ELIGIBILITY & RULES

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The objectives of The Win Big Charity SoccerFest are:

(a) to promote the game of soccer through sportsmanship, fair play and quality competition, and

(b) to donate proceeds from the tournament and festival to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

These policies, procedures and rules are intended to support those objectives, and every participant, whether player or official or volunteer, is expected to act in a manner that brings credit to the game od soccer. Doing so will add to the enjoyment of everyone.

Note: Policies, Procedures & Rules posted at www.winbigcharity.org shall take precedence over any others.

1. Team and Single Player Eligibility & Application to Enter

Teams must registered for the SoccerFest Tournament on the Win Big Charity Website (www.winbigcharity.org/soccerfest). Application to enter is made exclusively online. ALL Players MUST be 18 years of age or older on the day of the Event. Teams will be accepted to play at the sole discretion of The Win Big Charity SoccerFest. Any team withdrawing after April 3rd 2025 will forfeit its entry fee.

2. Team Acceptance

Team acceptance will be given at the sole discretion of The Win Big Charity SoccerFest and only when all of the following is completed:

a) Paid the entry fee.

b) Registration Form Filled Out with Team Name and Team Colors.

c) Uploaded Team Roster.

d) Players and Team Officials must confirm to have photo ID.

e) Evidence of medical coverage (for non-USA teams) for all players and all team officials.

f) Proof of receipt of visas to enter USA, if applicable.

g) Confirmed accommodations for teams requiring visas.

3. Divisions

Teams MUST enter the proper Division related to their skills. No exceptions. Win Big Charity SoccerFest reserves the right to withdraw or reseed a team deemed to have entered a Division below their skill level for the purpose of winning. We take fair play seriously for the enjoyment of everyone.

a) MEN PREMIER, DIVISION 2 & WOMEN PREMIER: Is a level of soccer where players participate in a more challenging and competitive environment compared to recreational. Usually a higher pace and skill level.

b) MEN (18+, 30+, 40+) & WOMEN (18+, 30+): Is designed to provide players aged above 18, 30, and 40 years of age. A generally less competitive environment than Premier.

c) CO-ED (mixed-gendered): Is a division that brings together both men and women to form a single team. It is designed to provide for a fun, inclusive environment for players of all skill level. Generally for less competitive, and a more friendly focused environment.

4. Creating Roster

Enter mandatory information required. To be completed only by the Team Captain and/or Team Official.

a) Players Full Name, Jersey Size, and Age (Players Must Bring ID to the tournament).

b) Captain and/or team Official. (Team Official does not need to be a player)

c) Team Information: Division Registered, Team Name, Contact Email, Contact Phone Number.

5. Roster Changes

From the Registration Date until April 3rd at 11:59pm EST, Teams are free to make any adjustments they need. The necessary information must sent via Email to soccerfest@winbigcharity.org. From April 3rd to May 3rd, no Roster changes will be permitted. Rosters will be locked in at this time as Big Win Charity SoccerFest does the final checks to ensure that all criteria specified in the Roster guidelines are met. Emergency Roster changes can be made via Email or at the Tournament Registration Desk on May 2nd during the Kit Pick-Up, for a fee of $40 USD in cash only. New Player must conform to the Policies, Procedures and Rules for admission of the Big Win Charity SoccerFest to be eligible to play. Jersey size may not be available.

6. Team Check-In

a) On May 2nd 2025, between the hours of 4:30pm and 8:30pm, the Team Captain, or a Team Official must report to the Registration Desk at the Premier Sports Campus to pick up their approved team roster (kept by the team for the entire tournament), wristbands and team welcome package.

b) All players must report to the field at least 15-minutes before their scheduled games wearing their wristbands and presenting the validated team roster form to the Win Big Charity Field Convenor.

c) At the discretion of the Field Convenor, player identification may be required. Bring your ID!

7. Wristbands

Only players and team officials on the approved roster and wearing a wristband are allowed on the team bench. No Wristband, No Play. If a wristband must be replaced, the player or team official must report to the field convenor, presenting also the approved roster and identification. Note: if a wristband comes off during a game it must be replaced before the team’s next game. The player or team official must report to the field convenor with the team roster and player / team official identification.

8. Field Convenors

Field Convenors appointed by Win Big Charity SoccerFest are responsible for:

a) Distributing approved team rosters, wristbands and team packages. Convenors will check-in teams by checking team rosters, verifying players against their photo ID on their stamped rosters, and that all are wearing wristbands.

b) Supplying signed Game Sheets to referees.

c) Completing hand written Game Sheets using approved team rosters presented by team officials prior to semi-final and final games.

Field Convenors are not authorized to explain or interpret tournament rules. Field convenors are authorized to enforce the conditions of the field permit, including the right to require participants including spectators to leave the field and environs.

9. Concussion

Protocol If a player/team official/tournament official/referee suspects that a player has been concussed/received a head injury, the Win Big Charity SoccerFest in following the mandate by the State of Florida to direct the athlete to a facility for medical attention.

10. General

The Win Big Charity SoccerFest will not be responsible for:

a) Refunds of entry fees if the tournament is cancelled or abandoned in whole or in part.

b) Refunds for any games not played due to the withdrawal or dismissal of a team.

c) Expenses including accommodations costs, local travel and parking tickets incurred by teams and families.

The Win Big SoccerFest, reserves the right to resolve all matters pertaining to the Soccer Tournament. The Win Big Charity SoccerFest’s interpretation of the policies, procedures and rules and all other aspects of the Tournament is final.

11. Championship Prizes

Competitive Divisions: $5000 Cash Prize

Top 4 Teams (Overall) play a semi-final game. Winners of the semi-finals play each other in a final game to determine the champions. Top 2 Teams from each group (and top 4 third place teams) play a Group Finals game. Group Winners and semi-finalists are entered into a draw for a free entry into next year's tournament.

Recreational Divisions: $2500 Cash Prize

Top 2 Teams from Each Group play a Group Finals game. Winners are entered into a draw to win the cash prize. Remaining teams are entered into a draw to win a free entry into next year's tournament.

Competitive Divisions:

Men's: Premier, Division 2

Women's: Premier

Recreational Divisions:

Men's: Over 18, Over 30, Over 40, Over50

Women's: Over 18, Over 30

Co-Ed: Over 18, Over 30

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

RULES OF THE GAME

12. Laws of the Game

All games shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as observed by FIFA, USA Soccer and Florida Soccer as well as competition rules set by The Win Big Charity Soccer Tournament.

NOTE 1: When ball goes out of bounds, a "kick-in" will replace the "throw-in" to put the ball back in play.

NOTE 2: There are no Offsides.

13. Duration of Games

Group Games and Semi-Final Games will be 30 Minutes. Finals Games will be 40 Minutes. If Score is tied during Finals, the game will go directly to Penalty Kicks from the penalty mark with a best of 3 or sudden death until a winner is decided. Players must shake hands and exist the field promptly after the final whistle.

14. Game Format

The Win Big Charity SoccerFest Tournament will be a 7 v 7 Format. Meaning 6 Players plus one goalkeeper from each team on the field at a time during game play, with a maximum of 11 Registered Players per team. For Co-Ed Teams, you must have a minimum of 2 women on the field during gameplay.

15. Game Sheets

Pre-printed Game Sheets/Cards will be supplied to field convenors. Note: If a player or team official is not going to participate in a game, a team official must advise the field convenor prior to the scheduled kick-off time so they can be stroked off the game sheet. Note that all players and team officials whose names appear on a game sheet will be deemed to have participated. No other player or team official not on the approved roster can be added to replace anyone who is removed from the game sheet.

16. Player Uniforms and Equipment

The equipment of all players must conform to the Laws of the Game as set out by FIFA. All players must wear a number on the back of their shirt. This number must coincide with the player's name and number as shown on the game sheet. Each player on a team shall have a different number. If team colors clash, the away team shall be responsible to change colors.

Shin guards are mandatory.

17. Game Ball

Regulation size 5 game balls will be supplied by the Win Big Charity SoccerFest Tournament. Each team will supply a regulation size 5 ball, from which can be selected by the referee to be used in the game as spare balls.

18. Substitutions

Unlimited substitutions may be made at any stoppage of play at the discretion of the referee. No substitution shall be allowed for a player ejected from a game. Substitutions must be made as quick as possible to not lose playing time.

19. Determining Group Winners

Each team will be awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and zero points for a loss. At the end of the preliminary round, the group winner shall be the team with the most points. If teams are tied on points, the following criteria shall be used to determine the winner:

a) Most wins

b) Best goal differential (i.e. goals for minus goals against)

c) Winner of the game between the two teams tied (applies to 2-way ties only)

d) Most goals scored.

e) Fewest goals against.

f) Sudden Death Penalty Shootout

Note 1: Teams will be scheduled for a minimum of three (3) games. Should any of those games not be played due to the dismissal or withdrawal of an opponent, the game will be forfeited and recorded as a win (3 points) with a score of 2-0 for the non-offending team.

Note 2: The score of a game incomplete due to extraordinary weather (see section 22 below) or other similar event shall be recorded as the score of the game at the time the game ended.

20. Forfeited Games

If a game is forfeited, the non-offending team shall be awarded a win and a 2-0 score in group standings; the offending team a loss with a 0-2 score. If a team is dismissed from the Tournament for any reason, its games and all entry fees shall be forfeited without recourse to appeal, and the matter may be reported to the governing body of the team involved.

21. Failure to Show

A team needs a minimum of seven (7) players and the game shall be started if a team has at least that number of players. Teams shall be allowed a 3-minute grace period after the scheduled kick-off time before they are considered to have failed to show. In the event of a failure to show, the offending team shall forfeit that game.

22. Game Abandoned by Referee

The Win Big Charity SoccerFest shall review the circumstances of any game abandoned by the referee. Whether a game abandoned results in a forfeit will be determined by the Win Big Charity SoccerFest. The finding and decision of the Win Big Charity SoccerFest shall be final and not subject to any appeal. The matter may also be referred to the home district of the team(s) involved for disciplinary action.

23. Extraordinary Weather

In the event of severe weather conditions (e.g., continuous heavy rain, lightning, excessive heat or poor field conditions), The Win Big Charity SoccerFest may:

a) Relocate and/or reschedule any game.

b) Reduce the scheduled duration by up to 50 percent.

c) Cancel any preliminary game that has no bearing in determining group winners or wildcards.

d) Consider a game complete if 50 percent or more of the game was played when abandoned by the referee due to the extraordinary weather conditions.

e) If less than 50 percent of a game is complete when abandoned by the referee a 1-1 score shall be entered regardless of the score when the game was halted.

f) Abandon all or part of the Tournament.

Note: Permit issuers (City, School Board, College, University, private facilities) retain the right to cancel fields at their sole discretion.

24. In the Event of Lightning

Big Win Charity SoccerFest's policy is to halt play as soon as thunder is heard. “More people are struck before and after a thunderstorm than during one…When considering resumption of any athletics activity wait at least thirty (20) minutes after the last flash of lightning or sound of thunder before returning to the field.”

25. Discipline

The Win Big Charity SoccerFest uses a DBR (Discipline by Review) or DBH (Discipline by Hearing) system as appropriate directly after the game in which the misconduct was reported. DBR offences have automatic penalties and cannot be appealed. Any player ordered from the field of play by the referee for misconduct shall receive an automatic one game suspension and shall sit out his/her next scheduled game. This includes players who receive two cautions in a single game.

Note: Yellow Cards are not cumulative. In cases of violent conduct or ejection of a team official, immediately following the game, and before the next scheduled game, they must attend a hearing before a Discipline Panel. The Panel may, where justified, suspend any person dismissed during, or after, a game, from all further participation in the Tournament. If the Panel is unable to deal with an offence in a satisfactory manner after the game in which alleged misconduct occurred:

a) The offender shall not be permitted to participate any further in the Tournament;

b) Anyone player disputing his/her ejection from a game may request a hearing. Such request must be made immediately after the game. The person requesting a hearing must notify the field convenor of his/her intentions at the conclusion of said game, and then attend a hearing at a location determined by the Win Big Charity Soccer Tournament.

All team officials/captains are entirely responsible for the behavior of spectators associated with their team.

26. Match Official Assault

In a case of Match Official Assault, the offender shall be immediately suspended from all soccer related activities.

a) The match official shall submit his/her report to the Win Big Charity SoccerFest Head Office.

b) The Win Big Charity SoccerFest shall immediately notify the local authorities.

c) The accused is suspended from all activity at the Win Big Charity SoccerFest including the concert.

d) Harassment: Team Official can now be given a Caution and Dismissal during a match for continuous harassment of match official.

27. Player Code of Conduct

A player shall:

a) Maintain high standards of conduct which includes self control and responsible behavior. An athlete should always consider the well being of others and display courtesy and good manners at all times to teammates, opponents, match officials, spectators, coaches and administrative staff.

b) Avoid profane or abusive language and disruptive behavior including behavior that is dangerous to self and/or others including acts of violence, racism, harassment, physical or sexual abuse.

c) Abide by the Rules and Regulations of the Win Big Charity Soccer Tournament and / or Festival.

d) Abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages, cannabis products, tobacco products and or illegal substances when participating in sanctioned activities. These include training/practice sessions and competition events. Alcoholic beverages can only be consumed in the licensed area of SoccerFest.

Failure to comply with this player code of conduct may result in:

a) A warning,

b) Disciplinary action, and / or removal or suspension from competition and / or activities.

28. Protests

Protests must be made immediately after the game has concluded by the team official or captain. Protests must be received at the Win Big Charity SoccerFest Tournament Headquarters within 10 minutes of the conclusion of the game being protested, and those making the appeal must attend a hearing at a location determined by the Win Big Charity Soccer Tournament.

DRONE POLICY

29. Drones

For the safety and enjoyment of all participants and spectators, the use of drones is strictly prohibited on the premises during the Soccer Festival. This policy is in place to ensure:

Safety: Drones can pose a risk to players, spectators, and other attendees.
Privacy: Protect the privacy of all participants and spectators.
Uninterrupted Event Experience: Avoid disruptions and maintain a clear view of the event for everyone.

Violations of this policy may result in the immediate removal of the drone and the individual responsible from the premises.

PET POLICY

30. Pets

To ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all attendees, pets are not permitted on the premises during the [Charity Soccer Tournament Name]. This includes:

Service Animals: While pets are not allowed, service animals that assist individuals with disabilities are exempt from this restriction, provided they are properly identified and remain under control at all times.
Health and Safety: Large crowds and the nature of the event may not be suitable for pets, and we want to prevent any potential issues that could arise.

Attendees with pets will be asked to make alternative arrangements for their animals before entering the event area.

General Reminders

Security and Compliance: Event staff and security will be monitoring adherence to these policies. Cooperation is appreciated to ensure a positive experience for everyone.
Assistance: For any questions or if you need to discuss an exception (e.g., service animals), please contact the event organizers at (info@winbigcharity.org).

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to a fantastic event and appreciate your help in making it a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

REFUND & CANCELATION POLICY

31. Refund & Cancelation Policy

No Refunds: Once registered, participants are committed to the tournament, and no refunds will be provided.

Exceptions

Force Majeure Events: In unforeseen circumstances (e.g., extreme weather, natural disasters), WinBig Charity reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the tournament. Participants will receive credit for future events or a partial refund.
Medical Emergencies: Participants experiencing a medical emergency should notify WinBig Charity immediately. Refunds may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Infectious Disease: If there are restrictions (such as Covid- 19) that impact the tournament, participants will receive credit or a partial refund.

Participants must notify Win Big Charity at least 90 days before the scheduled event start time. An administration fee may apply for processing cancellations.