ENTRY CRITERIA

NATIONAL PERFORMANCE LEAGUES

ENTRY TO SCOTTISH WOMEN’S NATIONAL PERFORMANCE LEAGUES

KEY CRITERIA

Background

Timeline for implementation

Entry Criteria –

- Matrix

Intention to Register

Background

The creation of the National Performance Leagues (NPL) at Under 15s and Under 19s have been an

excellent step forward towards the evolution of a performance pathway specific to the most talented

youth female players in the country.

Prior to these leagues being developed the potential of grassroots players playing against youth

internationals and other very experienced females was a weekly occurrence. Frequent high scores,

unfulfilled fixtures and general dissatisfaction with their playing experience has been the feedback to

various stakeholders in the girls and women’s game in recent seasons.

Recently a workshop was held at Tulliallan Police College between representatives from both u15 and

u19 National Performance Leagues as well as Scottish Women’s Football and the Scottish FA. The

agenda for the day revolved around an assessment of the operations of the first 3 months of the new

competition and consideration for key areas such as improving environments, developing coaches,

entry criteria and ensuring that as the years’ progress, the league is a place where elite players of the

correct ages are developed.

Entry Criteria

In this pilot season the recruitment of the teams was based on a number of factors that mainly revolved

around the elite performance of those teams in their regional leagues from the previous year. Moving

forward it is clear that in order for the environment created by the teams involved to be conducive to the

development of the best young players in the country, there must be some criteria associated with each

teams/clubs participation in the NPL.

Quality of Coaches

Quality and frequency of training

Team Performance

Player Performance (Regional / National)

As such, this document represents the views of the clubs in attendance at the May workshop and the

League Management Committee empowered to govern the leagues.

Above all, it is a move towards an efficient and effective player pathway for those entering the game for

the first time, playing regularly at club level or excelling at an elite level. Supporting clubs, coaches,

volunteers and players in whatever stage of the journey best fits their vision and needs will go hand in

hand with this progression. This is a role that Scottish Women’s Football and the Scottish FA are

committed to and approach with enthusiasm at an exciting time for the girls’ and women’s game in

Scotland.

Timeline for Implementation

Entry Criteria

1. Personnel

a. Coach/Manager

Each team shall have an individual in place.

This individual shall be qualified for the role. The minimum mandatory requirement is as follows:

Must have a ‘C’ Licence Qualification or be working towards it in the same season.

b. Assistant Coach

Must have a Level 1.3 ‘Coaching in the Game’ (Main Pathway) qualification or be working towards it in the same season.

c. Goalkeeping

In addition teams must have:

A Goalkeeping Coach with a minimum Level 1 Goalkeeping Certificate

d. Physiotherapy

Teams will have access to a physiotherapist. A minimum of a sports first aider must be present at training and games (this can be the same person).

e. Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer

Each club shall have an individual in place. This individual must have attended or signed up to attend the following in accordance with SWF’s Child Wellbeing & Protection Policy:

Children’s Wellbeing in Scottish Football Workshop or the sportscoach UK Safeguarding & Protecting Children Worksop

Managing Children’s Wellbeing in Scottish Football workshop or the Children’s 1st In Safe Hands workshop

In addition they must have completed the following and returned to SWF in accordance with SWF’s Child Wellbeing & Protection Policy:

PVG scheme record/update through SWF in past 3 years Self-Declaration form Fair Processing Notice form 2 references approving their suitability to conduct regulated work SWF’s code of conduct for safeguarding children’s wellbeing

f. First Aider

Each team shall have an individual in place who must be present at both training and games. This individual must have attended a recognised sports first aid course and provided SWF with a copy of their certificate evidencing that their qualifications are up to date as part of the annual affiliation process.

g. Club Secretary

Each club shall have a named Club Secretary. This individual should be named during the affiliation process and be in possession of an up to date job description outlining their duties.

2. Training

a. Frequency

Teams should train a minimum of 3 times per week (2 technical/pitch sessions and a strength

and conditioning session).

b. Facility

Under 15 teams should have access to a third of a pitch for training.

Under 19 teams should have access to a half of a pitch for at least one session per week.

3. The Ground

a. Registered Ground

Teams shall have a designated home ground for the duration of each season for all matches unless unforeseen circumstances occur. As per competition rules, in this scenario clubs must seek permission from the League Administrator to use another venue A permanent or temporary adequate perimeter pitch protection system shall surround the playing area separating it from spectators and employed as directed by the match officials on the day. This shall be of sound construction and free from any sharp edges. Pitch Perimeter Barrier: refers to barrier or rail that separates spectators from playing area b. The Field of Play The field shall be in compliance with the Laws of the Game.

c. Natural Grass Surfaces Any natural grass surface may be subject to tests, at intervals to be decided by the SWF, to ensure compliance to performance standards determined by the SWF or others approved by SWF. The field shall be in good condition and playable throughout the playing season.

d. Artificial Surfaces Standard to be approved by the SWF upon written application from the club.

e. Health & Safety Regulations

The ground must comply with prevailing Health and Safety regulations, and, where applicable, have relevant certification issued by the local authority when required.

f. Access

Both clubs must have access to the match pitch for a minimum of 15 minutes before kick-off. In the event that this is not feasible, the home club must advise their opponent in advance of the fixture of the specific warm up arrangements in place as part of their confirmation of details communication in the week prior to the match.

4. Facilities a. Teams

1 dressing room for each club (home and visiting team) with facilities to safely secure valuables and/or lock the dressing room is a minimum requirement. This should not be a communal changing area i.e. public changing room with general public access. b. Match Officials

The match official’s dressing room must be separate from the team dressing rooms but close by and has facility to safely secure valuables.

c. Technical Areas

Clubs shall provide a clearly marked technical area for up to 13 people next to the field, large enough for the technical team and substitutes.

5. Media/Marketing

Teams should promote fixtures using the marketing toolkit provided.

Team lines (minimum of 6 copies) should be made available at least 30 minutes before kick-off. Match reports should be submitted to SWF by the home team after each match

6. Quality of Performance

To be eligible to apply for a place in the NPLs the following performance related criteria is require:

Under 15 teams should have 2 or more Regional Performance Squad players

OR

Finish in the top 2 in the previous age appropriate regional league

Under 19 teams should have 2 or more Regional Performance Squad players

OR

1 Youth National team player

OR

Finish in the top 2 in the previous age appropriate regional league

Clubs attaining this criteria are eligible to apply, however are not necessarily guaranteed a place. The nature of the NPL is to create a place for the best teams in the country and such applications made will be assessed by the LMC in order to create and sustain this elite nature.

NATIONAL PERFORMANCE LEAGUE MATRIX

1 Personnel

Mandatory Recommended

a Coach/Manager: C Licence

b Assistant Coach: Main Pathway 1.3

c Goalkeeping

d Physiotherapy

e Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer

f First Aider

g Club Secretary

2 Training

a Frequency: 3 x per week

b Facility: Access to training pitch

3 The Ground

a Registered Ground & Pitch Parameter

b The Field of Play

c Natural Grass Surface

d Artificial Surface

e Health & Safety Regulations

f Access

4 Facilities

a

Teams

i Dressing Rooms: Not accessible by public

b Match Officials

i Dressing Rooms: Separate from teams

c Technical Areas

Space for up to 13 technical staff & players

5

Media/Marketing

Promotion of weekly fixtures

Team lines

Match reports

6 ‘On Pitch’ Performance

i U15’s NPL (any of below)

At least 2 RPS Players in the team

Finished in top 2 of regional league

ii U19s NPL (any of below)

At least 2 RPS Players in the team

1 Youth National Team Player (U15/U16/U17/U19)

Finish in top 2 of regional league

Intention to Register 2018 2019 2020 2021

SWPL 1 SWPL 2 SWFL 1 (N)

SWFL 1 (S)

Club

Current Season

Current League

League you wish to register for in the following season

As you are aware entry to the National Performance Leagues required each club to attain a certain standard of provision in order to be eligible to register. Please indicate against each criteria whether your club currently meets the standard required for the league you wish to register for in the following season. We will endeavour to support your club in areas you feel you are missing. As such we would like you to categorise the status of each area. Please refer to the entry criteria document for further detail in each area.

Green - Fully Compliant

n.b All areas in each section must be compliant to have an overall rating of 'green'

Amber - Partially Compliant

Red - Not Compliant at All

Green Amber Red

1 Personnel

a Coach/Manager: C Licence b Assistant Coach: Main Pathway 1.3

c Goalkeeping

d Physiotherapy

e Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer

f First Aider

g Club Secretary

2 Training

a Frequency: 3 x per week

b Facility: Access to training pitch

3 The Ground

a Registered Ground & Pitch Parameter

b The Field of Play

c Natural Grass Surface

d Artificial Surface

e Health & Safety Regulations

f Access

4 Facilities

a Teams

i Dressing Rooms: Not accessible by public

b Match Officials

i Dressing Rooms: Separate from teams

c Technical Areas Space for up to 13 technical staff & players

6 ‘On Pitch’ Performance

i U15’s NPL (any of below)

At least 2 RPS Players in the team

Finished in top 2 of regional league

ii U19s NPL (any of below)

At least 2 RPS Players in the team

1 Youth National Team Player (U15/U16/U17/U19)

Finish in top 2 of regional league

Date of completion

Please be aware clubs may be audited and asked to provide evidence to accompany this form at a date to be agreed with SWF. Please submit this form to SWF no later than 30th September.