Tournament Rules
Tournament Rules: Updated 15th January 2025
1). Management of the competition
1.1 The Competition shall be called FC Abbey Meads Football Festival
1.2 Officials shall be:
Chairman : Justin Gale
Secretary : Lisa Smith
Treasurer: Vicky Dodds
Welfare Officer : Justin Gale
Respect Officer : Lee Morris
1.3 Any alterations to these Rules shall be made by the Officials.
1.4 The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association. Matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws for Mini Soccer
1.5 The Competition shall be sanctioned by the Wiltshire FA. The Competition, all Teams and players, and other persons, shall be subject to the rules and regulations of that Association.
2). Affiliation of participating teams
2.1 All teams will be affiliated to a County Association.
3). Teams eligible to enter and entry fee
3.1 The Competition shall be open by open-invitation. Applications will only be considered upon receipt of a fully completed entry form and cleared payment. The entry fee shall be £30 per team.
3.2 Teams that are unable to participate in the tournament are able to withdraw and receive a full refund if notification is sent to us by 30th April 2025. After this date no refunds will be given.
4). Committee and powers
4.1 A committee consisting of 8 members shall be appointed to organise the Competition.
4.2 The Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have the power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.
4.3 The Committee shall have the power to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition, and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for by these rules.
4.4 The Committee shall also adjudicate in all cases of dispute, protest and complaint.
4.5 In the event a team withdraws or is removed from the competition, the Committee shall have the power to reinstate a team beaten in the previous round(s).
5). Agreement to be signed by each team
The nominated official of the team shall complete and sign a registration form and the team shall then be entered into the tournament software for fixtures.
6). Age Group & Squads
6.1. Age groups will relate to the 24/25 season.
6.2 An all girls team is permitted to play down in the age group below their chronological age group in the Boys/Mixed tournament age groups only.
6.3. Each team shall register a squad of players on the day of the competition.
6.4. Each team may register a squad of up to 7 players.
6.5. Each registered player shall only play for one team throughout the duration of the entered age group tournament. Girls are able to play for a mixed team in one tournament and then play for an all girls team in another.
6.6. Each team shall appoint a manager. The manager shall be responsible for their team being registered on arrival and being available to play on the correct pitch at the correct time. The manager is also responsible for adherence to the tournament rules and communication of the rules to their squads’ players and supporters.
6.7 All Players must wear shin pads and appropriate footwear.
7). Players’ qualification
7.1 Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition.
7.2 No player registered with the FA Premier League or Football League Academy under the Elite Player Performance Plan contained within Youth Development Rules will be permitted to play in this Competition.
7.3 A Player registered with a FA Girls’ Regional Talent Club may play in this Competition subject to the FA Programme for Excellence (Female) Regulations
7.4 Players registered to academies and/or JPL teams are not permitted to play in this tournament
8). Duration of Matches & Balls
3.1. All matches will be 8 minutes in duration straight through.
3.2. All teams are responsible for considering players’ playing time does not exceed the FA’s guidelines on maximum playing time for children.
3.3. In each match the first named team will provide an appropriate quality and correct sized match ball.
3.4. In the event of a clash of colours, the second named team should provide alternative shirts / bibs.
9). Scores & Results
9.1. Group Stage matches, will be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn match. 1st and 2nd place in each group go through to the knock out phase. Should there be a tie for 3rd place, head-to-head results will determine the team to progress from the group.
9.2 All knockout matches will be decided by the teams scoring the most goals during normal time. If the score is equal after normal time, a penalty shootout will decide the winner. 3 penalty shots per team. In the event of a tie after 3 penalty kicks, it will go to sudden death until there is a winner.
10). Playing Rules
10.1. The Laws of association football will apply.
10.2. Substitutes are roll on, roll off from those named on the registration form. A substituted player can return in the same match. Referee’s must be informed of and allow substitutions. The number of substitutions made during a game is unlimited.
10.3 A single time keeper will be present in the middle of the pitch to ensure all matches start and finish at the same time. No stoppages for ball out of play or injuries.
10.4 The retreat rule to the half way line on a goal kick is applicable
10.5 All goal kicks to be taken from the goal line.
10.6 All throws from the goalkeeper must be underarm
10.7 Kicking from hands is not allowed
11). Players, Officials and Supporters Conduct
11.1. This competition uses the yellow and red card system.
11.2. An accumulation of two yellow cards on a single day in the competition will result in the player being suspended from the next match.
11.3. Two yellow cards in one match equals a red card and the player will be sent off.
11.4. A player who receives a red card (either straight red or for two yellow cards in the same match) will not be permitted to take any further part in the competition.
11.5. All cautions and red cards will be dealt with on the day of the match.
11.6. Any misconduct from the tournament will be reported to County FA by the referee as normal.
11.7 The Competition shall be divided into the following age groups:
| Age | Format |
| U7 | 5v5 |
| U8 | 5v5 |
| U9 | 5v5 |
| U10 | 5v5 |
| U11 | 5v5 |
| U12 | 5v5 |
| U13 | 5v5 |
| U7 Girls | 5v5 |
| U8 Girls | 5v5 |
| U9 Girls | 5v5 |
| U10 Girls | 5v5 |
| U11 Girls | 5v5 |
| U12 Girls | 5v5 |
| U13 Girls | 5v5 |
11.8 Before the commencement of the Competition, all teams shall submit a list of players’ eligible to participate together with details of their dates of birth to the Committee.
11.9 All players shall be bona fide members of their team, may only play for one (1) team within this competition and shall not be permitted to transfer to another team in this competition subject to the discretion of the committee.
12). Team colours
12.1 Each competing team shall register its first (1st) and second (2nd) choice of the colours with the competition. In the event of similar colour’s the second named team shall change.
12.2 Players shall be dressed in uniform shirts and short, but the goalkeepers shall wear colour which distinguish them from other players and referees. The goalkeepers may wear tracksuit bottoms. (No player including the goalkeeper shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts in accordance with the FA Standard Code of Rules).
The committee may refuse to permit any shirts and shorts as they think fit.
13). Reporting of results
13.1 The referee shall be responsible for reporting the result of the game to the Committee at the conclusion of each game.
14). Protests and Appeals
14.1. All questions of eligibility, qualification of players or interpretation of Rules shall be referred to the Tournament Committee, but no objection relative to the dimensions of the playing area or other appurtenances thereon shall be entertained by the Committee unless a protest is lodged with the referee before the commencement of the game.
15). Referees
15.1 Referees shall be appointed by the Competition
15.2 Referee shall be paid an all-inclusive fee of £ 45 Per day.
16). Misconduct
16.1 Any on or off the field misconduct shall be reported to the Wiltshire FA Disciplinary Department and dealt within accordance with the agreed FA Disciplinary Procedures.
17). Team names
17.1 No team must enter this Competition in the name of an affiliated team without the full knowledge and authority of their respective club.
17.2 If the Committee are satisfied that a team have not received approval from their member club to enter the tournament then their application may be rejected.
18). Trophies
The following trophies will be awarded:
| U8 Boys Winner |
| U9 Boys Winner |
| U10 Boys Winner |
| U11 Boys Winner |
| U12 Boys Winner |
| U13 Boys Winner |
| U8 Girls Winner |
| U9 Girls Winner |
| U9 Girls Winner |
| U10 Girls Winner |
| U11 Girls Winner |
| U12 Girls Winner |
| U13 Girls Winner |