2024 SEASON DETAILS


SEASON START DATES

The Senior Season starts on the weekend of 6th April for all Senior competitions excluding Southern League. Southern League will start on Easter weekend (29th March). The Senior Season finishes on the 7th September.

The Youth/Junior Season will start on the 27th April and finishes on the 7th September. Except for the CDL which begin 6th April.


​​​​​​​​​​​​​​SEASON BREAKS

There will be no games played over the Easter holidays for most grades (with the exception of Southern League).

There will generally be no games played over Kings Birthday weekend, though there may be some Cup fixtures and will depend on the competition. Please view your competition page for more information.

Games will be played over Matariki weekend for most grades, please check your competition page for more information.

No Youth/Junior games are scheduled over the middle week of school holidays (13th/14th July).


CUP COMPETITIONS

For all end of season cup competitions, there will be outlined regulations that govern these. As a general rule of thumb, there will be NO extra time. If a draw after full time, then the game moves into a penalty shoot-out. (this does not apply to the English Cup and Reta Fitzpatrick Cup).


JUNIOR AND YOUTH STRUCTURE

For the 2024 season, Junior Grades will play in groups of 6 teams. Every 5 weeks (one round played) the grades will be shuffled with two teams moving up and two teams moving down in general, though sometimes this may only be one or up to three as appropriate for the teams. Groups may be split by geography. This may be different depending on the number of entries at each band.

Youth will generally be split into divisions of 6 teams; with teams playing each other once to finish the grading round, and then the divisions will be regraded to ensure teams are competing in the grade-appropriate for their ability.

We will assess these grades throughout the season and make changes when required to provide appropriate levels of football for all teams.

Junior Standings and Results are not shown on the website and only kept for internal grading purposes. Junior Fixtures will be available to view through the results/fixtures page on the website.

Youth Standings and Results will be available to view through the results/fixtures page on the website.


SENIOR STRUCTURE​​​​​​​

For the 2024 season, Senior Men's Divsion 3-10 will consist of 8 team leagues with a Mid-season promotion/relegation, this will generally be one team up & one team down however there is certain instances where we may promote/relegate multiple teams if we see fit. The New World Championship, Senior Men's Divison 1 & Senior Men's Division 2 will have no mid-season promotion/relegation and consist of 10 team leagues played over a double round robin format.


SUBSTITUTION RULES

Seniors:

Southern League and Men's New World Premiership have five substitutions from five substitute players that can be made across 'three oppourtunities.' does not include halftime.Women's South Island Qualifying League/New World Premiership has five substitutions from five substitute players that can be made across 'five oppourtunities.'New World Championship Women's & Men's, Div 1 to Div 10 Leagues & Women's Sunday League have rolling substitutes from seven substitute players. Substitutions can be made at any stoppage in play.

Masters have unlimited rolling substitutes.​​​​​​​


Youth & Junior:

13th,14th,15th & 17th Boys Canterbury Development League(s) will have rolling substitutions from seven substitutions that can be made across 'three oppourtunities' that does not include halftime. 

All other youth grades will have rolling substitutions from seven substitute players. Substitutions can be made at a stoppage in play.

Junior grades have rolling substitutions, 9 a side has a maximum of four named substitutes, 7 a side has a maximum of three named substitutes.


TEMPORARY DISMISSALS

Temporary Dismissals will be in place for any yellow card related to dissent in all competitions where an official referee is appointed. Information on temporary dismissals can be found here:

In all Senior Football the length of the temporary dismissals will be 10 minutes. 

In all Youth competitions, and the Boys Schools Premier XI the length of the temporary dismissals will be 7 minutes. 


2024 COMPETITION STRUCTURE

GradePlaying TimeStart TimeBreakEnd TimeField SizeA-SideSubsRollingBall Size
Seniors2 x 45 mins2:30 pm10 mins4.10 pmSenior117Yes5
19th Boys2 x 45 mins10:45 am10 mins12.25 pmSenior117Yes5
17th Boys2 x 40 mins12:30 pm10 mins2.00 pmSenior117Yes5
16th Girls2 x 40 mins10.45 am10 mins12.15pmSenior117Yes5
15th Boys2 x 40 mins9:15 am5 mins10.40 amSenior117Yes5
14th Girls2 x 35 mins9:15 am5 mins10.30 amSenior117Yes5
14th Boys2 x 35 mins10:45 am5 mins12.00 pmSenior117Yes5
13th Boys2 x 35 mins9:15 am5 mins10.30 amSenior117Yes4
12th Girls2 x 30 mins10:50 am5 mins11.55 amIntermediate94Yes4
12th Boys2 x 30 mins10:50 am5 mins11.55 amIntermediate94Yes4
11th Boys2 x 25 mins9:45 am5 mins10.40 amIntermediate94Yes4
10th Girls2 x 25 mins10:30 am5 mins11.25 amJunior73Yes4
10th Boys2 x 25 mins9:30 am5 mins10.25 amJunior73Yes4
9th Mixed2 x 25 mins10:30 am5 mins11.25 amJunior7N/AYes4


Please note some individual grades may play at different times to above, e.g CUDL grades.


For more information regarding rules and regulations please refer to the Mainland Football Website 

http://www.mainlandfootball.co.nz/COMPETITIONS-1/Information-1/Competition-Info