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League News

New Format to be Adopted

  • 22/10/12
  • By Philip Heap
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The League Committee have agreed a new format for Season 12-13

The National Blind Futsal League will re-commence on Saturday 27th October with a number of changes introduced by the league committee.

The leagues membership has grown to six after Merseyside Blind FC ‘s application to join the league was approved over the summer. The newly formed club will join Worcester Blind FC, RNC Academy Blind, London & South East Centre of Excellence and East Midlands Centre of Excellence in trying to overcome last season’s double winning West Midlands Centre of Excellence to this seasons prizes.

The league format has also altered significantly in an attempt to increasingly support development. Each team will play 2 fixtures per league match day and a total of 10 over the course of the season. Each game will consist of two 20 minute periods (running clock) and a 5 minute half time whilst games are played in a 60 minute block. Three team fouls per team per half will be permitted. An 8 metre penalty will be awarded on the fourth and every subsequent team foul thereafter. The count is reset at half time. Any player who commits 5 personal fouls during a match must leave the field of play. He may be substituted immediately by another player but is not permitted to return to the field of play during that match.

The Brian Aarons Cup in January will see teams being placed into 2 groups of 3 teams. Teams in each group will play each other once and the top 2 teams in each group will progress into the semi finals. Teams finishing 3rd in each group will play off for 5th place whilst the losing semi finalists will play off for 3rd place. All Games will consist of 1 period of 15 minutes (running clock) and will be played in a 30 minute block. Three team fouls per team per match will be permitted. An 8 metre penalty will be awarded on the fourth and every subsequent team foul thereafter. Each team is permitted to take one timeout per match. Any player who commits 3 personal fouls during a match must leave the field of play. He may be substituted immediately by another player but is not permitted to return to the field of play during that match.