NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association Handbook
Amended 2020
4.10 – Football
4.10.1 Football state-wide competitions – boys and girls
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "state-wide competitions" –
(a) Competitions
The competitions shall be organised by the Soccer sub-committee of the NSWCHSSA
(b) Entry
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "Eligibility of Students" - .
(c) Draws
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "The Draw" – .
(d) Venues
(i) Schedules for round of 16, quarter finals, semi-finals and final shall be confirmed by the sub-committee when the participating schools are known.
(ii) Note:
Night fixtures may be scheduled for semi- finals and finals on dates and venues to be decided by the soccer sub-committee.
(e) Conditions of play
(i) Each player must be correctly attired in the full correct uniform with distinguishing number and shin pads. (As per FIFA rules). The “away” team and thus provide an alternate shirt, if required.
(ii) The home team: refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "Determination of Home and Away Games" -
(iii) The home team shall:
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "Fixtures" – – Supply a full-size ground adequately marked, flags and nets, and a neutral certificated referee, where possible. Every attempt should be made to obtain the best grounds possible. Standard pitch dimensions in NSW are are: 100-110m length and 64–75 width. Approved, safe goals with anchored nets must be used. Poles and markers cannot be used as goals. Permanent, securely fixed goalposts that meet FIFA regulations and are in accordance with the Football NSW Goalpost Safety Policy and Australian Standards must be provided.
Ensure line markings are clear and in accordance with the Field of Play Dimensions, and not exceed 12cm in width as per FIFA Laws of the Game, and be clear and accurate.
Provide appropriate size 5 FIFA approved match balls.
The playing surface must be free of potholes, foreign objects and protrusions of any kind through the surface, or any deviations that could be hazardous to players or officials as they move across the surface. Note: A visiting team which elects to play on the grounds provided forfeits the right to use unsuitability of the grounds as a basis for a protests.
If benches or seating is provided for the Technical Area, these must be set back a minimum of five (5) metres from the touch line and in close proximity to the halfway line.
If the appointed certificated referee fails to arrive for the match or a neutral referee cannot be appointed, the match must still be played. a referee must be selected by mutual consent of both managers.
Make available a copy of the rules under which the competition is played to the referee.
Commence games with two Assistant Referees, preferably qualified and supply a completed Team Sheet to the referee.
Where no official team sheet is available, the game should still be played. If required, the Manager of the home team is required to draw up a team sheet for the game.
Ensure the team sheet is to be signed by both Managers and the referee with the result forwarded to the respective Association / NSWCHSSA Knockout Convener within 24 hours of game completion.
Must ensure there is not a clash of player uniform colours and advise the away team to supply an alternate strip in the event of a clash of colours at least a week prior to the fixture.
(iv) Each match to be played on or before the date set down by the football sub-committee. It is strongly recommended that the game be played earlier than the closing date for each round or both teams risk disqualification.
(v) In extraordinary conditions, valid extensions of time can be granted ONLY by the state convener or their nominee.
(vi) For all matches including finals:
Each match shall be thirty-five minutes each way with a half-time interval of five minutes.
Time out taken due to injury shall be added on after each half.
If the match is drawn on goals, after a break of five minutes, ten minutes of sudden death extra time will be played each way. The first team to score will be declared the winner.
If the match is still drawn on goals after playing of extra time, the result shall be decided by the taking of five penalty kicks from each team, taken alternately by five different players. If the result is still drawn, alternate kicks will be taken by other members of the team until a winner is found.
Unlimited Interchange is permitted, as per the submitted official team sheet. The Interchange Zone is positioned 1 metre either side of the touchline from the half way line and extend one (1) metre from the Field of Play.
A maximum of 16 players per team to be listed on the official team sheet.
Matches to be played according to the rules of FIFA except as amended.
The football state-wide sub-committee may organise and promote night fixtures at any stage of the competition. When a game is then promoted by the sub-committee, the schools shall:
Forfeit home ground advantage.
Transfer remuneration to the NSWCHSSA.
Retain within the draw their home and away position as listed in the NSWCHSSA Handbook "Determination of Home and Away Games" –
(f) Referee’s rulings:
(i) The referee’s decision on points of fact concerning the games are final and protests will not be considered by the football sub-committee.
(ii) The referee is to submit a report in writing on the back of the team sheet to the NSWCHSSA football state-wide sub-committee if a player is sent from the field of play so that appropriate action can be taken.
(g) Results:
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "Results" –
(h) Supervision:
It is strongly recommended that appropriate teaching staff be allocated to supervise students representing their school as players and spectators at NSWCHSSA Football fixtures.
4.10.2 Football State Championships
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "State Championships" –
(a) Number of players
Team squads are limited to fifteen players.
(b) Uniform
Shirts must be numbered 1 to 15 and must not be interchangeable. Individual associations are responsible for an alternate playing shirt subject to a clash in any given fixture. The second mentioned team in the draw will change playing shirts. The alternate strip is to be provided at no additional cost to association team members.
(c) Footballs
Balls will be supplied by sub-committee sponsorship where possible. (FIFA approved, size 5)
(d) Duration of games
The duration of each match shall be thirty minutes each way. No time off for injury. Five minutes half time. Semi-finals and finals, thirty minutes each way. Injury time in final only.
(e) Replacements
Interchange is permissible.
(f) Assembly of teams
Teams must assemble and be ready to play five minutes before scheduled kick off.
(g) Pools
For a Ten team championship: The ten (10) teams are divided into two pools. A round robin to be played within each pool. Teams will be allocated in the following pools, based on results from previous year:
Pool A – 1, 4, 5, 8, 9
Pool B – 2, 3, 6, 7, 10
Semi-finals:
Winner Pool A v 2nd Pool B.
Winner Pool B v 2nd Pool A.
There will be no play-off for third and fourth positions. Third and fourth positions will be determined by position in pool. In the event of a tie, points, goal difference then coin toss will decide placing.
For a Twelve team championship: The twelve (12) teams are divided into four pools. A round robin to be played within each pool. Teams will be allocated in the following pools, based on results from previous year:
Pool A - 1, 8, 9
Pool B - 2, 7, 10
Pool C - 3, 6, 11
Pool D - 4, 5, 12
Teams finishing first and second in each pool move into the quarter finals, in a knockout format, to determine the semi-finalists and finalists. Classification games are to be played to determine positions 3 - 8 for losing teams. Teams finishing third in pools A, B, C, D move into the new pool (pool E) to determine positions 9 - 12. Medals are to be provided for winners, runners up and third place positions.
(h) Point score
Points:
Win – 3 points
Draw – 2 points
Loss – 1 point
Forfeit – 0 points
(i) Drawn round robin
In the event of teams finishing on equal points after the round robin section, placings are decided on head to head result then goal difference, if still equal then the highest number of goals for. If still equal a penalty shootout will decide a deadlock in placings in any pool.
(j) Drawn – semi-final or final
In the event of a draw semi-final or final, ten minutes of sudden death extra time will be played each way. The first team to score will be declared the winner. If still equal five penalty kicks to be taken alternatively by five different players. If still equal, one each until one team is ahead.
(k) Judiciary
A committee comprising state convener, championship organiser and one elected team manager shall comprise the judiciary. Any player receiving two (2) yellow cards in the pool games will receive an automatic one match suspension. Players receiving a red card will receive an automatic one match suspension and may be required to appear before the judiciary for further action.
Any appeal must be lodged in writing prior to the scheduled meeting time of the judiciary.
Yellow card records recommence in semi-finals and play off fixtures.
(l) Disputes
A committee comprising state convener, championship organiser and two elected team managers shall comprise the disputes committee. Any dispute must be lodged in writing with the championship organiser before 6:00 pm on the day of the event and dealt with by the disputes committee before 9:00 am the following day.
A manager selected to the judiciary cannot be from the same association as an appearing player.