IMPORTANT NOTICE
Summer Soccer is a social, family-friendly competition. Respect for referees, volunteers, players, coaches, parents and spectators is non-negotiable. Harrington United Football Club operates a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY towards abusive or inappropriate behaviour. Participation in this competition constitutes acceptance of these rules and any decisions made by the Summer Soccer Committee. The Committee reserves the right to interpret these rules where required in the best interests of the competition.
Competition Rules
1. Match Cards & Scores: No match cards are required. Referees/Game Leaders will not be responsible for submitting scores. Immediately after each match, the coaches/managers of both teams must confirm and agree on the final score. The agreed score must then be provided to the Competition Manager at the canteen, who will enter it into the competition system. Kick-off may be delayed by a maximum of 5 minutes only, after which the match will be forfeited.
2. Forfeit Notification: The draw is fixed. There will be no changes to scheduled games, game times or fields. If a team cannot fulfil a scheduled fixture, they must provide the Competition Manager with up to 48 hours’ notice wherever possible. This allows the club to advise the referees association not to provide a referee for that game. Teams must notify the Competition Manager as soon as they know they cannot play.
3. Fixed Draw: Once the draw has been issued, it is final. There is no capacity to make changes to game times, game fixtures or fields. Teams must play the fixture allocated to them in the published draw.
4. Score Reporting: Coaches/managers of both teams must confirm the result immediately after the game, including the final score and whether the result is a win, draw or loss. The agreed score must be taken to the Competition Manager at the canteen immediately after the game for entry into the competition system. If the teams cannot agree on the result, it must be raised with the Competition Manager immediately.
5. Player Eligibility – NO PLAYER BORROWING: Borrowing or using players from another team is strictly prohibited in any form, whether the player is registered in another team within the competition or comes from outside the competition. Only players officially registered to that specific team may participate. If a team is found to have used an ineligible or borrowed player, the team will be immediately dismissed from the competition. There will be NO APPEAL and the decision will be final.
6. Forfeit Notification: Teams forfeiting with less than 24 hours’ notice will receive a 3–0 loss and a $30 fine. Teams providing more than 24 hours’ notice will receive a 3–0 loss only.
7. 6-Second Rule: The 6-second rule applies to dead-ball situations at the referee’s discretion.
8. Goalkeeper Area: Goalkeepers cannot leave the penalty area. This does not apply to U6/7 competitions.
9. Penalty Area Restrictions: No player may enter the penalty area (‘D’). This does not apply to U6/7 competitions.
10. Defenders in the D: A defender inside the ‘D’ results in a direct penalty from the top of the D. Not applicable to U6/7.
11. Goalkeepers Leaving the D: Results in a direct penalty from the top of the D. Not applicable to U6/7.
12. Free Kicks: All free kicks are indirect unless otherwise specified.
13. Slide Tackles: Slide tackles are not permitted.
14. Goalkeeper Distribution: Goalkeepers cannot kick or throw the ball over the halfway line on the full. An infringement results in a free kick from halfway.
15. Goal Kicks: Only the goalkeeper may take goal kicks.
16. Back Pass Rule: Goalkeepers cannot pick up a deliberate back pass. An indirect free kick is awarded three yards outside the penalty area.
17. Substitutions: Interchanges must be made at the halfway line. Players should not be brought on in defensive positions to gain an unfair advantage.
18. Sin Bin: Referees may issue a 5-minute sin bin. Sin-binned players cannot be replaced. Two sin bins in one match equals a red card.
19. Unregistered Players: Playing an unregistered player results in a 3–0 forfeit and a $30 fine.
20. Minimum Players: Teams must have at least four players, including a goalkeeper, at all times or forfeit. Not applicable to U6/7.
21. No Offside Rule applies.
Game Format
Game Times: U6/7 play 2 x 15-minute halves. All other age groups play 2 x 20-minute halves.
Footwear: Football boots must be worn.
Shin Guards: Shin guards are compulsory.
Goalkeeper Attire: Goalkeepers must wear a shirt or bib clearly distinguishing them from other players.
Team Uniforms: Teams must wear matching shirts, shorts and socks as listed on the team sheet.
Handicap Rule: The Committee reserves the right to handicap teams playing in older age groups.
Competition Points: Win = 3 points, Draw = 1 point, Loss/Washout = 0 points.
No Catch-up Games: Matches cancelled due to weather will be recorded as washouts.
Finals: Semi-finals are 1 v 4 and 2 v 3. Winners advance to the Grand Final. Drawn finals are decided by a best-of-three penalty shootout.
Registrations & Player Identification: Registrations will be checked before the competition, with player identification checked before finals.
Bye Rounds: Where teams receive an additional bye, they will be awarded a 1–0 win and 3 competition points.
Committee Authority
The Summer Soccer Committee reserves the right to amend, interpret or enforce these rules where necessary to ensure the safe, fair and efficient operation of the competition. Any matter not specifically covered by these rules will be determined by the Committee, whose decision is final.