APPENDIX SEVEN | Southland Competitions

SOUTHLAND FOOTBALL SENIOR COMPETITION VARIATIONS

1. ENTRIES FOR THE COMPETITION

1.1 Entries into the Men’s Premier League Competition will be restricted to 1 team per Club.

1.2 Entries into all other Southland Senior Competitions will be unrestricted.

2. COMPETITION FORMAT

2.1 The League structure shall be determined by Southland Football with consultation

from the Southland Senior Committee after considering the number of

teams and the number of match weeks available. The final structure will be decided

at the discretion of Southland Football.

3. LAWS OF THE GAME

3.1 Teams in Men’s Division 2 and 3 can have up to a maximum of five (5) rolling substitutes during a stoppage in a match with the referee’s permission.

3.2 Southland Premier Women’s, and Men’s Division 1 can have up to a maximum of five (5) rolling substitutions during four stoppages (not including half time) in a

match with the referee’s permission as per FIFA Regulations (Windows after 15 minutes, 30, 45, 60 & 75).
3.3 Premier Men’s, can have up to a maximum of five (5) non-rolling substitutions during three stoppages (not including half time) in a match with the referee’s permission as per FIFA Regulations.

4. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

4.1 For Southern Premier Men’s & Women’s, Southland Premier & Women and Men’s Division 1, Players must be registered with the Club they wish to play for no later than June 30th. The Federation at their sole discretion may grant an exemption for unforeseen or exceptional circumstances as per clause 19.2 of the main Regulations. ITCs sent in and processed by this time can however still be processed after this date.

4.2 A Player Starting 3 matches, or more is defined as a Graded Player for that Division.

Your graded status can only change by Starting 3 games in another Division.

4.3 A Graded Player can Regrade into the next highest team within the same Club. There

is no approval process for a Regrade, the Clubs shall manage this.

4.4 Regardless of whether their team is playing or not, only 3 Players may be Regraded

on one playing day.

4.5 A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding competition match unless the player has started 8 competition matches minimum for that team in the current playing season.

4.5.1 Dispensations may be considered in exceptional circumstances to players

graded to Southern Premier League. Dispensations must align with required

criteria and be signed off by Southland Football.

4.6 Where a Club has two or more teams playing in the same Competition only three

(3) Players may be interchanged per weekend.

4.7 It is the responsibility of the Clubs to manage the Regrade and subsequent eligibility

of the Players within their Club. They may ask for clarification from the Federation

prior to the match being played.

4.8 If a team has two matches in the same match week, then eligibility to play in a lower

Competition will be reset on the same day as the second match.

5. START LISTS AND MATCH INFORMATION

5.1 At the start of the Season all teams will input Players and coaches into their team

catalogue in COMET. Players may appear in more than one team catalogue and the

catalogue can be added to during the Season.

5.2 Southland Premier Men and Women’s teams will add in and save their respective match squads, numbers, coaching staff & playing kit by no later than 3pm on the day prior to the match
(unless otherwise specified) within the specific match or matches in COMET.

5.3 For all other Divisions teams will add in and save their respective match squads, numbers, coaching staff & playing kit by no later than 12am (midnight) on the day before the game (unless otherwise specified) within the specific match or matches in COMET.

5.4 Teams can make and save any relevant changes to their match squads up to T-45

minutes before kick-off, after which point, they are locked out of the editing any

match details, related to their Club, in COMET.

5.5 Where the referee or a referee assistant has live access to COMET at the ground,

they can make any necessary changes the Club may request between T-45 minutes

and kick- off or record the change for input into COMET post-match.

5.6 Where the referee or a referee assistant has no live access to COMET they will need

to use their latest downloaded version of the game and check with the team

managers following T-45 before kick-off that the list is a true and accurate

reflection. Where there is a change referees can note this down and correct the

team-sheet in COMET post-match.

5.7 If no information has been added at this point the referee can auto-populate your

squad list with the same as the previous match and it will be the teams responsibility

to notify the referee of any changes even those made before T-45.

5.8 If, due to any technical difficulties, teams cannot enter the information into COMET

they may produce a physical team sheet using Form One of this document.

5.9 The Home Team will upload the final score to COMET by the end of the day.

5.10 Referees then have up to 5pm the day following the match to upload match events

(goal scorers, substitutions & misconducts) to COMET.

5.11 Once a referee completes the post-match process, they will change the status of

the game from ‘scheduled’ to ‘played’.

5.12 Teams can view a copy of the match report once the match is switched to ‘played’

and will have until 5pm the following day to check the accuracy of the match

events.

6. MATCH EQUIPMENT

6.1 Home Teams must provide;

6.1.1 A minimum of three (3) match balls in compliance with FIFA Law 2 – The Ball.

6.1.2 Nets and corner flags shall be supplied and erected at all fixtures in compliance

with FIFA Law 1 – The Field of Play. All items to be checked by Clubs for safety.

7. SANCTIONS

7.1 If a Player receives a red card or another suspension, then the Suspension will be

served in the next scheduled game. (Same applies for suspensions in games prior to

and during Cup Competitions).

8. CLUB BASED REFEREE

8.1 Each Club is required to provide a qualified referee for the Senior Competitions. The

qualified referee should have a minimum Referee Level 1 qualification.

9. GROUND STEWARD

9.1 Each Club is required to provide a minimum of one (1) for the Premier Men & Women competitions and Men’s Division 1.

10. LARRY O’RORKE TROPHY

10.1 The Larry O’Rorke Trophy will be contested in the Southland Premier Men’s Competition.

10.2 The holder of the Larry O’Rorke Trophy will be challenged for the trophy by their

opposition each round. The winner of this match will be the holder of the Larry O’Rorke

Trophy. In the event of a draw, the Larry O’Rorke Trophy remains with the current

holder. The challenge only relates to regular League games and is available to be won

by any team in the League.

11. OTTLEY CHALLENGE TROPHY

11.1 The Ottley Challenge Trophy will be contested in the Southland Premier Women’s Competition.

11.2 The holder of the Ottley Challenge Trophy will be challenged for the trophy by their

opposition each round. The winner of this match will be the holder of the Ottley

Challenge Trophy. In the event of a draw, the Ottley Challenge Trophy remains with

the current holder. The challenge only relates to regular League games and is available

to be won by any team in the League.

12. DIVISION 1-3 CHALLENGE TROPHY

12.1 The Division 1-3 Challenge Trophy will be contested in the Division 1, 2 and 3 Competitions.

12.2 The holder of the Division 1-3 Challenge Trophy will be challenged for the trophy by their opposition each round. The winner of this match will be the holder of the Division 1-3 Challenge Trophy. In the event of a draw, the Division 1-3 Challenge Trophy remains with the current holder. The challenge only relates to regular League games and is

available to be won by any team in the League.

13. DEFAULTS & DEFFERALS

13.1 No team from a Club can default while teams in lower Divisions are still active. A Club

must default from its lowest Divisions first through to the highest.

13.2 The only exception to this is a team defaulting on the day of the match due to

unforeseen circumstances. They would then be subject to the higher default fee as per

Appendix nine.

13.3 Games can only be deferred if both teams agree and there is a valid reason for the

deferral. All deferrals are at the discretion of the Competitions Manager. A new date,

time and location of the match must be confirmed with the opposing Club in advance

and Competitions Manager before the game is considered deferred.

13.4 Games must be deferred at least 48 hours the day prior to the game day, as per clause 16.5 in the main Regulations.

13.5 Games that have been deferred previously cannot be deferred again.

13.6 The Competitions Manager at their sole discretion may defer any games for reasons such as referee availability, weather conditions etc.

13.7 If this process is not adhered to then the match will be considered a cancelled match resulting in no points for either team.

14. HOSPITALITY
It is a requirement for the home team to host the away team for an after-match. The away team may contact the home team to see if they would like to not be hosted, this will be at the discretion of the two clubs.

14.1 If teams fail to meet the match requirements outlined in regulations 6 and 9, then they will endure a fine of $100 NZD for each breach.

14.1.1 Match officials will report on this in the match report.

SOUTHLAND PRE&POST SEASON CUP COMPETITIONS

15. ENTRIES FOR THE COMPETITION

15.1 All Southland Clubs & Teams competing in senior Competitions are eligible for entry.

15.2 Entries must be received by the Competitions Manager by the specified date.

15.3 One team per club can be nominated for the Southland “Supercup” for both the men’s and women’s competitions. Teams that are competing in the Southern Premier League competitions are eligible to compete as the one representative side for their respective club. 

16. FORMAT

16.1 The format will be decided by Southland Football with consultation from the Southland Senior Committee considering the number of teams that have entered. This will include the time and place of the finals. The final structure will be decided at the discretion of Southland Football.

16.2 The dates of the Competition may be sent out prior to entries taking place but may

change depending on the number of entries.

16.3 Each round will be “drawn out of the hat” with the first drawn team playing the second, the third playing the fourth, etc. The first drawn team in each case will have the home game.

17. LAWS OF THE GAME

17.1 Normal FIFA Laws of the Game rules apply.

17.2 If the score is even at the end of full time in any of the Cup Competitions, penalties will

be taken to determine the winner. Penalties will be taken as per FIFA Regulations.

17.3 For Premier Grade Cup Competitions (Premier Preseason Trophy and Charity Cup), 16 Players can be named on the team card for each match and only 5 substitutions allowed (non-rolling) to be used in three stoppages (not including halftime).

17.4 For all other Cup Competitions, 16 Players can be named on the team card for each

match and have up to a maximum of five (5) rolling substitutes during a stoppage in a

match with the referee’s permission.

18. START LIST & MATCH INFORMATION

18.1 Team sheets to be completed in COMET as per regulation five (5) of this appendix.

19. ELIGIBILITY

19.1 Players must be registered to the Club which they are playing for.

19.2 No Premier Division Men Players can play in the Edinburgh Trophy Competition. Unless they fit in the criteria set in rule 4.5 in the appendix

19.3 Where a Club has multiple teams, a maximum of three (3) Players can move

between teams per weekend. As per 4.4.

19.5 Players can only play for one team per game day.

19.6 Players can only play in one final and must have played for that team already (as per rule 4.5) unless this is their first game

20. COLD WEATHER POLICY
Clubs are to follow the following for training’s and games for the 2025 Season

Scheduled training sessions and matches may be affected by extreme weather conditions, including but not limited to:

• Hail
• Lightning
• Heavy Rain

Decisions regarding match cancellations due to these weather events will be made either by the match official on the day or by Southland Football in consultation with the club hosting the game.

20.1     Hail

20.1.1 Hailstorms can pose a risk to participants depending on the size and intensity of the storm. If a hailstorm occurs, the match official will assess the level of danger to players and officials.

20.1.2 If deemed hazardous, the match will be paused, allowing all individuals to seek suitable shelter.

20.1.3 Once the hailstorm has subsided, the match official will evaluate the field conditions and overall safety before resuming play.

20.1.4 If the field or weather conditions remain unsafe, the match official will abandon the game.

20.1.5 In cases where a game is abandoned, the match official must submit a report to Southland Football within 48 hours. Southland Football will then determine the outcome in accordance with competition regulations.

20.2     Lightning

20.2.1 Lightning occurs due to electrostatic discharges during a thunderstorm, and thunder is the resulting sound from the rapid expansion of air. Since thunderstorms can develop quickly, it is essential to monitor weather conditions for signs of an approaching storm, such as darkening skies, flashes of lightning, or increasing winds.

20.2.2 30-30 Lightning Rule

To determine whether play should be suspended or delayed, the 30-30 rule will be followed. The match official, in consultation with clubs if necessary, will apply the following:

Count the seconds between a lightning flash and the sound of thunder.

If the time is 30 seconds or less, the storm is within 10 km and poses a risk.

At this point, the match must be suspended.

The storm's distance should be reassessed before resuming play.

20.3     Safety Procedures During Lightning

If lightning is present, the following precautions must be taken:

If shelter is available:

• Seek cover inside a solid building or hard-top vehicle.
• Avoid using electrical appliances or telephones.
• If inside a vehicle, park away from trees and power lines while avoiding contact with metal parts.
• Stay away from windows.

If shelter is not available:

• Crouch with knees together, feet on the ground, and hands off the ground.
• If possible, find a hollow or lower area.
• Do not lie down.
• Maintain a 10-metre distance from others.
• Remove metal objects.
• If you feel a tingling sensation or hear buzzing, move immediately.
• Avoid hilltops, ridges, rock overhangs, and bodies of water.
• Never take shelter under a tree.

20.4     First Aid for Lightning Strikes

If someone is struck by lightning:

Call emergency services immediately (e.g., 111).

Begin CPR if necessary—cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death from lightning strikes.

Rescuers will not receive an electric shock from the victim.

Prompt medical attention can significantly increase survival chances.

20.5     Heavy Rain

20.5.1 For official matches, Southland Football will monitor weather forecasts related to rainfall and consult with clubs as needed. If necessary, a field inspection may be conducted to determine ground safety.

Southland Football may decide in advance that a field is unsafe for play. If so, this will be communicated to the relevant stakeholders.

If only one match can be played due to field conditions, priority will be given to the highest-grade game or as determined by Southland Football.

20.5.2 On match day, the match official will inspect the field and decide if it is safe to proceed.

If conditions are unsafe, the match will be abandoned at the discretion of the match official, who must submit a report to Southland Football within 48 hours.

Clubs are responsible for assessing field conditions for training purposes, considering potential damage that could impact competition matches.

20.5.3 Other Weather-Related Conditions

Unless Southland Football has issued a prior directive to cancel a game, the match official has full discretion to determine if weather conditions pose a safety risk.

If the match official decides that conditions are unsafe, the game may be abandoned or delayed until conditions improve (if time permits).

Any abandoned or delayed matches must be reported to Southland Football within 48 hours.

​​​​​​​20.6 PITCH INSPECTION CHECKLIST