Discovery Primary school's knockout cup - Rules and Laws

1. These rules apply to both Boys and Girls Competitions.

HOCKEY-STYLE REFEREEING IS NOT PERMITTED IN THIS COMPETITION

BOYS AND GIRLS KNOCKOUT CUP COMMITTEE
Convenor - Mr. R. Stephenson
Chairman - Mr. M. Makara
Vice Chairman – Ms N. Davies
Referee Co-ordinator - Mr. L. Mofolo

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
In the event of a dispute regarding the playing conditions(i.e. fields), photographic evidence must be submitted to info@jpsfa.org.za with attention to the convenor - Mr. R. Stephenson and Chairman – Mr. M.Makara.

MATCH DATES
All games must be played on the dates listed in the diary. No exceptions will be allowed.
• First Discovery knock-out match of the day may not start later than 14:45

AGE GROUPS
ONLY PRIMARY-SCHOOL PUPILS UP TO AND INCLUDING GRADE 7’S ARE ELIGIBLE. NO HIGH-SCHOOL PUPILS MAY PARTICIPATE.
For 2024 the age groups are as follows:
U9 born in 2015
U10 born in 2014
U11 born in 2013
U12 born in 2012
U13 born in 2011
U14 born in 2010

VENUES
• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounds played at schools.
• Schools must agree on venues a week before the fixture.
• If a mutually acceptable arrangement cannot be found, Mr. R. Stephenson will determine the venue.
• Quarter-finals, Semi-finals & Finals to be played at a neutral venue that will be communicated by the Association.

FORMAT - ALL CUP GAMES ARE GENDER- SPECIFIC
‍BOYS
U9 - Open will be play 11-a-side format. 
‍
GIRLS
U9 and U11 will play 7-a-side format. (No offsides)
U14 will play 11-a-side format.

DURATION OF GAMES
‍BOYS
U9, U10, U11: 20 minutes each way
U12, U13, U14: 25 minutes each way
Half time – 5 Minute duration
‍
GIRLS
U9 & U11- 15 minutes each way
U14: 20 minutes each way
Half time – 5 Minute duration

SUBSTITUTION: (REFEREES MUST BE MADE AWARE OF ALL SUBSTITUTIONS)
BOYS
U9 - Open: 4 substitutes with no rolling substitutions.
‍
GIRLS
U9 and U11: 4 substitutes with rolling substitutions.
U14: 4 substitutes with no rolling substitutions.

REFEREES (PROOF OF SAFA LEVEL IS NEEDED)
‍The visiting school has the right to nominate the referee under condition that the visiting school has a SAFA-qualified referee. If the visiting school does not have a SAFA-qualified referee, then the hosting school may nominate the referee on condition that they have a SAFA-qualified staff member or coach. The referee must show proof of his qualification. If neither school has a SAFA-qualified staff member or coach, the visiting school may nominate the referee. This issue must be resolved when fixtures are confirmed in the week prior to the fixture.

‍INDEMNITY FORMS
All players must have a hard copy.
• The 2022/3 indemnity forms may be used for the duration of the player’s primary school Discovery/JPSFA knock-out games.
• U9 will need to fill in a new indemnity form.
• New players will need to sign indemnity forms.
Click Here to Download the Indemnity Form

TEAM RETURNS
‍The official team return is available on the JPSFA website.This is the only form that may be submitted. The completed team return must reach info@jpsfa.org.za by 14:00 on the following day. If a team return is not available or incomplete at the Quarter-finals and Semi-finals, please note the following:
• The respective Discovery Knock-out Co-ordinator will award the game to the non-offending team.
• The offending team and coach will have this explained to them before the game is played.
• The game will be played as a friendly to give the non-offending team match practice.
If both team lists are not available or incomplete, the fixture will be abandoned and both teams will be excluded from the competition.Referees and assistant referees will verify ages before each game.
‍Click Here to Download the Official Team Return

PRE-CUP REGISTRATION
• A signed principal’s bonafide letter for all age groups needs to be email to info@jpsfa.org.za one week before kick-off in round one. This letter needs to contain all the names, surnames and dates of birth of all players playing in the fixture. The letter needs to have the school stamp on it, otherwise it does not qualify as a bonafide letter.

THE FOLLOWING IS REQUIRED ON MATCH DAY AT THE VENUE
‍• Bonafide letter
• Team return
• Hard copy of Indemnity Form (These can be found on the JPSFA website)

REGISTRATION NOTES
‍• Once a player has participated in an age group fixture, they are cup-tied to that age group and that school.
• A player listed in the team list or return will be regarded as having participated in the cup game.In the event of a player changing schools, their case must be presented the EXCO for a ruling on their eligibility

BEFORE THE GAME STARTS
‍• Coaches must verify players by checking the principal’s letter, team return and indemnity forms.
• Coaches have the right to verify the age, identity and eligibility of any player on the list.

RESULTS OF GAMES
‍For Rounds 1, 2 and 3: (All age groups and teams) If there is no result after the stipulated time has been played, the following procedure will apply:
• 2 X 10-minute periods of extra time will be played.
• If there is still no result, the team that has been awarded the greatest number of CORNERS OVER THE DURATION OF THE ENTIRE GAME (INCLUDING EXTRA TIME) will be declared the winners. It is imperative that the referee keep a record of the corners awarded from the start of the game.
If there is still no result, the game will be decided by a coin toss. This will be done by the referee in consultation with the coaches and captain. Coaches to make the call.

Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and Finals
U9, U10 and U11
If there is no result after the stipulated time has beenplayed, the following procedure will apply:
• 2 X 10-minute periods of extra time will be played.
• If there is still no result, the team that has been awarded the greatest number of CORNERS OVER THE DURATION OF THE GAME (INCLUDING EXTRA TIME) will be declared the winners. It is imperative that the referee keep a record of the corners awarded from the start of the game.If there is still no result, the game will be decided by a coin toss. This will be done by the referee in consultation with the coaches and captains. Coaches to make the call.
• IN THE FINAL IF THE SCORES ARE THE SAME, THE TROPHY WILL BE SHARED.

U12, U13 and U14
If there is no result after the stipulated time has been played, the following procedure will apply:
• 2 X 10-minute periods of extra time will be played.If the results are the same at the end of extra time, the following will apply:Number of corners will not decide the match result.
• 3 penalties per team. There after sudden death penalties.

OFFENCES
CATEGORY ONE
Schools that have entered the Discovery knock-out cup may be found guilty of a category one offence if they:
• Failed to fulfil fixtures or didn’t fulfil on the specified date.
• Provided incomplete / incorrect team returns or no return at all.
• Failed to start the first match of the day on or before 14:45 for rounds 1, 2 and 3.

CATEGORY TWO
Schools that have entered the Discovery knock-out cup may befound guilty of a category two offence if they:
• Used over aged players or non-registered players.
• Used non-registered match officials.
• Included non-eligible players i.e. cup-tied players; players who have played for another school and a knock-out cup team, unless permission to play has been granted by EXCO. N.B. players are deemed to be cup-tied if they are listed on the official team return.

OFFENCES
SANCTIONS FOR A CATEGORY ONE OFFENCE
If schools are found guilty of a category one offence, the following may apply.
• The school may be excluded from the rest of the current year’s competition.
• The school may pay a fine of R1 000 to the Association. The Association will use these funds to assist the opposing school with the cost of travel or catering if the fixture was cancelled.Failure to pay this fine will result in the school being withdrawn from all JPSFA activities.

SANCTIONS FOR A CATEGORY TWO OFFENCE
If schools are found guilty of a category two offence, the following may apply.
• The relevant coaches, Head of Sport, and a member of the SMT will be required to attend a disciplinary hearing. This hearing will provide the school with an opportunity to present their case and the committee to hear from all parties involved, to make an informed decision and apply appropriate sanctions.
Failure to adhere to the sanctions will result in the school being withdrawn from all JPSFA activities.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE JPSFA AND THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ISSUE RETROSPECTIVE ACTION TO ANY SCHOOL OR SCHOOL OFFICIALS THAT TRANSGRESS THE RULES OF THE COMPETITION, SHOULD IT OCCUR BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER A MATCH.

Regardless of a result the following will be an instant disqualification:
• DISPLAYING ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS REFEREES, PLAYERS, COACHES OR PARENTS AT ANY TIME WHILE AT THE VENUE.