Discovery Primary school's knockout cup - Rules and Laws

1. These rules apply to both Boys and Girls Competitions.

BOYS AND GIRLS KNOCKOUT CUP COMMITTEE
Convenor - Mr. R. Stephenson
Chairman - Mr. M. Makara
Vice Chairman – Ms N. Davies
Referee Co-ordinator - Mr. L. Mofolo

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
In the event of a dispute regarding the playing conditions(i.e. fields), photographic evidence must be submitted to info@jpsfa.org.za with attention to the convenor - Mr. R. Stephenson and Chairman – Mr. M.Makara.

MATCH DATES
All games must be played on the dates listed in the diary. No exceptions will be allowed.
No Discovery KO fixture may start later than 14:45

AGE GROUPS
ONLY PRIMARY-SCHOOL PUPILS UP TO AND INCLUDING GRADE 7’S ARE ELIGIBLE. NO HIGH-SCHOOL PUPILS MAY PARTICIPATE.
For 2025 the age groups are as follows:
U9 born in 2016
U10 born in 2015
U11 born in 2014
U12 born in 2013
U13 born in 2012
U14 born in 2011

VENUES
1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounds played at schools.
No match may start later than 14:45 in Rounds 1, 2 and 3.
Quarterfinals and semi-finals at a neutral venue that will be communicated.
Finals at a neutral venue depending on availability but will be communicate.
In rounds 1, 2 and 3: Schools must agree on venues a week before the 1^st round.
In all the rounds, if a mutually acceptable arrangement cannot be found, Mr Stephenson will determine the venue.

FORMAT - ALL CUP GAMES ARE GENDER- SPECIFIC
‍BOYS
U9 - Open will be play 11-a-side format. 
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GIRLS
U9 and U11 will play 7-a-side format. (No offsides)
U14 will play 11-a-side format.

DURATION OF GAMES
‍BOYS
U9, U10, U11: 20 minutes each way
U12, U13, U14: 25 minutes each way
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GIRLS
U9: 15 minutes each way
U11: 15 minutes each way
U14: 20 minutes each way

SUBSTITUTION: (REFEREES MUST BE MADE AWARE OF ALL SUBSTITUTIONS)
BOYS
Boys u9 through to Open: 4 substitutes will be permitted (no Rolling substations for the boys).
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GIRLS
U9 and u11: 4 substitutions with rolling substitutions.
U14: 4 substitutes with no rolling subs

REFEREES (PROOF OF SAFA LEVEL IS NEEDED)
The visiting school has the right to nominate the referee under condition that the visiting school has a SAFA-qualified referee. If the visiting school does not have a SAFA-qualified referee, then the host school may nominate the referee on condition that they have a SAFA-qualified staff member or coach.

If neither school has a SAFA-qualified staff member or coach, then the visiting school may nominate the referee. This issue must be resolved when fixtures are confirmed in the week prior to the fixture.

HOCKEY-STYLE REFEREEING IS NOT PERMITTED IN THIS COMPETITION

‍INDEMNITY FORMS
All players must have a hard copy.
• The 2022/3 indemnity forms may be used for the duration of the player’s primary school Discovery/JPSFA knock-out games.
• U9 will need to fill in a new indemnity form.
• New players will need to sign indemnity forms.
Click Here to Download the Indemnity Form

TEAM RETURNS
The official team return is available on the JPSFA web. This is the only form that may be submitted with the result. The completed team return must reach the secretary by 12:00 on the day following day.

Results must be uploaded onto the Official JPSFA Discovery Knockout Cup APP as soon as possible after the match.
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‍Click Here to Download the Official Team Return

ELIGIBILITY
THE FOLLOWING IS REQUIRED ON MATCH DAY AT THE VENUE
A PRINCIPAL’S LETTER WITH ALL THE NAMES, SURNAMES AND DATE OF BIRTHS OF ALL THE PLAYERS PLAYING IN THE FIXTURE.
INDEMNITY FORMS. (These can be found on the JPSFA website)
Once a player has participated in an age group fixture, he is then cup-tied to that age group and that school. 
A player listed in the team list or return will be regarded as having participated in the cup game.
In the event of a player changing schools, his/her case must be presented to Exco for a ruling on his/her eligibility. 
All Discovery knock-out games are gender-specific. 
‍ONLY 15 PLAYERS ARE PERMITTED ONTHE TEAM RETURN.Only those players listed on the team return are allowed to play in the fixtureand sit on the bench.

The competition rules state that all players and substitutes must be listed on a JPSFA team return before kick-off and a team starts a match with fewer than eleven players, only the players and substitutes named in the starting line-up may take part in the match upon their arrival.

ONLY PRIMARY-SCHOOL PUPILS UP TOAND INCLUDING GRADE 7’S ARE ELIGIBLE. NO HIGH-SCHOOL PUPILS MAY PARTICIPATE.

‍Indemnity forms:
The previous years indemnity form may be used for the duration of the players primary school Discovery/JPSFA knockout games.
u9’s will need to fill in a new indemnity form.
New players will need to sign indemnity forms. 
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TEAM LISTS:
A Discovery / JPSFA indemnity form properly completed and signed.

‍BEFORE THE GAME STARTS
Coaches must verify players by checking the principal’s letter and indemnities. Coaches have the right to verify the age, identity, and eligibility of any player on the list.

RESULTS OF GAMES
‍For Rounds 1, 2 and 3: (All age groups and teams) 
If there is no result after the stipulated time has been played, the following procedure will apply:
2 X 10-minute periods of extra time will be played.
If there is still no result, the team that has been awarded the greatest number of CORNERS OVER THE DURATION OFTHE GAME (AND EXTRA TIME) will be declared the winners. It is imperative that the referee keep a record of the corners awarded from the start of the game. 
If there is still no result the game will be decided by a coin toss. This will be done by the coaches.

Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and Finals
U9, U10 and U11
If there is no result after the stipulated time has been played, the following procedure will apply:
2 X 10-minute periods of extra time will be played.
‍If there is still no result, the team that has been awarded the greatest number of CORNERS OVER THE DURATION OFTHE GAME (AND EXTRA TIME) will be declared the winners. It is imperative that the referee keep a record of the corners awarded from the start of the game.
If there is still no result the game will be decided by a coin toss. This will be done by the coaches.
‍
‍Boys u12, u13 and u14 AND U14GIRLS:
‍If there is no result after the stipulated time has been played, the following procedure will apply:
2 X 10-minute periods of extra time will be played. 

If the results are the same at the end of extra time the following will apply:
‍3 penalties per team. Thereafter sudden death penalties.

DISCIPLINE: 
Any disputes or complaints need to be sent with the Team returns. Should a complaint be filled after 12pm the following day, it will not be considered. 

In the event of a dispute regarding the playing conditions (i.e. fields), photographic evidence must be submitted to the cup co-ordinator.If a team return is not available or incomplete at any stage from the pre-round to the finals, please note the following: 
i. The Discovery Knock-Out co-ordinator will award the game to the non-offending team. 
ii. The offending team and coach will have this explained to them before the game is played. The game will be played as a friendly to give the non-offending team match practice.

If both team lists are not available or incomplete, the fixture will be abandoned, and both teams will be excluded from the competition. Referees and assistant referees will verify ages before each game.

OFFENCES
CATEGORY ONE OFFENCES
Schools that have entered the Discovery Knock Out may be found guilty if they:
Fail to fulfil fixtures
Fail to fulfil fixtures on the specified date
Provide incorrect team returns
Provide incomplete team returns.
Fail to submit a team return with the results before the deadline, either on the App or email. Both schools will be excluded. 
Fail to start the game before 14:45 for rounds 1,2 and 3.
Fail to submit results on or before the specified date.
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CATEGORY TWO OFFENCES
Schools that have entered the DiscoveryKnock Out may be found guilty if they: 
Use overage players.
Use non-registered players or match officials. 
Use high-school players i.e., grade 8 players. 
Include non-eligible players i.e.Cup-tied players; players who have played for another school and a Knock-OutCup team unless permission to play has been granted by EXCO. N.B. players are deemed to be cup-tied if they are listed on the official team return  

Regardless of a result: the following will be an instant disqualification:
DISPLAY ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS REFEREES, PLAYERS, COACHES OR PARENTS FROM THE START OF THE MATCH AND UP UNTIL THE LEAVING OF THE VENUE.

SANCTIONS
SANCTIONS FOR A CATEGORY ONE OFFENCE
The offending team will be excluded from the rest of the current year’s competition. 
The school will face a possible fine of R1 000 to the Association. The Association will use this fine to assist schools with the cost of travel or catering if the fixture is cancelled. 
Failure to pay this fine will result in the school being withdrawn from all JPSFA activities.

SANCTIONS FOR A CATEGORY TWO OFFENCE
Relevant coaches, Head of Sport, and a member of the SMT will be required to attend a Disciplinary hearing. The hearing will provide the school with an opportunity to present their case and the JPSFA committee to hear from others, in order that an informed and appropriate sanction may be applied.
The school will be subjected to possible expulsion for a period of 3 years from the Discovery Knockout Cup.
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CROWD OFFENCES:
‍Should a spectator/parent or any school official that enter the field of play or unruly behaviour, the offending team will be disqualified.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE JPSFA AND THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ISSUE RETROSPECTIVE ACTION TO ANY SCHOOL OR SCHOOL OFFICIALS THAT TRANSGRESS THE RULES OF THE COMPETITION, SHOULD IT OCCUR BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER A MATCH.

Regardless of a result the following will be an instant disqualification:
• DISPLAYING ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS REFEREES, PLAYERS, COACHES OR PARENTS AT ANY TIME WHILE AT THE VENUE.