2024 Competition Rules
The 2024 Hobart Cup will be held on Friday 30th, Saturday 31st August, and Sunday 1st September 2024.
Team Eligibility
Entry into the Hobart Cup is only open to the regions of Football Australia (FA) Member Federations, i.e., Football Tasmania, Capital Football, Football Northern Territory, Football South Australia, Football Victoria, Football New South Wales, Football Queensland, Football West, Northern New South Wales Football.
All players entered into the Hobart Cup must be nationally registered players for 2024.
All interstate players must be sanctioned by their Member Federation.
Match Venues
Games are being played all over Hobart. Venues will be confirmed closure to the tournament dates.
Registration of Players
The Team entry fee for this tournament covers administration, staff, maintenance, ground and facility hire, ambulance, referee fees, trophies and medallions.
Any team whose players are registered with Football Australia (FA) are eligible to participate whether they are club, association or school based. Grouping of teams into divisions will depend on the number of teams entered in that particular age group. The tournament is held purely for the enjoyment and advancement of the children who participate. The Codes of Conduct for the tournament can be found here.
All players must be registered with FA and indicated by their current FA registration number, but you do not need to record the players’ FA number on the team list.
No team will be permitted to field any under or over age players unless they already hold an Football Tasmania (FT) exemption for this purpose. Players with an FT exemption will be eligible to play without further exemption required by The Hobart Cup Director.
Each team will submit an electronic team list with names and dates of birth. For youth teams (U13+) player strip numbers are also required.
No shirt numbers are required for age groups U6 to U12.
Coaches and team managers must hold a Working with Vulnerable Persons Card.
Any team found fielding a player who is not correctly registered or who does not appear on the team sheet shall be deemed to have lost that match and the opposing team shall be awarded 3 points and goals recorded as 3-0 in their favour.
Players can only play for one team for the duration of the tournament.
The tournament caters for age groups U6 to U16 for both boys and girls.
Eligibility for each age group is as follows:
Under 6 - Born 2018
Under 7 - Born 2017
Under 8 - Born 2016
Under 9 - Born 2015
Under 10 - Born 2014
Under 11 - Born 2013
Under 12 - Born 2012
Under 13 - Born 2011
Under 14 - Born 2010
Under 15 - Born 2009
Under 16 - Born 2008
Each team may register a maximum number of players as below:
Under 6 and Under 7 - 8 players
Under 8 and Under 9 - 12 players
Under 10 to Under 12 - 13 players
Under 13 to Under 16 - 16 players
Competition Format
Grouping of Teams into Divisions
We endeavour to have all teams entered playing in their relative age group and division should we be able to do so. If an age group does not have sufficient teams, they will be given the opportunity to play in the next appropriate competition and grouping of teams into divisions within an age group will also be dependent on team numbers.
If an age group does not have sufficient teams they will be given the opportunity to play in the next appropriate competition and grouping of teams. Divisions within an age group will also be dependent on team numbers.
For example — U13 division 2 teams will play in an U13 combined competition if there are insufficient teams entered into that division 2 competition.
Nominating teams for a competition below their ability is not in the spirit of the game. The Hobart Cup reserves the right to place a team in a different competition than that they nominated for.
Team Officials
1. The appointment of each team official is the responsibility of the team. A maximum of two (2) officials are permitted in the technical area during any match. These are Coach, Assistant Coach or Trainer and Team Manager.
Coaches and team managers must hold a Working with Vulnerable Persons Card and must record the WWVP card number and expiry date in the space provided when registering a team, noting that this information can be added later.
2. The Team Manager — or Coach in their absence — is responsible for all matters relating to the team, the conduct of the coaching staff and the conduct of parents and/or spectators of their team. All individuals will abide by the FT Code of Conduct.
Uniform and Equipment
1. Each team must have an alternate playing strip or a set of bibs that are a different colour to their playing strip.
2. If two teams are wearing a similar colour then the team named second on the match roster will be required to change shirts or wear bibs.
3. No two teams will be permitted to play in the same colours.
4. U8 to U12 do not require numbered shirts. U13 to U16 shirts must have a number on the back in a contrasting colour to the strip. Numbers must match with the number for each player as recorded on the team entry list.
5. No sharing of strips will be permitted.
6. Goal Keepers must wear a top that distinguishes them from the rest of the players and Referees.
7. Socks must cover the shin guard. No player will be permitted to play without adequate shin guards.
8. Goal Keepers can wear either shorts or track pants and can also wear knee or elbow pads and goal keeping gloves.
9. Players or Goal Keepers are not permitted to wear or use any equipment that is dangerous to themselves or their opponents. No jewellery of any kind will be worn. Any player found wearing any such item will risk receiving a yellow card and will be asked to leave the field of play until such time as the item has been removed.
Undershirts and Undershorts
10. Undershorts/skins are permitted but MUST be the same main colour as the playing shorts.
11. Undershirts are permitted but MUST be the same main colour as the playing shirt.
Match Information
All matches for the Under 6s and U7s will be 4v4 (no goalie) and will be played as per CRJFA Rules.
All matches for the U8s, U9s, U10s, U11s and U12s will be played as per CRJFA Rules.
Juniors (U8 to U12) please play in the spirit of the game. You should follow the offside rule even though there are no Assistant Referees. Do not stand in offside positions. Volunteer referees are to CALL CLEAR OFFSIDES please.
All matches for the Under 13s will be played in accordance with FIFA and FA guidelines.
All matches for the Under 14s to U16s will be played in accordance with FIFA rules.
Due to the tight nature of the scheduling there will be no time added to any match, except for 1v2 finals matches only.
Allocation of Points
The positions within the Group Stage will be determined using the following points for results:
WIN = 3 points
DRAW = 1 point each
LOSS = 0 points
FORFEIT FOR = 3 points (+3 goal difference)
FORFEIT AGAINST - 0 ponts (-3 goal difference)
In a round robin format the team with the most points at the end of the tournament will be declared the winner.
If teams finish on equal points the winner will be determined firstly by goal difference and then by the number of goals scored by each team.
If a draw still remains then the team winning the game between the drawn teams will be declared the winner. If this game was drawn or the teams did not play each other, then the teams will be declared joint winners.
For any 1v2 matches resulting in a draw, these will automatically go to extra time - 5 minutes each way. If the match remains a draw then it will go to a penalty shootout. These matches must have a result.
Teams found breaching tournament rules, including inappropriate behaviour, will be penalised by loss of points at the Tournament Director’s discretion.
Match Balls
Referees will provide a match ball for each game.
Referees
Referees will be provided for each youth (U13+) match if possible. However, there is a shortage of referees and teams must be prepared to referee your own game if necessary. Bring a whistle and AR flags, or ask for some from the venue manager.
Please remember that our Referees have given up their time to assist in our tournament. They are here to learn and develop as are the players. Any breach of the Code of Conduct against any Referee will not be condoned and any person found guilty will be penalised.
Interchange of Players
Please refer to CRJFA Rules for U8, U9, U10, U11 and U12 matches.
For all other age groups:
Each team is allowed a maximum of six (6) interchanges per match — three (3) per half. Coaches may interchange as may players as they wish at any one time, but can only do this six (6) times.
Interchanges can only be made with the Referee’s permission and the ball must be out of play.
Players must be ready to enter the field of play straight away and all interchanges MUST take place from the half way line.
The interchange player cannot enter the field until the player being replaced has crossed the touchline.
Further interchanges are permitted at the half time break and are not included in the six (6) permitted per match.
This rule will be waived in the event of a player being injured after all six (6) interchanges have been made. An injured player may interchange in order to receive treatment.
Disciplinary Actions
1. All players and officials agree to be bound by the FT Code of Conduct for the duration of this tournament.
2. In the event if a player receiving two (2) yellow cards in a single match the player will be shown a red card and asked to leave the field of play and leave the area under the referee’s guidance. The player will receive an automatic on (1) match suspension and this must be served in the team’s next scheduled match without dispute. These two yellow cards will not count in the player’s accumulated yellow card tally as they have been regarded as a red card for the purpose of suspension.
3. In the event of a player receiving a red card in a match, the player must leave the field of play and leave the area under guidance of the Referee. The player will receive and automatic one (1) match suspension. The incident will be presented to the committee and players will be notified if any additional suspension will be imposed — subject to the severity of the incident.
4. Where a player accumulates three (3) yellow cards in the course of the tournament the player will receive an automatic one (1) match suspension that must be served un the team’s next scheduled match. The yellow card tally reverts back to ‘nil’ once this suspension has been served.
5. As per FIFA laws of the game the decision of the referee is FINAL. Only in the event of mistaken identity in cautioning or the sending off of a player can there be consideration of any written appeal. There will be no appeal against yellow cards and no protests will be heard on any judgement calls by a referee.
6. Any team found playing an ineligible or suspended player will be deemed to have lost the match and the opposing team will be awarded 3 points and goals will be recorded as 3-0 in their favour.
7. Points will be deducted for referee abuse and inappropriate behaviour.
Presentations
Presentations will be made as soon as practical once final group placings have been decided and they will take place at the nominated presentation area. Postage arrangements may be made for teams when the presentation time does not suit the team’s travel arrangements.
Winning teams will receive team trophies and individual medallions. Runners up will receive a team trophy and certificates.
Amendments
The Hobart Cup organisers reserves the right to alter or add to these rules as seen fit.
Further Information
For further information on the tournament please go to https://hobartcup.torneopal.com/ or complete the following form.