Joint Handbook 2023 2024

Promotion and relegation for the Veteran Development Divisions/Walking Football Division will be determined annually by the Board In order to recognize services of those Secretaries of at least 5 YEARS STANDING whose Club were winners, or runners - up in their respective divisions, a memento similar to those presented to their players shall be awarded to such Secretaries (free of charge). MATCH OFFICIALS Registered referees (and assistant referees where approved by The FA or County FA) for all Com petition Matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Board and by the Sanctioning Authority. In the event of the non - appearance of the appointed referee the appointed senior assistant refer ee shall take charge and a substitute assistant referee appointed by the competing Teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed Match Officials in attendance, the Clubs shall agree upon a referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that Competition Match, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered referee. Individuals under the age of 16 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any Competition Match, and individuals under the age of 14 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any Competition Match. Referees between the ages of 14 and 16 are only eligible to officiate in competitions where the Players ’ age band is at least one year younger than the age of the referee, for example a 15 year - old referee may only officiate in competitions where the age banding is 14 or younger. Where the teams fail to agree on a substitute referee, the defaulting Club/Clubs will be liable to pay/share expenses. If the game is not played, then both Clubs to give reasons in writing to the Company Secretary within 4 days. Failure to comply fully with this rule will make Defaulting Clubs liable to a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff and will result in being Charged under Rule 20E. When Club officials, officiate they must within 2 days of the match complete the online Post Match Report Form via a Google Documents link shared by the League. Where assistant referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club assistant referee. Fail ure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Club Assistant Referees will need to report to the Referee 15 minutes before the start of each game. Saturday Premier Teams must not use a named substitute as an Assistant Referee. Failing to comply will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Assistant Referee must wear the League jackets and tops. Failure to observe this rule will make the club liable to a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff Regional NLS Feeder Leagues: No Club shall postpone a Competition match on account of the apparent state of the ground. In the event that such circumstances prevail, Clubs should comply with procedures provided for in the document published by The FA “ Recommended procedure for the guidance of Clubs and Referees in determining the suitability of grounds in adverse weath er conditions ”. Should the ground be declared unfit it is the responsibility of the home Club to im mediately advise the Competition, the Appointing Authority, the visiting Club and the Match Offi cials. For those leagues which are not Regional NLS Feeder Leagues: The appointed referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the Ground in all Competition Matches and that decision shall be final, subject to the determination of the Local Authority or the owners of a Ground, which must be accepted. Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Authority, Saturday Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid an all - inclusive a match fee in accordance with the Fees Tariff. Sunday Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid an all - inclusive match fee in accordance with the Fees Tariff. Match Officials will be paid their fees and/or expenses by the home Club immediately after the Competition Match. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff. In the event of a Competition Match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to half the all - inclusive match

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