Frequently Asked Questions


Age Groups
Club Registrations
Player Registrations
Player Protection

Age Groups

What are the age groups for season 2010 / 2011?

Players who are born on or after the qualifying date as listed below.

13’s players born on or after 1 January 1998
14’s players born on or after 1 January 1997
15’s players born on or after 1 January 1996
16’s players born on or after 1 January 1995
17’s players born on or after 1 January 1994
19’s players born on or after 1 January 1992
21’s players born on or after 1 January 1989

In exceptional circumstances consideration will be given to applications from young players with physical, sensory or learning disabilities to participate out with their own age group. The procedure is as follows:
1. The player assisted by his/her parent/guardian seeks membership of an SYFA member club.
2. The parent or guardian, with support from the club should then apply to the National Secretary for a dispensation for the player to participate at a younger age group. This application must be supported with a letter from a relevant professional confirming details of the player’s disability e.g. physiotherapist, school teacher, doctor etc.
3. The player’s parent, his/her club and the league/association will receive the decision of the National Secretary in writing.
4. If permission is granted, the club should then register the player. The registration form to be accompanied with a copy of the SYFA permission letter.
5. Permission requires to be renewed on an annual basis. If the player moves to another league a copy of the SYFA permission letter must be sent to the league secretary.

Club Registrations

How does a club affiliate to the SYFA

A club seeks membership of the local league, for leagues view the regions section of this website, on acceptance into league membership the club goes to the SYFA Online Registrations website www.syfaregistrations.co.uk. The club completes the online application, submits electronically and then prints the form. They would then return the fully completed form to the League Secretary who will approve and submit to the National Secretary for his approval.

How much are SYFA Club Membership fees

The membership fee, including insurance, for a full member club for season 2009 / 10 is £64.

The membership fee, including insurance, for an associate member club for season 2009 / 10 is £48.

The membership fee for a Community Club for season 2009 / 10 is £16. Insurance cover is optional.

What are the SYFA minimum coaching qualifications

With one year of gaining membership of the SYFA all clubs must have a qualified coach, for further information see SYFA Constitution Rule 8.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Up to and including age 12 - Children Licence Level 1, Early Touches Certificate.

Age 13 and over - Youth Licence Level 1, Development Activities.

What is Community Club Membership

A group of clubs which are recognised as being a body formed to control or link a number of clubs whether by constitution, office bearers or name. Any such body wishing to register as a Community Club must complete a Community Club Membership Application Form. All officials listed on said Form shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Association.

What are the advantages of Community Club Membership

There are several advantages to a Community Club membership:

Community Club membership allows a general committee to oversee the running of all age group listed on the Community Club form.

Coaches within individual age groups who choose to leave the club but are named within the Community Club membership may not take with them the club ID number, club name, funds, equipment etc….

Coaches of clubs covered by a Community Club membership may coach for any age group included on the Community Club form.

Clubs with a Community Club membership may organize events for the participation of all its age groups listed on the Community Club form.

Community club membership allows a Player Protection Officer to cover all age groups listed on said form. However, where possible, it is preferable to have more than one person acting in this role, this ensures the workload is shared, avoids reliance on one person, provides for cover during sickness and holidays and generates a support system for those acting in the role.


How does a club resign their membership

The club Secretary must write to their League Secretary and the National Secretary informing both of their intention to resign.

Player Registrations

What happens when a new player comes to the club

The first thing a club official should do is ask the player if he is registered for any other club.

If yes, the player can not attend any of the clubs activities until released from his former club.

If no, ask the player his date of birth, and if the player is eligible to play for the club ask the player to supply proof of birth date at the next club activity.

The second thing a club must do is check with the SYFA office to establish if the player’s registration has been cancelled. Sometimes clubs tell players they will be released and then do not release the player causing a registration infringement for the new club. It will cost ten pence to phone the SYFA but can save a lot of pain and trouble at a later date.

How does a club cancel a Players Registration

The club should send their copy of the Player Registration Form (Pink part) to the National Secretary complete with a note asking for the registration to be cancelled, a stamped return envelope must also be included. No fee is required.

How can a player cancel his registration when the club refuses

When a club refuses to cancel a players registration, the player can write to the National Secretary under cover of rule 103 asking to have his registration cancelled. The registration will be cancelled after 28 days provided that the association is satisfied that the player has met all of his/her commitments to the club.

What happens to player registrations when a club resigns or is suspended

When a club notifies the association of its resignation and the association accepts the club resignation, all player registrations will automtically be cancelled.
A club that has been debt suspended for a period of 1 month will have all player registration forms cancelled

How can a club obtain more player registration forms and is there a charge.

Write to the National Secretary asking for the required number of forms, please include a stamped return addressed envelope. There is no charge for Player Registration Forms.

How does a club register a player/players

Complete the Player Registration Form and return the entire form, fully and properly completed to the National Secretary. The form must be received within 3 days of the date of signing (Sundays excluded). There is a £2 fee to register a player but only after 1 September in the current season.

Can a club register players by fax

Yes, refer to Rule 89 of the Constitution

Can a player play as a trialist in a cup tie

No, all players must be registered before playing in any cup tie.

Player Protection

Does the SYFA have a child protection Policy?

Yes, to view the policy and Protection FAQ’s please go to the Protection Section of this website.