​​​​​​​COMPETITION RULES:

FIXTURES:

  • The artificial pitch is an all-weather surface and games will generally not be cancelled due to rain.
  • Fixture lists are generated and posted on the website (under the competitions tab). Team captains/organisers are also emailed relevant draw and competition information. Please ensure team captains/organisers regularly visit the Mainland Football website for updated fixture information.
  • Please note that you may have different fixture times throughout the competition.
  • If the number of entries allows it, teams may be graded into divisions.

FEES & FEE POLICY:

  • We require full payment prior to the competition starting.

REFUNDS:

  • The entry fee will be fully refunded if the entry is withdrawn before 1st Game.
  • Where a team withdraws after 1st Game but before 2nd Game the entry fee paid will be refunded less a $50 administration fee.
  • Where a team fails to give notice of withdrawal within these timeframes the entry fee will not be refunded.

ABSENCES & DEFAULTS:

  • If teams default a fixture, regardless of whether they have informed Mainland Football, they will be charged for the full match fee.
  • If teams are unable to play their scheduled match, they can notify Mainland Football to ask for a rescheduled time. It will be at the discretion of Mainland Football and the opposition as to if this is possible.
  • If your opposition is absent, you will win by default. Mainland Football will try to organise a friendly match for that round. 
  • If your opposition is absent you will still be charged for the full match fee.
  • An abandoned match will not be replayed.

LAWS OF THE GAME:

  • Special note: Where the law is not specified, refer to FIFA’s Laws of the Game. This also includes descriptions of penalties for infringement.

FIELD OF PLAY:

  • Size of field is 30x25m for 5’s.
  • Size of field is 50x30m for 7's.
  • The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway cone, which joins the midpoints of the two touchlines.
  • For Summer 5's the goal area is marked by an arc of 5 m radius from the centre of the goal.
  • For Summer 7's the goal area is marked by an arc of 7 m radius from the centre of the goal.

KIT:

  • A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery).
  • Players must wear appropriate clean artificial turf shoes or football boots.
  • The wearing of shin guards is compulsory, and must be covered by socks, in accordance with the Laws of the Game is compulsory.
  • Normal football boots are acceptable.
  • All teams will need to provide their own uniform.
  • If a teams uniform clash with their opponents, bibs will be provided for one team to distinguish between the teams.

THE PLAYERS:

  • Summer 5's: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than five players 5-a-side, one of whom is the goalkeeper. 
  • Summer 7's: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than seven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper.

D’S (SEMI CIRCLE):

  • All players are allowed inside the D’s any time the ball is in play.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

  • All teams may have a maximum of 5 subs on the match night. It is acceptable for a team to take the field with no subs.
  • The Rules of the Competition allow for “rolling” substitutes to be used. A player who has been replaced may later return to the playing area as a substitute for another player. A “rolling” substitution is one which is made when the ball is out of play. The referee’s permission is not required.
  • Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that the referee is informed before the change is made, and the change is made during a stoppage in the game.

GOALKEEPER:

  • D’s (semi-circle) is in operation
  • Keeper is allowed out of the goal area (whilst out he will be treated as any other player).
  • Keeper is allowed to save or stop the ball with their hands inside the goal area D’s (semi-circle) only.
  • The keeper can return the ball into play with a throw inside the semi-circle. 
  • The Keeper is not allowed to handle the ball after a pass or kick-in from their own team but may use their feet to distribute the ball.
  • After holding the ball the goalkeeper must immediately return the ball into play with a throw or kick within 4 seconds.
  • If the ball deflects off a cone used for field marking, for example, the goal area, the goal shall stand as the cone is a part of the field of play.

GAME DURATION:

  • All 5 A-Side games played: 2 x 20-minute halves with a 2-minute halftime interval; games will start on the whistle from the referee and finish on a whistle.Teams must be ready to take the field at kickoff time.
  • All 7 A-Side games played: 2 x 20-minute halves with a 2-minute halftime interval; games will start on the whistle from the referee and finish on a whistle.​​​​​​​Teams must be ready to take the field at kickoff time.
  • All games will kick off and finish at the scheduled time.
  • If a team is more than 5 minutes late: they have defaulted (referee’s discretion) and will lose the game with 3 goals.
  • If a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken at the end of either half, the duration of either half is extended until the penalty kick is completed.

POINTS:

  • There shall be 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw & 0 points for a loss.
  • There shall be 3 goals allocated for a defaulted game.

START OF PLAY:

  • The home team, listed as the first team on the fixtures, starts the game with a kick-off from the centre spot.
  • The opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 4 m from the ball until it is in play.
  • The ball may go in any direction.
  • In the event of any infringement of the kick-off procedure, the kick-off is retaken.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES:

  • A player receiving a direct red card is suspended for the rest of that game. 
  • A player who receives a direct red card may be subject to sanction in line with the NZF Disciplinary Code.
  • A player committing a second yellow card offence will be issued with a red card and sent off for the rest of that game.
  • A player sent off MUST give their full details to the referee.
  • If a player doesn’t give their name, the referee has the right to abandond the game and team loses 3 points plus the game.

FREE KICK:

  • The opposition must stay 4m away from the location of the free kick.

PENALTY KICK:

  • A penalty kick is awarded against a team that commits an offence inside the goal area. 
  • The ball is taken from 6m from the goal at a point determined by the referee.
  • The player taking the penalty kick must be properly identified before taking the kick.
  • The Player taking the penalty kick must take a two (2) step run up when taking the penalty.
  • The defending goalkeeper must remain on their goal line until the ball has been kicked.
  • All players must be behind the ball.

KICK IN:

  • Kick-ins are taken from both sidelines of the pitch when the ball goes out of play.
  • The opposition must stay 4m away.
  • A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.

GOAL THROWS:

  • A goal throw is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the attacking team, and a goal is not scored.
  • The keeper can return the ball into play within the semi-circle by using their hands only. 
  • All players must be outside of the semi-circle until the keeper releases the ball.

CORNER KICK:

  • A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored.
  • A goal may be scored directly from the corner kick.
  • The ball must be placed within 30 cm of the corner cone nearest to the point where the ball crossed the goal line.
  • The corner cone must not be moved.
  • Opponents must remain at least 4 m from the ball until the ball is in play.

Important Note:

Please note that Mainland Football does not provide insurance cover for personal injury.

Mainland Football will not be held responsible for personal injuries.

Mainland Football will not be responsible for any personal loss of property at English Park.

Please note Summer Football is a social competition and all games MUST be played in the spirit of the game.  Mainland Football reserves the right to re-grade or remove teams/players should they be deemed to be playing in the wrong grade or not in the spirit of the competition.