Holders Grousemuir United return to Donaldson Park, Milnathort, this season, hoping to retain their title but the new 5-team league format (and new teams) will present a fresh challenge.
Ample break times aside, each match will be 15 minutes long, with a half-time water break, so all teams are guaranteed an hour of football, with rests in between games, which will kick off on the half hour, from 10.30am.
Two Matches will take place across the two marked 5-a-side pitches, at the same time, and finalised fixtures and arrangements are as follows:
10am: Arrival, housekeeping and registrations.
Round 1: 10.30am
Grousemuir United v Macnab FC
Craigie Crackers v Carcass Kings
Bye: The Gunners (all teams, when awarded a Bye must select a ref to officiate one of the group matches. Office wizard Gordon Kippen will be the other ref).
Round 2: 11am
Grousemuir United v Craigie Crackers
The Gunners v Macnab FC
Bye: Carcass Kings (all teams, when awarded a Bye must select a ref to officiate one of the group matches. Office wizard Gordon Kippen will be the other ref).
Round 3: 11.30am
The Gunners v Craigie Crackers
Grousemuir United v Carcass Kings
Bye: Macnab FC (all teams, when awarded a Bye must select a ref to officiate one of the group matches. Office wizard Gordon Kippen will be the other ref).
Round 4: 12 midday
Macnab FC v Carcass Kings
Grousemuir United v The Gunners
Bye: Craigie Crackers (all teams, when awarded a Bye must select a ref to officiate one of the group matches. Office wizard Gordon Kippen will be the other ref).
Round 5: 12.30pm
Macnab FC v Craigie Crackers
Carcass Kings v The Gunners
Bye: Grousemuir United (all teams, when awarded a Bye must select a ref to officiate one of the group matches. Office wizard Gordon Kippen will be the other ref).
1pm: Trophy presentation and raffle
10am: Teams arrive at Donaldson Park, with changing available in the Clubhouse.
After a housekeeping talk, teams report to the Admin Gazebo to register and pay entry fees.
The fixtures board will be in the Admin Gazebo so, if there are any questions during the event, go to the Gazebo.
Once registered, playing teams can head to the pitches to warm-up, taking match BIBS (provided), if necessary.
After each match, a team rep should report to the Gazebo to relay the scores which will then be written up by the admin staff, with final league positions then tallied.
The competition winners will be the winner of the league.
In the event of a tie on points and goals (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw), a Sudden Death match will be played, finishing when the first goal is scored by the winning team.
Referees are NOT SFA-licensed officials. They are volunteers with a knowledge of the game.
Trained first aiders will be on-site during the competition.
Refreshments: Refreshments will be available during the whole event in the Clubhouse (suggested donation). This includes tea, coffee, soft and alcohol drinks as well as sandwiches and sausage rolls.
-The pitch is grass so suitable footwear should be worn. It is advisable to bring water, although there will be water to purchase. Please bring a raffle item, if possible.
-Kick-ins when the ball goes out of play, not throw-ins.
Rolling subs allowed- please indicate to ref that a change is being made.
Penalty boxes do not apply. Goals can be scored inside the penalty box.
Matches kick-off and resume, after goals, with a centre.
-There is no need to switch ends at half time.
-Water breaks will take place at half -time (after 7.5 mins)
-The ref can issue cards as in normal football. If someone receives a red card they will be sin binned for 4 minutes and can then return to play.
-Swearing is penalised by a 50p donation to the SGA Swear Jar (refs to note and announce swear tally at the end)
- If matches are too one-sided, refs have licence to impose a 2-touch rule, temporarily, on the leading team to restore some parity.
***
The SGA Youth Committee is grateful to Kinross Colts FC for the use of Donaldson Park and Clubhouse.
The SGA also wishes to thank Paul from Sports Markings Scotland Ltd for ensuring a competition-ready venue.
Similarly, without the kindness and support of sponsors, Western Toyota, the event would not go ahead.
Finally, thanks to all the refs, admin and catering volunteers, raffle donors and players who make this event a special day.
