- The primary objective of the joint Parkinson’s Football /WFA initiative is to grow the sport of walking football amongst those with Parkinson’s and in a broader neurological setting.
- The tournament format is a knock out competition between teams of six players, with a squad of ten to allow for adequate rest , medication and hydration .
- A minimum five minutes rest period between matches will be required, for players.
- The games will be of fifteen minute duration on pitches sized approximately 40m long x 30m wide.
- The teams will be split into two groups, with the top two progressing to the semi final stage.
- Games ending level after normal time in the Semi final and Final -stage will be settled by a three penalty shoot out followed by sudden death if not settled .
- The games will be refereed by WFA qualified and registered officials
- The games will be competitive but must be played in the right spirit and with full respect given to the issues relevant to both conditions.
- Foul and abusive language will not be tolerated and a first offence will result in a blue card which will remain in place for the rest of the competition. A second offence will result in the removal of the player from the competition
- Any abusive language , demeanour or other such behaviour towards any official will result in removal from the competition and potentially the squad.
- Each team will appoint a captain who will be responsible for ensuring that the standard of his teams’ conduct is within the rules of the game.
- The claiming of throw ins, corners , free kicks etc when not justified is not acceptable and a suitable penalty will be introduced if not acknowledged and demonstrated by the players.
- By registering each individual understands and accepts that he/ she is playing at their own risk having considered the likely exertion required in the game, acknowledges and agrees to be bound by this and to play within the rules of Walking football – set out here:
- Any medication required shall be held by a representative of the team within five minutes walk of the playing area and a distress signal will be agreed and made known to all teams before the start of play .
- Should a player at any time fall to the ground then the game shall be brought to a halt until the player has been visually and verbally checked by the referee and declared fit to continue . The team in possession at the time of the fall will restart the game as if no fall had occurred.
Note
Each team is encouraged to bring as many supporters as possible to the tournament.
Each team will nominate a representative to be responsible for the conduct of anyone attending the event who is connected with that team, and will take appropriate action if requested to do so by any representatives of Sport Parkinson’s, WFA or the staff at St George’s