Age Groups: Year 1 Boys/Girls, Year 2 Boys/Girls, Years 3/4 Boys/Girls  and Years 5/6 Boys/Girls

Ground sizes:

	Grade 1	Grade 2 and Grade 3/4	Grade 5/6
Number of Players on field	4 players per team (no goalkeeper)	7 players per team (including goalkeeper)	9 players per team (including goalkeeper)
Field Size	L: 30m W:20m	L: 40m – 50m W: 30m – 40m	L: 60m – 70mW: 40m – 50m
Penalty Area	No penalty area	5m deep – 12m wide	10m deep – 20m wide
Ball Size	Size 3	Size 3	Size 4
Goal Size	W: 1.5m-2m H:0.9m – 1m	W: 2.5m – 3mH: 1.8m – 2m	W: 4.5m – 5mH: 1.8m – 2m
Goal Type	Portable goals, poles or cones	Portable goals, poles or cones	Portable goals, poles or cones
Goal Keeper	No	Yes	Yes
Duration of Game	2 x 20min inc. 5min half-time break	2 x 20min inc. 5min half-time break	2 x 20min inc. 5min half-time break

Referee:  Host team referees the game. Where the game is played at an independent pitch, the team listed first in the roster is the ‘host team’.

Equipment Needed:

  – Shin pads are compulsory

  – Mouth guards are optional but recommended.

  – Goalkeepers should wear a goalkeepers top (or a different top to the outfield tops worn) and gloves

Rules of the Game:

  – The host team/coach referees the game with the mindset of helping to educate players on both teams. The referee should be old enough to control the game and preferably have adult support on the sideline. Should the opposing team coach wish, he/she can offer to share refereeing.

  – The game commences with a normal kick-off situation, as it does after the scoring of a goal. At the kick-off the ball can now be kicked in any direction, including backwards so no team-mates are allowed to stand in opponents’ half.

  – The games involve interchange and not substitution; eg, players can go off and then back on(roll on, roll off). The game should be stopped for an interchange to occur.

  – The goalkeeper can handle the ball in the penalty area. Goalkeepers should be made aware of where the markers are prior to the start of the game and then the rule applied within reason. Note: If the younger players have difficulty with football kicking from the hand then they can place the ball on the ground to kick as per a goal kick. This should be discussed by the coaches and made clear to the players.

  – The majority of refereeing will involve throw-ins. If a throw-in is performed incorrectly then the referee should correct the mistake and allow the player a chance to have another go. If the player continues to perform the throw-ins incorrectly ask for a player from the same team that can do throw-ins correctly to take the throw-in, so that the offending player can see the correct technique and put this in to practice next time. Note: Correct throw-in: both feet on the ground and hands should move behind the head prior to releasing the ball.

  – A goal is scored if it crosses the goal line under the height of the top of the goal post. If there is significant doubt, then a goal kick or corner is awarded.

Other Notes:

Wet Weather: In the case of inclement weather or an unsuitable playing surface, the host school will make a decision to cancel the game and will notify the opposing team no later than 2pm. Where possible, the school office and delegate should be contacted by telephone, not email. In other circumstances (eg, wet weather but no overall cancellation) coaches are to make a decision regarding safety prior to the start of the game. Both coaches are to agree to play – if one coach deems the conditions too dangerous to play, the game will be declared a washout.

Time: Games should start at 4pm unless stated otherwise – if players are not in position to commence fifteen minutes after the rostered start time, the team will forfeit the match.Supervision: Any team not accompanied and supervised by an adult with a current WWVP card will forfeit the match.