Brierley Hill and Dudley Schools’ Football Association

Information to Schools

1.       Goalpost Safety

The F.A. / Football Foundation have just introduced a scheme which aims to replace goals which fail to meet the British Standards safety requirements. The intention of the scheme is not simply to provide goals on a new for old basis.

All goals must comply, be tested and certified to BSEN748, PAS 36-1 2000and PAS 36-2 2000. They must also meet the Football Association’s Guidance Notes Parts 1 and 2

Goalposts include nets and weights

Goals eligible for re-placement

Pre-1966 i.e. before British Standards were produced

• Metal cup hooks on posts and crossbars
• Wooden
• Freestanding
• Mini-Soccer goals which are now incomplete
• Corroded or rusted
• Freestanding training goals are not eligible

Grant ceiling

An individual grant cannot exceed 50% of the cost of a pair of goals up to a ceiling of  £1,500. An applicant (e.g. local authority) may apply for up to a maximum of 10 grants

Schools MAY apply

N.B.   Retrospective applications are not eligible for support and the Football Foundation will automatically reject grant applications for work started before the project is approved.

For further information and to download an application pack

www.footballfoundation.org.uk.  

Click onto “seeking funding” then onto Goalpost safety scheme

Details of approved suppliers are also listed on the website

Schools will need to show commitment to schools’ football and contact Martin Duffield for their ESFA Affiliation number.  On completion forms should be forwarded to: -

The Secretary - Birmingham County F.A. Ray Hall Lane, Great Barr, Birmingham, B343 6JF

2.       Substitutes

A maximum of FIVE substitutes may be used in all 11-a-side matches at any time during the game, except to replace a player sent off by the referee.  (For small-sided competitions please see competition rules for the specific competition) 

REPEATED substitutions are now allowed under the new F.A. Rule amendment for games covering all age groups up to and including Under 16.  Players can return to the field of play as a substitute after they themselves have been substituted. However, the substitution must take place in the normal way as outlined in F.A. Rule 3 i.e. with the permission of the referee at an appropriate break in play, the substitution taking place at the half-way line.  (THERE ARE NO ROLL-ON ROLL-OFF SUBSTITUTIONS.)

3.        ESFA Bursary Scheme

Schools have been forwarded a copy of the application form to obtain up to 75% funding for staff attending courses for F.A.Coaching qualification. Further copies can be obtained

from Martin Duffield – again involvement in schools’ football is a pre-requisite prior to  an application for funding being made.