition rules and regulations when necessary, with 24 hours' notice given to all teams.

Registration

2.1 Registration forms and information are available from NRF Management or through the website at www.nrfootballacademy.com.au.
2.2 To register a team, a team registration form must be submitted online, and full payment must be received.
2.3 To register a player, an individual player registration form must be completed online.
2.4 Teams and players are not permitted to participate in the competition until the full registration fees have been received.
2.5 Registration does not guarantee a position in the competition. In the event an application is unsuccessful, a full refund will be provided.
2.6 By registering for the competition, all players agree to:

Comply with the Rules and Regulations of the competition.
Abide by the Conditions of Entry to NRF, as a player and spectator.
Release NRF from any liability for claims, losses, or injuries, and indemnify NRF Management, officials, and volunteers.
Pay for all medical expenses incurred by the player, including ambulance services, if required.

2.7 Any unregistered player is strictly prohibited from participating in the competition. Any team found playing an unregistered player will lose competition points and may be disqualified.
2.8 Registered players cannot transfer from one team to another during the competition. However, if a team is short of players for any match, up to two registered players from another team may ‘fill in’, provided they are playing in the same division or higher (players cannot play in a lower division than they are registered for).
2.9 Senior competition grades will be categorized as follows:

Men’s D, C, B, and A Grades.
Women’s B and A Grades.

2.10 If a team is unable to field at least three registered players, they will forfeit the match. The score will be recorded as a 5-0 loss.
2.11 Any player replacement throughout the competition must be approved by NRF Management.

Insurance

3.1 NRF is registered under the NSW Government Sporting Injuries Insurance Scheme.
3.2 Players participate in the competition at their own risk. NRF encourages all players to seek additional personal insurance.

Late Registrations

4.1 Players may register until Round 3 of the competition, provided there is a vacancy within the team.
4.2 Late registrations must be submitted no later than 24 hours before the next round of matches.
4.3 Players cannot participate in matches until the registration process is complete, and team fees are paid in full.

Referees

Both teams must agree on an alternate referee to officiate the match.
If only one team is able to provide an alternate referee, and the opposing team cannot, the team providing the referee will be deemed the winner.
Alternate referees may issue yellow and red cards, and these must be reported to NRF Management.

Field and Equipment

6.1 Field dimensions will follow the English FA Guidelines, and goal posts will be approximately 2m high and 3m wide.
6.2 Size 4 footballs will be used for all matches.
6.3 Goalkeepers will be identified by wearing a shirt or bib that differs from the rest of the team.

Referees

Both teams must agree on an alternate referee to officiate the match.
If only one team is able to provide an alternate referee, and the opposing team cannot, the team providing the referee will be deemed the winner.
Alternate referees may issue yellow and red cards, and these must be reported to NRF Management.

Field and Equipment

Teams

7.1 Each team must have a designated manager responsible for ensuring communication between NRF Management and the team. The manager is also responsible for team behaviour.
7.2 The maximum number of players allowed on the field at any one time is five, including the goalkeeper. A minimum of three players is required to start the game. A forfeit will be called if a team cannot field 3 players after 10 minutes.
7.3 Men’s competition players must be born before 1 January 2010, turning 15 this year. Women’s competition players must be born before 1 January 2011, turning 14 this year.
7.4 Junior competition players must comply with the age divisions set for the competition based on their age as of the start date of the competition. Under age players will be considered on request subject to parental consent.

Team Strip and Equipment

8.1 All players must wear matching shirts, with numbers clearly visible on the back, by Round 2 of the competition. Failure to comply will result in a forfeit of the match. The goalkeeper must wear a shirt that distinguishes themselves from other players and officials (or a different coloured bib).
8.2 Shin pads are mandatory for all players. Players must wear appropriate footwear. No metal studs are allowed.
8.3 In the event of a strip clash, the team listed second on the draw will be required to wear an alternative strip, provided by the team or by NRF.
8.4 All jewellery must be removed before play commences.

9.1 Each senior match consists of 2 x 25-minute halves. Junior matches consist of 2 x 20-minute halves.
9.2 Points are awarded as follows:

Win: 3 points.
Draw: 1 point.
Loss: 0 points.
Forfeit: 0 points (opposing team receives 5-0 result).

9.3 The competition will follow the FIFA Laws of the Game, with the following exceptions:

There is no offside rule.
A one step rule for taking free kicks
A size 4 ball will be used for all games.
Slide tackles are strictly prohibited.
Throw-ins are to be kicked from the side (as per a corner)

9.4 Goalkeepers are not permitted to kick or throw the ball over the halfway line on the full. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team on the halfway line at the place the ball crosses over on the full.

Goal kicks can either be kicked or thrown anywhere from within the goal circle but must not travel over halfway on the full.

9.5 At the referees discretion a player can be given a time out penalty (yellow card). Substitutes are unable to replace a yellow carded player. Time out penalties will last for 5 minutes. A yellow card can be shown for the following offences:

Guilty of unsporting behaviour including foul play
Time wasting and the use of offensive
Dissent by word or by action.
Persistently infringing on the laws of the game.

9.6 Players can also be sent from the field as per FIFA rules (Red Card). Substitutes are unable to replace a red carded player. A red card carries a minimum one match ban. A red card can be shown for the following offences:

Guilty of serious foul play or violent conduct
Use of offensive, racist, insulting or abusive language
Biting or spitting
Two yellow cards during a match

9.7 Matches will generally be played regardless of weather conditions, but if lightning is present, the match will be halted. Play will resume once the referee or facility staff determine it is safe.
9.8 Unlimited player interchanges can occur during play, provided the referee is notified of each substitution.

Disciplinary Procedures

10.1 NRF 5-a-side competitions are social competitions, and the main aim is to provide a safe and enjoyable football experience.
10.2 Any player, spectator, or team official found guilty of misconduct will be reviewed by NRF Management and subject to the appropriate disciplinary action.
10.3 Examples of offences and minimum penalties include:

Abusive language: 1-match ban.
Violent conduct: 1-match ban.
Abuse of match officials: 1-match ban.
Fighting: 10-match ban.

10.4 NRF Management may establish a Disciplinary Committee to review serious or repeated offences.

10.5 Players or teams found guilty of bringing NRF into disrepute may face penalties up to and including cancellation of registration. No refunds will be provided in cases where registration is cancelled due to disciplinary issues.