Adrian Duncan our fixtures secretary attended the first "Captains" meeting with the new league on Thursday, and represented our clubs interests, albeit Adrian wants me to clarify that he is not the Club Captain!

So finally we have the new league details, with Emerald playing their first match in two weeks time against Wales on March 22nd. The Welsh team has merged with Bellwood this season, so an unknown quantity!

The biggest change to this season is the inclusion of 4 Japanese teams, some of whom we played against in the 11 a side tournament last December, and they are quite good, but sadly Bellwood and Ireland have dropped out of the competition.

I believe that this season we have a very good chance to win the league after coming 2nd to the Lions for two years in a row. If we can field our strongest players for each of our league games, I know we can beat any of the Veteran teams. The biggest challenge to field our best team are: Sunday Brunches, travel schedules, vacations, and injuries!
Now by publishing the fixture list up front (please see the attached document), you can all manage your social events, and business/family trips, so they don't clash with our league games, albeit injuries are less controllable at our age!!!

I will also post the fixtures and matches on Pitchero and all you need do is click your availability via email once invited, which is ever so easy to do, but for some it seems very difficult!

Adrian also informed me that later in the season a cup competition will also be played, more news on the format to follow.

So lets make 2015 the best yet for our club and lift the end of season trophy!

Please read the attached letter we received from the league organisers, which explains the changes and rules:

Every Captain need to send a short message / email to Yamada and myself stating the score + scorers name + cards after each game / as well a few lines about the match will be great ! We in return will send you once a week the results and standings / top scorers / and game schedule.

We play according to Fifa rules and all players must be over 35 years old to participate in the veteran league however 3 players younger than 35 years old are allowed to play. We emphasized that it will be great to play with youngsters U16-U18 players to give them a chance to play with experienced players.

If a player gets a red card he will be suspended for the next game. Any assault on the referee or attacking of a player will result in a ban from the League.

No slide tackles are allowed / referee to give a free kick to the opponent in case it happens.

Each game will be played 4 x 20 minutes with a few minutes rest in between the breaks.

We like the referees to be part of our family as well. If veteran players who for whatever reason have an interest to be a volunteer referee we will welcome them.

Teams can upon agreement from both have their own lines men during the games.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR THE LEAGUE TO SUCCEED : In case a team seeks postponement of a game they need to send as soon as possible an email to the other teams captain and to the committee (yamada-san and myself) with the request so that we can try and adjust the schedule and ask other teams to take the slot / if you like to change the time you can ask the other team captains by email with copy to the committee as well / we always have an option to play on the artificial grass in case you like to play in the afternoon / If you run short players a few days before the game you can inform the other team captain and opt for a 7 aside game instead of an 11 aside game.

We play for Fun and Friendship and we Shake Hands after games.

We encourage teams to have a beer together after the games and think it would be great if the winner will pay a few pitchers of beer to the losing team !

Enjoy the first SPL Veteran games of the season ! Cheers Freek / Yamada