Question Number: 26943

League Specific 10/26/2012

RE: rec Under 13

Gene Joyce of Texarkana , Texas Bowie asks...

If the coach of an opposing team is not able to make a scheduled game, but his team is able to make the game can that coach assign a coach of a different team to coach his team during a game? This coach does not have an assistant coach and says there are no parents that can fill in for him.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Local league rules differ on when this is allowed. You will need to check with your league.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gene
This is a matter for the competition rules and it is up to each League to decide. At Underage this is also a Child Protection matter and Leagues may have a policy in relation to who are the 'responsible adult' and the number that should be present at a game. Parents while present may not be interested in the responsibility that attaches to 'managing' an underage team. Some Leagues insist that coaches have had background checks and that is now compulsory for referees in Ireland and from next season all coaches/ 'responsible adult' will have to complete a background check.
In some of our Underage Leagues a minimum of two 'responsible adult' per team are required to be present who must sign the match roster. Failure to be able to comply means that the game does not commence and it can result in a forfeit. There are only limited grounds as well for a postponement in most Leagues