The Junior section is comprised of 12 teams:
Bombers
Giants
Hurricanes
Imps
Jets
Kestrels
Mustangs
Ospreys
Redstars
Rockets
Spifires
Thunderbolts
Squads
Each team contains a maximum of 11 players and all matches are 8-a-side. If one team has less than 8, teams should be adjusted accordingly (7v7, 6v6, etc). If one team has less than 6 players the match is forfeited with 3 points awarded to the opposition. The match is recorded as a draw if both teams have less than 6 players.
Season structure
In an ideal season (one not overly disrupted by bad weather) Junior teams play in three competitions: League, Cup, One-Day Cup.
League
The League competition is split into two distinct seasons with each team playing all the other teams twice, once per season. After the first round of matches is completed the table is reset and the teams play each other again. If there are two different winners the two teams will compete in a play-off match to determine the overall League winner. League matches last 40 minutes (20 minutes per half). Matches kick off at 9.30, 10.30 and 11.30.
Goal difference is not used to determine league positions. Where teams are tied in a position that will determine for example league winners, head-to-head is used and in some cases, a playoff will decide the outcome.
Cup
The Cup consists of a Group stage with the 12 teams split into 3 different groups with each team playing each other once. At the end of the Group stage the top teams in each group and the best runner-up progress to the semi-finals and final. The format and duration of the games in the Cup depend upon the number of available weeks to complete the competition..
One-Day Cup
The One-Day Cup is played on the final Saturday of the season and follows the same format as the Cup but, as the name suggests, the whole tournament is played in one day. Games last 10 minutes (5 minutes per half) in the group stages and 15 minutes (7.5 minutes per half) in the semi-finals and final.
Match rules
Back pass
The back-pass rule is applicable in the Juniors, the result is an indirect free kick and the wall must be 7 yards away or on the goal line depending on where the infringement initially occurred.
Throw in
The player taking the throw must
- have part of each foot either on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline
- hold the ball with both hands
- deliver the ball from behind and over their head
Each team is permitted one foul throw per team, if they commit another foul throw it is then given to the opposition.
Offside
The offside rule does not apply in the Junior section.
Substitutes
In all matches rolling substitutions are utilised, meaning players can return to the game at various times over the course of the match (due to the short duration this does not apply to One-Day Cup matches where substitutes are restricted to half-time unless there is an injury). Each child is ensured at least half a game.
Referees
Managers from each of the Junior teams are allocated to referee matches not involving their team in the Junior section.
