Saints Junior 7-A-Side Soccer Tournament

BACKGROUND

The SAINTS junior 7-a-side soccer tournament was established in 1999 by a group of ladies who served on the clubs junior committee. Their vision was two-fold:

• They were passionate and driven to make a difference in the lives of the kids of our community, by using this tournament to show case there talent, skills and keep them off the streets.
• To afford kids the opportunity to participate in an organized soccer tournament. Through this initiative they can celebrate women’s day together with all the kids. The tournament is normally played on the 9th of August each year. This year the tournament will be hosted of the Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th August. The tournament cater for twelve teams per division – U/9, U/11, U/13, U/15 & U/17, a total of 60 junior teams, each team consist of ten (10) players, a manager and a coach per team. A total of 600 players will participate in the tournament. Clubs from all over the region are welcomed to participate, as long as the clubs and players are registered under the SAFA-NMB region.
  Because it is a junior tournament there is no prize monies up for grabs, only trophies, medals and gifts.
  The aim of this event is to achieve “Mass Participation” and to celebrate women’s day together with the kids. The inaugural tournament attracted over 3000 players and spectators on the day, which was a resounding success. The tournament is the property of SAINTS F.C. and focuses purely on mass participation and youth development.
  The tournament is now by far the most prominent 7-a-side tournament in the Eastern Cape and arguably one the best organized in the country. In total of 155 matches will be played to determine the champions of each respective division.

The program starts with a launch/briefing session which will take place at the Saints Facility on Friday 4 August 2023, starting at 18h30 sharp.
The club wishes to invite the entire community to come and support the event.

DRIVING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DETAILS CONTACT:

Mr. G.A.KOPS

Tournament Director

CELL: 0823122022

RULES & REGULATIONS

(A) Only bona-fide members of SAFA and respective LFA’S are eligible for participation.

(B)  All players must be registered for the 2023 season with their participating clubs.

      Format – 2 groups of 6 teams per group

(C) The teams play each other once in their group (round robin stage) and a league table is drawn up.

(D) The top team of each group will contest the final.

(E) In the event of two (2) teams ending with the same number of points in their group, the team with the superior goal difference shall be declared the group winner.

(F) If teams cannot be separated by goal difference (refer to point above), the team that scored the highest number of goals will then be declared the group winner.

(G) If teams cannot be separated by the highest number of goals scored, the corresponding result between the team (s) in the round robin stage will be considered.

(H) If the teams are still tied (having referred to the above points) kicks from the penalty spot shall be taken. Normal penalty shoot-out rules will apply.

       NUMBER OF PLAYERS

       A team is made up of Seven (7) players including a goalkeeper plus Three (3) substitutes.

       Duration of prelim games is Ten (10) minutes one way. No half-time. For the Finals the     duration is   

       also Ten (10) minutes one way no half-time. In the event of a Draw Five (5) minutes extra-time will 

        be played one way.

        Toss to decide direction of play before extra-time commences. If teams are still tied, then penalty

        Shoot-out will take place.  3 Kicks per side and then sudden death.

        No off-side rule will apply in this tournament.

       All free-kicks are direct and the distance to be respected by the opposing team is 6 meters.

       The ball is placed in front of the goal at a distance of 6 meters.

       The distance to be respected by the opposing team is 6 meters.

       No direct kick on to the opposition goals will be allowed: (1) upon centering or to re-start the game from a goal being score; (2) also a direct kick towards goals from a goal kick.

        FOULS & MISCONDUCT

       All free-kicks are direct

     POINTS SYSTEM

     The points system is applicable to the round robin stage only

      Three (3) points for a win.

       One (1) point for a draw.

      RULES OF THE TOURNAMENT

      Participating teams shall register a squad of Ten (10) players, a Manager and a Coach.

      A total of Three (3) rolling substitutes are allowed in all games.

      ROLLING SUBSTITUTIONS ARE ALLOWED

      A SUBSTITUTED PLAYER CAN RETURN ON TO THE FIELD

      The Referees decision shall be final and binding and no debates or protests shall be    entertained by the

       Tournament Committee.

       In the event of a colour clash the second team mentioned on the fixture shall effect the change of 

       Strip.

       Any team that bring the tournament into disrepute shall not have any claim to any awards and/or prizes.

       They also risk not being invited to any future tournaments.

       Neither the Committee nor the Sponsors or the Host Club can be held liable for the following:

(a) Damages to or theft of vehicles belonging to spectators, visitors or players.

(b) The loss of personal items.

(c) The loss of playing kit or valuables from the dressing rooms or anywhere in the proximity of the Sports field.  

Any matter not covered by the rules of the tournament will be arbitrated by the Tournament Committee whose ruling will be final and binding on the matter/s.

      LET FAIR PLAY PREVAIL

GOODLUCK TO ALL PARTICIPATING TEAMS AND ENJOY THE DAY OF FOOTBALL WITH SAINTS FOOTBALL CLUB