ROSTERS AND RULES XMAS CUP 2025

Rules:  Please see below for all the information you will need to know for the Christmas Cup. Before reading below we would like to firstly please make you aware that this event was formed as a fun event for kids to enjoy a day of playing football in a fun environment.The children and parents are coming to enjoy the festive month and must be aware that the initiative of these events is to provide an opportunity for players to play more soccer in the off season.

- Pitch Size is 35m by 50m - Goal size in roughly 3m by 2m

- 15 mins each halve with 2 min half time

- Ball size is 3 for Grade 1/2 and size 4 for other Grades

- No off sides, but the refs will manage any “campers” if it continues the opposition

team will receive a free kick from the persons offside position (so coaches monitor

this)

- Standard corners

- Standard Throw ins (although not strict for this one on technique)

- All Free Kicks are Direct

- Substitutions are roll on and roll off, the player must be off the field before the new

one enters

- 7 players on the field including Goalkeepers

- Subs must be seated and only one adult on the bench to be standing

- Footy Kicks from Goalkeepers ARE allowed but cannot carry more than 1/2 of the

pitch before bouncing

- No pass back to Goalkeeper, meaning the keeper cannot pick up the ball if his/her

own player has passed it to them, they can receive with feet.

- “Mercy Rule” once a team goes up by 5 goals the opposition can put an extra player

on the field. If the score gets back to a 2 goal margin they go back to 7 players.

Competition Format The Cup is firstly about fun! There will be no finals on the day. Due

to the amount of teams entered I have just ensure everyone gets 3 games. These have

been picked at random for the day. All teams will play 3 games in the day. The Xmas Cup winner will be announced per age group, but remember we have a Best Team Name and Best Dressed Team. 

The Christmas Cup winner is voted by the refs for acts of kindness, sportsmanship, respect, effort and getting in the christmas spirit, A cup will be awarded per age group.

Spectator Expectations

All games have a referee assigned which is a huge bonus for coaches and teams. With this in mind these referees are there to referee the game that is in front of them and make calls on what they see. Refs in the biggest leagues in the world with 60 cameras still get decisions wrong so please respect the decision made and encourage players and parents to “get on with the game”. Any verbal or physical abuse reported by officials will result in the player, coach or spectator being ask to leave the facility and all games will be suspended until they agree and leave. This is non negotiable and will be enforced, no one has the right to insult or make someone feel bad about themselves. All spectators must stay behind the fence, this again is non negotiable and all games will be suspended from starting until only, players, officials and coaches are on the field. This is to ensure the enjoyment for the players, coaches and refs. As coaches please help us by sharing this to your parents and spectators.

The event is designed for kids to play more soccer and enjoy the day playing with and

against friends. This can only be ruined by 2 things – Bad Weather or Hostile

spectators/coaches. Lets work together to ensure this doesn’t happen and I will personally do a rain dance to guarantee the other bit ☺