North Devon Association Football League

North Devon Association Football League - League Rules

Rule 1	Definitions
GOVERNANCE RULES
Rule 2	Name and Constitution
Rule 3	Club Name
Rule 4	Entry Fee, Subscription, Deposit
Rule 5	Management, Nomination, Election
Rule 6	Powers of Management
Rule 7	Protests, Claims, Complains, Appeals
Rule 8	Annual General Meeting
Rule 9	Special General Meeting
Rule 10	Agreement to be Signed
Rule 11	Continuation of Membership, Withdrawal of a Club
Rule 12	Exclusion of Clubs, Teams. Misconduct of Clubs, Officers, Players, Management Committee
Rule 13	Trophy
Rule 14	Alteration to Rules
Rule 15	Finance
Rule 16	Insurance
Rule 17	Dissolution
MATCH RELATED RULES
Rule 18	Qualification of Players
Rule 19	Club Colours
Rule 20	Playing Season. Conditions of Play, Times of Kick-Off. Postponements. Substitutes
Rule 21	Reporting Results
Rule 22	Determining Championship
Rule 23 Rule 24 Rule 25 Rule 26	Match Officials Benevolent Fund League Cup Competitions Womens Division
SCHEDULE A
	Fees Tariff
	Fines Tariff

STANDARD CODE OF RULES
This document contains the Standard Code of Rules developed by The Football Association for open age football (the “Standard Code”).

The Standard Code is mandatory for all Competitions at Step 7 of the National League System and below, and The FA Women’s Pyramid excluding FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship.
Competitions seeking sanction must draft their Rules in conformity with the Standard Code, using the same numbering and standard headings.

The mandatory rules are printed in normal text and the optional rules in italics are used, unused optional rules are in ~~italics in blue with a line through~~.
It should be noted that in many cases rules are so printed because they are alternatives and the procedure to apply should be retained and the others omitted.
In all cases where a [ ] is shown the necessary name, address, number or wording to complete that rule must be inserted.

Competitions may add to the core of the Standard Code (These are noted with [ ]), which is mandatory, providing the additions are approved by the Sanctioning Authority and do not conflict with the mandatory rules or any relevant principles and policies established by The FA. Local Rules are denoted by ND at the start of each rule.

Guidance from the Sanctioning Authority should be sought in advance if there is any doubt as to the acceptability of additional rules.

DEFINITIONS

1. In these Rules:
  
  “Affiliated Association” means an Association accorded the status of an Affiliated Association under the rules of The FA.
  
  “AGM” shall mean the annual general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.
  
  “Club” means a club for the time being in membership of the Competition.
  
  “Competition” means the [North Devon Association Football League].
  
  “Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition.
  
  “Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play under a written contract of employment with a Club.
  
  “Deposit” means a sum of money deposited with the Competition as part of the requirements of membership of the Competition.
  
  "Fees Tariff” means a list of fees approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any matters for which fees are payable under the Rules, as set out at Schedule A.
  
  “Fines Tariff” means a list of fines approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any breach of the Rules, as set out at Schedule A.
  
  “Ground” means the ground on which the Club’s Team(s) plays its Competition Matches.
  
  “Management Committee” means in the case of a Competition which is an unincorporated association, the management committee elected to manage the running of the Competition and where the Competition is incorporated it means the Board of Directors appointed in accordance with the articles of association of that company.
  
  “Match Officials” means the referee, the assistant referees and any fourth official appointed to a Competition Match.
  
  “Non Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play for a Club but has not entered into a written contract of employment.
  
  “Officer” means an individual who is appointed or elected to a position in a Club or Competition which requires that individual to make day to day decisions.
  
  “Participant” shall have the same meaning as set out in the rules of The FA from time to time.
  
  “Player” means any Contract Player, Non Contract Player or other player who plays or who is eligible to play for a Club.
  
  “Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the Competition is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the Competition is played.
  
  “Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered.
  
  “Sanctioning Authority” means the [Devon County Football Association Limited].
  
  “Scholarship” means a Scholarship as set out in Rule C 3 (a) (i) of the rules of The FA.
  
  “Season” means the period of time between an AGM and the subsequent AGM.
  
  “Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration of the Competition.
  
  “SGM” means a special general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.
  
  “Team” means a team affiliated to a Club, including where a Club provides more than one team in the Competition in accordance with the Rules.
  
  “The FA” means The Football Association Limited.
  
  “WGS” means the Whole Game System and the procedures for the operation thereof as determined by The FA from time to time.
  
  “written” or “in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise.
2. Unless stated otherwise, terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. Any term in the singular applies to the plural and vice-versa.
3. Please note that from the 2021/22 season all players must be registered though WGS.

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GOVERNANCE RULES

COMPETITION NAME, CONSTITUTION

1. The Competition will be known as [NORTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE] (or such other name as the Competition may adopt). The Clubs participating in the Competition must be members of the Competition. A Club which ceases to exist or which ceases to be entitled to play in the Competition for any reason whatsoever shall thereupon automatically cease to be a member of the Competition.
2. This Competition shall consist of not more than [100] Clubs ~~and/or [ ] Teams~~ approved by the Sanctioning Authority.
3. The geographical area covered by the Competition membership shall be [50 Miles radius of Barnstaple.]
4. The administration of the Competition under these Rules will be carried out by the Competition acting (save where otherwise specifically mentioned herein) through the Management Committee in accordance with the rules, regulations and policies of The FA.
5. All Clubs shall adhere to the Rules. Every Club shall be deemed, as a member of the Competition to have accepted the Rules and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee in relation thereto, subject to the provisions of Rule 7.
6. The Rules are taken from the Standard Code of Rules (the “Standard Code”) determined by The FA from time to time. In the event of any omissions from the Standard Code then the requirements of the Standard Code shall be deemed to apply to the Competition.
7. All Clubs must be affiliated to an Affiliated Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date in a manner prescribed by the Sanctioning Authority and must have a constitution approved by the Sanctioning Authority. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
  
  This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Sanctioning Authority and the constituent Teams of Clubs may be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding [ ] in number.
8. Inclusivity and Non-discrimination
  1. The Competition and each Club must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination and should abide and adhere to The FA Equality Policy and any legislative requirements (to include those contained in the Equality Act 2010).
  2. This Competition and each Club must make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise.
  3. Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate Sanctioning Authority for investigation.
9. Clubs must comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA which are adopted by the Competition including, but not limited to, Charter Standard and RESPECT programmes. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
10. All Participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by The FA from time to time.
11. Clubs shall not enter any of their Teams playing in the Competition in any other competitions (with the exception of FA and County FA Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
12. At the AGM or a SGM called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the constitution of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 22.
13. Only one Team shall be permitted from any Club to participate in the same division as another Team from the same Club unless there is no viable alternative because of logistical issues and/or reasons linked to participation and geographical boundaries. The Competition will obtain the prior approval of the Sanctioning Authority in the event of a division comprising of more than one Team from the same Club. This Competition will ensure that, where permission is given, Teams from a Club operating in the same division are run as separate entities with no interchange of players other than via transfers of registration in accordance with these Rules.

CLUB NAME

Any Club wishing to change its name must obtain permission from the Sanctioning Authority and from the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

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ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

1. Applications by Clubs for admission to the Competition or the entry of an additional Team(s) from the same Club must be made in writing to the Secretary and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee per Team as set out in the Fees Tariff, which shall be returned in the event of non-election.
  At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the AGM or an SGM.
  When Rule 22(B) is applied or a Team seeks a transfer or, is compulsorily transferred to another division, no Entry Fee shall be payable.
2. The annual subscription shall be payable in accordance with the Fees Tariff per ~~Club/~~[Team] payable on or before the AGM of the Competition in each year.
3. In the event of any issue concerning the membership of any Club with the Competition the Management Committee may require a Deposit to be paid (in accordance with the Fees Tariff) by or on behalf of the Club on such terms and for such period as it may in its entire discretion think fit. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
4. A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the entry fee, annual subscription and deposit (if required) have been paid.
5. Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by [1st September] of its Sanctioning Authority affiliation number for the forthcoming Playing Season. Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its headquarters, its Officers and any other information required by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

ND 4.1. As a condition of entry to the Premier Division the following ground standards are required:

An enclosed and well maintained playing area.
Separate changing rooms for two teams on, or adjacent to, the ground with shower or warm washing facilities and toilets.
Separate changing room for match officials on, or adjacent to, the ground with shower or other warm water washing facilities.
Adequate dug-outs, or covered shelter, for team officials and substitutes.
The Management Committee shall have the power during the playing season to (a) fine any club not meeting the standards £25.00 and/or, (b) order a club to play home matches on another ground that is up to standard and (c) at the end of the season, where a Premier club's ground has fallen below standard, to relegate the club to the Senior Division.

As a condition of entry to the Competition the following minimum ground standards are required for Clubs not playing in the Premier Division:
All clubs are required to have changing rooms for teams on, or adjacent to, the ground with shower or warm washing facilities and toilets.
All clubs are required to have a separate changing room for match officials on, or adjacent to, the ground with shower or warm washing facilities.

ND 4.2. The Competition will not permit the sharing of one pitch by more than two Saturday League teams.

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MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

1. The Management Committee shall comprise the Officers of the Competition and [12] members who shall all be elected at the AGM.
2. Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination provided that the Officer notifies the Secretary in writing not later than [1^st June] in each year.
  
  All other candidates for election as Officers of the Competition or members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the secretaries of two Clubs, not later than [1^st June] in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the AGM. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the AGM.
3. The Management Committee shall meet as and when required, save that no more than three calendar months shall pass between each meeting.
  
  On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Management Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Management Committee.
4. Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.
5. All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their Officers and sent to the Secretary.
  
  Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

ND 5.1. No person shall be permitted to fill the role of a Club Secretary in this league for the first time without first having either (i) attended a meeting called by the League Secretary to acquaint him/her of the duties involved, or (ii) met the League Secretary individually for the same purpose. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

ND 5.2. All clubs will provide at least one delegate to attend a pre-season managers' meeting. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

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