BLACKTOWN BUFFERS SUMMER COMPETITION RULES

Section 1: General

Section 2: Registration

Section 3: Penalties

Section 4: Summer Rules

GENERAL

All decisions taken at Blacktown Buffers Association meeting shall be binding on all the teams playing football in the Blacktown Buffers Association. 

All managers shall be responsible for ensuring that each member of their team is made aware of the repercussions should any of the Association rules and regulations are not abided by. Ignorance of any rule by any person registered with this association shall not be considered as an excuse.

All correspondence with the Buffers Association shall be via the nominated Manager of the partaking team.

All teams must provide a representative to inspect the playing field prior to commencement of their game to ensure that it is safe for play. The team sheet shall be signed to confirm the inspection has been undertaken by the team representative. Penalties for not fulfilling this requirement are specified in the penalties section.

No player shall participate in this competition whilst registered with any competition higher than Premier League in any other Association.

Any player deemed to be intoxicated shall not participate in any game (official or social).

All players are to be aware that all care will be taken to provide a safe playing environment but that they participate in either of these competitions (summer or winter) at their own risk.

The Manager’s are responsible for collecting match balls from the Association Desk and returning it at the completion of the game. Financial penalties apply as specified in the penalties section.

A Code of Conduct must be read and signed by each player as part of the registration process.

During match times at least one Director of Blacktown Buffers will be present in the sidelines observing the games and the spectators.

REGISTRATION

Invited teams to the Buffers Competition must respond at least 4 weeks prior to commencement of the competition stating that they wish to play in the competition.

All nominating teams must have a minimum of 8 financial registered players for the Summer Competition one week prior to the first competition game. Failure to do so shall result in the withdrawal of invite to play in the competition.

All new players must complete the appropriate registration forms and are to provide two identical passport size photos and legal documented proof of identification and age before being able to participate in the Competition.

Player registration fees must be paid prior to participating in the Competition. Failure to pay fees shall result in the players’ registration card being withheld until he is financial.

Each team is permitted to register a maximum of 3 players under the age of 35 but with a minimum age of 30 years at the first competition game the Under-35 player plays. If the player is turning 30 in the calendar year of the current season then he is allowed to be registered but cannot play until he turns 30.

Players can register at any stage of the normal competition rounds. However to play in the semi finals and or finals a player(s) must have played 3 games in the normal competition rounds.

For a player to play on a Friday, he must be registered on the preceding Wednesday. If the Registrar is notified ahead of time then the player can register and play on the Friday providing he turns up before 7PM on the Friday.

PENALTIES

If a team representative fails to sign the team sheet stating that grounds have been deemed safe to play, it will result in the deduction of 1 competition point for the initial offence against the offending team. Subsequent failure to follow this rule by a previously offending team will result in the deduction of 3 competition points for the offending team.

Any team found to be playing ineligible players shall suffer the loss of 3 points (irrespective of the result) and the opposing team shall be awarded a forfeit (that is a 3-0 win) unless the non-offending team has won by a greater margin (for example 4-0) whereby the higher score shall stand. Ineligible player is defined as follows:

Fielding a player who is registered higher then Premier league in any Association;

Fielding a player who is not registered to play in the competition.

The following infringements shall result in 3 points deducted from the offending team but the match result will stand:

Fielding a registered player who has not signed on in the team sheet;

Fielding a registered player who is wearing a different numbered shirt as stated in the team sheet;

Fielding a registered player who has not signed the Code of Conduct.

A player can be penalized for breaches of the Code of Conduct. The penalty for breach of the Code of Conduct shall be determined by the Blacktown Buffers Association.

If the match ball is lost the team incurs a $35 penalty.

Any player receiving two yellow cards in a match shall then receive a red card which results in a send off from the field. A one match suspension shall apply.

Any player receiving three yellow cards over a series of matches shall be subsequently suspended for one competition match.

Any player receiving a red card (not as the result of two yellow cards) shall be suspended for the period as specified in Appendix 2.

Any player sent off twice in the season shall appear before the Judiciary to decide as to his further involvement in the Competition.

Any penalties incurred during the regular competition shall be carried forward into the semi final and final series.

Any suspensions incurred in a competition will be carried forward into the following competition; summer or winter. A player has to be registered to serve his suspension.

Penalties for specific on field misbehaviour are listed in Appendix 2.

NOTE: Further penalties can apply at the discretion of the Buffers Association and or decisions made by the Judiciary.

SUMMER RULES

The Competition shall be played under established rules as stated below but the final series will be decided upon at the discretion the Buffers Association.

Teams consist of 7 players on the field including the goal keeper.

There will two divisions of 0-35 and one division of O-45 teams.

If an O-45's team player also wishes to play for an O-35's team he may dual register for no additional cost, but both the O-35 and O-45 teams must have at least 8 non-dual registered players. This registration must occur at the beginning of the season.

A referee will be available for each game.

There will be three kick off times; 7:15PM, 8:15PM and 9:15PM.

Each game shall be of 25 minutes each half with 5 minutes half time break. There will be no added time for injury stoppage.

All games are to commence at designated times. Match commencement hooter will be sounded to start the game. If a team does not have 5 players signed on and on the field ready to play when the match commencement hooter sounds then the game shall be a forfeit with a 3-0 loss to the offending team.

If any team borrows a player(s) from another team, such game shall be recorded as a forfeit.  The game will only be played as a social match (normal match rules and yellow/red cards apply).

Borrowed players must sign the team sheet clearly indicating their own Club and registration number.

Team sheets must be signed by each player and correct jersey number noted prior to entering the field of play.

No player will be allowed to sign in after the first half is completed.

Allowable footwear shall be football boots with moulded soles. Screw-in studs are not permissible. Shin pads must be worn at all times.

All players shall present themselves to the Referee at mid-field prior to the commencement of the game for inspection of boots and shin pads. Any player entering the field of play for the first time during the game shall advise the Referee/Linesman so that boots and shin pads can be approved prior to entering field of play.

No slide tackles are allowed as a minimum yellow card applies for such offences.

Unlimited substitutions are permitted during the game and without prior notification to the referee. It is mandatory that the substituted player leaves the field at half way (unless injured) before the substitute can enter the field. Substitutes are only allowed to enter from the half way mark.

There is no off side rule.

Goals cannot be scored from inside the goal area unless it is headed in.

Goal Keepers must “throw” the ball to resume play from a “goal kick” situation.

This year we have removed the restriction that Goal Keepers can not throw the ball over the half way mark.

This year we have removed the restriction that Goal Keepers can not go past half way.