Date
Friday 29 August, 2025 (Backup date Friday 5 September, 2025)
Time
The first game will commence at 8.45 am sharp. All schools are asked to assemble by 8.15 am when a team managers' and referees' meeting will take place.
Venue
North Region: Ocean Park, Woonona
Far South: South Nowra Football Fields
Central South: Unanderra Park, Unanderra
Central North: Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow
Central North: Terry Reserve, Albion Park
Convenor
North Region Venue:
Ocean Park, Woonona
Convener: Brett Murphy (St Francis of Assisi, Warrawong)
South Region Venues:
South Nowra Football Fields
Convener: Andrew Allmark (St Michael’s, Nowra)
Terry Reserve, Albion Park
Convener:Tom Mindzas & Sam Mattas (St Patrick’s, Port Kembla)
Central Region Venues:
Unanderra Park, Unanderra
Convener: Nik Sajdovski (St Pius X, Unanderra)
Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow
Convener: Maria Shea (St Pius X, Unanderra) & Carla Olima (Good Samaritan, Fairy Meadow)
Cost
A nomination fee for this carnival of $50.00 per team is due. This levy will be invoiced by the Catholic Education Office to schools, at the end of the term.
Transport
All students will need to make their own way to and from the venue.
Nominations
You are asked to nominate your teams by completing the online nomination no later than Friday 21st June, 2024
Links
More Information
North Region: Ocean Park, Woonona
1. Holy Cross, Helensburgh
2. St Michael's, Thirroul
3. St Joseph's, Bulli
Far South: South Nowra Football Fields
1. St Michael's, Nowra
2. St Mary's, Milton
3. Ss Peter and Paul, Kiama
4. Nazareth, Shellharbour City*
Central South: Unanderra Park, Unanderra
1. St Patrick's, Port Kembla
2. St Francis, Warrawong
3. St Pius X, Unanderra
Central North: Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow
1. St Columbkille's, Corrimal
2. Good Samaritan, Fairy Meadow1. St Columbkille's, Corrimal
3. St Brigid's, Gwynneville
2. St Therese, West Wollongong
Central North: Terry Reserve, Albion Park
1. Stella Maris, Shellharbour
2. St Paul's, Albion Park
3. Nazareth, Shellharbour City*
4. St John's, Dapto
- Teachers and parents are reminded that the soccer gala days are not formal competitions.
There will be no scores kept, no finals and no winners awarded. - The gala day is designed primarily for student enjoyment of the sport, for the promotion of exercise, skills, development of social and emotional capabilities and a positive sporting experience.
- Adults are encouraged to support this philosophy by encouraging students, respecting referees and enjoying the non-competitive nature of the day.
Soccer Gala Day - Carnival Rules & Organisation
- The following rules may be adjusted by conveners according to number of entries received.
- All matches will be conducted as per the rules of the Australian Soccer Association unless altered by conveners. The competition will be on a participation level. No point score will be kept.
- The first game will commence at 8.45 am sharp. All schools are asked to assemble by 8.20 am when a team managers’ and referees’ meeting will take place.
- Games will consist of two 9 minute halves with a 2 minute break at the end of each game. There will be a 1 minute half time break. A hooter will sound for half time and the teams will change ends and recommence playing. A hooter will also sound to indicate the beginning and end of the game to the referees. It is the referee’s whistle that commences and finishes the game. Conveners have the right to vary game timings. Specific details will be outlined when draws are distributed.
- Any team failing to take the field within five minutes of the hooter will have forfeited that game.
- The following number of players (including the goal keeper) are allowed on the field at any one time - Unanderra (9 players), Nowra (9 players), Albion Park (9 players), Fairy Meadow (9 players), Woonona (9 players).
- Team managers/coaches should monitor games and curb any aggressive behaviour immediately by replacing any players. It will be the teacher’s decision if the student in question can take the field again.
- All players to wear full uniform including shin pads, and school sport uniform. NO JEWELLERY is to be worn. If an item of jewellery cannot be taken off it is to be taped.
- Substitutions can be made at any time during the game. An injured player may be substituted.
- If an injury occurs both teams may make positional changes. No additional time will be added to the game due to injury. The game is to recommence as soon as possible.
- It is anticipated that medical staff or St John’s Ambulance will be providing first aid treatment on the day. The blood bin rule will apply and therefore any child who is bleeding will need to leave the field to be treated. It would be advisable to have band-aids/first aid on hand in case of minor injuries.
- Each SCHOOL is to provide one competent referee per team to officiate their game. (not sourced from local Catholic schools)
- Referees are to be distinguishable from teams participating in the game.
- Parents may officiate as referees.
- Each team is to supply a soccer ball and take this ball to all games.
- A team manager, who should be a teacher, should also accompany the squad.
- Canteen facilities are to be confirmed – schools are recommended to advise students to bring own food and drinks for the day. Sun protection and school tent or shade cloth is also recommended.
Wet Weather
Where possible a decision will be made the day before around 12.30pm.
Cancellation on the day will follow the wet weather guidelines. A decision will be made
between carnival convener and executive officer around 6.30am. From there the
following will occur:
- A message will be sent to all sports coordinators mobile phones via the global SMS
- A message will be posted on the @cedow.sport Instagram page
- Radio stations will be contacted before 7.00am on the morning of the carnival.
- In the event of a cancellation schools will need to put local management plans in place.
Team Nominations
- Your school is invited to nominate junior teams of boys and girls in years 3 and 4, and senior teams of boys and girls in years 5 and 6. Teams are to consist of a maximum of 10-12 players. If nominating more than one team please distribute players as evenly as possible as not to make one team very strong.
- There is a 2 team maximum entry per school per division.
- If you would like to enter more than two teams please check with the convener if any extra teams can be accommodated. Where possible teams will be accepted into the draw, however there maybe restrictions due to ground availability.
- Each school is to provide 1 referee per team to officiate their games (This can be a parent/family member/secondary student NOT at Catholic school). Additionally to this the convener in each instance will contact local secondary catholic schools to secure some student referees – schools should NOT make contact with secondary schools to secure referees, this will be completed on the schools behalf.
