1 TITLE.
The League shall be called the ARDS BOROUGH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE.

2 OBJECTIVE
The object of the League shall be: -
i) To provide a safe environment for all members to participate in association football.

ii) To develop sport by: -
a) Assisting members to improve their personal standards.
b) Providing equal opportunities for successful participation by all sections of the community regardless of sex, religion, race, age or ability.
c) Encourage fair play at all times.
d) Providing members with suitable competition.

3 TEAMS.
Teams must be affiliated to the Northern Ireland Boys’ Football Association.

4 ENTRANCE FEES
All teams must pay an entrance fee, to be determined at the Annual General Meeting, made payable to the above League. Insurance premiums and fees to join the Northern Ireland Boys’ Football Association are also to be added to the entrance fee. Clubs may decline to pay the insurance premium provided they show evidence of their own insurance.

5 REGISTRATION
Each Team may register up to 20 players. For the registration of each additional player a fee of £3-00 is payable to the League up to a maximum of 30 players.

6 REGISTRATION FORMS
Two full calendar weeks before the League Programme commences, each Team must submit to the Registration Secretary fully completed Registration Forms together with the entrance fee. The Registration forms must have the players details inserted and also an original Birth Certificate (or any other acceptable evidence of DOB). He or she may not play for the Team until seven days have elapsed. A dated receipt of the confirmation for each player’s registration will be returned to the Team Secretary, also returned will be a master sheet of all registered players that their Team has signed. This sheet can be used as dated proof of registration as the Registration Secretary will have signed it.
In event of any future signings each Team must repeat the above procedure to register a player and they must also return the master sheet with the new player’s details inserted for signing by the Registration Secretary.
It is recommended that all registrations should be sent by recorded delivery to the Registration Secretary as it can be used as proof of receipt.

7 FINAL DATE OF REGISTION
The latest date of registration will be on the 31st January. There will be no extension of this date.

8 EDVIDENCE OF REGISTRATION
The Registration Form must give each player’s Christian Name, Surname, Address, Date of Birth, and be accompanied by the player’s birth certificate, passport, baptism certificate or computerized medial card. These must be presented to the Registration Secretary. Also each player must submit two passport size photographs taken in the current season. The right is reserved to accept or refuse any player’s registration. It shall be the right of any team manager on payment of £5-00 to inspect the list of players registered by another team in the age group in which they are competing.

9 AGE LIMITS
To be eligible to play for a particular age group, players must be under that age on 1st January of the current season.

A team will be allowed to play up to a maximum of two girls one year older than the official age up to the age of 14 years old.

A player can play providing they are no more than two years younger than the age group they are playing in and have written permission from their parents/Guardian to complete in that standard of football.

10 HOME MATCHES
Each team will have the responsibility for booking of a pitch to play their home fixtures; this must be registered with the League Secretary with full directions made available to all of the other participating teams. The home team, as indicated on the fixture list, to notify the Fixture Secretary should there be any changes for fixtures at the latest before 7-00pm the night before the game. The home team is responsible to ensure, if an official referee is provided, he receives his fee. Corner flags and goal nets are compulsory. All teams have the responsibility of providing a friendly and secure playing area free from any verbal or physical abuse from spectators during and after a game. A £20-00 fine would be chargeable and the Management Committee will deal with failing to comply accordingly.

11 MATCH CARD
The official Match Card, provided by the home team, must be completed and signed by both managers prior to the commencement of the fixture. The home manager should complete his side of the card listing the full names of his players and have his players sign it. He must hand it to the away team manager together with the registration cards of his named players. The away team manager should complete their side of the card in the same manner.
The home manager should check that the away team players named on the card correspond with the away team registration cards provided. Players for whom a registration card is not available on the day of the match are not eligible to take part under any circumstances and only those players named on the match card before the game commences may take part. This should be completed before the teams leave the changing rooms.
The match card should be given to the referee whilst the managers retain each other’s registration cards.
Managers are free throughout the game to check that the players taking part are in fact those named on the match card. Any irregularities should be reported first to the referee and then to the League. In a case of a team wishing to claim the points for a match a protest must be submitted as per Rule 23
For the Under 11 age group only the players’ names must be printed and the players do not need to sign the card

12 LATE START
Failure to commence a game 20 minutes after the appointed time will result in the forfeiture of the points by the offending team. The defaulting team must pay the pitch and referee’s fee. Kick off times will be stated in the fixture list or otherwise indicated. The match card must be completed as per Rule 14.

13 POINTS SYSTEM
Three points will be awarded for a win and one point for a draw.

14 TEAM COLOURS
In the event of a clash of colours the first named team (home) on the fixture list must provide a change of kit.

15 SUBSTITUTIES
Five substitutes will be allowed to each team in the course of the game under any of the League’s competitions.

16 BALL
Each team will provide a football for both League and Cup games.
• Under 11 and 12 Year Olds Size 4 Football
• Others age groups Size 5 Football
The match ball will be that of the home team unless otherwise decided by the referee whose decision is final.

17 DURATION OF PLAY
All matches are to be played in accordance with the current FIFA rules except at the Under 11 level.
They will have the following duration: -
• Under 11 and 12 Year Olds 60 minutes (30 minutes each way)
• Under13, Under14, and Under15 Year Olds 70 minutes (35 minutes each way)
• Under 16 and Under 17 Year Olds 80 minutes (40 minutes each way)
At Under 11 levels:-
• There will be no goal kicks. Goalkeepers can kick the ball from their hands
• The back pass rule does not apply
• Have rotating substitutes who must enter the field of play when the ball is out of play.

18 REFEREES
If the League does not appoint a referee, then a qualified referee, and then the home side will officiate. The referee must report all cautions and sending off on the back of the Match Card.

19 REFEREE’S FEES
Where the League appoints an Official Referee or referee assistants the teams shall pay the appropriate fees. Match Fees for the referee will be £16-00 with each team paying half of this fee prior to the commencement of play. The first named team must also give the referee the completed match card before kick off.

20 TIE FOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Should there be a tie on points at the end of the season there will be a play off to decide the League Championship. The Management Committee will make a decision if more that two teams are involved. Goal difference will not apply.

21 POSTPONEMENT OF A FIXTURE.
Teams requesting a free week must do so in writing to the Fixture Secretary at least four clear Saturdays before the date of the fixture. Clubs failing to do so will result in the loss of the points should any team be unable to fulfill a fixture. Teams will be allowed a maximum of two free Saturdays per season.

22 FAILURE TO REPORT
A team failing to report for any three matches will be automatically expelled from membership of the League. A team who reports the non-attendance of their opponents will not automatically be awarded the points for the match unless the match card is completed in accordance with rule 14 and countersigned, by an independent witness if possible. Teams may be able to claim reasonable expenses as determined by the Management Committee from the defaulting team and a £20-00 fine would be chargeable

23 RESULTS OF MATCHES FOR THE MEDIA
It is the responsibility of the home team to telephone the result to the Fixture Secretary by the time stipulated by the Management Committee. Failure to do so will automatically result in a fine of £5-00 being imposed on the team for failing to do so.

24 PROTESTS
Protests must be submitted in writing and must be received by the League Secretary from a Club Official within 48 hours (Sunday not included) from the date of the match was played. A copy must also be sent to any other team involved by the protesting Club. A £15-00 fee must accompany the protest, which is not returnable, if the protest fails.

25 APPEALS
The right of appeal against the Disciplinary Committee decision exists. The grounds for the appeal must however be made in writing (see Rule 24) and lodged with the League Secretary within ten days of the original decision and a copy sent to the other teams concerned where applicable and an Appeal Deposit of £20-00 lodged which will be refunded if the appeal is upheld. The team lodging the Appeal has the right to be present. The appeal committee shall consist of a minimum of three new members and will be attended by one of the original Committee.

26 LEAGUE TROPHIES
League winners will receive a League Trophy and a maximum of 20 medals or plaques.
Runners up (decided if necessary by a play off) will receive a maximum of 20 medals or plaques.

27 KNOCK OUT CUPS/SHIELDS
The winners of the Knock out Competitions will receive a maximum of 20 medals or plaques. Defeated finalists will also a maximum of 20 medals or plaques. In the event of a draw, extra time (10 minutes each way) will be played and then to be decided on penalty kicks.

28 RETENTION OF TROPHIES
The League Championship trophies will be competed for annually and the winning teams will retain them until 1st March of the year for which they are competed. The Knock-Out Cups should be returned by the 1st December each season. They will be returned to the League Secretary.
A £10-00 fine will apply for each week that the trophy/trophies remain not returned. The Club concerned must make good any damage to a trophy and the League reimbursed for damage or loss. The Club, upon receipt of the trophy must sign an agreement to this effect.

29 DISCIPLINARY ACTION
All disciplinary matters will rest with the League Disciplinary Committee. Any committee member whose team or club is subject of a hearing or investigation must not sit on the Disciplinary Committee, though, if requested may supply information or help in any other way to assist the Committee to resolve the matter before it. The disciplinary committee will consist of a minimum of three members.

30 TRANSFER OF PLAYER
In the event of a player wishing to be transferred to another team within the same League the player must inform directly in writing to his present club Manager of their intention to join another club. A transfer form must be completed by the new club and countersigned by his former club granting the transfer. The transfer form must then be sent to the Registration Secretary with a fee of £3-00. The Registration Secretary will endorse the new registration, and send a receipt of confirmation to the requesting club. However it is important that the master sheets from both clubs are sent in to enable the registration secretary to amend both copies. These will be returned to both clubs.
The player cannot play for their new club until the clearance date (i.e. seven days) as stated on the Transfer Form. A club is only permitted to transfer a maximum of two players. Rule 7 also governs the transfer rule. The poaching of a player by any Club from another club in the League is totally deprecated by the League Management Committee. No other club Official should make a direct approach to a player to change their allegiance nor should a parent/guardian of a player be approached. The transfer rule exists purely and simply as a means for any boy or girl of his own volition to choose or select a team from whom the player may play and no boy/girl should be restrained in any way in this respect. A player who transfers to a new team will not be eligible to play until seven days after the date of transfer. Last date of transfer is 31st January.

31 PENALITIES
A player dismissed from a match shall automatically be suspended from the next match played by their team wither League or Knock-Out Cup. If dismissed (Red Card) in a knock-out competition semi final the player will be ineligible to play in the final.

A player receiving 3 cautions (Yellow Cards) shall automatically be suspended for one game and will serve an additional one match ban for every second caution.

All cautions and dismissals must be recorded on the match card in addition to a full report by the referee of the misconduct being submitted to the League Secretary. Any team guilty of playing unregistered or ineligible players will: -
i) Lose points for the match if applicable
ii) Be fined £30-00 and £3-00 for each ineligible player
iii) If the offence is repeated the team will be expelled from further participation in the League.

Any player discovered playing while under suspension would cause their team to: -
i) Lose the points for the games played
ii) Be fined £20-00 per game
iii) Must complete their period of suspension and will be subject to further disciplinary action.
Managers are responsible for the all behaviour on match days (including players, officials, parents and spectators) ensuring at all times that the game is not brought into disrepute by any such person. It is of paramount importance that all club officials remember these principles, and whilst constructive criticism of young players is acceptable, outright or excessive criticism/verbal abuse during matches will not be tolerated. Spectators, parents, coaches etc. are to stay on opposite sides of the pitch and are not permitted to stand behind the goals.

The league will promote honesty and fair play and will not tolerate foul or abuse language, sectarian, sexist or racist abuse directed at or by any person connected with the League.

In all matters concerning misconduct or behavior liable to bring the game or League into disrepute, either by a player or club official, the Management Committee shall exercise its discretionary powers to impose whatever penalty, fine or suspension as it may agree upon. All suspensions not served before the end of the season will be carried forward to the following season.

32 CODES OF CONDUCT
The League has Codes of Conduct for all participating players, team officials, supporters, referees, and coaches/managers. It is of the utmost importance that these documents are thoroughly read and implemented in full. The failure to do so will be severely punished by the Management Committee.
The aim is to eliminate violent conduct of any sort on or off the pitch. This includes verbal or physical abuse to other officials. Each team must be responsible for the behavior of its supporters.

33 CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
The League upholds the Child Protection Guidelines as laid down by our Governing body, The Irish Football Association and the Northern Ireland Boys FA. And all Clubs must adhere to these guidelines. All teams must have at least one responsible adult who has attended the “Child Protection Awareness Course”
If a child protection issue is made or comes to light it will be reported to the relevant authorities

34 INSURANCE
Each Team must produce proof of insurance before participating in the League Programme.
The Ards Borough Youth League accepts no responsibility for injuries received by any player in any competition under its jurisdiction. Players taking part do so at their own risk.

35 LEAGUE MEETINGS
These will be held on a date as business demands. A representative from each Team must attend. Failure to send a representative will result in the imposition of a £10-00 fine, which must be paid within two weeks. Any team failing to attend more than three League meetings during the current season may have an additional penalty imposed at the discretion of the management committee.

36 LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30 June each year; each member team shall be entitled to one representative who shall be entitled to vote. The League will have a Management Committee elected and all posts will be up for re-election at each Annual General Meeting. It will consist of: at least one representative from each age group.

The Club representatives attending this meeting shall elect a Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer, Fixture Secretary, Registration Secretary, Referee’s Co-coordinator, Child Protection Officer and committees for the following season.

The Management Committee may co-opt people to their committee or any other Sub Committee. The names must be proposed and then seconded.

37 REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES
Any player selected to play for any League Representative Match (friendly or otherwise) must give immediate notice to the League Secretary if they find they are unable to play and if required, must substantiate in writing their reasons for the withdrawal. Failure to do so will lead to temporary cancellation of their registration or monetary fine levied on their club. Under no circumstances will any player registered with the League be permitted to complete against the League unless the prior sanction has been given by the majority vote of the League Management Committee. All teams must nominate the appropriate number of their best players for selection.

38 FINANCE
All monies to be lodged in a bank account in the name of the League.
The Treasurer shall close the accounts on the 31 May annually.
The Treasurer shall submit a statement of accounts at the Annual General Meeting
The Management Committee shall have the power to authorize expenditure on behalf of the League.
Cheques drawn against the League must be signed by two of the three designated signatures.
A resolution to dissolve the League shall be passed only at an Extra Ordinary General Meeting specifically convened for that purpose. In the event of the dissolution of the League any assets remaining after settlement of all outstanding debts and liabilities shall not be distributed amongst the members but shall be donated to some other Club or institution having similar objectives to those of the League.

39 GENERAL
Any matter not specifically covered by the Rules of the League shall be determined by the Management Committee whose decision will be final.