Bill Turner Trophy Rules
BILL TURNER TROPHY RULES
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
STATEMENT
This is a knockout competition for girls 15 years of age and under. It is played strictly under the rules of FIFA (which permits rule modifications for the age of 15 years and under) which accommodates the special needs required to conduct this competition.
TEAM QUALIFICATIONS
1. All schools, state and private are eligible and must abide by all rules and conditions. Being a large interstate series, school officials must be aware of all term dates, holiday dates and local competitions. This is to avoid fixture clashes, so that the executive in late August has time to prepare the final series in early September.
2. A school’s request to enter the competition is accepted under the proviso that there is the necessary Insurance Cover including hospital, medical, accident, ambulance etc. (See insurance section).
3. (a) Schools which are part of a collegiate system must enter separate teams for each campus, not a combined team.
3. (b) Schools may enter only one team.
3. (c) Schools competing in the competition will be invoiced in October for the following year’s competition.
3.(d) Schools entering for the first time or re-entering must do so by contacting the local area manager or a member of the executive.
PLAYER QUALIFICATIONS
4. Any players who reach 16 years of age on or before December 31, 2019 are not eligible to play in the Competition (Players must be born in 2004 or later.)
NB. Age qualifications for weekend competitions do not apply for this competition.
5. (a) Players can only play for the school where they are currently enrolled.
5. (b) A player can only play for one school only during the current year.
CONDITIONS OF PLAY- NOTE:- REFEREE and MANAGER/COACH
6. Size of the ball to be used – No. 5 ball.
7. (a) Each game shall consist of equal halves of thirty minutes with five minutes for half-time. Injury time is to be added on in all periods, including extra time.
7. (b) When a match is drawn at full time there shall be an interval of three minutes before extra time begins.
7. (c) Extra time will consist of ten minute halves with no interval between halves. The following conditions must occur during extra time.
(i) A MATCH CONCLUDES IMMEDIATELY A GOAL IS SCORED.
(ii) At the commencement of extra time both teams shall consist of the same number of players as each team had on the field at the end of normal time (for example, if one team had ten players and the other team had eleven players then the team with ten players must start extra time with only ten players).
(iii) At the first dead ball after five minutes the referee shall hold up the game. Each school team will then remove one player from their own team.
(iv) At the change of ends interval, each school team will then remove a second player, from their own team.
(v) At the first dead ball after fifteen minutes the referee shall again hold up the game. Each school team will then remove a third player from their own team.
(vi) Interchange of all players is allowed at all times including extra time. See Rule 8(b)
N.B. The team must contain a designated goalkeeper throughout extra time.
N.B. The removal of players from both sides shall cease, when one or both teams reaches a total of seven players.
7. (d) When a match is still drawn after extra time, then the F.I.F.A penalty kick system will operate.
(i) Only the players remaining on the field at the end of extra time can take part in the penalty kick decider.
(ii) Any player remaining on the field at the end of extra time can act as the goalkeeper during the penalty kick decider.
7. (e) At the conclusion of the game the referee shall record the result, including goal scores, in the correct place on the Team Sheet. Cautions, send-offs and other referee reports are to be written on the back of the Team Sheet. If more space is needed then it should be written in letter form on a separate sheet of paper.
8. (a) Up to a maximum of sixteen players’ names should be printed(in UPPER CASE/BLOCK LETTERS) by the Manager/Coach alongside the numbers listed on the Team Sheet. (Should there be a missing shirt, print the existing number over the top of the missing number).
8. (b) All sixteen official players on the Team Sheet can be used on unlimited interchange.
8. (c) Interchange, at the centre line, may only occur with the referee’s permission.
8. (d) It is an automatic forfeit by a team that has less than seven players, whether at kick-off time or during a fixture. If during extra time, a player from a team with only seven players is sent from the field then the team with the player being sent-off will automatically lose by forfeit.
9. (a) All jewellery must be removed as requested by the referee
9. (b) There is no restriction on the use of spectacles, except where the referee decides that the spectacle frames are potentially dangerous.
9. (c) Players are required to wear shin pads covered by socks.
DETERMINATION OF HOME AND AWAY MATCHES
10. (a) Preliminary Round.
In the Preliminary Round, the first mentioned (top) school is the “Home School.” and the second mentioned (bottom) is the “Away School”.
10 (b) Round 1
The top team is the home team and the bottom team is the away team, unless the schools have played a Preliminary Round, when the team with the least home games is the home team. Should both teams have played the same number of home matches, then the top team is the home team.
10. (c) Round 2 (and subsequent rounds).
The school with the least home games is the “Home Team”. This procedure continues until games are governed by Rule 26. Where teams are equal in home and away fixtures the home game will be
(i) the first mentioned (top) team in the odd rounds.
(ii) the second mentioned (bottom) team in the even rounds.
10 (d) Byes
A team receiving a bye is the home team in Rounds 1 and 3 and the away team in Round 2. Forfeits are counted as completed matches.
10. (e) The Area Manager may schedule promotional matches at central venues during early rounds. Schools must play on these scheduled dates or they may be withdrawn from the competition. These games will still be regarded as home and away matches as determined by Rules 10(a) , (b), (c), (d) and (e).
However if continued inclement weather prevents a gala day proceeding due to ground closure, then these schools are expected to arrange and play these matches, when a suitable ground becomes available, so as not to delay the competetion.
10 (f) All matches from the Area Finals are to be played on a ground decided by the Area Manager. Homes games are to be decided by the Area Manager and from the last 16 (the last 32 in cross area matches) by the Competition Manager.
N.B. The procedure for determining Home and Away matches will cease once the last 16 teams (the last 32 in cross area matches) are known. The number of Home and Away matches up to this stage DO NOT count for the remaining rounds up to the semi finals.
10. (g) If a team listed for a home game agrees to play away, the match is still regarded as a HOME fixture.
N.B. We strongly advise playing matches well before the due date to avoid unexpected problems such as floods. See Rule 15.
10. (h) Failure to complete a game by the due date without notifying the Area Manager of difficulties with play by dates may lead to loss of HOME privilege or withdrawal from the competition. Should a school withdraw from the competition then, as soon as the decision is made, the Manager/Coach must inform the Area Manager by fax/email.
N.B. Matches must be played by the due date. Other commitments of players and coaches or holiday dates are not acceptable reasons for playing late.
RESPONSIBILITY OF COACH AND MANAGER
11. (a) A Squad Sheet, under the school letterhead, with all the players’ names and their dates of birth, plus the principal’s signature affirming their eligibility is TO REACH your Area Manager before the end of term one, 2019. The correct spelling of each player’s name is essential. Additional players may be added at any time later in the year. The names of these players may be sent by fax/email or mail to the Area Manager. A copy of the Squad Sheet should be available at each fixture and Coaches/Managers are encouraged to view the document.
11. (b) Check the ages of the squad members against school records prior to sending of the Squad Sheet to the Area Manager. See Penalties – Rule 22. There is no limit to the number of players listed on the Squad Sheet.
11. (c) The Manager/Coach is to have a copy of the Squad Sheet (distinguished from a Team Sheet) at every game nominating
(i) the name of every player.
(ii) their Date of Birth.
11. (d) Before commencing the game, check that the ground meets FIFA regulation with the following recommendation that the goal posts be equipped with nets in good condition.
N.B. At the moment the game commences there is no right of appeal concerning the suitability of the ground.
N.B. On some grounds Combination posts are used. Extensions beyond the normal soccer goal posts are regarded as out of play and the game must be restarted by a goal kick or a corner kick.
11. (e) Ensure that the referee is aware of the Bill Turner Trophy Rules (See Rules 6, 7 ,8 and 9).
11. (f) Provide their own team’s refreshments and medical supplies.
11.(g) The use of qualified medical personnel such as St Johns Ambulance is encouraged.
12. (a)All shirts must be numbered with a different and clearly identifiable number.
Consideration for night matches is essential.
12. (b) The Team Sheet, found on the download section of the web site should be provided by the home team. It should be correctly completed by the manager with dates of birth (neat UPPERCASE/BLOCK LETTER) and handed to the referee prior to the commencement of the game. Special care must be taken in the spelling of player’s names.
N.B. The number on the player’s shirt must correspond with the number on the Team Sheet. See Rule 8(a). This is vital in the “STAR PLAYER” rounds (last thirty-two teams).
12. (c) Only players listed on the Team Sheet are eligible to play during the game. Names may be listed on the Team Sheet in anticipation of a player arriving late, but no name is to be added once the game has commenced.
12. (d) The referee, at the conclusion of the match, must complete the Team Sheet by including
(i) goal scorers.
(ii) total goals scored by both sides
(iii) names and details of yellow and/or red cards.
(iv) names and details of all apparently seriously injured personnel.
(v) names of referees and assistant referees, clearly printed.
12. (e) Both managers should confer with the referee and check the team sheet that all details of referees, assistant referee(s), dates of birth, final scores, goal scorers, cautions, send-offs and any injuries requiring medical attention, have been correctly noted, before each signs in the space provided. Failure to do so may void any possible appeal or dispute. See Rule 20 (b). Additional information should be supplied on separate sheets and sent to the Area Manager.
12. (f) Results and scores, in print, must be communicated immediately after the fixture to avoid delaying future fixtures. The completed Team Sheet shall be collected from the referee by the winning team’s manager/coach after the fixture and immediately FAXED/EMAILED to the Area Manager. Once the competition has reached the Area Final, results and the completed team sheet must be sent to the President (Queensland excepted). Failure to comply could lead to withdrawal from the competition.
12. (g) Omissions by the referee when completing the Team Sheet do not cancel any penalty incurred by any player. N.B. Any report written by a referee must be faxed/emailed with the Team Sheet.
12. (h) Points for “STAR PLAYER AWARD” begin from the Area Finals i.e. last thirty-two teams in competition and must be crefully printed on a download of the “STAR PLAYER AWARD FORM” found on the download section of the web site. Documents drawn up by hand WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
13. If for any reason a match is not completed it must be replayed within the next few days to avoid disruption to the competition. See Rule 15. The appropriate Area Manager must be consulted for approval.
N.B. Schools MUST NOTarrange and/or play a match beyond the due date for any round unless permission has been granted by the Area Manager or by the President. From the last sixteen onwards, all matches must be played by the due date to enable our team to put together our “finals” programs.
14. Semi-finalistsare required to bring to the semi-final an up to date Squad Sheet verified and signed by the principal. This sheet must include all players in the team and should be checked against school records.
RESPONSIBILITY OF HOME TEAM/AWAY TEAM — EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
15. (a) Home schools are requested to make immediate contact with the away schools by fax or e-mail with at least three alternate dates and times for the match to be played. At the same time the away school should offer a fourth date and time for negotiation. If both teams do not agree to play on one of these four dates and times, or any other negotiated date and time, then both teams may be withdrawn from the competition.
NB. Where the home ground chosen is not a school ground and its use incurs a charge ie. by a council, club or federation, this cost is to be covered by the home school. In the case of gala days, the costs are to be shared evenly by all competing schools.
15. (b)Away schools should not sit back and wait for initial contact from the home school. Both teams should confirm the final date, venue and kick-off time with each other to avoid confusion and/or misunderstanding. These details should be faxed to the Area Manager.
N.B. Should both schools agree on a date but because of unforeseen circumstances e.g. flood the agreed date is changed, all relevant parties (i.e. Area Manager, referees, media etc.) should be notified immediately.
15 (c) Schools with a bye in round one or receiving a forfeit in later rounds should not leave it to the last moment to arrange their next fixture. A further postponement may not be granted in these circumstances. Coaches should consult their school’s calendar of events well before arranging matches.
15. (d)The Executive Committee reserves the right to withdraw any team, or teams, from the Competition, who have not directly communicated with their area manager / state manager or have not completed their round match by the due date and who are unlikely to be able to complete it without causing a major delay in the determination of the four Semi Finalists in time for the date set for the production of the finals programme.
16. (a) It is the responsibility of the home team to organise and pay for an official referee and two assistant referees, the latter should be qualified if at all possible.
(i) It is strongly recommended that the referees are not associated with either school.
(ii) Should an official referee not be available, the visiting Manager/Coach may refuse to play the game and claim home ground rights. This game should be played within a week. However, should that game also be without an official referee and either Manager/Coach refuse to play, both teams will automatically be withdrawn from the competition due to time restraints.
(iii) Alternatively, when an official referee is not available, a person (qualified if at all possible) acceptable to both teams will referee the whole game. Whilst the use of a student to referee fixtures is discouraged if both coaches agree then the game will proceed.
(iv) At the moment the game commences there is no right of appeal concerning the referee. The decisions of a referee (F.I.F.A. law 5, paragraph 2) are final. See relevant sections in the Code of Behaviour.
N.B. Check the suitability of the ground and ensure that the referee is aware of the Bill Turner Trophy Rules. See Rules 11(d) and (e).
16. (b)The official referee shall decide if the nominated ground is suitable for play.
16. (c) If an away team, which has travelled a considerable distance, arrives at the nominated ground and the referee deems it and any other nearby substitute
grounds, unfit for play, then (overnight inclement weather excepted)
(i) the match is to be transferred to the away team’s ground
(ii) the match is to be played within one week
(iii) payment of referees is expected
17. It is the responsibility of the home team (i.e. the school arranging or promoting the game) to change to an alternate strip in the event of a colour clash. Opposing schools should consult one another about the colour of the playing strips some days before the day of the match.
N.B. Each team must contain a designated goalkeeper who shall wear colours which are clearly distinguishable from all other players and the referee.
PENALTIES INCURRED
18. (a)The minimum penalty for a player dismissed from the field of play by the referee is that the player is not permitted to play in the team’s following Bill Turner Trophy match. The team’s next opponent must be informed. N.B. A forfeit is regarded as a match.
18. (b) Should a school play a player suspended for a send off offence in their last Bill Turner Trophy match, they will immediately be withdrawn from the competition.
Should this infringement occur the non offending school shall move onto the next round.
N.B. The Area Manager has the right to address concerns of player discipline.
18. (c)Upon receipt of the match report, should the offence be of such a nature that the Area Manager deems it necessary to apply a more severe penalty, the Area Manager and/or President, shall give full details of such penalties to:-
(i) The team manager/coach.
(ii) The player.
(iii) The Executive Committee.
(iv) The School Principal.
(v) State Manager and/or President.
(vi) State Soccer Federations in extreme cases.
18. (d)For offences committed after the competition has reached the last thirty-two teams
the President may, on receipt of a match report, deem it necessary to apply a more severe penalty. Full details of such penalties shall be given to
(i) The Executive Committee.
(ii) The team manager/coach.
(iii) The School Principal.
(iv) The player.
(v) State Soccer Federations in extreme cases.
18. (e)However, should a referee admit, in writing, that there was a genuine case of mistaken identity on his/her part, then an appeal to the Area Manager or to the President once the competition has reached the last thirty-two teams (Area Finals) will be considered.
18. (f) Misconduct, on or off the field of play, reported to the Area Manager and/or President will be investigated and if proven, penalties will be imposed. See Rule 30 (b) and the relevant sections in the Code of Behaviour.
N.B. Coaches are strongly urged to discuss all incidents with any dismissed players, in an attempt to prevent further infringements in the future. The same could apply to players who receive cautions for dissent, or any other unsporting conduct.
19. (a) A team which does not follow the official draw may be withdrawn from the competition.
19. (b) A team which does not arrive at a ground for a match on the date and time as previously agreed, will be withdrawn from the competition. Extenuating circumstances maybe considered for reinstatement.
20. (a)The decision of the Area Manager or his nominee is final in all disputes, penalties and appeals, except for matches involving the last sixteen, where the President assumes the responsibility.
20. (b)All appeals or disputes must be sent to the appropriate Area Manager postmarked or faxed/emailed within two days of the match or incident, signed by the principal and accompanied by all the relevant reports (referee, assistant referees, witnesses etc). Notice of the impending appeal should also be given to the Area Manager or President by phone.
21. Penalties incurred within the Bill Turner Trophy competition do not automatically apply to any other competitions. However, should the Bill Turner Trophy Judiciary consider the offence to be of a particularly serious nature, it may notify the appropriate Federations or Associations of the said offence and the action that it has taken.
N.B. It is an automatic forfeit by a team that has less than seven players on the field. See Rule 8(e)
N.B. Teams can lose HOME privileges. See Rules 10(c), (d) and (e).
OVER AGED PLAYERS
22. Where a school has played and won a fixture using an over-aged player, that school is automatically and immediately withdrawn from the competition. Should this infringement occur, the non offending school shall move onto the next round.
MISCELLANEOUS RULES
23. Entries may be accepted from schools within the Government and Non Government systems.
24. Playing in the Bill Turner Trophy does not preclude a player or team from playing in any other soccer competition. See Rule 10(f).
25. The Executive Committee recognise that there is a situation known as “The luck of the draw”. This usually applies to teams in the final Sixteen where they incur more travelling than other teams in the competition. This is unavoidable and regrettable but must be accepted as a condition of entry.
26. The Association President will determine Home and Away for the remaining inter-area fixtures.
27. It will be then left to the discretion of the Executive Committee to determine promotional matches.
28. Any school upon reaching an Area or Sub-Area final and any subsequent matches decides that it is unable to fulfill any of its future playing obligations will immediately be withdrawn from the competition.
29. (a)Without the support of our loyal sponsors the Bill Turner Trophy competition would not have made the progress that is evident today. Therefore, we recognise an obligation to our sponsors. Consequently, semi-finalists are required, as a normal courtesy to:
(i) co-operate with the attending media.
(ii) attend functions (civic receptions, ceremonies of welcome, luncheons etc.)
arranged by the sponsors and/or the Executive during the day of the competition’s semi-finals.
N.B. These are strictly organised so as to not affect the later performances of the players.
29. (b)If any school reaching the last sixteen teams, or afterwards, decides that it is unable to fulfill its obligation as a semi-finalist, see Rule 29 (a), they will be required to withdraw immediately from the remainder of the competition.
This allows the Executive to restore the defeated team into the next round with time to prepare for the fixture.
29. (c)Should a special presentation ceremony, for example, medal awards, be made by a school to honour their Bill Turner Trophy team we respectfully suggest that an invitation be extended to a representative(s) of the sponsors. Invite local electronic and print media to the ceremony. There are times when the competition’s executive members and/or area managers could also be available.
30. (a)Only players and Bona Fide Officials are permitted to enter a dressing room or encroach onto the playing field before, during or after a match.
30. (b)Manager/coaches are responsible for the behaviour of their school’s supporters both student and adult. Adequate supervision should be provided. Misconduct by players, managers/coaches and adult supporters is to be actively discouraged. See Rule 18 and the relevant sections in the Code of Behaviour.
30. (c) To avoid congestion on the side lines, only the manager, coach and if necessary, one extra person specifically engaged to attend to injured players on the field, together with up to five substitute players, are permitted within the perimeter fence of the playing field. All of the above must keep two meters clear of the side lines (for the safety of players and officials) and will be under the directions of the officiating referee, referee assistants, as well as members of the Executive Committee who may be present.
30. (d) As the Bill Turner Trophy is an official school function, schools are reminded that no alcohol is to be brought into the ground for consumption or for post match celebrations. We ask participating schools to make players and supporters aware of this fact.
31. (a) The Bill Turner Trophy and the Lindsay Hewison Shield, both carefully and correctly packaged, must be returned to the Competition Manager no later than Aug 31 each year. The cost of transportation is to be borne by the school holding the trophies.
31. (b) Other Perpetual Trophies must be returned to the relevant organising committees before the Area or State Finals.
32. All Rules must be adhered to for all matches played in the Bill Turner Trophy competition. Failure to comply with these rules could lead to the school being withdrawn. Ignorance of the rules will not be regarded as an excuse.