Competition regulations

Rules and Governance

One Team. One Community. Stronger Together. The framework that governs eligibility, match play, the Championship Belt and conduct across the First Responder Soccer Academy Championship Series — for Police, Fire and Rescue, Ambulance, SES, Marine Rescue, Border Force, Defence Force and Army personnel, Doctors, Nurses and volunteer first responders alike.

Section 01

Match format

Matches are played under Association Football (soccer) laws as adopted by First Responder Soccer Academy.
Standard fixtures are eleven a side unless otherwise published for a specific event.
Teams must arrive at the published arrival time to complete check in and equipment checks.
Match officials are appointed by First Responder Soccer Academy and their decisions on the day are final.

Section 02

Eligibility

Players must be current or former personnel of an approved first responder or frontline health organisation, including volunteer services.
Every player must be registered to a team and approved before taking the field.
A player may represent only one team within a championship cycle without written approval.
Teams must nominate a team official responsible for roster accuracy and conduct.

Section 03

Championship regulations

There is one reigning champion.
The belt is on the line whenever the reigning champion plays an official championship match.
Ranked teams compete to become the next challenger.
A contender match determines the next title challenger.
When a challenger defeats the champion, the challenger becomes the new champion.
The former champion returns to the rankings.
The champion does not select its own challenger.
The championship belt remains the property of First Responder Soccer Academy.

Section 04

Conduct and safety

All participants represent their organisation and are expected to uphold its standards.
Abuse, discrimination and intimidation are not tolerated and may result in suspension.
Injuries must be reported to the match official and recorded in the match report.
Teams are responsible for ensuring participants are medically fit to compete.

Section 05

Governance

First Responder Soccer Academy administers competition rules, rankings, approvals and disciplinary matters.
Rankings are published by the First Responder Soccer Academy competition office after each official match.
Disputes must be lodged in writing within seven days of the match in question.
First Responder Soccer Academy may amend these rules with notice published on this page.