Dear Club Secretaries,
The SCWGL Executive Committee, in consultation with The FA, other local Leagues and a number of Clubs, have decided to start both the Competitive Tiers (U12-U18) and the Development Divisions (U8-U11) as planned on Sunday 13th September 2026. The U7 Festivals will also commence, as planned, on Sunday 20th September 2026.
We WILL NOT be issuing a blanket ban.
We appreciate that a number of Clubs/Teams will not be able to fulfil home fixtures due to pitch conditions but there has been a limited amount of much-needed rain recently and, no doubt, it won’t be long until Clubs are complaining about flooded pitches! Also, Clubs fortunate enough to have access to 3G pitches will be in a position to fulfil fixtures and we envisage that at least 15-20% of fixtures will be completed. Those that can play safely should do so.
The FA’s guidance is below and you can access it here. In practice, if you have a home fixture scheduled that cannot go ahead due to your home ground being unplayable, you should contact the opposition as early as possible to establish if the fixture can be reversed and, if so, please advise your Fixture Secretary about the reversal so the fixture can be updated on Full Time. If neither Team can host, similarly please advise your Fixture Secretary at the earliest opportunity.
The decision regarding whether a pitch is playable is highly subjective and there will always be over-enthusiastic Clubs & Managers. Safety is paramount.
The relevant SCWGL Rule is:-
23 (D)
The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the Ground in all Competition Matches and the decision shall be final, subject to the determination of the Local Authority or the owners of a Ground which must be accepted. If any Competition Match is in doubt due to unfit pitches, it is the responsibility of the home Club to have the pitch inspected early on the day of the Competition Match and advise their opponents not to travel pending an inspection. The Home Club must contact the Referee to request an early inspection or contact a local Referee or their nearest Competition Officer if the appointed Referee is not available and confirm with their opponents the result of the pitch inspection. Failing to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
The proposed Season Planners for both Competitive & Development Football can be found on the League’s website here but these are subject to change dependent upon how the season progresses.
Regards
Karen Bailey
General Secretary
Surrey County Womens & Girls League
Loading...
Reload document
Open in new tab