Laws of the Game

All matches will adhere to the Football Australia Walking Football Laws of the Game, as utilised in the 2024 Pan Pacific Masters Games.

Team Composition

• Each team consists of 6 players: 5 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper.

Footwear

To ensure player safety and preserve the quality of our grass playing surfaces, please adhere to the following footwear guidelines:

• Football boots with long studs (FG or SG boots) are strictly prohibited.
• Artificial Ground (AG) football boots with short rubber studs are recommended.
• Futsal shoes, athletic trainers, or turf football shoes with flat or short rubber studs are also acceptable.

If there is any doubt about the suitability of a player’s footwear, the referee will assess and make the final decision before the match begins.

Game Format

• Matches are 20 minutes in total, comprising two 10-minute halves with a 1-minute halftime break.
• There is a 9-minute interval between matches.
• Matches commence every half-hour.
• No running or jogging is permitted, with or without the ball.
• All pitches measure 40m x 25m with goals sized at 3m x 2m.
• Walking Football is a no-contact version of the game.
• Substitutes must wear bibs at all times to distinguish themselves from active players.
• No allowance will be made in each period for playing time lost through stoppages, as this will disrupt the scheduling.

Tournament Structure

The tournament will feature the following age groups and formats:

• Over 50s: 7 teams participating in a round-robin format, ensuring each team plays every other team once, totaling 6 matches per team. The top 4 teams will advance to semi-finals and a grand final on Sunday.
• Over 60s: 10 teams divided into two pools of five teams each. Each team plays every other team in its pool once (4 matches). Additionally, each team will play two inter-pool matches against teams from the opposite pool, totaling 6 matches per team. The top 4 teams, based on overall performance, will advance to semi-finals and a grand final on Sunday.
• Over 65s: 3 teams engaging in a triple round-robin format, resulting in each team playing 6 matches. The team with the best record at the conclusion of these matches will be declared the champion, following a “first past the post” system.
• Over 70s: 4 teams competing in a double round-robin, leading to each team playing 6 matches. All teams will advance to semi-finals and a grand final on Sunday.
• Women’s Competition: 6 teams participating in a round-robin format, ensuring each team plays every other team once, totaling 5 matches per team. The top 4 teams will advance to semi-finals and a grand final on Sunday.
  • Over 60s Recognition: Within the Women’s Competition, two teams are designated as Over 60s. These teams will compete in the general Women’s Competition, and in addition to the overall standings, their performances will be separately recognized. Awards will be presented to the Over 60s champions and runners-up based on their results within the Women’s Competition.
• Social Mixed: 9 teams participating in a round-robin format, ensuring each team plays every other team once, totaling 8 matches per team. The top 4 teams will advance to semi-finals and a grand final on Sunday.

Finals Series Format

• Semi-Final 1: 2nd place vs. 3rd place teams (2 v 3).
• Semi-Final 2: 1st place vs. 4th place teams (1 v 4).
• Grand Final: Winners of both semi-finals.

Final Series Winner Determination

• In the event of a tie after normal time in finals, the match will proceed directly to a penalty shootout in accordance with FIFA regulations. No extra time will be played.

Social Mixed Competition

• Teams are expected to play in the spirit of the game, prioritising fun, fitness, and camaraderie over competitiveness.
• Matches are played with goalkeepers.
• Mixed teams must have at least 3 women on the field at all times.

Penalties & Offences

• A penalty kick is awarded to the opposition after the 4th “not walking” offence by a team. The count then resets to zero and accumulates again.
• This rule is a new addition following the February 2024 update to the Walking Football Laws of the Game.