WFLA EVENTS TERMS & CONDITIONS

‘Walking Football Leagues’ Alliance’ hereafter named as ‘WFLA’

1. Competition Format

  1. The competitions are called the WFLA League Champions Cup and the WFLA Inter League Cup.
  2. The WFLA League Champions Cup is by invitation to teams who are the preceding seasons Champions of the top division of leagues who are members of the WFLA as of 31st December.
  3. The WFLA Inter League Cup is by invitation to leagues who are members of the WFLA.
  4. Applications will only be considered upon receipt of a fully completed entry form and cleared payment.
  5. Entries will be confirmed by the tournament organisers at least 28 days before the competition commences.
  6. A team cannot enter an ‘active’ tournament retrospectively once that tournament has commenced.
  7. A league/club/team cannot be entered into any WFLA competition draw until payment of fee/s received.

2. Entry Fees

  1. All WFLA Competitions will be subject to a nominal non-refundable competition entry fee to cover WFLA administration.
  2. All tournament entry fees are to be agreed and determined by the Tournament Committee as and when the Tournament Committee deems it prudent to do so.
  3. In any Regional Area (Regional Round’) tournament rounds the costs of pitch hire, referees etc., shall be shared equally between the named teams on the agreed fixture date. In any decision on a suitable venue and date(s), the majority vote will stand. If teams cannot make that date, they will need to withdraw from the competition.

3. Age Groups & Player Qualification

  1. Age groups will represent those leagues who are members of the WFLA.
  2. Each team shall enter a squad of players on the day of the competition.
  3. Each team may register up to eleven players on the Team Entry Form.
  4. Each registered player shall only play for one team in each age category throughout the duration of the tournament but may represent that team or a different team in different age categories if age eligible.
  5. Players must be registered with the walking football league that are members of the WFLA that they are representing in the competition.
  6. In the case of a postponed or replayed tie, only those players who were eligible on the date originally fixed for the round shall be allowed to play, with the proviso that players who were eligible on the original date and who subsequently become disqualified within the terms of this Rule, shall not be permitted to play. Likewise, a player who has been suspended may, if otherwise qualified, play in postponed matches after the terms of their suspension have expired.
  7. Any team playing an ineligible player will be fined and the team will be removed from the competition.
  8. Each team shall appoint a manager. The manager shall be responsible for their team being registered on arrival at the competition venue.
  9. Players must be eligible by age on the day of the fixture for each individual category.
      • Women’s Mixed Age:     40 or over
      • Over 50s (Mixed):           50 or over
      • Over 60s (Mixed):           60 or over
      • Over 65s (Mixed):           65 or over
      • Over 70s (Mixed):           70 or over
      • Over 75’s (Mixed):          75 or over

      4. Duration Of Matches

      1. Matches will be of a maximum 40-minute duration and a minimum of 15 minutes duration.
      2. Half time will be a maximum of 5 minutes duration.

      5. Determining The Result Of A Game

      1. All games will be decided by the teams scoring the most goals during normal time. If the game is in a knock-out format, then if the scores are level at the end of normal time, then a penalty shootout will decide the winner. Three penalties each, then sudden death.

      6. Playing Rules

      1. The FA’s unified Laws of Walking Football apply with no local variations.
      2. All age categories will be played as 6-a-side.
      3. All matches must be played on pitches that are barrier free, no caged pitches allowed.
      4. Substitutes are roll on/roll off from those named on the registration form. A substituted player can return in the same match. The number of substitutions made during a game is unlimited.
      5. Teams must wear shirts that are numbered.
      6. In the event of a clash of colours with opponents or referees occurs, the second-named team (‘away team’) should provide alternative shirts/bibs which must also be numbered.
      7. Shin pads are compulsory.
      8. Captains must wear an armband.

      7. Players, Officials & Supporters Conduct

      1. This competition uses the blue and red card system. (See FA Laws for list of blue and red card offences).
      2. A player receiving a red card during a game for (S1, S2, S3, S6) will be suspended for the rest of the competition.

      8. Reporting Results

      1. The referee/team captains shall be responsible for reporting the result of the game to the result coordinator at the conclusion of each game.

      9. Protests & Appeals

      1. All questions of eligibility, qualification of players or interpretation of Rules shall be referred to the WFLA Management Committee.
      2. No objection relative to the dimensions of the playing area or other appurtenances thereon shall be entertained by the committee unless a protest is lodged with the referee before the commencement of the game at a multi-team event or in all other cases to the WFLA Secretary by email within 48 hours of the match.

      10. Referees

      1. Grand Final referees shall be appointed by the WFLA Referee’s Appointments Officer.
      2. For Local or Regional Rounds they are agreed upon by the competing teams.

      11. Trophies

      1. The competition winners and runners up will receive trophies.

      12. Fixtures

      1. Fixtures for the WFLA ‘Finals’ may be subject to change prior to the event due to circumstances beyond the WFLA’s control.

      13. Fines

      As per Section 17 of the WFLA Constitution This includes all Regional Rounds and ‘Finals’.:

      1. Fines will be levied by the WFLA Tournaments Committee for any breach by a club/team of any WFLA Competition Tournament Rule.
      2. No fine can be less than the tournament entry fee for the tournament in which the breach of the rule was made.
      3. Any team failing to play a competition ‘Regional Round’  tie once agreed will incur a fine to compensate their opponents and the match officials for their full expenses incurred or the shared costs as previously agreed with the event organiser.
      4. Once notice of a competition ‘Final’ is given, either in writing or published on the WFLA website, any team failing to play in that competition tie or withdraw prior to the event will incur a fine to compensate the WFLA for expenses incurred.
      5. Unpaid fines will lead to suspension of entry of future WFLA competitions and/or possible further sanctions.

      14. Payments of Fees

      1. Payment is to be made by bank transfer. Payment is to be made directly into the WFLA bank account quoting the WFLA order number as the payment reference. An order will not be processed and a team/club/league will not be entered into any WFLA competition draw until payment of fee/s received i.e. until the funds have cleared in our account.

      15. Footwear at Competition ‘Finals’

      1. The ‘Finals’ tournaments will be played on a 3G or 4G pitch. The correct footwear is to be football boots with either moulded studs or screw in studs ONLY, please note metal studs are not allowed. The following footwear is NOT permissible: Trainers, Blades or Astro turf boots or any flat soled shoes. Any person not in the correct footwear WILL NOT be permitted to enter the pitch area, this is also applicable to management/coaching staff.
      2. All players footwear will be checked by the referees and possibly the venue’s ground staff before entering the field of play. This is also applicable to management/coaching staff.

      16. Team Entry – Requirements

      1. Team Managers are to bring a completed team sheet with them on the day of the event. Failure to do so will mean players and potentially the team will be excluded on the day.
      2. An ID showing the players name and age e.g. a passport or driving licence, MUST be shown at the registration desk. Failure to do so will mean players and potentially their team will be excluded on the day.

      17. Safety & Liability

      17.1 Health Screening

      1. It is not the responsibility of the WFLA to carry out health checks on players entering tournaments or leagues.
      2. Whilst the WFLA will continue to organise medical cover via St. John Ambulance during its ‘Finals’ it should be presumed that clubs will have done their own screening, as amongst the age group of the players some will generally have some sort of medical condition, therefore it is recommended that each team have a qualified first aider.

      17.2 Safety During Match Play

      1. A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or another player, including any kind of jewellery. Jewellery, which is potentially dangerous, but cannot easily be removed, should be taped.

      17.3 Waiver & Release of Liability

      1. The WFLA shall exercise all reasonable care and skill and ensure that all reasonable care and skill is exercised by all those providing services and/or facilities in respect of each WFLA Event for the safety of participants and others who are affected by the WFLA Event.
      2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein in and without prejudice to this clause. The WFLA shall not be liable for any claims occasioned by the negligence or wilful misconduct of any participating walking football league/club/team or player.
      3. In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the WFLA fixture or tournament and any related events and activities, a walking football league, club, team, team manager and participating players; the Manager’s and participating players signatures on the team sheet on the day are required so as to acknowledge, appreciate and agree that they have read the foregoing and recognise there is the risk of injury from the activities involved in playing are significant and the risk of serious injury does exist and that they:
        1. Knowingly and freely assume all such risks both known and unknown, even if arising from the negligence or the releases or others and assume full responsibility for their participation.
        2. Willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If, however, they observe any unusual significant hazard during their presence or participation, they will remove themselves from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately.
        3. Themselves and on behalf of their heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, release and hold harmless the WFLA, their officers, officials, agents, other participants and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event, with respect to any and all injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property, whether arising from the negligence of the release or otherwise to the fullest extent permitted by law.
        4. Are aware of their own medical condition and general health and do not think that they will be so severe as to induce serious harm or injury to themselves, whilst actively taking part.