Central 7's Constitution 2007/2008
1.1The Objective of the Association is to promote the enjoyment of football for children, through the playing of the small-sided game as detailed within this document, in a safe environment that fosters fair play and participation for all, irrespective of race, colour or religion and shall encourage co-operation, respect for others, loyalty, acceptance of rules and decisions, personal responsibility, self-discipline and the need for teamwork.
1.2This Association shall endeavour to promote these values and will work closely with other allied professions or agencies that have similar aims.
3.1All Clubs shall be bound by the rules of the SYFA, Scottish Soccer Sevens Development Association Constitution, CSS Constitution and the SYFA Player Protection Policy. Central Soccer Sevens Teams must be in Membership of the SYFA to participate. Membership of Central Soccer Sevens implies adoption and compliance with CSS codes of conducts for Club,Officials,Players and Supporters, and of any amendments thereafter.
Where a Club has more than one team at a particular age group, then one SYFA membership number CAN be used, to cover all teams at that age group. Although one SYFA can be used, all officials of all teams within that club have to be listed on the membership form.
3.2
a) All Soccer Sevens teams must have insurance cover.
b)Fixtures out with Central Soccer Sevens fixture lists MUST have a permit. This is an insurance requirement; teams not observing this will be in breach of CSS/SYFA rules and subject to disciplinary action.
c)Non CSS match permits can be obtained through the CSS Secretary.
3.3Each Club wishing to play seven a side soccer may enter one or more teams at a particular age level. Clubs with more than one team at a particular age group MUST have their own suitably qualified Head Coach and a suitably qualified First Aider per team.
3.4Each Team shall be named such to distinguish each team
3.5Each Team may register a maximum of 10 players. All players may participate in matches. Under 12s may register 16 players, after the Season’s Winter break (Part 2 of the Season). Teamlines and Monitoring forms MUST be used for EVERY fixture.
3.6Where necessary and at the discretion of the Association, one or more leagues for any age group shall be formed, depending on demand for entry.
3.7No Team registered with this Association shall play in any other leagues, other than the leagues run by this Association (whilst our Season is in progress)
3.8Teams shall be considered for entry at the discretion of the Association
3.9Registration fees shall be set annually by the Association
3.10The following are required for registration at the start of the Season, SYFA membership form and photocopy for CSS records, CSS player Registration form and fees as stated on membership form, CSS fees, a copy of a Coaching Qualification, copy of a First Aid Certificate MUST be supplied for the end of the season.
3.11 If the teams play on a Home and Away basis then the Home team is responsible for booking pitch requirements.
3.12Any cancellation due to weather or pitches being unplayable shall be agreed upon by the venue co-ordinator and the match supervisor. The committee can call off games on a Friday evening in the event of severe inclement weather.
3.13Venues:The first teams to play at the “Venue” are responsible for erecting the necessary posts and nets. The last team to play at the “Venue” are responsible for dismantling and returning the posts and nets. The coach of each team must ensure that all equipment is handled and stored in a safe and proper fashion, thus minimising damage. Any damages must be reported to the Association Secretary.
3.14Home & Away Matches:The home team is responsible for erecting posts and Nets. Both teams to supply match supervisors, with each team expected to officiate. MATCH SUPERVISORS are not ALLOWED to coach.
3.15The Association shall endeavour to appoint Match Supervisors where matches are played at a “Venue”. The cost will be equally borne by the competing teams.
3.16The Association seeks to attract Leaders who have the children’s best interests at heart. In an attempt to ensure a consistent approach, it is incumbent upon all the Association Leaders at Club level to attend the following courses:
a)S.F.A Early Touches
b)S.F.A Development Activities
c)Whilst it would be advantageous to attend the S.F.A Basic First Aid course, the Association may accept alternative First Aid certificates. A First Aid Certificate must be held by at least one Leader per Team.
3.17Only Registered Officials of the team are allowed in the CHANGING AREAS, this MUST BE ADHERED TO AT ALL TIMES.
3.18A suitable First Aid Kit must be available at each game.
3.19In an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of children, the Association reserves the right to vet any prospective Leader. The vetting procedure instigated to establish that Leaders are of sound moral character, may require consultation with Social Services and/or the Police.
3.20Transfer of players between Soccer Seven teams must be done in agreement with the Player, Parent and Coaches of the Teams involved and authorised by the CSS Committee.
3.21The Association and its member Clubs shall support the “Code of Conduct”.
3.22
3.23All member clubs shall adhere to the “Rules & Guidelines” of Central Soccer Sevens
3.24All matters not covered within this Constitution will be covered and governed by the Scottish Soccer Sevens Development Association Constitution, SYFA Constitution and Rules.
3.25 The Season’s fixtures will finish by end of May each year.
3:26 Honorarium payments will be paid to CSS Soccer Sevens Office Bearers as agreed at each AGM for previous year. Honorarium payments will be paid annually by the treasurer, after the AGM
4Disciplinary Rules/Procedures
A panel consisting of a number of team officials and the CSS committee (maximum of 9) will hold disciplinary meetings to process any matters relating to discipline. These meetings are held in conjunction with current SYFA guidelines, and an appeal process is available to every person reported for an indiscretion.
Disciplinary Procedures are
4.1All letters concerning any matter of disciplinary should be sent to Central Soccer Sevens Secretary no later than 5 days after match. Copy to be sent to other club secretary.
4.2Clubs will be cited to appear at a disciplinary meeting .
4.3Clubs will be notified who can attend.
4.4On being cited the club secretary will have opportunity of replying to any complaint against their club. On no circumstances contact the other club.
4.5Committee up to a maximum of 9 will sit on meeting. (At least 4 must be available to conduct a meeting).
4.6All discipline is held as per the Central Soccer Sevens Constitution and SYFA.
4.7The disciplinary committee may seek advice on serious matters regarding clubs or club officials from the SYFA.
The success of the association is the philosophy that the game is played as stated in the objective of this constitution.
In an effort to protect this philosophy and to maintain the highest possible standards, a form of monitoring shall be carried out on a weekly basis. The focus of the monitoring process will be centred largely on the spirit in which the game is played.
In cases where repeated failure to achieve acceptable standards are reported, the committee will invite those responsible to attend a meeting so as problems can be resolved.
5Executive Committee and Meetings
5.1Meetings will be held at least every 6 weeks at a suitable venue.
5.2Meetings should be attended by an Executive Committee consisting of President, Secretary, Treasurer and Match Secretary from each age group as well as one representative from each Team at each age group.
5.3One representative per team AT EACH AGE GROUP MUST ATTEND. 2 apologies per season are allowed. Non attendance at meetings and failure to apologise will result in a £10 fine. Each club delegate will sign the CSS Attendance sheet/book on entering the meeting. Non-representation by any team will entail a forfeit of any right to vote at that meeting.
5.4Teams not handing over a team sheet and a monitoring form to opponents for ALL GAMES will be subject to a £5 fine.
5.5Each team will receive one vote.
5.6An agenda should be drawn up for each meeting.
5.7Issues of any sort, may be raised by contacting the CSS Secretary in writing at least one week prior to a meeting. If appropriate these issues will be put on the agenda.
5.8Final decision on any issue will be made by the Executive Committee and will be binding for the remainder of the current season. Any member is at liberty to request to sit on the Executive Committee, otherwise any decision made must be respected.
5.9Any decisions made must be made with the best interests of the Association and should comply with the Aims and Objectives of the Constitution.
5.10An Annual General Meeting (AGM) should take place on the SECOND Monday in June where possible. The Executive Committee and one representative of each team who wish to be included in the forthcoming seasons fixtures should attend this meeting.
5.11Where possible accurate minutes should be noted for each meeting and distributed to each member of the Executive Committee as well as each person attending any meeting.
5.12Meeting details will be advertised in the local press and on the Associations Web Site.
5.13The “CSS Summer Festival” , a Festival Committee will be formed as early into the new Season as possible. This Festival Committee will consist of 5 members, one from each Age group if possible.
6Rules and Guidelines
6.1The duration of the game shall be:
a)under 8 - 2 x 20mins
b)under 9 - 2 x 25mins
c)under 10 - 2 x 25mins
d)under 11 - 2 x 25mins
e)under 12 - 2 x 30mins
The match supervisor has the discretion to alter this in event of bad weather or pitch conditions.
a.If a goalkeeper kicks from hand or from half volley (i.e. bounce ball first) and the ball goes over the halfway line without bouncing, then an indirect free kick to the opposing team on the centre spot shall be awarded.
b.Goalkeepers attempting to gather the ball by hand will not be challenged.
c.The off-side law shall not apply.
d.The option exists to use throw-ins or kick-ins to restart the game.
The Association will opt for the following:
a)Under 12will take throw-ins (foul throws to be awarded)
b)Under 11will take throw-ins ( foul throws to be awarded)
c)Under 10will take throw-ins (no foul throws to be awarded)
d)Under 9will take throw-ins (no foul throws to be awarded)
e)Under 8will take throw-ins (no foul throws to be awarded)
Coaches/Match supervisors should instruct players on the correct technique, if a foul throw is committed.
e.On All Occasions when the game is restarted, the opposing players should be at least 3 metres away from the ball.
f.Penalty kicks shall be taken at 7 metres from the goal line.
g.The ball shall be re-centred after a goal has been scored.
h.If a team is losing by a margin of 5 goals, they may increase the number of players by 1 to a maximum of 8. Should the margin decrease, so that the difference between the scores is 3 goals, then the player should be removed. (nobody benefits from one team inflicting a heavy defeat on another team.)
i.Each team may consist of a maximum of 10 registered players , and may be a mixture if either sex.
j.Substitutions may be made at any time in the match, coaches must ensure that each player gets an equal opportunity to play.
k.Each team will supply the following match ball:
a)Under 12size 4
b)Under 11size 4
c)Under 10size 3
d)Under 9size 3
e)Under 8size 3
L.The Association will implement the ‘Passback rule’ as follows:
a)Under 12the ‘Passback rule’ applies
b)Under 11players will not be penalised if the keeper handles the ball from a passback, but keepers should be encouraged not to handle the ball from passbacks.
c)Under 10players will not be penalised if the keeper handles the ball from a passback.
d)Under 9players will not be penalised if the keeper handles the ball from a passback.
e)Under 8players will not be penalised if the keeper handles the ball from a passback.
M.Modified goals and pitch dimensions should be applied in accordance with local circumstances. Recommended pitch dimensions are 55m x 38m (60 yards x 40 yards), alternatively, one half of the normal pitch, playing across the field, a centre spot should be marked and a penalty box/goalkeepers area 11m long x 28m wide (12 yards long x 30 yards wide), the penalty spot should be 7 metres from the goal line. The S.F.A. Junior Goalposts should be used wherever possible (4.9m x 1.8m)
N.Safety – A registered first aider can only enter the field of play with the referee’s/match supervisors permission, if a player is hurt during a game. The game will be stopped when the referee’s attention is sought. ONLY A REGISTERED FIRST AIDER IS ALLOWED.
