Update on Return to Football

Since the closure to all football by the FA again we at the league have been working hard trying to sort things out for the restart of the season, on Thursday night we had a conference call with Hampshire FA who are being very helpful and lenient in with getting everyone playing again and understanding 1 solution does not fit all.

The FA have extended the season to the end of June along with Insurances being extended to the end of June to tie in with the extension of the season. It must be noted that the FA are still to advise the protocol for the return to football and what will be involved, the league is expecting this around 22nd March but we do know a full Covid Risk assessment is still required.

After our Committee meeting Tuesday night discussing the available information from our HFA meeting below is what the League is proposing for the return to football and votes have been requested from Club Secretaries only (one per club).

Development Ages

U7 - Development matches only

U8 – 2 weeks of development matches then festival.

U9 - 1 week of development matches then either 3 of 7 weeks of festival *

U10 – 2 weeks of development matches then festival

U11 – 1 or 2 weeks of development matches and then festival

* This is currently being voted on by the teams in the age group

Competitive Age Groups

U12 / U13 / U14 / U16 / Youth – Divisions will be made null and void, all cups at Quarter Final stage will be completed, all other cups will be scrapped, all teams will be entered into new Ash Trophies tournaments. (U14's to complete current Ash Trophy Tournament; Youth to play cup and plate competitions on a league then knockout basis).

U15 – Finish Divisional season as normal and any cup at Quarter Final Stage to be completed with other cups not at Quarter Final Stage scrapped.

All Age Groups

Where matches are not played due to one team being in default, the non-defaulting team will be awarded the points for that game; or the tie if a cup or trophy competition at knockout stage.

Home & away matches will be scheduled as normal with the home team’s responsibility to request, switch or source an alternative venue & pay referee & necessary pitch costs as you would being the home team.

Div Secs will continue to schedule games for teams after the festivals or competitions have been completed for teams that want them up until the end of June.

Deadline for Player Registration & Transfers

The committee are proposing a temporary amendment of rule 18(I) to extend the deadline for player registration & transfers from 1st March to 1st May.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE IT HAS BEEN BOUGHT TO THE LEAGUES ATTENTION THAT SEVERAL CLUBS HAVE TEAMS TRAINING, THIS IS WITHIN BREACH OF CURRENT GOVERNMENT AND FA GUIDANCE AND WILL BE LOOKED INTO AND THE MATTER PASSED TO HAMPSHIRE FA. NO TEAM CAN TRAIN UNTIL 29th MARCH AND NO 1-1 TRAINING CAN TAKE PLACE FOR U18s AND DOWN