2024 Youth Football Festival

Burnbridge Wanderers Junior Football Club are excited to be holding our annual Youth Football Festival at our Home Grounds, The King Alfred School and Academy Fields on the 8th and 9th June 2024. The festival will be held over 1 weekend/two days for the following age groups (based on 2023/24 ages);

Saturday 8th June

• Morning: K/O 0930hrs - Under 11s ***NO SPACES GROUP FULL***
• Midday: K/O 1200hrs - Under 7s
• Afternoon: K/O 1430hrs - Under 8s

• Morning: K/O 0930hrs - Under 9s***NO SPACES GROUP FULL***
• Midday: K/O 1200hrs - Under 10s***NO SPACES GROUP FULL***
• Afternoon: K/O 1430hrs - Under 12s***NO SPACES GROUP FULL***

As at 25/04/24 we have the following spaces

• U7 = 4 Spaces
• U8 = 2 Spaces
• U9 = 0 Spaces GROUP FULL
• U10 = 0 Spaces GROUP FULL
• U11 = 0 Spaces GROUP FULL
• U12 = 0 Spaces GROUP FULL

Under 7s & 8’s will be playing in a ‘round-robin’ style event as opposed to a league formatted competitive style tournament with every player in these age groups receiving a participation award at the end of their event.
Under 9’s, 10’s, 11’s and 12’s will play in a competitive group format with progression and then trophy for the overall winners.

A full list of the tournament rule are attached. For our 2024 Festival we will be using the Tournify App and Website to mange our Festival. All fixtures, timings, pitches, scores etc will be on Tournify so teams and spectators should download the app beforehand and ensure they have bookmarked our Website; Link is below:

Click Here For our Tournify Website

All places are available for £30.
Places are available on a first come, first serve basis so early return of the entry form and payment is advised with a reduced capacity compared to previous events.
There is a limit on places in each session with last year’s again reaching capacity quickly and further teams being turned away.

Please be aware that limited onsite parking is available so car sharing is encouraged for the benefit of all teams. Ample room is available for teams to bring gazebos, seating etc, BUT no BBQ or cooking equipment is permitted onsite.
Admission is free for all adults/Family attending with teams.
All referees are qualified and there will be plenty of food and refreshments on offer. STRICTLY NO Dogs or Animals are allowed onto the school site.

Alternatively you can use the invitation letter below to apply using a form and email. This letter also contains details should you wish to pay via BACS.

Follow this page and our social media outlets for further updates and announcements.

Any questions you can reach us at Festival@burnbridgewanderersjfc.co.uk

Festival Site Map: HERE

#BWJFCFF2024 #BWJFC #youublues

Festival name : BURNBRIDGE WANDERERS YOUTH FOOTBALL FESTIVAL
Festival organiser : BURNBRIDGE WANDERERS
Festival venue : KING ALFRED SPORTS FIELD, HIGHBRIDGE, TA9 3EE
Festival dates : 8th & 9th June 2024

1. Rules.
The organising association shall form an organising committee/ festival committee, which shall be responsible for all arrangements in connection with the competition.

• Teams need to arrive at the Festival Site & check in with the Festival Information Tent no later than 15 minutes prior to their fixture kick off time.
• Teams need to be at their respective pitch no later than 5 mins prior to their fixture kick off time.
• Modified goals and pitch dimensions shall be applied
• Recommended pitch dimensions are 40 m x 25 m  with 12ft by 6 ft. (Mini Soccer Goals)
• Teams will comprise up to 10 players in a squad with rolling substitutions used throughout the match.
• Under 7s, 8s and 9s Teams will play with a size 3 football. Under 10s, 11s and 12s will play with a size 4. The team mentioned first in the programme will provide the match ball.
• There is no offside rule.
• Pass back law does apply according to FA age guidelines and where a keeper handles from a deliberate back pass an indirect free kick will be awarded
• 7s,8s,9s and 10s retreat to the halfway line for goal kicks.
• Play shall be re-centered after a goal has been scored with the opposing team at least 5 metres from the ball.
• Team coaches will substitute players displaying unacceptable behaviour.
• Games will be 10 minutes of continuous play with no half times or switching ends
• Games will be 6-a-side
• Deliberate time wasting will result in a warning in the first instance and then forfeit of the match, or subsequent matches, if continued
• Goalkeepers at 7s and 8s can kick from their hands. At 9s,10,s 11s and 12s they must throw the ball out

Referees. In an effort to educate the children with regard to Fair Play, the referees are encouraged to “guide” in small sided games. They will offer guidance on rules and attitudes. They will be responsible for all final decisions.

2. Only teams, leagues or associations who are affiliated to a recognised national association and are invited by the host club are eligible to take part in the festival.

3. Team Leader. Every team must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years of age.

4. This adult will be deemed to be the team leader and they will be responsible for the behaviour of their players, on and off the field of play. They will be held responsible for the actions of their team within the complex and within all other facilities available to the team. 

5. Age category. – Please note age qualification dates are as for season 2023-2024

6. Duration of Play
Duration of game shall be 10 minutes.
The festival committee has the right to alter the duration of play, should a situation arise which makes this necessary.

7. Festival Format.
Under 7s and 8s
The festival format will be organised on a round robin basis. Results will not be recorded and points will not be awarded. 

Under 9s, 10s, 11s and12s
Teams will be divided into two groups who will play other teams in their group in a round robin basis. The top team from each group will progress to a final.  Depending on the number of teams registered the organisers withhold the right to divide teams into four groups and/or two competitions if deemed necessary. Teams will be notified if this is the case prior to the festival. In the result of a knock out game being equal at the end of 10 minutes then a penalty shootout will be used to decide which team will progress. This will consist of 3 penalties each. If scores are still equal a “sudden death” phase will be used until a winner is reached. Only players who played in the game are eligible to take part. 

When two or more are equal on points at the end of the round robin stage a penalty shootout will be used with the format as stated above.

8. Awards: 7s and 8s  team players will be presented with a suitable participation memento. Under 9s 10s, 11s and 12s competition winners will be presented with a trophy.

Substitutes. There is no limit to substitutes and players can be substituted back on later in the game

Every team is obliged to bring a second choice of strip or coloured bibs of contrasting colour. If, according to the referee, before the start of the match, the colours are too similar, then the team first mentioned in the programme must change.

9. Discipline. When a player or club official is sent from the field, the festival committee will be notified immediately after the match by the supervisor. Any player or official who has been sent from the field in the festival is not eligible to play in the team’s next game.

Note: All misconduct reports arising from the festival will be forwarded to the National Association of the host association who will forward these reports to the National Association concerned.

A team’s matches will be rendered invalid in the following cases:

• If a team is late for a game without a valid reason.
• If a team uses an ineligible player,
• If the referee has to abandon a game due to misconduct of players, officials and /or supporters of that team.

10. The rules of the Festival and decisions of the organising and appeals committee shall be final and binding on all teams
in the festival.

11.Schedule. The festival committee has the right to alter the competition schedule should unforeseen circumstances
occur.

12. Respect. The festival will be organised and played according to the FA Respect code of conduct.

13. Responsibility. It is the responsibility of each team to make sure that adequate insurance cover is provided for their
players. The festival organisers and tour organisers are not responsible for damage to, and loss or theft of possessions
or equipment of participants or clubs. They are also not responsible for harm or injury to any participants

14. Spectators. Respect barriers will be put in place pitch side. Lines will put behind goals. Please refrain from crossing these barriers to give players safe area to play in.

15. No alcohol, BBQs or Cooking equipment allowed onsite. Dogs are STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM THE SCHOOL GROUNDS. No smoking on the school grounds.