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Warwick Sport

11-a-side Grass Football League rules

1. Organisation

The League is organised and delivered by Warwick Sport. The League will be managed the Warwick Sport Sports Engagement Officer. The Engagement Officer and the League Activator will have the final say on all matters of the league.

All captains (or nominated team member) must attend a compulsory captain meeting ahead of the season starting. Details of when this will take place will be sent to all captains prior to the start of their league.

2. Squads

  1. The captain must register the team to the Warwick Sport leagues.
  2. Teams must have a squad of between 13 and 30 players. Matches will be 11-a-side but if teams are struggling to submit a full squad then the team sizes can be reduced as long as both Captains agree (e.g. Playing 10 on each side). The original squad may be added to throughout the season, up to this limit, with the following provisos.
  3. At least 7 players must be present to start the game.
  4. Players are allowed to play for more than one team, and it is up to the player’s discretion who they play for should the two teams play together.

3. General Rules

  1. Matches will consist of 2 x 35-minute halves on the Cryfield Winter Pitches (unless stated otherwise) with a 15-minute half-time break.
  2. The rules of the International Football Association Board will apply at all times (currently according to the Laws of the Game and FA rules).
  3. Teams will play each other once during the group phase.
  4. 3 points will be awarded for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss.
  5. 72+ hours’ notice is required for cancellation or rearrangement of fixtures. If it is not possible for matches to be rearranged this will result in a draw. Cancellations after this deadline will automatically result in a 3-0 win to the opponents and will receive a 1 point deduction.
  6. Any team who does not show up for a match on the day, with no notice or communication to the league organiser and the team they are scheduled to play will receive a 2 point deduction.
  7. A team forfeits a game if they fail to turn up to play without adequate. A team that misses more than two games will be penalized by docking 3 points per game (after the second game).
  8. If a team turns up 30 minutes late, they automatically lose the game 3-0 but can continue to play the game as a friendly.
  9. Teams are allowed unlimited substitutes on a rolling basis.
  10. Teams are responsible for providing a match ball.
  11. All captains will be required to either referee or provide a player to referee for certain matches throughout the season. Referee allocations will be specified by the League Activator as early as is possible.
  12. Failure to referee a match will result in the following disciplinary actions:
    • 1st instance: 1 point deduction from the league table
    • 2nd instance: 3 point deduction from the league table
    • 3rd instance: 5 point deduction from the league table
    • 4th instance: Team removed from the league, with no refund given for any remaining fixtures.
  13. Each referee must submit behavior rating for each team following each fixture.
  14. Shin pads must be worn.
  15. Soft to firm ground football boots are highly recommended due to the nature of the pitch (grass)

4. Fixtures

  1. Fixtures for the term will be uploaded to a Microsoft Office Teams channel in which all captains will be invited to.
  2. Teams unable to fulfil a fixture must give at least 3 days’ notice to both the league organiser and the opposing team’s captain. Where possible, the league activator will attempt to meet all match reschedule requests. However, in the case of excessive requests, or where a request has already been made at some point earlier during the same season, a new request that cannot be met may result in a match forfeit.
  3. Teams failing to fulfil a fixture without obeying the above procedures will forfeit the match 3-0 and will receive a 1 point deduction. For postponements after the notice period, or other rule breaches, penalty appeals will be considered at the discretion of the league organiser.
  4. The date, time and location of a fixture can be changed in agreement between the two Captains. The game must be played within 10 days of the original fixture unless agreed otherwise with the League organiser.
  5. Two groups of four teams will compete against each other. Once each team has played their three group games, the following format will commence for both groups.
    • First Place vs Second Place.
    • Third Place vs Fourth Place.
    • Group A's 'First Place vs Second Place' Winner will face Group B's 'First Place vs Second Place' Winner.
    • Group A's 'First Place vs Second Place' Runner Up will face Group B's 'First Place vs Second Place' Runner Up.
    • Group A's 'Third Place vs Fourth Place' Winner will face Groups B's 'Third Place vs Fourth Place' Winner.
    • Group A's 'Third Place vs Fourth Place' Runner Up will face Group B's 'Third Place vs Fourth Place' Runner Up.

5. Results

  1. Match results should be entered on the relevant BUCS league by each captain.
  2. All captains will be invited to join a Microsoft Office Teams channel which will be used to keep teams, captains and players up to date with any issues relating to the league.
  3. Team captains can invite other players registered in their team to join the group.

6. League Position

League position will be decided on the following basis:

  • Points
  • Goal difference
  • Goals scored
  • Match result
  • Number of matches won

7. Disputes

  1. In the case of a dispute teams should first contact the league organiser.
  2. If there is disagreement with the decision of the organisers, the matter shall be referred to the Warwick Sport Committee, whose ruling is final.

8. Code of Conduct

Warwick Active Leagues are built on sportsmanship, team spirit, fair play and enjoyment of sport. Any behaviour that goes against this ethos will result in disciplinary action, which could result in expulsion from the league without refund. Team captains are encouraged to report any misconduct to the relevant Sport Engagement Officer overseeing the league.

Participants are expected to:

  • Not engage in any discriminatory, sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, disablist or similar behaviours.
  • Behave in a reasonable manner relating to language and temper.
  • Show respect toward all opponents and staff.
  • Abstain from violence or seeking an unfair advantage on opponents.
  • Adhere to the league’s rules and regulations.
  • Handle all equipment and facilities with care and respect, including returning all borrowed equipment.
  • Communicate regularly and respectfully with the relevant league Activator.
  • Choose appropriate team names. (Warwick Sport staff reserve the right to censor any team name that is offensive or suggestively inappropriate).

Warwick Sport staff retain the right to implement any sanctions or bans if an individual is to breach this code of conduct. More serious breaches can result in university disciplinary action.

9. League refunds

  1. League refunds will only be issued if Warwick Sport are required to cancel the league for any reason such as another Lockdown occurring whereby it will be impossible to complete the league.
  2. Should Warwick Sport be required to cancel the league for any reason, a refund will be issued on a pro rata basis (amount allocated to each scheduled game) and NOT the initial fee paid upon entry into the league.
  3. Refunds will not be issued for teams failing to attend fixtures at any point during the time allocated for the league.

Contact

If you have any questions on the league contact warwickactive at warwick dot ac dot uk.

Good luck and enjoy everyone.