To save this page to your bookmarks

On a Windows device: Windows key + D

On a Mac: CMD + D

On a mobile device: Look for the star icon

Regulations

CONSTITUTION AND RULES

1. Title

This combination of participating Association Football Clubs (each a “Club”) shall be called “Cymru Premier League Development League” and being affiliated in its own right to The Football Association of Wales Limited (“FAW”) is for all purposes of interpretation hereinafter referred to as the “League”. 

2. Constitution and Structure

2.1. The FAW will own and control the League. The League will be administered by the FAW’s National League Board (“Board”) or as otherwise approved by the FAW. The Clubs will observe these rules (“Rules”). In addition, the Clubs will observe the FAW Rules and Regulations and the Laws of the Game, as amended from time to time. In the event of a conflict between these Rules and the current FAW Rules and Regulations, the FAW Rules and Regulations will apply.

2.2. The League shall be split into a League (North) division and a League (South) division,  the precise numerical and geographical split being decided by the Board. Participation in the League is mandatory for all Clubs which are FAW Licensed Academies.  No other Club may participate in the League.

2.3. The Club with the highest number of points at the end of the playing season in League (South) will be the League (South) Champions. The Club with the highest number of points at the end of the playing season in League (North) will be the League (North) Champions.  In the event of two or more Clubs in the same division having the same number of points, the League (South) or League (North) Champions (as applicable) will be decided by which Club has the highest difference between goals scored and goals against. In the event of more than one Club in the same division having the same goal difference, the Club that has scored the highest number of goals will be the Champions.

2.4. A Play-Off match will be arranged between the winners of the League (North) and League (South) in each playing  season.  The winning Club will be the overall League Champions for that playing season.

2.5. The League Champions will be nominated by the FAW to represent Wales in the next UEFA Youth League if (a) Wales receives a nomination for participation in the competition (b) that Club remains an FAW Licensed Academy and meets any other criteria set by UEFA (an “Eligible Club”).  If the Play-off winner is not an Eligible Club, the FAW will nominate the Play-Off loser if that Club is an Eligible Club. If neither of the Play-Off finalists is an Eligible Club, the Board will decide which (if any) Eligible Club the FAW will nominate.​​​​​​​

2.6. Clubs shall not withdraw from membership of the League for the forthcoming playing season without due notice of such an intention being given in writing before March 31st. Clubs ignoring this requirement will be liable to a fine of £100. Clubs withdrawing from the League during the playing season without completing their League matches will be subject to a fine of £500.​​​​​​​

2.7. Each Club shall play its full-strength team in all League matches. The fine for non-observance of this Rule shall be at the discretion of the Board.​​​​​​​

3. Annual Subscriptions

3.1. The League General Manager shall by 1st July, send a statement to all Clubs detailing the Annual Subscription due for the forthcoming playing season.​​​​​​​

3.2. Each Club shall pay an Annual Subscription of One Hundred Pounds (£100). The Annual Subscription must be received by the FAW by 1st August each year.​​​​​​​

3.3. Clubs failing to pay any debt owing to the FAW by the due date will automatically incur a fine of £10.​​​​​​​ 

4. League Funds

The League funds shall be banked in the name of The Football Association of Wales.

5. Player Eligibility

Subject to Rule 6 below, a player must be male and must not have attained the age of 19 years before 1st September in the relevant year in order to play in the League for that playing season. FAW Rule 85A applies to players aged under 16.

6. Exemption

6.1 In any match day squad of 16 players - up to 5 over age players shall be permitted with 3 over age players allowed on the field of play at the same time. 

6.2 Clubs shall be permitted to nominate to the Association using the systems and procedures set out by the Association from time to time players, who have attained the age of 14, during that Playing Season, to play in the Cymru Premier Development League, and its associated divisions and any associated Play-Off matches, subject in all cases to compliance by the Club with the safeguarding rules and procedures for such Players as set by the Association from time to time (including, without limitation, the issue of any approval or other consent by the Association under the said rules and procedures).

7. Format

All matches to be played on a home and away principle.

8. Date/Time of matches

8.1. The League General Manager shall arrange the League match list annually, with League matches to be played on Saturdays, Sundays or under floodlights midweek. The League playing season will commence in August each year following consultation with the Clubs.​​​​​​​

8.2. Where both Clubs are in agreement, a Saturday or Sunday League match may be brought forward to a midweek evening to be played under floodlights, but only during the preceding week of the original match date, unless otherwise approved by the Board.​​​​​​​

8.3. Clubs failing to fulfil a League match without rendering an explanation which is deemed to be satisfactory to the Board shall be liable to a £100 fine and three (3) points shall also be deducted. The disappointed Club may be awarded such compensation as the Board may deem reasonable. Clubs engaged in Cup Ties, if affecting League matches, must give the General Manager of the League and the Clubs affected at least seven-(7) days clear notice, and the home Club must notify the Referee and Linesmen of the postponement.​​​​​​​

8.4. Any Club starting a League match with less than eleven (11) players shall be fined £50 per missing player.​​​​​​​

8.5. No Club shall be allowed to postpone a League match with another Club unless it is to play in The Welsh Cup or FAW Youth Cup. Clubs affected by the selection of two (2) or more players for International Trials or Matches may be permitted by the Board to postpone their League match on the days of such matches. Any requests to postpone League matches for this reason shall be made to the General Manager of the League  within forty-eight (48) hours of the squad announcement. Consideration shall be given regarding late call ups to the above-mentioned International Trials or Matches. The Board reserves the right to arrange League matches for those Clubs who do not have a scheduled match.​​​​​​​

8.6. No League match shall be postponed unless the Board shall consent to a mutual arrangement or under exceptional circumstances. AII postponed matches must be re-arranged within fourteen (14) days of the original match date and the revised date and kick-off time must be notified by both Clubs to the League’s General Manager in writing for League approval. The Club(s) deemed by the Board to be responsible for failing to reach an agreement within fourteen (14) days will be fined £25.​​​​​​​

8.7. The kick-off times for League matches shall be 2.00pm unless sanctioned otherwise by the League’s General Manager.​​​​​​​

8.8. Applications for an alternative kick off time for a League match must be made in writing to the League General Manager no later than fourteen (14) days before the date of the match, except in the case of a postponement. Midweek and Holiday fixtures may kick off at mutually agreed times subject to League approval.​​​​​​​ 

9. Match Results

The home Club is required to record League match data on Comet on behalf of both Clubs during the League match. If there are valid reasons that the information cannot be reported live, it shall be the home Club’s responsibility to record the relevant data as soon as possible. Failure to comply shall incur a fine of £50.

10. Fines

The Scale of fines will be decided by the Board.

11. club colours and ground 

11.1. Each Club in The League shall register its ground (alternative ground if required) and colours with the General Manager. In the event of any two Clubs having similar playing colours, the visiting Club shall make a change, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon. The colours of the opposing Club must be distinctive. Goalkeepers shall play in colours distinct from other members of the teams. The players of each team must wear individually numbered shirts. Numbers worn by players must correspond with the team sheet submitted to the referee. The forename / chosen name of each player to be included on the same.

11.2. A minimum of 50% home League matches to be played on the Club’s designated first team pitch. The standard of second pitch and venue must be acceptable to the Board.

12. Rules - Infringement/Revisions

12.1. Any infringement of the League Rules shall be dealt with in such a manner as the Board may think fit. Any appeal against the decision of the Board shall be to The Football Association of Wales in accordance with its Rules.

12.2. No alteration of or addition to existing Rules shall be made, except at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting convened on a requisition signed by not less than two thirds of the Clubs comprising the League, and then only upon such resolution being carried by a two-thirds majority of the Members present and voting thereon. Notice of alteration or addition must be sent to the General Manager not less than fourteen days before the date of such Meeting, the same to be printed and forwarded to the Clubs at least seven days before the Meeting.

12.3. Notice of alteration of Rules for the Annual General Meeting must reach the League General Manager by the 31st of March each year.

12.4. Any rule changes submitted by a club must be signed by the Club Secretary (as listed in the League Handbook) and also by the Chair or a committee member.​​​​​​​

13. Board

The CPL Board shall be the CPDL Panel which shall comprise of members decided by the FAW Council from time to time.

14. Appointment of General Manager

The General Manager shall be appointed by the Board. Such Official shall be an Officer of the League, and not directly or indirectly, connected with any Club in membership with the League nor shall he/she be allowed to exercise voting power at any meeting held under its jurisdiction. Subscriptions and all other monies accruing to the League shall be properly accounted for to the Board by the General Manager.

15. Jurisdiction

15.1. The Board shall have jurisdiction over all matters whether specially provided for in these rules or not. They shall have power to form any Sub-Committee they may consider necessary and may delegate all or any of their powers to any such Sub-Committee.

15.2. In the event of the voting at any meeting being equal, the Chair of such meeting shall have the casting vote, save as before mentioned. The Board shall meet every month, if necessary. No resolution shall be rescinded at the meeting at which it is passed. The expenses of each member of the Board attending shall be paid from the League Funds.

15.3. Officials and Members of the Board shall have free access to any part of the Football Grounds during the progress of all League matches.

15.4. A member club, or player, ordered by the League to provide a written response to a charge preferred by the League or a protest, appeal, claim or complaint lodged with the League by a club or player must do so within ten (10) days of the date of the letter from the League requesting the written response.

15.5. Such written response must stipulate whether or not the club requires a personal hearing. Should a club or player fail to provide a written response within the stipulated ten days, they will be deemed to have denied the charge of misconduct or allegation contained in the protest, appeal, claim or complaint lodged and the League will take the required steps to convene a hearing at which the club or player will be required to attend.

16. Objectionable Conduct

At the Annual General Meeting, or any Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose, it shall be competent for a majority of the Delegates present and voting thereat to exclude from membership any Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been objectionable.

17. Regulations Re: Matches

17.1. All matches shall be played under the rules of The Football Association of Wales and shall be of 90 minutes duration. Clubs shall not mutually agree to play a match in lieu of a League match.

17.2. If a match is played to a conclusion, it must be a League match. Any match not completed may be ordered to stand as a completed match or be replayed for the full period of 90 minutes as the Board may direct.

17.3. A Club may at its discretion use five (5) substitute players from five (5) nominated substitute players for any reason (injury or otherwise), except to replace a player who has been suspended from the game by the Referee. The substitutions can only be made when play is stopped for any reason and the Referee has given permission. The substitute players shall be nominated prior to the commencement of the match.

17.4. Clubs responsible for a late start, shall be liable to a fine in accordance with Rule 27.

17.5. During a League match, each Club:

              17.5.1.    shall have a maximum of three (3) substitution opportunities; and

              17.5.2.    may in addition make substitutions at half-time.

17.6. Where both Clubs make a substitution at the same time, this will count as a substitution opportunity used by each Club.

18.  Custody of League Trophies

18.1. The Championship Cup will be presented to the Club of the said competition.

18.2. Upon receiving the said trophy the following agreement will be signed in connection with the safe keeping and eventual return of the trophy to the League.

We the undersigned Officials of the................................Club do on their behalf receive The  Cymru Premier League's Development League Cup and acknowledge that same has been delivered into our keeping in good and sound condition.

We agree that the Club will return the said trophy to the League within 28 days of the end of the following season or upon request by the League Secretary.

We further agree to indemnify the League against Loss of or Damage to the trophy while in our possession or otherwise to provide an exact replica of the Cup concerned.

Date:...............................................................................

Signed: ............................................................................

Chair: ........................................................................

Secretary:.........................................................................

Note: No inscription is allowed to be placed on the Cups by any Club.

19. Ground and Dressing Room Criteria

19.1. All clubs in membership, and those applying for membership, must have grounds that are acceptable to the Board.

19.2. All League matches are to be played on private grounds or grounds deemed suitable by the Board.

19.3. The Pitch size must comply with the Laws of the Game.

19.4. Dressing Rooms

19.4.1  Players Dressing Room
The dressing rooms for both teams must be heated, well ventilated, free of damp, secure and must be situated within the boundaries of the ground.

Separate changing rooms must be provided for both teams, capable of accommodating a minimum of 16 persons.

Clubs must have toilet facilities of at least one W/C and one hand basin with hot and cold running water within the immediate vicinity of the dressing room complex. A separate shower area must be provided for each team with a minimum of four shower heads.

19.4.2  Match Officials Dressing Room
A separate area must be provided for the exclusive of match officials, which must be capable of accommodating at least four persons. 

There must be a separate shower for Match Officials and a W/C and wash basin with hot and cold running water in the immediate vicinity.

19.5. Medical

19.5.1  All clubs must have first aid equipment which must include a stretcher. The location of this equipment must be clearly marked in all dressing rooms and ideally a separate First Aid Room should be available.

19.5.2  Clubs should arrange for suitably trained first aid personnel to be provided for players and spectators at all matches.

19.5.3  Emergency vehicles must be able to drive in to the stadium. The access and egress point(s) must not be blocked. A parking space must be identified for an emergency vehicle to park, which must not be occupied by any other vehicle or used for any other purpose.

19.5.4  Unobstructed access leading from a spectator area in the stadium to the playing area must be provided to allow access and egress for a stretcher. It is recommended that this access is located as close as possible to the area designated for the access/egress of the emergency vehicle(s).

19.6. Hospitality

19.6.1  All clubs must provide a room for club officials and guests as near to the playing area as possible

19.6.2  Hot tea or if appropriate cold drinks must be provided for players and match officials at half  time and full time, and at half time for visiting club officials and guests. Ideally post-match food for Players and Match Officials should be provided at an appropriate location near the ground

19.7. Covered Areas

19.7.1  Clubs must provide two covered dugouts adjacent to and on the same side of the playing area.  They must be capable of accommodating a minimum of six seated persons, and the floor must be of solid foundation.

19.7.2  A technical area must be marked in accordance with the Laws of the Game in front of both dug outs.

19.8. The Board will have plenary powers to remove any club from League membership should it fail to meet the accepted ground criteria of the League as published. Clubs must rectify any failures from the published ground criteria within thirty days of being advised in writing by the League. Any club failing to meet the ground criteria and having been advised that its membership is removed will be relegated at the end of that season to the appropriate feeder league.

20. Registration and Transfer of Players

In accordance with Section H of FAW Rules.

21. Ineligible Players

Any Club playing an ineligible player will have up to three points deducted from its record and be liable to a fine.

22. Regulations Affecting Referees and Assistant Referees

22.1. No Referee shall take part in the Management of any League Club.

22.2. Referees’ List, Fees and Expenses -

22.2.1  Match Officials Fees will be paid directly by the home club.

Referees fees £40

Assistant Referees fees £30

No fourth officials.

22.2.2  The Home club shall pay the Referee and Assistant Referees fees and traveling expenses of 45p per mile in the Match Officials Dressing Room immediately after the game.

Any Club paying a Referee more than his just fee and travelling allowance shall be deemed guilty of misconduct and shall be dealt with by the Board.

22.3. Fitness of Ground

22.3.1  The Referee shall have the power to decide as to the fitness of grounds in aII matches, and each Club must take every precaution to keep its ground in a playing condition, and, if necessary, the Home Club may request the referee to visit the ground two hours before the advertised time of kick-off. No club shall postpone the playing of a league match on account of apparent unfitness of its ground, a League Match Official being the sole person to decide as to the fitness after inspection.

22.3.2  Decisions in respect of ground fitness must be taken as late as possible, however due consideration must be given in respect of the distance being traveled by the visiting team and match officials.

22.3.3  An official asked to carry out a pitch inspection by a home club prior to any match will be reimbursed his/her travelling expenses at the League rate by the club involved. An official asked to carry out a pitch inspection by a League official prior to any match will be reimbursed his/her travelling expenses by the League at the League’s current rate.

22.3.4  ln the event of a match being called off by the appointed match referee at the normal time, all match officials will be entitled to claim half their match fee plus travelling expenses, to be paid by the home club. If a match is abandoned once the match has commenced, all match officials are entitled to claim their full match fee plus travelling expenses.

22.4. Late Starts and Reports

22.4.1  Match officials shall be present at their appointed match at least one hour prior to kick off time. If officials are aware of difficulties in adhering to this requirement, they must contact the General Manager prior to the match. Official team sheets shall be presented to the Referee 45 minutes prior to kick-off. Later presentation of the team sheet shall be liable to a fine of £1 for each minute.

22.4.2  Referees must report all cases where teams commence a game late, or without eleven players on the field, and also in cases of their own or assistant’s late arrival in any match and notify those concerned at the time of their intention.

22.4.3  ln the event of any misconduct, the officiating Referee, and Assistant Referees, must render his/her report to the appropriate Area Association.

22.5Postponed Matches

22.5.1  In the event of a match being unavoidably postponed the officials - if any have attended the ground - shall receive Half Fee and Travelling Expenses.

22.5.2  In the event of a match being unavoidably postponed, the officials – if they have attended the ground – shall receive Half Fee and Travelling Expenses. The home club must receive acknowledgement of any given postponements from the away team as soon as the match in question has been called off. If no response is forthcoming, the home club must contact the  General Manager. Failure to comply will result in a fine of up to £100.

22.6. Match Report Forms

Referees must confirm Match Report Forms on Comet within 45 minutes of the final whistle. Each club must hand copies of a list of names and players taking part in the game (including name(s) and number(s) of the nominated substitute(s)) to the referee, and a representative of their opponents in the presence of the referee, at least thirty minutes before the advertised time of kick off. The players numbers and the colours of the playing strip must be clearly stated. The standard League forms must be used for this purpose.

22.7. Appointments

22.7.1  Referees and Assistant Referees must take advantage of travelling together when so requested or whenever possible.

22.7.2  Referees and Assistant Referees are requested to send their replies of acceptance or otherwise within four days following receipt of the Appointments List.

23.  Emergency Officials

23.1. Should the appointed referee fail to appear, the most senior appointed referee shall take control. The senior assistant is the one with the highest grade or if both have similar grades, the one with the longest service as a referee on the League.

23.2. In the event of the Referee or Assistant Referees appointed not attending a Match, and the Two Clubs agreeing to one on the ground, such Referee shall be considered to be a League Official for the time being. Referees or Assistant Referees failing to give a satisfactory reason for absence to the Board shall not be appointed to any other Match during the season. No member of the Board shall officiate in the League.

24. Players Insurance

Each Club shall be responsible for maintaining or procuring that there is maintained in full force and effect at all times proper and adequate insurance cover with policy limits and provisions for each of its players from time to time in respect of their death, or bodily injury, by accident howsoever caused on the field of play including (but without limitation) loss of earnings and other consequential losses (together with ‘Insured Risks’) and shall ensure that all players from time to time shall be entitled to the benefit of such insurance and shall submit sufficient evidence of the existence of such insurance to the General Manager of the League no later than 1st August in each year, and each Club shall indemnify and keep the League fully indemnified against all liability of the League in respect of the insured risks.

25.  Matters not provided for by the Rules

Any infringement of the Rules and any other matter not provided for by the Rules shall be dealt with by the Board.

 

As approved by the NLB 

First Published

08 September 2020

Last Updated

31 October 2023

Part Of

Regulations

Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×