1. Arrangements:  Both teams have a responsibility to get their match arranged and should make contact to ensure the match is played prior to the deadline.  This is especially important in the early rounds. In all rounds (including the final) the home team has the responsibility of staging the fixture and providing a suitable pitch (which can be at their school) for 7 a side football, the match ball and the referee. In the case of a colour clash, the home team has the colour preference. This is a mid-week competition and during winter months will require playing during school hours.

 

2. Players: Ages are calculated at midnight August 31st/1st September at the start of each school year.  Boys and girls are both eligible.

 

3. Number of players: A squad consists of 10 players of which seven are playing at any time.  Players once substituted may return to the pitch, as a substitute, at any time, with the referee’s permission (i.e. rolling subs).

 

4. Ball size: All matches to use a size 4 football provided by the home team.

 

5. Duration of play: Under 11          (Year 6 and 5 only – but cannot be just a Year 5 team) ... 25 min each way

                                      Under 11 Girls (Year 6 and 5 only – but cannot be just a Year 5 team)….20 min each way

If teams are level after normal time, extra time to be played (3 min each way).  If the scores are still level after extra time, penalties will be used to decide the winners.  Both teams to take 3 penalties and if still level, then sudden death.  Only the seven players on the field at the end of extra time may take penalties. 

 

6. Mini-soccer rules:  Normal mini-soccer (7v7) rules to apply (no offside etc); players must wear shin pads. Note that for goal-kicks the opposition must retreat into their own half of the pitch.

 

7. Heading: Hampshire Schools Football Association (HSFA) opted out of the trail for no heading (22-23). Heading will continue as normal with both teams able to head the ball through-out the duration of the game with there being no consequences to this.  

 

8. Referee: It is the home teams responsibility to provide a suitable referee.

 

9. Mementos: HSFA will provide 10 mementos to both finalists

 

10. Results: Both schools should email the results to Ben Pearce at primary.schoolshantscup@gmail.com as soon as possible after the match, so that the next round can be organised and circulated.  Obviously, unplayed matches do complicate the draw for the next round.  Teams responsible for not playing before the limit date may be removed from the competition. If a deadline extension is needed it needs to be requested and granted by the cup secretary

 

Leaving your match to very near the deadline can cause problems particularly if bad weather intervenes. Arrange it as early as possible to leave scope for re-arrangements – it is also wise to book a reserve date at the same time.  It is not fair on schools which are up-to-date to have to wait for those holding up the competition. If there is a problem fixing a date with your opponents (e.g. residential visits), the sooner I know then the sooner I can help.  Matches should only be arranged after the deadline if consultation with cup secretary. If you have any queries, please consult me on primary.schoolshantscup@gmail.com or by Mobile: 07596168696

 

The next round of matches will be e-mailed during the weekend after the deadline; if you have not received notification by the Monday, please contact me to save delay.