Little League Football Officers' Manual

18 SCHOOLS FOOTBALL

Refer to

FA Rule 4(a) Priority for School Activities

(viii) Priority must at all times be given to school or school organisations' activities in accordance with the recommendations of the Memorandum: Children of School Age and School Games (see below) whilst a pupil is receiving full-time education in accordance with the Education Acts.

(ix) All Clubs and Competitions, excluding those whose matches on Sundays, shall include in their rules a provision to the effect that the availability of a pupil must be consented to by the Head Teacher.

1. It is usually the pupil of outstanding football ability whose services are sought by any Club, and the Player is most likely to be a member of the school or association team. While school's matches are often arranged on Saturday mornings and Club matches take place in the afternoon, it is considered that player should not play in two matches on the same day, for the one match is likely to affect play in the other.

2. An outside Club or organisation should consult the head-teacher before selecting any child of school age to play for a team, and should accept the head-teacher's decision on these matters.

   Head-teachers of schools should not restrain pupils, who are not selected for school games of any kind, from playing for an outside organisation during their free time.

Although clearly defined there are occasions when attitude and interpretation of this directive can confuse the issue.

It is stated categorically: Little League Football must not influence a player who is selected for a school activity (not necessarily football) on a Saturday morning. The school has priority.

It is quite in order for Leagues to retain players if the demands from school are infrequent or irregular and there is no written rule as to how often a player needs to be selected by the school before relinquishing their place in Little League Football. This decision is reached by the local League Management Committee and can vary from one league to another.

Once selected for the school, however, we feel that the school authorities then have a responsibility to provide regular football and retain their selected squad for the season. It is grossly unfair for a player to be selected for the school, to be replaced in Little League Football and then after a short period of time lose their place to a better player at school, and end up half way through a season with no football at all.

Having said that, it is an honour to be chosen to represent the school and if replaced in Little League Football be congratulated and wished every success.

Problems may arise when a player would rather continue with Little League Football than play for the school, and the parents support that view. If parents feel strongly that they would prefer their son or daughter to continue with Little League Football it is their responsibility to discuss the matter with the school and hopefully persuade him/her to release their son or daughter. Even then, schools have been known to decline and insist that they play for the school team. If this is the case the matter is resolved - the boy or girl cannot continue in Little League Football.

It is not allowed under FA rules for a boy or girl to participate in more than one competitive game on the same day and they are therefore not allowed to play Little League Football on that day.

It is a requirement of FA Rule 4a that liaison with the school is pursued. There is no substitute for a good relationship that benefits both the school and the League. It is an understanding of each other's problems and activities that may eliminate difficulties and a conflict of interest before they may arise.

To All Heads of PE/Football

Date

I enclose a list of children who attend your school and play in East Cheam Little League Football.

To avoid, as far as possible, the problems that can arise where children have conflicting loyalties, it would be appreciated if you would advise me of any child who will be playing school football each Saturday. I can then advise the team manager so that he may consider dropping the child from the team, and selecting a replacement.

For the benefit of the children involved, please note that East Cheam Little League Football works on a fixed squad system. Once a player has been replaced it is not possible for them to regain their team place during that season. Therefore, should the player not, after all, have a place in the school team, they will be without any football on Saturday mornings.

This League accepts that school has priority over children on a Saturday morning, although in the past problems have arisen where there has been a strong preference to play out their Little League Football careers. Should you experience any difficulties then please contact me.

For your information I have enclosed a leaflet that describes Little League Football.

Yours faithfully,

Secretary

Head of PE/Football
East Cheam School
Football Lane
East Cheam
Surrey SM99 Z33

Date

Dear Sir,

As you are aware Michael Owen and Joe Cole are now playing regularly for their school on a Saturday morning, and I am writing to advise you that they have therefore been dropped from their team in East Cheam Little League Football.

As previously mentioned to you, Little League Football works on fixed size squads, which enables us to give every boy a minimum of half a game every Saturday morning. As replacement players have now been found, it will not be possible for them to regain their Little League Football places.

I trust, therefore, that the boys will have a regular place in the school team.

Yours faithfully

Secretary