English Schools' Football Association

"With all eyes on the Olympics it is hard to think that in just over 5 weeks we will be back in the classroom/school fields and working hard preparing for the first matches of the new school football season. With the new initiatives of the FA Youth Review to prepare for (although none of the recommendations will be mandatory until at least 2013-2014), the introduction of mixed football up to the age of U14 and the introduction of new disciplinary procedures PE Departments will be very busy in the early part of the season. Details of all the new rules, regulations and initiatives can be seen in detail on the ESFA website www.esfa.co.uk

At this point I would like to take one of the new regulations and expand on the new administration of sanctioning of all unaffiliated football. School, School District and School County teams are classified under the one banner of "Schools' Football". The following is an extract from the Football Association Rules and regulations.

SANCTIONING OF MATCHES

4 (a) Unaffiliated Football

Clubs, Players and Club Officials subject to the jurisdiction of The Association and/or an Affiliated Association shall not be associated with nor play with or against any club which is not a member of The Association and/or an Affiliated Association. Those who immediately prior to their association with unaffiliated football organisations were under the jurisdiction of The Association and/or an affiliated Association, shall not be eligible to participate in football under the jurisdiction of The Association and/or an Affi liated Association without the written consent of The Association and/or an affiliated Association. No match between unaffiliated teams shall be played on grounds which are under the jurisdiction of Clubs which are in membership with The Association and/or an affiliated Association.

(b) Matches with Foreign Associations, Leagues and Clubs

Affiliated Associations, Competitions or Clubs wishing to play a match or series of matches against members of another national association must apply on the prescribed forms to The Association at least 60 days before the date of the intended match or the first of a series of matches.

The Association has in its discretion the power to consent or refuse an application. When written consent has been given, The Association will inform the other national associations concerned. An application to participate in a match or a series of matches against members of another national association involving players of school age shall be required to demonstrate that all such players have received the necessary permission from their head teacher before The Association will give consent.

Any teams from "Schools' Football" playing football against teams not in this category (i.e. youth club teams, centre of excellence teams or foreign opposition) must apply to ESFA HQ for sanction to play these matches. Sanction request forms can be downloaded from the www.esfa.co.uk website and in the case of foreign opposition must reach the HQ 60 Days proir to the match/trip commencing. Failure to do this may result in sanction not being given and the match/trip having to be cancelled. This is particularily important in the case of matches/trips involving foreign travel (Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland included!) where the opposition's national Football Federation has to be informed of the match/trip.
 
Enjoy the rest of the summer and the Olympics and return to Schools' Football rejuvenated. Best wishes to all for a great 2012-2013 season".