What Supporting Evidence do I Require for Player Dispensation?

Application Type 

Supporting Evidence Required 

Educational : For children who are schooled a year below their prescribed age group

Within the Nature of disability section of the application the parent must provide:

1. the year the child is schooled in 
2. why it was deemed appropriate for the child to delay a year of education;
3. how playing in his/her prescribed age group would place the child at a substantial disadvantage; and
4. how playing in an age group other than his/her prescribed age group would neutralise or reduce disadvantage

A letter from the child’s school and/or Local Education Authority and/or relevant School Admissions Authority confirming the year group of the child dated with in the last 12 months

1. Must be dated within the last 12 months
2. Name, Job Title & signature of individual confirming year group of the child
3. Letter must contain the schools details, IE name and address ( letter headed paper is preferred)

Disability or Impairment

A letter from a medical practitioner or other specialist dated within the last 18 months which:

1. identifies the child’s disability;
2. identifies any characteristics of the child’s disability which are relevant to the request to play in an age group other than the child’s prescribed age group;
3. explains how the characteristics of the disability would place the child at a substantial disadvantage compared to his/her non-disabled peers if he/she were required to play football in his/her prescribed age group;
4. explains how playing in an age group other than his/her prescribed age group would neutralise or reduce the disadvantage caused by the child’s disability;
5. identifies any increased or reduced risk to the child and/or his/her peers by allowing the child to play outside his/her prescribed age group;
6. explains why allowing the child to play outside his/her prescribed age group will not endanger the health and safety of the child or any other person.

Mental Disorder or Chronic Illness 

A letter from a medical practitioner or other specialist dated within the last 18 months which: 

1. identifies the child’s medical disorder or chronic illness;
2. identifies the characteristics of the child’s mental disorder or chronic illness which are relevant to the request to play in an age group other than the child’s prescribed age group;
3. explains how the characteristics of the mental disorder or chronic illness would place the child at a substantial disadvantage compared to his/her peers if he/she were required to play football in his/her prescribed age group;
4. explains how playing in an age group other than his/her prescribed age group would neutralise or reduce the disadvantage caused by the child’s mental disorder or chronic illness;
5. identifies any increased or reduced risk to the child and/or his/her peers by allowing the child to play outside his/her prescribed age group;
6. explains why allowing the child to play outside his/her prescribed age group will not endanger the health and safety of the child or any other person.

Significant Physical Development Delay (SPDD) 

A letter from a medical practitioner or other specialist dated within the last 18 months which:

1. identifies the child’s SPDD;
2. identifies any characteristics of the child’s SPDD which are relevant to the request to play in an age group other than the child’s prescribed age group;
3. explains how the characteristics of the child’s SPDD would place the child at a substantial disadvantage compared to his/her non-disabled peers if he/she were required to play football in his/her prescribed age group;
4. explains how playing in an age group other than his/her prescribed age group would neutralise or reduce the disadvantage caused by the child’s SPDD;
5. identifies any increased or reduced risk to the child and/or his/her peers by allowing the child to play outside his/her prescribed age group;
6. explains why allowing the child to play outside his/her prescribed age group will not endanger the health and safety of the child or any other person.