Rules, bylaws and code of behaviour

Basic Information

• Teams are to provide their own uniforms, all uniforms need to be the same colour
• Teams need to provide their own coaches and team managers
• Fees are to paid at the start of the season, or at the time of nomination
• Finals will be played in the final week of term

Junior netball

Full netball rules and by-laws (below) apply throughout the game with the exception of:

• Players will have 5 seconds to throw the ball   
• The goal post will be lowered to 8 feet   
• Defending in or out of the circle will be allowed but players must be 4 feet away   
• Players will be picked up for stepping, off side, replay, breaking and over a third and the ball will be given to the other team
• Contact and obstruction will result in the player being put out of play

Interpretation

The FIFA Futsal Laws of the game shall apply unless otherwise provided for in these rules. 

To Play

A team must have a minimum of four registered players entered on a scoresheet who are ready to take the court at the commencement of the game.

Age Eligibility

To be eligible for a junior competition, a player must be the age of or younger of the competition they wish to participate in at the registration date at the start of the season. Age groups include ages 7-8, 9-10 & 11-12

Substitutions

A player may only take the court in the second half of play if he/she is included on the scoresheet before half time and has played during the first half of the game.
Substitutions can be made at any time during a game provided the referee has been advised the substitution is to take place. Goalkeeper substitutions must be made at a stoppage in play.

Uniforms

All players in each team are required to present themselves in conforming uniforms for each match. Teams will be given three weeks to conform to the uniform requirements. If the teams do not comply with uniform requirements after the period of time, they will be penalised four points per person out of uniform.

All players must wear the same coloured shirt, as well as the same coloured shorts.

As jewellery is not considered part of the uniform, it may not be worn. Items that are dangerous must not be worn. The only exception to this ruling is a Medic Alert Bracelet, which must be taped (apart from the information plate).

Game Times

All games will be played on a time limit of 40 minutes playing time with two x 17 minute halves with two minute half time break. Junior competitions are played in term 4 and 1 only. 
Game times are as follows;
PM Competitions - Between 3.30pm – 6.30pm (last game to be finished by 5.50pm). These game times may be altered according to the requirements of the competition. 

Start Times

The game shall start on the exact time given in the fixtures. After ten minutes, the game shall be declared a forfeit if a team is not present or does not have enough players.

Forfeits

In the event of a forfeit, the non-offending team shall receive a credit unless they take part in a scratch match or practice session. The non-offending team winning points. 

Penalties

Late Penalties - If a team has less than the minimum required players to start the match, then for every two minutes that play is late commencing, the opposing team will be awarded one goal, up until the ten minutes has expired. If a team does not have the minimum required players on court and ready to play within ten minutes of the scheduled starting time it shall lose the match on a forfeit.
Finals Penalty Shootout 

In the event of a draw in any finals match, teams will go straight to a penalty shootout with the winner being the team who scores the most goals from five attempts. If there is still a draw after each team has had their five attempts, they will go to sudden death (goal for goal basis) where the winner will be the team who scores the first goal unmatched by the other team. 

Each player must only have one attempt at the penalty shootout until all other players on the team have had an attempt.

Rules of Play

1. The playing area is as designated by the Centre with a semi-circle defining the goal box area.
2. Teams may be of any number, however only 5 are allowed on the playing area at one time, one of which must be the goalkeeper.
3. Any stoppage is at the referee’s discretion. 
4. Goalkeepers may only be interchanged during a normal stoppage in play, such as free kicks, or if the ball is in possession of any goalkeeper.
5. Should the ball cross the side line, it is an indirect free kick to the opposition from the point it crossed the line.
6. Slide tackles are not allowed. Infringement of this rule will result in a free kick to the opposition.
7. Players may not play the ball unless upright. Infringement of this rule will result in a free kick to the opposition.
8. The keeper cannot kick or throw the ball over the halfway line on the full. The exception is if a save is being made. Infringement of this rule will result in a free kick to the opposition from the point where it crossed the halfway line.
9. Players have 6 seconds to play the ball after a free kick is awarded or the advantage will be reversed. Referees are encouraged to warn players when they are nearing their 6 second restriction before issuing any free kicks to the opposition.
10. The goalkeeper has 6 seconds to get the ball back into play once he/she has possession or a penalty will be awarded to the opposition. Referees are encouraged to warn players when they are nearing their 6 second restriction before issuing any free kicks to the opposition.
11. Free kicks are ALL direct except from the halfway line and side lines. The opposition must stand at least 2 metres from the ball for all free kicks. Should the opposition player stand too close, the referee will ask only once for them to step back after which a yellow card could be issued.
12. If a free kick is awarded with a goal scoring opportunity before time expires and the siren sounds before the free kick is taken, the team will be allowed to take the free kick on the condition that it is taken within the 6 second limit. Only one touch of the ball is allowed for the free kick, any touch from the attacking team thereafter ends the play. If the free kick is scored off the one touch the goal will count.
13. Should the keeper step outside his area, a penalty will be awarded to the opposition. There are exceptions to this rule depending on the circumstances and it is at the referee’s discretion. Please see the referee after the game if you require clarification as to why a penalty was or was not given in a particular instance.
14. The referee will indicate an area (roughly 1 metre) in which players are allowed to perform a run up to take a penalty kick.
15. There is no offside rule and no throw-ins.
16. Referees may allow play to continue rather than award a free kick for an infringement of any of the rules if they feel an advantage is gained by the non-offending team. This is solely at the referee’s discretion.
17. Spectators/players are expected to respect all referees and players. Harassing, abusing or arguing with the referee will not be tolerated. Referees can issue a technical foul and/or a red/yellow card in these circumstances and award a penalty to the opposition. Continuing harassment etc. will be severely dealt with by Centre Management. 
18. A yellow card results in a two minute suspension from the game during which the player may not be substituted. The referee will indicate when the player can return to the game which will be during a stoppage in play. 
19. A red card results in suspension from the rest of the game during which time the player may not be substituted. The offending player also suffers a ban from the team’s next game. Two red cards in a season will result in reporting to Centre management and a possible tribunal hearing.

All other rules are as per FIFA football rules of play.

Appropriate Behaviour

The City of Mandurah Recreation Centre has a no tolerance policy in regards to the use of abusive or inappropriate language, violence and misconduct from players and/or spectators. A breach of these rules will result in a technical foul, with a repeat offence resulting in the player and/or spectator being asked to leave the centre. This may also result in a player and/or spectator being excluded from the completion and/or Centre. This ruling is based on the judgement of the Sport Supervisor.

Players

• Play by the rules

• Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the match.
• Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.
• Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you.
• Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition.
• Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
• Cooperate with your coach, teammates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
• Participate for your enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

Coaches

• Remember that young people participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun.
• Never ridicule or yell at a young player for making a mistake or not coming first.
• Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
• Operate within the rules and spirit of the sport and teach your players to do the same.
• Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience. All young people are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
• Avoid overplaying the talented player; the just average need and deserve equal time.
• Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrations, parents and spectators. Encourage your players to do the same.
• Show concern and caution towards sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence training or competition.
• Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of young people.
• Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate to the situation.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

Parents and Spectators

• Remember that everyone participates in sport for their enjoyment not yours.
• Encourage all players to participate do not force them.
• Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
• Encourage players to always play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
• Never ridicule or yell at a player for making a mistake or losing a match.
• Remember that players learn best by example. Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all participants.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
• Respect official’s decisions.
• Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, without them your child could not participate.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
• Show respect for your team’s opponents without them there would be no game.
• Do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches or officials.
• Applaud good performance and efforts from all individuals and teams. Congratulate participants on their performance regardless of the game outcome.

Play for Fun, Play Fair

The City of Mandurah Recreation Centres endorses that all junior sport programs should be based on the principle of equality of participation.  All players should be given equal playing time and should be provided the opportunity to play different positions.

Whilst playing games at the Recreation Centres the match scores are kept, it’s the responsibility of coaches, officials, parents and support staff to ensure the focus is on promoting enjoyment and development of fundamental motor skills and not on who wins and loses.

Purpose

Sport participation during childhood offers many immediate and long-term benefits including:

• The formation of positive physical activity behaviours
• Development of life-skills
• Physical literacy
• Cognitive and social function

Participation

In addition to the well-known health benefits, the physiological and social development gained through participation in sport can impart valuable life skills such as confidence, self-esteem, teamwork, decision making and resilience.  All of these skills can contribute to maintaining healthy physical activity levels into adulthood. 
Recognition that motivation for participation is based upon enjoyment, which may include many things such as having fun, acquiring skills and experiencing positive self-concept and interaction with others. 
At this age the emphasis should be on play and all activities should be focused on recreational participation (creative play).

Parent's Roles and Responsibilities 

Before the Game

You don’t need to tell your child that winning doesn’t matter because they know it has some meaning.  Instead, help them to develop a healthy competitive attitude for trying hard and having fun

Tell your child to “go for it, give it your best shot and have fun”

During the Game 

• Don’t yell instructions at your child during the game.  The coach has given them instructions and their teammates are also calling out to them; too much input is confusing 
• Cheer and acknowledge good play by both teams 
• Never criticise a mistake, only make motivational comments
• Respect the decisions made by the officials. Your child will learn to respect authority by seeing you do the same 
• Accept the decision of where your child may play during that game.  All participants will play in all positions during the season

After the Game 

• Thanks the officials and the coach
• Congratulate your child and their teammates on their efforts 
• Compliment individual players on good plays they made during the game
• Focus on the way your child played rather than winning or losing 
• If your child is upset with losing, help them not to focus on the outcome

During the Car Ride Home 

• Point out a good play your child made during the game 
• Avoid criticising or correcting mistakes 
• Ask questions like:
  What was fun about netball/soccer today?
  What was something you did well today?
  What did you learn from the game?

We Play Fair for Fun and Fitness