New Rule leaves thousands of kids in limbo over crimbo
For players and clubs all around the country Christmas means a transfer window which normally stretches from December 1st to January 31st.
For the uninitiated, this means that players may move clubs or even leagues by requesting a transfer and then signing for a new club once it is done within the “Transfer Window”.
Although now enshrined in SFAI Rules, the November 15 deadline for movement has caught many individuals and clubs unaware and potentially leaving some underage players without football until July 2023.
While now set in stone by the SFAI the lack of awareness with the knowledge failing to pass down the line in many instances has caught many unawares and simply in a limbo that is hard to escape.
While it was circulated that the FAI were changing over from FAI.net to the new Comet system which has impacted many junior and intermediate clubs nationwide, a cohort of underage players are now isolated - including many girls - and this in a World Cup year.!
The rules are very strict and are in place to protect players, clubs and leagues. Unregulated player movements would spell disaster for the players, clubs, leagues and FAI. All clubs, coaches, players and leagues follow the protocols and procedures and everything generally works smoothly.
For the purposes of clarity, let’s use a couple of examples to illustrate.
A 14 year old boy could be playing for a club in the DDSL. He may be considering a move to a new club for a number of reasons. It could be from moving home to an ambition to play at a higher level. This boy would normally become a “free agent” from the 1st of December and have until the 31st of January to complete the transfer. The transfer involves some paperwork and an established process which everyone understands. Once completed the player begins the new year playing in his new club.
Another example maybe a 12 year old girl playing under 13 in the MGL. Her team has maybe grown in numbers and her game time has now been compromised. She is finding herself with fewer minutes on the pitch every week. She has found a local club that has a team for her age group but is in need of extra players. She is excited at the prospect of more time on the pitch by moving clubs. As a free agent from the 1st of December she is free to explore and complete a transfer by the 31st of January.
This new rule puts a stop to both examples above.
It has just come to light that the SFAI have informed clubs around the country of the following new rule:
“The SFAI Transfer Window for Players moving from MGL to MGL Teams or from a Winter Based League closed on 15th November 2022 - This is for Teams Up to Under 16s
The LFA Transfer Window opens on 1st Dec 2022 to 31st Jan 2023 for players moving between MGL and MGL Teams at Under 17s & Under 18s
Players moving from Calendar based leagues are free agents from the 1st Dec 2022 and can be signed between 1st and 4th December or after 1st Jan due to switch to new System
Winter based leagues are MGL, DDSL, Midlands, Kildare, Cavan/Monaghan, Wexford & Wicklow
Calendar based leagues include EWFL U19s, Louth and NECSL
If the player is moving from a League not listed above please contact us to confirm if League they are currently playing in is Winter or Calendar Based”
This effectively stops any player even considering a move until July of 2023.
What does this mean?
To any child up to under 16, playing in a Winter based league and who was intending on a move to a new club or league is now forced to stay at the club until July 2023. What’s more interesting is that this message is only now reaching clubs, the 1st week of December 2022, almost 3 weeks after the deadline has come and gone.
For the small number of children and their parents who for whatever reason are choosing to move clubs this is a very stressful situation.
Christmas for so many football loving children will now be full of anxiety. These kids having made up their minds to leave and begin a new journey at a new club are now being told it’s not possible to move.
Game time for improvers and a pathway for advanced developers are key requirements for a girls section experiencing significant growth.
The girls game especially, is in growth mode and girls are entering the game in very high numbers. This means that girls cannot go looking for clubs where they may get more “game time” or step up by joining clubs more appropriate to their abilities.
With the Women’s Irish National Team now preparing to compete in next Summer’s Women’s World Cup, this effectively stunts their growth and ability to spread players more evenly over resources that are already stretched.
How is it that a child who is signed up to play for a club for the season and with an understanding that there is a “Christmas Transfer Window”, can have that option taken away like this.
The question needs to be asked? Are the registration contracts signed up for by parents and their children worth the paper they are written on?
Simply stated, rules are rules but there should also be a process to facilitate legitimate derogations if there is agreement from both clubs and the league involved.
We want to hear from you and how this may be affecting your own situation.
