1. Substitute Players a) A club at its discretion may make up to seven substitutes on a rolling basis; except to replace a player or players suspended from the game by the Referee.
b) Substitutions can only be made when the play has been stopped for any reason and the Referee has given permission. The name(s) and numbers of substitute(s) must be nominated to the Referee on the Official Team Sheet.
2. Playing an Ineligible Player a) Any club playing an ineligible player will be deemed to have lost the match. In the League, the points will be awarded to their opponents. In the cup, their opponents will be deemed to have won the match.
b) Any club playing an ineligible player in the League will also have three points deducted from its record and be liable to a fine not exceeding £250.00.
c) Any club guilty of playing a player who is under suspension by either the Football Association of Wales or its affiliated Associations, will be deemed guilty of playing an ineligible player and the sanctions described in Rules 2a and 2b will be applicable.
3. Club Colours a) Each Academy must register details its colours with the FAW by 1st September each season on the form provided for this purpose.
b) When the colours of two competing academies are alike or similar, the visiting club shall change to clothing which does not include any of the basic colours of the home club. Neck and cuff trim colours on shirts shall not be regarded as basic colour for the purpose of this rule.
c) The goalkeeper shall play in a kit clearly distinguishable from the colours of the shirts worn by all outfield players and match officials.
d) Bicycle shorts worn by any player must be of the same colour to that of his shorts.
e) The players shirts must be clearly numbered in accordance with the list handed to the Referee before the match and there must be no change of numbers during the match except to change the goalkeeper.
4. Match Details a) The Football Association of Wales shall determine annually the date on which the playing season shall commence and be completed.
b) The Number of players and duration of the match shall be as follows;
Age Duration No. of Players Under 12* 2 x 30 minutes 11 Under 14 2 x 35 minutes 11 Under 16 2 x 40 minutes 11
* - Unless otherwise confirmed by the FAW for a pilot scheme. Any match not completed may be ordered to stand as a completed match or replayed in full as directed by the FAW Domestic Committee.
c) The sizes of pitch and match-ball should be as follows; Age Pitch Ball Under 12 80 x 60 yards 4 Under 14 Full Size 5 Under 16 Full Size 5
d) In the event of a game being postponed for any reason, both clubs are to agree an alternative date and notify the FAW Competitions Department within 14 days of the postponement. If the clubs fail to agree, the FAW Head of Competitions is to impose a date without right of appeal by either club.
e) Any club without just cause failing to fulfil an engagement to play its matches on the appointed date or dates shall for each offence be liable to expulsion from the Competition and/or such other disciplinary action the FAW Domestic Committee may determine, including the deduction of three points from the offending clubs record, the payment of any expenses incurred by their opponents and a fine not exceeding £500.00.
f) The postponement of any match due to ground conditions is only allowed after the playing surface has been properly inspected by a qualified Referee. In the event of their being any doubt regarding the fitness of the ground the home club should arrange for a local referee to make an inspection at a time appropriate to avoid the visiting club making an unnecessary journey.
g) Each club must hand copies of a list of names of players taking part in the game (including the names and numbers of the nominated substitutes to the Referee and a representative of their opponents in the presence of the Referee at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time for the kick off. The player’s numbers and the colours of the player’s kit must be clearly stated.
h) Each home club must confirm with their opponents and the Referee the match venue and kick off time at least five days before the scheduled date of the match and the visiting club and referee must acknowledge receipt three days before the match. It is the duty of the home club to inform the appointed referee in the event of any match being rearranged or cancelled.
i) Scheduled fixtures must not be rearranged without first seeking permission of the FAW Competitions Department, who will have sole authority to arrange and rearrange fixtures.
j) In the event of any scheduled fixture being postponed for any reason, the FAW Competitions Department shall notify the clubs concerned of the rearranged date within14 days of the postponement.
k) The FAW may change any League fixtures during the season to suit the overall interest of the Competition.
5. Group Tables The scores of the League matches will be recorded for the purposes of identifying the Quarter-Finalists of the Cup Competition. Three points will be awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a defeat. The four clubs with the highest amount of points from the Southern and Northern Conference will progress to the Quarter Finals. If two or more clubs are equal on points, the placing shall be determined in the following order; 1. Result between the two clubs concerned 2. In the case of two or more teams, the results between those clubs concerned 3. In the case of two or more teams, the goal difference between those clubs concerned 4. Team with the greatest goal difference in the entire League. 5. Total numbers of goals scored. 6. Total number of wins. 7. Toss of a coin.
6. Result / Report Form Each club shall send a Match Result Form and Referees Report Form to the FAW Competitions Department within seven days of the date of the match. The Match Result Form must show the result of the match the full names of players taking part and the names of substitutes indicating whether or not they took part in the match. The Referee Report Form should be used to report how the referee discharged his/her duties and include the details of fees and expenses paid to him/her.
7. Referees Home clubs must appoint a qualified referee for every League match (minimum Level 9). The FAW will appoint the referee from the Semi-Final stage onwards. Referees will be entitled to a fee of £15.00 plus 35p per mile expenses. For matches where only a referee is appointed, the club linesmen should only adjudicate the ball out of play. 8. Protests/Appeals All protests and appeals must be referred to the Football Association of Wales and shall be heard by the relevant FAW Committee. In the event of any club being dissatisfied with a decision of the Domestic Committee will be entitled to appeal to the Football Association of Wales Council. Any appeal must be forwarded in writing to the Chief Executive of the FAW within 10 days of the decision of the Domestic Committee being published, together with the correct Appeals Fee.
9. Withdrawal of Clubs If a club withdraws from the competition at any age-group, then (if applicable) UEFA / FAW funding will be withheld (up to 33% of total, per age-group) and the Domestic Committee will decide whether they club is suspended from the competition the following year. If a club is not eligible for funding, then withdrawal is subject to a fine, which must not exceed the total of a club, which benefits from UEFA/FAW funding.
10. Academy Registrations FAW Rule 66.9 states; A junior Player shall only register for one junior club at a time PROVIDED THIS SHALL NOT PREVENT a junior Player also being registered with a Football Association of Wales authorised Academy. For the avoidance of doubt a junior Player who is registered for a junior club AND an Academy will retain the registration details of the Academy on any Player Passport required as per FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players A junior Player registered for an Academy may transfer to another Academy as per Academy regulations and with the approval of the Football Association of Wales
Clubs can register a maximum of 18 players per age-band, with a further three players on a six-week trial.
Registration Forms
The FAW Registration Forms for the academy can be downloaded on the following webpage.
Completed forms can be submitted in hard copy or by email to lrichards@faw.co.uk .
11. Academy Regulations At all times, clubs must adhere to the FAW Academy Regulations