Borrowing
Who can be borrowed for competition matches?
Mixed - Competition/Mini Roos
No player is allowed to play up in any age group that is more than two years above the lowest age group to which he/she is entitled to register.
There are restrictions in competition matches (U12 - U18) re the division that a player is registered to.
FSC Competition Rules J3 - J5
How many can be borrowed for Finals?
The borrowing rules for competition matches are the same BUT only to bring the squad up to 13 players.
Player Equipment
FNSW Player Equipment Policy (2025)
Uniform
Players in all matches must take the field of play with:
- Club kit (shirt, shorts, socks) in accordance with the rule for Colours / Clash of Colours
- Shin-guards which must be covered by the socks, and
- approved enclosed footwear.
What happens with a clash in colour?
For competition, the away team changes into their clash strip.
Can a goal keeper wear a predomintately black shirt?
No - Referees wear black in youth competition.
Shinpads
Is it compulsory to wear shinpads?
Yes
Skins
Can a player wear undershorts ("skins")?
Yes, providing the skins comply with the FNSW policy. When choosing the colour they must be the same as the predominant colour of the shorts. Alternatively, in local competition they can be white or black but all players in the team must wear the same skin.
Glasses
Can a player wear glasses while playing in a match?
This is covered under the IFAB Laws of the game under player safety. A player can wear sports goggles, sports glasses or sports sunglasses if in the opinion of the referee they pose no danger to the player or other players. Metal frame glasses are not permitted.
Earrings, Piercings
Can a player wear earrings, facial piercings whilst playing in a match?
No. This is covered by IFAB Laws of the Game under player safety and the FFA National Policy on the wearing of Jewellery.
Can a player wear facial earrings, piercings with tape covering them whilst playing in a match?
No. This is covered by IFAB Laws of the Game under player safety and the FFA National Policy on the wearing of Jewellery.
Cast for a Broken Arm
Can a player participate with a cast?
No. This is covered by FIFA Laws of the Game under player safety. A cast would be considered as dangerous and therefore a player cannot play with a cast.
Ball Sizes
Under 6 to Under 9: use a size 3 ball,
Under 10 to Under 13: use a size 4 ball,
Under 14 and over: use a size 5 ball.
Period of Play
- U6 - U8 play 20 minute halves,
- U9 - U11 play 25 minute halves,
- U12 - U14 play 30 minute halves,
- U15 - U16 play 35 minute halves
- U17 play 40 minute halves.
- U18 - U19 play 45 minute halves
Where a composite competition is played (e.g. U16/17) then FSC will communicate to clubs the game time.
Can game times be shorter?
Where games are running late, the Match Day Supervisor may shorten each half and would communicate this to both teams and the referee.
Competition Points and Results
What competition points are awarded?
A win is 3 points, a draw is 1 point, a loss is 0 points, a bye is 0 points. (U12 and over)
Which age groups require results recorded?
U8 up to U19
Which age groups have results posted?
Only Under 12 and over
When are results posted?
This will occur when the match sheet has been completed by all the officials (coaches and referee)
What method is used when teams are tied on points?
Head to Head
What do I do if the results are not posted or not correct?
Contact your Club Secretary who will investigate and contact FSC.
Division and Grading Process
The Competition coordinator provides clubs with a guide of proposed divisions in November. This guide assumes that all teams return from the previous season with similar personnel.
Clubs in mid-February nominate
- the number of teams,
- the requested division, and
- have an opportunity to provide reasons for requests.
The FSC Competition Management committee will then formulate the competitions for each age group and
- determine the number of divisions,
- place teams into those divisions,
- determine the structure of the competition.
using
- the guide,
- team lists submitted by clubs,
- reasons provided,
- player movement.
A draft of the divisions and structure for the new season is provided to clubs. A club has an opportunity to put in an appeal.
If required, an appeal meeting is held and is open to all club executives to attend and provide input. The Junior Council will hear the appeal.
Once the decision from the appeal is given, then this process is finished. Competition draws can then be constructed.
Note - Under 12's is a grading year and normally has two phases:
Phase 1 - A series of grading games to determine divisions for the second half of the season.
Phase 2 - Organised competition matches in divisions.
Mercy Rule
When a team has scored its ninth goal in the match then the game is finished in regards to scoring. In the remaining time, teams can continue to play if they wish or modify the game.
Player Movement Rule
When was this rule introduced?
2022
Background to the rule
The rule was introduced to restrict the number of players who are intending to move clubs. These players are defined as “movement players”.
This rule has been developed in consultation with member clubs to ensure better competition integrity, particularly in the higher divisions whilst also allowing the formation of teams when two or three clubs need to pool their player resources together through approved dispensation.
What is a Movement Player?
This is any player who in their last ‘outdoor’ season with Football South Coast was at another Club to the one they are applying to register with.
Which age Groups?
This will be applied to the age groups 12 through to 16 inclusive.
What is the Restriction?
A team in Division 1 or Division 2 can only register a maximum of three movement players with a further restriction that two of these movement players can come from the same team.
Are there any dispensations?
A Club can apply to Football South Coast for dispensation and in their application must provide reasons why they request the dispensation.
Does the restriction apply if I have never played football with FSC?
No
Does the restriction apply if I am a returning representative player who played for a club previously?
If you return to the club that you last played for in FSC previously then the restriction does not apply, however if you applying to another club then the restriction applies.
Does the restriction apply if I last registered several years ago and have not played?
This depends on the time period and you will need to read the current rule.
If you are deemed as a returning player to the game then the player movement rule does not apply to you
What happens if a Club has too many movement players registered in a team and does not have dispensation?
If a Club breaches this rule, then there are a range of penalties which may be applied depending on the circumstances.
In some cases, this could be simply fixing team allocations, or deregistration of extra movement players, or applying competition points penalties and/or, no invitations to participate in FNSW competitions or other tournaments.