SINGAPORE NATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUES

SINGAPORE NATIONAL LEAGUE RULES & REGULATIONS 2023

Season 1 - January 29 to May 7, 2023

RULES & REGULATIONS

Both boys and girls, from the ages of 5 to 17 years old, will be competing across 16 age categories (12 boys & 4 girls), which includes 300+ teams, 16 leagues with 46 divisions and participation of over 4000 children from all over Singapore.

LEAGUE FORMAT

5v5 Format

• Age Groups - Boys 6 & Girls 9, G13 D2
• 5V5 LEAGUE 
• Teams consist of 5 players (1GK + 4 outfield) + unlimited substitute players (rolling substitute)
• Teams are placed into a Group and will play each team 1x or 2x
• Teams will play 1 game every Sunday match day 
• Each group game is 40mins long – 2 x 20min halves + 5min half time  
• Teams are allocated a Venue, Zone and pitch where they will play their league games  

7v7 Format

• Age Groups - Girls 11 D1, G13 D1, G15, Boys 7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12 D2-D4, B13 Div2, Div3, Div4, B14 Div 3, B16 Div3
• 7v7 LEAGUE  
• Teams consist of 7 players (1GK + 6 outfield) unlimited substitute players (rolling substitute)
• Teams are placed into a Group and will play each team 1x or 2x
• Teams will play 1 game every alternate Sunday match day 
• Each group game is 50mins long – 2 x 25min halves + 5min half time  
• Teams are allocated a Venue, Zone and pitch where they will play their league games  

9v9 Format

• Age Group - Boys 12 D1, G15 Div1, G17 Div1
• 9v9 LEAGUE  
• Teams consist of 9 players (1GK + 8 outfield) unlimited substitute players (rolling substitute)
• Teams are placed into a Group and will play each team 1x 
• Teams will play 1 game every Sunday match day 
• Each group game is 50mins long – 2 x 25min halves + 5min half time  
• Teams are allocated a Venue, Zone and pitch where they will play their league games  

11v11 Format

• Age Groups - Boys 13 Div1, B14 Div 1&2, B16 Div 1&2, B17 Div 1
• 11v11 LEAGUE  
• Playing Time
  • 70mins (2x35min halves) - B14 D1, B16 D1 & B17 D1 
  • 50mins (2x25min halves) - B13 D1, B14 D2, B16 D2
• Teams consist of 11 players (1GK + 10 outfield) unlimited substitute players (rolling substitute)
• Teams are placed into a Group and will play each team 1x or 2x
• Teams will play 1 game every Sunday match day 
• All 11-aside games will have 1 referee + 2 assistant referees (linesman) 
• Teams are allocated a Venue, Zone and pitch where they will play their league games  

JSSL LEAGUE AGE CUT OFF’S

• B6's – Boys Born 1/1 2017 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2016 or later.
• B7’s – Boys Born 1/1 2016 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2015 or later.
• B8’s – Boys Born 1/1 2015 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2014 or later.
• B9’s – Boys Born 1/1 2014 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2013 or later.
• B10's – Boys Born 1/1 2013 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2012 or later.
• B11's – Boys Born 1/1 2012 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2011 or later.
• B12's – Boys Born 1/1 2011 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2010 or later.
• B13’s – Boys Born 1/1 2010 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2009 or later.
• B14's – Boys Born 1/1 2009 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2008 or later.
• B16's – Boys Born 1/1 2007 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2006 or later.
• B17's – Boys Born 1/1 2006 or later + 3 players in any 1 game Born 1/1 2005. / Girls Born 1/1 2005 or later.

**Girls can play 1 year below their age group in the Boys league **

• G9's – Girls Born 1/1 2014 or later.
• G11's – Girls Born 1/1 2012 or later.
• G13’s – Girls Born 1/1 2010 or later.
• G15's – Girls Born 1/1 2008
• G17's - Girls Born 2006 or later + 1 player Born 1/1 2005

LEAGUE POINTS & FORMAT & PLAYOFFS & CHAMPIONS

• Each team will be awarded 3 points for a win
• Each team will be awarded 1 point for a draw
• Each team will be awarded 0 points for a loss
• Should there be a tie on points, the following conditions will decide the League Champions (in order of sequence):

• First - Goal Difference
• Second - Goals For
• Third - Goals Against
• Fourth – Head To Head Matches
• Fifth – If all of the above is equal, the 2 teams will play a 2 x 12 minute game to determine the Champion. If the game ends in a draw, a sudden death penalty shoot-out will take place.

• LEAGUE CHAMPIONS will be the team with the most points at the end of the Round

• If there are 2 Groups in 1 League then the top team from each of the Groups will play off against each other to determine who is the League Champion. 

LEAGUE PROMOTION & RELEGATION TO THE SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2023 LEAGUE SEASON

• Teams will be automatically placed into the Sept to Dec 2023 League Season based on their placing in the Jan to May 2023 League Season that is completed.
• The top placed team in Division 2 and below will automatically be promoted to the Division above.
• The bottom placed team from Division 1 and below will automatically be relegated to the Division below.
• The 2nd placed team in Division 2 and below will PLAYOFF against the 2nd from bottom team in the Division above.
• PLAYOFF games will be scheduled on 30 April & 7 May 2023.

PLAYER REGISTRATION

• All teams will be required to register all their players online 24hrs prior to their 1st league game. 
• Team registration is Online and teams must submit, the full name, D.O.B and a current head shot picture for each player in the online portal. 
• Teams are able to update and change their team lists online prior to each league game, but must inform the organizers by WhatsApp 91374657 when they are doing this.
• All team and player registrations are the responsibility of each respective club/manager; any player who has not been registered online will not be permitted to play.
• Every player will be required to bring a digital copy or the original of his/her original passport/ original photo id or last season’s JSSL League ID card to verify his/her Player Registration before the first game of the Round.
• Players will not be allowed to play if they do not comply with the registration process.
• Teams and coaches are advised to arrive a maximum of 30 Minutes before their allocated Match Timing, and no earlier, to avoid crowding.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY AND PLAYERS IN THE YOUTH CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

• Players can only play for 1 Club
• Male players can only play in a maximum of 2 Age Groups 
• Female players can only play in a maximum of 2 Girls Age Groups & 1 Boys Age group 
• Players that play in more than 1 age group can only play up an age group in either the same division, or 1 division higher or 1 division lower
  • i.e. Boys 12 Div 2 registered player. He can also be registered for 1 more team - either  Boys 13 Div 2, Div 1 or Div 3. 
  • i.e. Girls 12 Div 1 registered player. She can register for 1 boys team and she can also be registered for 1 more girls team - either Girls 14 Div 1 or Girls 14 Div 2.

• Once a player has been registered for their 2nd team for the boys and a maximum of 3 teams for the girls, he/she cannot be registered or moved out of these teams into another team.

• Players that play in the new Youth Champions League can not play in the same year age group in the National Youth Leagues. 
• Players that play in the Youth Champions League can only play in the year age group above in Div 1 of the National Youth Leagues,
• Players that play in the Youth Champions League can only play for 1 team in the National Youth Leagues.
  • i.e. Boys 10 2012 Youth Champions League player cannot play National League 2012 BUT can play National League above 2011 Div1

• YEAR 2013 AGE EXCEPTION RULE
• a maximum of 3 x 2013 Boys per club can play in the YCL B10 2012 age group and can also play in NYL B11 2012 Div 1 age group.
• Players that play in the Youth Champions League can only play for 1 team in the National Youth Leagues.
• Requests to register your 2013 players must be submitted and approved by email to Rina at rina@jssl-singapore.com, prior to registering them online.

• GOLA KEEPER EXCEPTION RULE
• Designated Goal Keepers can play in the Youth Champions League and any National Youth League Div1 team (as long as they are age eligible), and only as a Goal Keeper. 
• Requests to register a GK must be submitted and approved by email to Rina at rina@jssl-singapore.com, prior to registering them online.

• DISPENSATIONS
• Dispensations for player/team eligibility can be awarded on a case to case basis decided by the League Organisers. Please email Rina at rina@jssl-singapore.com.
• Please follow the diagram below for clarification on YCL Players eligibility. If you are unsure please email Rina at rina@jssl-singapore.com. 

COACHES & MANAGERS PITCH SIDE FOR GAMES WEARING CLUB ATTIRE & VIDEOING OF GAMES

• All teams and clubs are allowed a MAXIMUM of 2 coaches/managers pitch side for any 1 game
• The designated coaches/managers MUST wear club attire with a club jersey carrying the club logo and 
• Only closed healed shoes/trainers are allowed (NO flip flops or sandals) 
• Clubs are not permitted to officially record games without prior written consent from the league organisers. Requests to record games must be sent in to Rina no later than the Friday before the Sunday game. The opposing team will then be asked to agree to the recording, which if agreed to, a link of the recording of the game will be shared with the opposing team. 

NATIONAL LEAGUE DETAILS, FIXTURES & TABLES

• Fixtures will be scheduled in prior to the start of the League Season and published on line.
• Teams will play 1 match on a Sunday.
• Games will be played under a Central Timing system with matches starting and ending at the scheduled/fixtured. It is the responsibility of the coach of each team to ensure that their team is ready to start on time. If teams are not ready and on the pitch on time matches will start and end at the scheduled time and the teams will lose playing time.
• If a game is stopped due to lightning / extreme weather, the result will stand as long as the equivalent of a half game has been played. 
• League results and tables will be updated on line as matches for each age group is completed.
• In the case of an injury in 5v5 game where 1 team has no subs then the game will be played 4v4 out of sportsmanship. 
• In the case of a Red card, the match will be played 5v4. 
• Results and tables can be accessed at https://www.jssl-leagues.com
• Any team wishing to dispute a result or league standing will have 2 weeks from the date of the match to raise the issue by email to the Organiser. Any decision made by the Organiser Management Committee is final.
• Each Team is recommended to bring one pair of Goalkeeping gloves in order to avoid unnecessary injuries.

FORFEIT OF GAMES & TEAM FINES

• Please note that the match and the points will be forfeited, if a team is unable to play a scheduled game and did not provide notice before the start of the season.
• Matches will also be forfeited if a team only shows up with 3players for 5v5, 4 players for 7v7, 6 players for 9v9 and 9 players for 11v11. In this case there will be an attempt to provide a friendly match by mixing the 2 scheduled teams.
• If a game is forfeited then 3 points and a 3-0 scoreline will be awarded to the other team.
• A team that forfeits a game and does not turn up for their game will be fined $200 for a regular 5v5, 7v7 or 9v9 game and $250 for a 11v11 game. $100 credited to the team they were supposed to play and $100 for the administration of the league game - referee, pitch and admin.
• If a team fails to show up for 2 games in a season or cancels last minute, they will be withdrawn from the JSSL Leagues.

PLAYER TRANSFERS

• There will be NO transfers of any players once the Season has started.
• Players can only transfer between clubs at the end of the Season.  

TEAM KIT

• Div 1 teams will be required to have unique player numbers for each team and player.
• Div 2 & 3 and below – teams will be required to have numbered jerseys but not unique numbers.
• Girls Leagues - teams will be required to have numbered jerseys but not unique numbers.
• All jersey numbers must appear clearly on the back of the jersey for all players and teams.
• Team numbers cannot be taped or drawn onto the shirt.
• If there is a clash in jersey coolers the away team will wear bibs or their away kit.

LEAGUE FEE

• Teams will be charged a League Fee, on a game basis, depending on how many teams are in their division as follows:

• $120 per game (Div1 10 games = $1200, Div2 7 games = $840, Div3+4 = $600)
• $180 per game for 50min, 11 aside with assistant referee/linesman (Div1 10 games = $1800, Div2 7 games = $1260)
• $200 per game for 70min, 11 aside with assistant referee/linesman (Div1 10 games = $2000, Div2 7 games = $1400)

League fees include Championship Trophies for each division but exclude individual medals that will be charged at $8 per player.

There will be a strict policy that if a team cancels a game regardless of the reason, then they will be fined $200 for a normal game and $250 for an 11aside game with a credit note going to the team they are playing.

Teams that make the Playoff Games for the Title will be charged $120 per game.

All League fees are due in advance of the 1st league game of the season.

There will be no refunds offered for game cancellations, field closures or other such changes. 

Should the League be suspended due to COVID and cannot resume there will be a pro-rated credit note assigned to each club that can be used for the new league season.

DISCIPLINARY CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS, COACHES, CLUBS & PARENTS - RED CARDS & YELLOW CARDS

• At all times players, coaches and parents are to act and represent themselves in an orderly and professional manner. 
• All League venues do not permit: - Animals, pets, smoking or vaping and the use of foul language in any dialect  
• Coaches will be assigned half of the pitch side area from which to coach from and they will be required to remain within their half of the pitch at all times 
• Coaches and parents will not be allowed to coach or stand directly behind goals. 
• Players that are yellow carded twice in a half season will be suspended for 1 game starting from the next league game. If a player plays for 2 teams then his /her yellow cards will be accumulated from both teams. Upon receiving 2 yellow cards he/she will receive a 1 match ban for the last team he/she was yellow carded for. While serving the 1 match ban for this team, he/she cannot play for the other team during the period of the ban.
• Players that are red carded in a game will be suspended for 1 game starting from the next league game for that team. If a player plays for 2 teams then he/she cannot play for the other team during the period of the red card ban.
• Coaches that raise their voice to an unacceptable level and who using foul language, in any dialect/language, and/or are not behaving with a responsible conduct will be asked to leave the pitch and will be banned from coaching league games.
• Any soccer school or club that attempts to age cheat by playing overage players, non-registered players or inappropriate players will: 1st offence will have coach and player withdrawn from JSSL Leagues 2nd offence will have entire team that is involved withdrawn from JSSL League 3rd offence will have entire club withdrawn from JSSL Leagues
• Any soccer school or club that approaches and solicits players from other soccer schools or clubs with the intent to poach players into joining their club will be withdrawn from the JSSL Leagues.
• Players, coaches, clubs and parents that are in breach of the League Rules & Regulations and Code of Conduct and who bring the game into disrepute may be asked to leave the league venues and could be banned from attending league games.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES

• A coach’s primary responsibility is to make sure that his/her players have fun, develop as footballers and to instil in them a passion for the game.
• The performance of coaches is not measured in wins and losses, but rather in a players development and what they learn in terms of technique, sportsmanship, and fair play.
• Coaches are charged with the responsibility of controlling their players and their parents at all times during before and after a match.
• Coaches will dress appropriately for match games with a Club top and club logo/emblem and will wear closed shoes.
• Coaches lead and teach by example; players will be a reflection of the manager and coach.
• There is no smoking, vaping, pets or bad language in any dialect permitted at any League venue
• Please remember – the game is for the children and it is not for the glory of the coach, manager or parents.

Coaches will:

• Use positive reinforcement when dealing with players.
• Never use foul or abusive language and never abuse a player mentally, verbally, or physically.
• Have respect for the League admin team and for the authority of the referee, our opponents on match days and the officials of their club.
• Teach players the rules of the game, fair play, and proper behaviour.
• Coaches must wear a clear Coaching Kit from their respective Club. 

In addition:

• The coaches are to ensure that all players bring their digital passport or picture ID before they play their first league game
• Ensure that players parents are aware of the League Protocol in the points above, and that our venues do not allow, smoking, pets or animas, and bad language in any dialect

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS

Players should:

• Play according to the laws and THE spirit of the game
• Be on time and be prepared for matches 
• Turn up for matches in appropriate and clean clothing
• Always wear shin guards
• Display self-control in all situations and never use foul or abusive language - before, during or after a game or training session
• Train and play to the best of their ability, have a positive attitude, and encourage others to do the same
• Respect the opposition. Treat them as you would like them to treat you
• Respect the referee. Never dispute his or her decisions. They are only human and they make mistakes, just like you.
• Line up after each game in the centre of the pitch to respect your opponents and nod/bow while walking past each other

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS

• Be your child's best fan and support him/her unconditionally
• Support all the players in your child's squad. Do not criticise anyone
• Help your child to focus on the performance and not the result and Remember - winning is not as important as the performance
• Do not criticise the opponents, their parents or their officials
• Display self-control in all situations. Never use foul or abusive language at any time
• Never audibly dispute a referee’s decision. They will make mistakes occasionally. We all do. If you abuse or shout at the referee you are breaking the rules of the game.
• Parents must not coach from the touchline during matches or training and leave this to the coach or you may cause confusion and erode your child’s confidence
• Parents must not enter the field of play
• If you have any issues please raise it with your clubs SMO / club officials
• Remember - children don’t mean to make mistakes
• There is no smoking, vaping, pets or bad language permitted at any JSSL venue
• Please remember – the game is for the children and it is not for the glory of the coach, manager or parents.