League's Ground Criteria
PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION OF ADMISSION TO THE PRINCIPALITY WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE.
The following is a list of the League's Ground criteria, which must be met in order for club's to participate in the Principality Welsh Premier League. This criteria will be superseded by the Domestic Club Licensing Criteria in Season 2009/10 and club's will undertake this Licensing process in 2008/09.
1. Ground Inspection
1.1 Clubs likely to be in contention for the top two places in each of the two feeder Leagues who may be interested to apply for membership of the League must notify the league by 31st December. If they are desirous of consideration for promotion.These clubs will then have their ground inspected by 14th February.
The Clubs must arrange for the inspection to be attended by the principal officers of the club. The inspection will proceed even if any of the specified representatives are not present.
1.2 At the time of application, the applicant club must produce evidence to show that it is an independent organisation either as an incorporated body or as an unincorporated association. An applicant, whether incorporated or not, which is part of a larger organisation or a section of a larger organisation may not be accepted into membership.
At the time of the inspection the applicant club must produce its audited accounts and balance sheet for the two financial years preceding the current year. Failure to do so will nullify the Clubs application.
1.3 A copy of the club's title deeds showing the freehold interest of the ground, or a copy of any Lease (subject to the renewal provision of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 not having been excluded) any licence agreement or a copy of any ground sharing agreement which is subject to approval must be available by the 1st March in the season prior to which they desire promotion.
1.4 The League Ground Inspectors will complete a Draft Report at the time of the Inspection, which will be signed by the League and Club Secretary or their nominated deputies. This will detail the work required for the Club to be granted entry into the League for the following season. The work must then be completed to the satisfaction of the Inspectors, seven days following the final matches as scheduled in the League of Wales Handbook for the season in which the application was made.
1.5 An admission fee of £250.00 will be payable on acceptance.
1.6 These requirements will apply to all clubs from Season 1999/2000.
GROUND GRADING
2. SECTION A. THE FOOTBALL CLUB AND THE GROUND ON WHICH IT PLAYS
2.1 The Tenure of the Ground
a) own the Freehold of the ground, or
b) have guaranteed tenure for five years from the date of the entry
c) possess a licence for the use of the ground, acceptable to the Grounds Inspectors.
A copy of the title deeds or a copy of the Lease or Licence must be provided to the League prior to entry.
2.2 At the time of the first inspection the club must disclose plans and details of any proposed future move to a new stadium.
2.3 The applicant club will be held responsible to ensure that the playing pitch and the ground are properly maintained. The ground must be available for the club to play at home throughout the playing season as required by and to the satisfaction of the League.
2.4 Ground Sharing
2..4.1 Any club applying for membership of the League which is already in a ground sharing situation or is considering a ground sharing situation will be refused membership unless:-
a) The ground at which the club applying for membership is currently sharing meets the League requirements.
b) A short term temporary sharing agreement is necessary at a ground, which meets the League requirements due to the delay in the completion of a new stadium already under construction. This delay period not to exceed one year. The subsequent new stadium development will need to be confirmed and approved by the submission of the plans, contracts and planning authority permission, or
c) The ground sharing agreement is with a Football League of Wales Club and has been in place for at least one full season, either as Landlord or Tenant.
2.4.2 Any ground sharing agreement at a ground approved by the League of Wales must be in place by 1st March in the year in which the club applies for membership. In addition, planning authority permission must have been granted, building regulation approval submitted and contracts in place for a proposed new stadium together with all design specifications and completion date and all relevant funding details provided.
2.4.3 Any club already in membership of the League which is considering entering into a ground sharing agreement will not be granted permission by the League Board of Directors under League rule unless either: -
i) It is intended to be a permanent or semi-permanent decision for the club in which case there must be an agreement for a minimum period of seven years and meets all requirements of the League of Wales, arrangements must be in place regarding precedence of fixtures.
ii) It is for a temporary period while the club moving redevelops is own ground or moves to a new ground in which case permission may be granted provided -
1. If the reason for the move is for the purpose of redevelopment of an existing ground then contracts must be in place with contractors giving completion dates and penalties for non compliance.
2. If the reason for the move is to relocate to a new stadium then the club must either have purchased the freehold of the new site or have taken a sufficient leasehold interest to satisfy the security of tenure provisions of these regulations and contracts must be in place with developers providing for completion of the new stadium with provisions for penalties payable in the event of default.
2.5 Merger of Clubs
The merger of two clubs, either of whom is in contention for possible admission into membership of the League will be considered on its merits but the new merged club will not be considered for membership of the League if the proposed merger is in the opinion of the League Board of Directors, arranged especially to gain membership of the League.
3. SECTION B. STADIUM FACILITIES
3.1 - Capacity
It must be possible for spectators to be accommodated, either standing or seated, for the full length of all four sides of the playing area except where permission has been granted by the League for one of the sides or part thereof to be closed to spectators. There must be at least 1.83 metres of hardstanding surrounding the whole of the Field Play, comprising of either Concrete, Paving Stones of Tarmac. Hardstanding of a temporary nature will not be approved under any circumstances. Where the stadia is part of a larger sports complex, the football area must be totally enclosed from all other activities.
The minimum capacities as determined by the League of Wales will be 1,500 spectators.
3.2 - Exterior Boundary Fencing or Wall
Each ground must be fully and securely enclosed. Where the ground forms part of a sports complex or otherwise then the football facilities and provision for spectators on match days must be fully controlled to the satisfaction of the League of Wales.
The boundary fencing or wall must be of solid and sound construction, secure on all sides, sufficient to deter would be climbers and designed to obscure viewing from outside the ground. Boundary walls adjacent to private property, houses etc., where there is no public access must be of a construction approved by the League of Wales. The minimum height of the boundary wall or fencing with public access is 1.83 meters.
3.3 - Main Stand
There must be a main stand constructed of timber or steel or brick or concrete or any combination of these materials but timber open type stands are unacceptable unless a certificate of safety from the Fire Officer is produced on first inspection.
The minimum number of individual seats is 250 exclusive of the visiting Directors and Officers and Press area. It is acceptable for there to be two seating areas but in the main stand there must be a minimum of 250 spectator seats. All seated spectators, whether the main stand or otherwise, must have an unobstructed view of the whole of the playing area, except for any obstruction caused by the stantions of the stand.
The standard of seating must be tip-up or individual seats. All seats must be clean for use and properly maintained.
3.4 - Directors Area
An area must be provided for home and visiting Directors, separate or combined, which must enjoy a prime position and be segregated from the spectator seating. The seats in the Directors area(s) must be individual seats and the area(s) must be clearly marked for identification. Required number of seats is 10 (Home plus 10 Visitors)
3.5 - Press Facilities
A separate area must be provided for press representatives which provides writing facilities with adequate lighting for 4 persons. The club must also be able to provide telephone (two exclusive lines) on the ground.
3.6 - Segregation
It must be possible to have a segregated standing area for visiting supporters, bounded by secure fencing on both sides, with a suitable sterile zone.
It is not intended that clubs will segregate spectators, merely that grounds are capable of segregation in the event of that this is required.
In the event of a segregation, spectators must be admitted through separate entrances.
3.7 - Entrances
Minimum of two turnstiles used must be of the controlled revolving type.
3.8 - Exits
The location and number of ground exits must comply with local safety requirements. It would normally be expected that there would be at least two exit points around the ground. All exits must be clearly signposted.
3.9 - Ground Refreshment Facilities
Refreshment facilities should be available for spectators.
3.10 - Public Address System
There must be a public address system installed with adequate speaker output to relay information to all spectator areas to comply with any requirements published from time to time by the League of Wales.
3.11 - Floodlights
To comply with League of Wales Rule each club must have floodlights in good working condition and supply a certificate from a contractor approved by the League of Wales or have their lights approved by the League of Wales. Readings should be provided as required by the League of Wales from time to time. They must produce a minimum average value of 250 Lux taken over 88 readings, with no single reading being less than one quarter of the highest reading so as to ensure an even spread of light.
3.12 - Toilet Facilities for Spectators
Adequate toilet facilities must be provided for both male and female spectators within the complex of the stadium. Club house toilet facilities for both male and female will only be taken into account provided there is free and direct access from within the stadium throughout the whole duration of the game.
It is emphasised that a hand basin with running water must be provided in each w.c. area.
All toilets must be clearly signposted.
All clubs should endeavour to provide facilities for disabled spectators.
3.13 - Dressing Rooms
All dressing rooms must be heated, well ventilated, free from damp and independently secure.
a.) Players Dressing Rooms
Separate dressing rooms must be provided for each team and the size of each changing area should be a minimum of 15 square metres. Each dressing room area must have:-
- A shower area comprising at least four shower heads.
- Each dressing room area must have toilet facilities of a least one w.c. and one wash hand basin (with hot and cold running water) and preferably one urinal.
- A massage table must be provided in each changing room unless the team using that room has exclusive use of separate treatment room.
b.) Officials Dressing Room
- A separate dressing room must be provided for the exclusive use of match officials and must be a minimum size of 6 square metres.
- The dressing room area must contain a shower unit (two shower units preferred). One w.c. and one wash hand basin with hot and cold running water.
- The match officials dressing room should not be used for storage purposes or similar.
3.14 - Treatment Room
There should be a separate suitable equipped medical treatment area or room for general use in the vicinity of the players dressing rooms.
3.15 - Hospitality Room
There must be a Hospitality Room capable of accommodating in comfort for the use of home and visiting Directors with adjacent toilet facilities. The Hospitality Room must be kept in good condition and must not be used for storage purposes or similar.
SECTION C - PLAYING FACILITIES
1. Playing Area
1.1 - The minimum size of the pitch is 110 x 70 yards or metric equivalent and the playing area must be maintained to an adequate standard.
1.2 - Goal posts and goal net supports must be of professional manufacture and meet the requirements of the Laws of the Game.
1.3 - The shortest distance between the touch line and pitch perimeter barrier is ideally 2.75 metres but should not be less than 1.83 metres.
1.4 - The shortest distance between the goal line and pitch perimeter barrier is ideally 2.75 metres but should not be less than 1.83 metres.
2. Pitch Perimeter Fence
2.1 The playing area must be enclosed by a wall or other substantial barrier; ropes or chains used as barriers are not acceptable. If a post and rail type barrier is used then this must be infilled to pitch level. Advertising boards, dependent on their construction, may not be acceptable as the sole means of infill. Mesh is acceptable provided the mesh is strengthened at the top and bottom of the infill.
2.2 There must be a minimum 1 metre width of hard standing on the spectator side of the pitch perimeter fence/wall.
3. Trainers Boxes
3.1 Trainers boxes, clearly separated, must be provided and must be marked to indicate which is for the use of the home club and which is for the use of the visiting club. Each box must be able to accommodate at least six persons in comfort and must be located near the half-way line, for the sole use of Team Officials, Medical Staff and Substitutes; each designated area shall be clearly marked "Home" and "Away".
4. Playing Surface Standard
4.1 The playing surface will be grass and must be of a high standard. It must be flat and free from surface depressions and excessive undulations
4.2 The maximum slopes allowable shall not exceed an even gradient of vertical to horizontal 1:41 in any direction. If considered necessary by the Inspection Committee an independent survey will be commissioned to check the pitch slopes.
5. Protection of Players and Match Officials
5.1 A secure walkway is an essential requirement so as to ensure safe passage for all players and officials between their changing rooms and the playing pitch.
6. Miscellaneous
6.1 When considering future works at grounds clubs should take into consideration the overall impression of the ground and whether it looks, on first appearance, like a football ground.
6.2 On inspection, there will be taken into consideration the general condition and state of repair of all facilities provided and clubs are required to effect maintenance on a continuing basis.
