CLUB UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT

ESFA COMPPETITION RULES

ID CARDS
MATCH CARDS AND MATCH REPORTS
REFEREES

EARLY ARRIVAL AT MATCHES
NON-ATTENDANCE AT MATCHES AND TRAINING

TRIAL/GRADING SESSIONS FOR U9/G10 AND OLDER
GOAL POSTS (SET UP AND PACK UP)

HOW DO I LODGE A COMPLAINT?
ACCIDENT SUPPORT PROGRAM AND NON-LIABILITY
HANDLING CONFLICT

CLUB UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT

The Queens Park official strip is Black Shorts (bought through QPFC only), RED socks, RED shirts (home game), WHITE shirts (away game). Match shirts (U10 AND UP) are provided by the club at the beginning of the season and will be returned to the club at the end of the season.


WHAT UNIFORM DO I NEED TO PURCHASE FROM THE CLUB (click here)

PLAYERS' EQUIPMENT (spectacles, jewellery and hats)
SAFETY - "A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery)." This includes anti-discrimination bands, leather necklaces and any other loose wristbands. The taping of jewellery is no longer allowed (including earrings and wedding rings).
Any player not complying with these regulations will not be allowed to play.

Hats and caps may NOT be worn. Sun cream can be applied, of course.

Exception: An exception to this Policy is where a person is required to wear a "Medic Alert" bracelet for emergency medical reasons. In this case the bracelet should be taped in an appropriate manner and to the satisfaction of the referee of the game.

Players with Glasses
Several years ago, FIFA endorsed a view of its IFAB Committee of 10 March 2001, that:
New technology has made sports spectacles much safer, both for the player … and other players. We expect referees to take full account of this fact and it would be considered extremely unusual for a referee to prevent a player taking part in a match because he or she was wearing modern sports spectacles.

This does not stop an individual referee, or a referee outside the district, refusing permission. Some Associations act already to approve certain types of sports spectacles, but all need to take this extra step in a further attempt to deal with this vexed issue.
The decision to allow a player to wear or not wear particular glasses under FIFA directives is still up to the individual referee.

ESFA COMPETITION RULES
We highly recommend that you download a copy of the ESFA competition rules and keep it in your kit bag. This way any confusion of rules at the field may be eliminated on the spot. Click here

ID CARDS

A common reason for dispute in past seasons has been about the eligibility of players and that is why we should make every effort to follow the below guidelines.

Players: players participating in the ESFA competition must have a Player ID card. The team's manager or coach should hold the Player ID cards for each junior player in their team. The manager or coach must show the cards to the opposing team/referee before kick off. NO CARD NO PLAY!

Registered Team Official (RTO): each team official, manager, coach etc must register with ESFA as a Registered Team Official or RTO. Registration is free for a RTO and includes accident support cover.

LINING UP, RUNNING OUT TO THE CENTRE OF THE PITCH AND CHECKING PLAYER ID CARDS

Please line up all players before kick-off, run out to the centre of the pitch and present ID cards. Each player will provide their ID card to the opposing team’s manager or coach in the centre of the field at least FIVE (5) minutes before kick-off. ID Cards will be inspected by the opposing RTO and handed back once checked. There is no need for the opposing RTO to keep the cards for the duration of the match.

Your team's manager or coach will be required to check the opposing team's players' ID cards against their match card or team sheet. They should check the players are the right age and not from a higher division. A borrowed player (must be registered with the club) can only play for an higher age-group (1 year maximum) or a higher division than the division or age in which the player is registered. A player cannot play "down" - either a division or an age. We advise that you ask the opposition coach at line up if the team has any borrowed players for the game. A note with the borrowed players registered team code should be made on the match card.

The Association has warned clubs they will fine teams that do not do this.

MATCH CARDS for 2010 SEASON
A pre-printed match card with players name and ID numbers will be emailed on a weekly basis to the team manager prior to the first game . As a manager you will be required to complete the following details:

* all players borrowed from other Queens Park teams must be entered by hand on the match card. His/Her "real" team name and division should be recorded in the signature column. (players can only be borrowed from a lower division or from the age-group directly below your age-group ie NOT 2+ years below)
* shirt numbers of each player
* name of team
* age group and division
* location
* date
* referee's signature
* name and ID number of manager or coach on RTO line, and to sign at the end of the game.

SUBMITTING MATCH CARDS
Team sheets/Match cards are to be handed to the referee prior to kick off. When the referee has entered all the details on the match card, the R.T.O. is to check the result and take note of any cautions or send-offs.

The official referee is responsible for returning the match cards to ESFA. However if you do not have an offical referee then then hometeam manager should should post off the match card to the ESFA address provided at the bottom of the match card. Please ensure that the match card is posted no later than Tuesday of each week.

myScore - REPORTING RESULTS - USING MOBILE PHONE SYSTEM (system developed by David Walker)
It is necesary to report results for each of your matches before Sunday 5pm on each weekend. We suggest that you SMS the result through straight after the game to avoid the QPFC competiotion secretary having to chase results and the team potentially being charged a late fee by ESFA. MyScore is an automated system that collects results reported by mobile phone.

TO DOWNLOAD MYSCORE INSTRUCTIONS - CLICK HERE

Who recruits, appoints, trains and supervises them?
The Eastern Suburbs Referees Association (ESRA) is responsible for the training and development of referees of all standards within the Eastern Suburbs from junior Referees to local All Age standard. Note that the referees have their own association.

When there is no official referee
If there is no official referee appointed to the game it is the responsibility of the home team to provide a referee. Where possible someone who has completed a referees course should referee the game. Unofficial referees have the same rights as official referees and can send a player off. If they do so they must complete an incident report.

Do not share refereeing with the other team - Why shouldn't you appoint one referee in the first half, and another in the second half?
It is a fairly common suggestion for one team to appoint a parent to be a referee for the first half and then the other team appoints a referee for the other half. It may seem like a kind and 'fair' gesture however it is against the ESFA rules and should NOT be considered - once a referee is appointed they maintain authority for the duration of the game. Refereeing remains, at the end of the day, a subjective process. Once the referee is appointed - even if they are a parent or friend - they assume all the rights and responsibilities of an offical referee. One should maintain consistency in how the rules are interpreted and to have someone else referee in the second half can create confusion and frustration because they may interpret the rules differently. And if they are angry about the first half's refereeing they may take advantage in the second half.

Why wasn't there an official referee?
There are more games than referees available. However in 2009 the Referee's Association successfully recruited more referees than we have had in past years.

How can you lodge a complaint about the standard of refereeing?
Write to the club's Grievance Officer who edit and send it on to the Association. This must be done within two days of the match.

Supporting and protecting referees
Some referees are as young as 12 years old. Sadly, adult coaches have been known to intimidate them. The team manager and coach have a responsibility to support referees and report any intimidation to the club president.

How can we help get more referees?
The most practical and immediate way is to encourage parents, friends and players to do the training course and become a qualified referee.

Paying for referees
For all Competition matches each club will be invoiced monthly by the ESFA. Clubs are to be charged on a 50/50 basis for referees fees. Team managers have been asked to report if you had an official referee or not for each match.

REFEREE WARNINGS AND SEND-OFFS
Referees (including Assistant Referees and Club/unofficial Referees) who have had occasion to send a player from the playing field, or deems it necessary to submit an incident report, shall be required to provide a written report to the ESFA Office to be received by 5pm on the Tuesday immediately following the relevant game. Such report may be delivered, posted, e-mailed or faxed

If a player has been sent from the field the referee will retain the ID Card and return it to the ESFA office accompanied by the send off report no later than 5pm on the Tuesday immediately following the relevant game.

Please arrive at the match venue at least half an hour before the match starting time. This allows time to organise and warm up players. Stretching and warming up is vital for all players. Your coach can give you more information on warming up and stretching.

If a player is unable to attend a match, then please let your manager or coach know as soon as possible. The team may need to enlist a player from another team for the day. Please notify the team manager if your child is unable to attend training.

Please see "latest news" for trial dates and times for boys/mixed teams.

We encourage all new and returning players, that wish to try out for the top 3 teams in each age group (U9/G10 and older), to attend the grading sessions. The aim of trials is to place equal skilled players in the same team giving the individual player

GOAL POSTS SET UP/PACK UP

QUEENS PARK 33 ie 3/4 SIZE FIELD
This field is used by U10 and G10 teams.
SET UP - The first team on the field is in charge of setting up the goalposts which can be found in the shed next to the playground. Please use the wheels to role out the goal posts. Safety brackets ( 3) per goalposts should be secured to the ground. A poster in the shed will show you how to secure the saddles.
PACK UP - The last team on the field is in charge of returning the goalposts to the shed (please use the wheels supplied). Please ensure that you push the posts all the way in so all the goalposts will fit in the shed.

Any team that fails to comply with mentioned safety procedure will be fined $150.00

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD CHILDREN HELP OR BE WALKING NEXT TO THE GOALPOST WHEN IT IS PUSHED INTO PLACE. REMEMBER THIS IS FOR YOUR CHILD'S SAFETY!

Cover is provided for injuries caused by active participation in officially organised games, official practice and training sessions, and official functions. The Accident Support Program is managed by Concord Underwriting Agencies, PO Box 505, Chatswood NSW 2057. This program is part of the Soccer NSW Limited Risk Management and Player Protection Plan. It is designed to supplement Loss of Income and Non-Medicare expenses. The benefits are limited. Note it is not a health insurance scheme or workers compensation. For full details please visit the website www.footballnsw.com.au and click on ‘Insurance.’

The Club is not liable for any injuries sustained by a player on or off the field of play.

GRIEVANCE RESOLUTION AND CHILD PROTECTION RULES AND PROCEDURES

If you are considering lodging a complaint or grievance, please read ALL of rules and procedures.

Plain English Definitions
Grievance means a complaint
Club or QPFC means Queens Park Football Club Inc
Complainant means person making the complaint
Respondent means the person or organization being complained about
Committee means the Committee of the QPFC
Grievance Officer means the person appointed to that position by the Committee
President means President of QPFC
ESFA means Eastern Suburbs Football Association
RTO Registered Team Official
Words in the singular also mean the plural and vice versa

Introduction

Queens Park Football Club is a community-based sporting body providing opportunities for people of all ages and both genders to enjoy the game of football in a friendly yet competitive environment, where all participants (players and non-players) are treated, and treat others, with respect, fairness, and good manners.  

The Club understands that from time to time disputes, disagreements, and grievances will arise between, or involve, club members, their families and supporters. The Club is also conscious of its responsibility to provide a safe and encouraging environment for children where they are protected from abuse in any form, harassment of any kind and from any action by any person that may diminish their enjoyment of soccer

The Club has introduced these rules and procedures to provide a structure which is designed to lead to a resolution of such issues in a spirit of goodwill, openness, and equity while having respect for all parties and observing the rules of natural justice and/or procedural fairness.

Click here to download complete information on HOW TO LODGE A COMPLAINT

Conflict takes place in junior football..

Here are common reasons which can be handled internally by Queens Park Football Club:

• players and parents from one's own team are threatening and bullying
• there are different views about whether children are being given a fair opportunity to play or whether they have been placed in the most suitable position. This is the most common cause of conflict. Coaches are entitled to decide in what positions players should be placed and how long they play. But this must be balanced against the guiding principle that players should be affirmed, further developed and have a positive experience.

If there is conflict within your team it is, in the first instance, the manager's responsibility to try and facilitate resolution. Where there is irresolvable conflict and distress the club will convene a judiciary committee to address it.

Here are further reasons for conflict and these are not handled by our club but at a district level by ESFA - the Eastern Suburbs Football Association:

• you may not agree with refereeing decisions
• people are standing behind the goalposts and refuse to budge
• opposing players and parents are sledging
• the opposing team does not have ID cards for all their players
• a player is wearing jewellery, hats or glasses that are not safe
• the opposing team and referee insist on playing with a ball size you believe to be incorrect.

Here is advice about how to deal with conflict that comes under the jurisdiction of ESFA. If you are not happy with the refereeing decisions there is little you can do during the game. The referee's decision is final and at no point are you allowed to approach the referee. After the game, you can submit a report to the club president who may edit and pass this on to the Referee's Association. They have senior inspectors who will check on referees that are the subject of numerous complaints. A referee can issue yellow cards to coaches who abuse them and this can lead to banning for a period of time.

Your coach or manager is entitled to verify the identity of the opposing players by asking to see their ID cards. It is in your interests to do this to ensure all players on the field are covered by insurance and that they are not using older or higher graded players. If the opposing team has players without ID cards and they want them to be allowed to play you have to exercise judgement. You are entitled to not play and the other team loses by forfeit. You may want to let the children play. It is after all, junior soccer. But you do need to be aware that players without cards are not covered by insurance or the rules of the Association.

If you believe the safety of your children is under threat - be it parents sledging behind goal posts or something else - you should in the first instance try to deal with it directly yourself. Hopefully, several parents will support you. But please understand that vigilante refereeing will further aggravate conflict. Do not aggressively confront parents or players of the opposing team directly because they can lodge a complaint. In the second instance ask the referee to stop the game until the threat has been removed. But please note that many of the referees are as young as 12 year olds and neither the clubs or the Association expect them to exert authority over burly and aggressive adults. In the third instance, ask the coach of the opposing team to support your action and stop the game. If all else fails, the ultimate action is to take your team off the field. If the coach of the opposing team does not agree with this and demands a forfeit in their favour, you then file a report to the club president who will submit it to ESFA's judiciary committee.

Occasionally you may see someone at the grounds with an armband called 'Club Official'. Each club has just two. They may be able to help. The role of club officials with armbands is to protect referees from abuse by parents, coaches and managers. Following is advice about dealing with sledging. This was provided by a mother.

1. stop the game immediately
2. get everyone to sit down
3. without mentioning any names , reinforce the rule “no sledging” and what it means – no name calling , no grabbing from behind, no kicking, no punching, no kissing, no cuddling (ha ha meant to make kids laugh)
4. Reinforce that we are a very good team and anyone that thinks otherwise will be sent to the sin bin (suggest sitting down with your loved one might be to rewarding and encouraging to not try to stop the behaviour).

Just a extra note – kids will stop the behaviour more easily if it is dealt with in the first instance. Maybe a sticker for not being spoken to for sledging would also benefit.

Kids need the boundary set clearly and follow up strategies need to be carried out after the first warning. Most importantly, kids need to be reminded about the rule before each practice session and game and told of the consequences (which must be carried out on the unlucky 1 or 2 kids responsible as an example to the others of the outcome).

We appreciate your co-operation in keeping our club a safe and enjoyable place to be part of.

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