Competition Rules 2025/26

This page outlines the core competition rules for Sussex Schools Football Association competitions for the 2025/26 season.

General Eligibility

To play in U12 to U16 competitions, a student must be in the relevant age group as at 1 September 2025.

No player shall play unless their school or college is insured under the English Schools FA. This is covered once a team has affiliated to Sussex Schools Football Association.

Players normally become ineligible upon leaving school or beginning full time work, although students still attending school or college at the end of the Easter term remain eligible to compete until the end of the season.

In Inter District competitions, players may only represent the local association to which their school is affiliated. No school may affiliate to more than one District Association for competition matches.

No player may represent more than one local association or school or college during one season in County competitions without written consent from the Association. Once a player has represented a team, they are deemed cup tied to that age group team for that competition.

Boys and girls may play together in line with current FA guidance, currently up to U16 level.

Form of Competition

Competitions may be run as knockout, round robin, league, or a combination of formats.

League competitions will award:

3 points for a win
1 point for a draw

If teams finish level on points, places will be decided in this order:

Goal difference
Goals scored
Goals conceded
Championship shared

Age Groups

Primary

Over 9 and Under 10 may play in small sided games only
Over 10 and Under 11 may play in 9 a side games

Secondary Girls

Under 12: Year 7 only
Under 14: Years 8 and 9 only
Under 16: Years 10 and 11 only
Under 19: Over 16 and Under 19

Secondary Boys

Under 12: Year 7 only
Under 13: Year 8 only
Under 14: Year 9 only
Under 15: Year 10 only
Under 16: Year 11 only
Under 19: Over 16 and Under 19

Inter District

Year 6: Over 10 and Under 11
Year 7: Over 11 and Under 12
Year 8: Over 11 and Under 13
Year 9: Over 12 and Under 14
Year 10: Over 13 and Under 15
Year 11: Over 14 and Under 16

No player should play up a year. These restrictions do not apply to small schools with fewer than 65 registered students per year group.

Match Arrangements

Both teams are responsible for:

Ensuring matches are played by the competition deadline by mutual consent
Entering the result on the SSFA results database within 24 hours
Keeping evidence of match arrangements in case of dispute

The home team is responsible for:

Providing a suitable ground with correct markings and goal sizes
Offering a reverse fixture immediately if the ground is unsuitable
Informing the Competition Secretary of fixture details where required
Providing a qualified neutral referee if requested

Approved 2G and 3G pitches with appropriate certification are considered suitable.

Bad Weather and Postponements

If a match is postponed due to bad weather:

The postponement must follow an inspection by a qualified referee or qualified teacher
The home team must inform the Competition Secretary and Referee Secretary
Final inspection should take place at 1pm or no later than 3 hours before kick off
The home team must provide possible rearranged dates at the point of postponement

Extension Requests

An extension request must be sent to the Competitions Secretary at least 5 days before the current round deadline.

The normal extension window will be one week beyond the round deadline in line with ESFA guidelines.

If a fixture is cancelled due to bad weather during this period, a reverse fixture should be offered immediately.

Match Duration

Boys

Under 11: 25 minutes each way, extra time 5 minutes each way
Under 12: 30 minutes each way, extra time 10 minutes each way
Under 13: 30 minutes each way, extra time 10 minutes each way
Under 14: 35 minutes each way, extra time 10 minutes each way
Under 15: 40 minutes each way, extra time 10 minutes each way
Under 16: 40 minutes each way, extra time 10 minutes each way
Under 19: 45 minutes each way, extra time 10 minutes each way

Girls

Under 12: 30 minutes each way, extra time 10 minutes each way
Under 14: 35 minutes each way, extra time 10 minutes each way
Under 16: 40 minutes each way, extra time 10 minutes each way
Under 19: 45 minutes each way, extra time 10 minutes each way

If conditions make full duration inadvisable, the managers and referee may reduce the match to the stipulated minimum time before kick off. The referee’s decision is final.

Match Balls

Match ball sizes shall be:

Boys U11 to U14: Size 4
Boys U15 to U19: Size 5
Girls U12 and U14: Size 4
Girls U16 and above: Size 5

Colours

Schools and associations are expected to play in their nominated colours as per affiliation unless mutually agreed in advance. Both teams are responsible for avoiding kit clashes. Black shirts are not permitted.

Substitutions

For Under 16 and below, roll on roll off substitutions are permitted in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

For Over 16s, normal Laws of Association Football substitutions apply.

Match Officials

The home team must liaise with the Referee Secretary for appointments. If no official is available, the home team must provide an appropriate referee.

For finals, referee and assistant referees will be appointed by the Association.

Financial Arrangements

The visiting team is responsible for its own travel expenses
Up to and including semi finals, profits go to the home side
The home team pays match officials up to and including the semi finals

Deadlines

All matches must be played on or before the deadline set by the Competitions Secretary unless an extension has been approved. Failure to play by the deadline may result in withdrawal or fines.

Results

Both teams are responsible for ensuring that the result is agreed with the referee and entered on the SSFA results database within 24 hours of the match and before the competition deadline.

Protests

All protests must be submitted in writing within 7 days and accompanied by a £10 fee. The matter will be considered by the Appeal and Disciplinary Committee.

Discipline

All teams shall abide by ESFA codes of conduct.

Players suspended by the ESFA or County FA may not play. Any school fielding a suspended player may be fined or removed from the competition.

Withdrawal

Any team withdrawing after fixtures are made may be liable for a fine of up to £15 at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

U19 Competition Rules

To play in a U19 competition, the student must be U19 as at 1 September 2025.

First XI Cup

Squad list must be submitted at the start of the season
Players used in the First XI Cup cannot play for another team in that cup or in the Second XI Cup
Only players registered before the play offs may appear in the semi finals or finals
Fixtures must be played by the date specified unless permission is given in advance

First XI League

Squad list must be submitted at the start of the year
Late joining students must be declared to the competition secretary
League structure depends on number of entries and may include play offs
Matches are 45 minutes each way unless a reduced time is agreed
Five substitutions may be nominated and used on a roll on roll off basis as permitted
3 points for a win, 1 for a draw

Second XI League

All First XI league rules apply unless stated otherwise
A school may enter without a First XI Cup entry if it has fewer than 75 boys in post 16 education
Restrictions apply around First XI players and county players appearing in Second XI fixtures
The competition is intended for genuine Second XI players

Need clarification?

If you are unsure about eligibility, deadlines, protests, withdrawals, officials, or age group rules, please contact Sussex Schools FA before proceeding.