Event Eligibility
- This is a Borough Championship level event. Only those who have qualified through their cluster event are eligible to sign up.
- School squads should be well prepared and have time to practise with the competition rules before attending this event.
Team Requirements & Eligibility
- Contact f.addo@harrismorden.org.uk to register for this event 2024/25
Requirements – Teamsheets
- To help us support our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aims, all school teams must complete and submit the attached MSSP Event Entry – EDI Teamsheet in order to register for this event. We do not require the children’s names, just initials or first names are fine. This data is vital to help us improve equity and access for all. We want all Merton students to be able to represent their schools in activities they enjoy and in an environment where they feel a sense of belonging. The data you provide us will help us to review and improve our offer as we strive to achieve this.
Kit & Equipment
- Please provide own warm up balls. Match balls are provided.
- Trainers/Astro and moulded boots are allowed. Metal studs are NOT permitted for this event on Astro-pitches.
- Shin pads are compulsory.
- Players of the same team should wear the same colour tops/bibs.
- No jewellery, baseball caps etc.
- It is advised that if eyewear is essential, it should be made from plastic rather than glass.
Staffing and Spectators
At public sites such as parks we will section off an area for the public where parents that are not with the school party may spectate from.
Rules
- First team on pitch will take kick-off. Or Rock-Paper-Scissors if both ready to determine who starts.
- A goal cannot be scored direct from a kick-off.
- After a goal is scored there will be a restart with a centre kick by the team who did not score the goal.
- Goalkeepers can only handle the ball in the penalty area.
- The goalkeeper may leave the goal area however a freekick kick will be awarded against the keeper if they handle the ball outside this area.
- When the goalkeeper takes a goal kick all players must be outside the goal area.
- The goalkeeper cannot kick the ball from hand or drop the ball from hand to kick.
- Overhead or underarm throws can be made for any re-introduction to play EXCEPT corners, where the ball is placed and kicked in. Such action would result in a loss of possession to the opposition to restart the game using the correct method.
- Opposition players must be five yards away from where corners and throw-ins are taken.
- Pass-backs to the Goalkeeper are not allowed.
- If the Goalkeeper picks up a pass from their own player, a direct free kick will be awarded from one metre outside the penalty area in line with the position of the infringement.
- Outfield players are permitted in the goal area.
- All free kicks are direct. A goal can be scored straight from a freekick. But not a central restart.
- The ball is allowed overhead height.
- The taking of ANY penalties will be subject to the ‘one step’ rule.
- The ‘roll-on-roll-off’ rule applies to substitutions.
- Substitutions can only be made during stoppages in play and with the approval of the referee.
- Children must not slide tackle. A free-kick may be awarded if the referee deems a player to be sliding regardless of if contact is made with the ball or not.
- No off-sides and all general FA rules apply.
Competition Format
- Points awarded are: 3 for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss.
- Group placing determined by: points accrued, goal difference, goals scored, head to head result (if 2 teams), sudden death penalty shootout.
Draw Format
- Round robin groups verses the other teams in their group
Awards
- Group Winners: GOLD certificates
- Runners Up: SILVER certificates
- 3rd Place: BRONZE certificates
- REFSPECT winners – Team Certificate
- Participation certificates will be presented to all participants
Results
- Results and event report will be available on the news webpage within 24 hours of the event ending.
Winner’s Pathway
- There is no pathway from this event.
NGB Info
- For more information on supporting this sport in your school, please visit http://www.esfa.co.uk/
MSSP Duty of Care
MSSP have a duty to take all measures that are reasonable in the circumstances to ensure the health, safety, wellbeing and welfare of all participants and any other attendees involved in the relevant event. MSSP have tried to ensure that all reasonable steps have been taken in its duty of care being discharged, and to the requisite standard of care, MSSP have ensured the following guidance and actions have been adhered to and carried out:
- That the advice of the UK Government and public health authorities has been followed
- That the bespoke guidance and protocols issued by the relevant NGB, federation and/or umbrella organisation (if applicable) have been followed.
Safeguarding and DBS
MSSP acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and the requirements of the Partnership’s host organisation, the Harris Federation.
We recognise that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. We aim to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children and young leaders:
- have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport or physical activity at MSSP events in a safe and child centred environment
- are protected from abuse whilst participating or officiating at MSSP events
All MSSP staff at the event are fully vetted and enhanced DBS checked. It is the schools’ responsibility to ensure any staff and volunteers who attend the event comply with the host venue safeguarding and welfare policy and can provide documentation to support this on request.
Spectators will not be permitted entry to school/private sports facilities and should be informed of this when letters are sent to parents. In order to safeguard children at our events, we will only allow entry to parents if they have been DBS checked and vetted through safer recruitment procedures and authorised to attend by your school. The school will maintain responsible for them at all times. At public sites such as parks we will section off an area for the public where parents that are not with the school party may spectate from.
For more information regarding MSSP’s safeguarding, please click here
If you have any concerns about a child at our event please make sure you say something. The MSSP safeguarding team contact details will be on display at all events or for more information on who to speak to please click here
Please see attached Risk Assessment in the ‘Resources’ sections for event specific planning and considerations.
REFSPECT
MSSP values the contributions by all those involved in making our events a FUN, safe and enjoyable environment for children to take part in sport. To ensure our events continue to be successful we promote our REFSPECT campaign. We expect everyone attending our events to maintain respect for the rules, officials, opponents, teammates and themselves. Only designated staff and volunteers will be allowed on the side-lines. All spectators are to remain behind the barriers, providing positive support and encouraging a fun and fair event.
For more information about REFSPECT and codes of conduct for attendance at our events, please click here
If any staff, adults or children are deemed to be in breach of our REFSPECT codes of conduct they will be asked to leave the event and the Head Teacher of the relevant school will be informed immediately.
Photo Consent
Photographs will be taken at this event by staff members from MSSP and may be used for promotional material. If you have any children that do not have permission to be photographed, please inform a member of staff before the start of the event.
Please ensure your school only take photographs of their own students and do not share any photos of other children on social media without consent from that school.
Social Media
For information and updates from our events, please follow and use the platforms below.
Email: info@mertonssp.org.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mertonssp
First Aid
MSSP will have a basic first aid kit and qualified person at all events but will not be available to tend to less urgent first aid, as they will be delivering the event. As part of the school’s risk assessment a qualified first aider should be with the school team at all times (including travel) to tend to their children during the event.
Comments, Compliments and Complaints
MSSP aims to deliver a first-class service to all of its stakeholders. We see all feedback, whether good or bad, as a valuable way for us to learn and improve. Therefore, we welcome all comments, compliments and complaints. For further details, please click here