As part of the development of the Dispensation process, the FA are piloting two new categories to support children to play football.

The category availability of opportunity is for those who have no available opportunity within their permitted age group and chosen pathway (male, female, mixed, disability). An “available opportunity” is defined as a football offer that is accessible to the individual in a reasonable travel time

Please note to apply under the individual needs category there is a series of evidence required to apply. You can find the template files within the What Supporting Evidence do I Require for Player Dispensation? article.

Eligible examples

No Teams Locally

Those who have no available opportunity within their permitted age group and chosen pathway (male, female, mixed, disability). An “available opportunity” is defined as a football offer that is accessible to the individual in a reasonable travel time. 

When determining a reasonable travel time consideration should be given to the modes of transport available to the applicant and how this may impact their opportunity to play. 

This may include players currently playing mixed football who wish to play specifically within their chosen pathway.

Local Teams at Capacity

This is where there may be opportunities locally but they are at capacity and therefore there is a need to play out of their prescribed age group in order to participate in their chosen pathway.

Religious Reasons

A player has religious commitments on a particular day of the week which excludes them from playing. There is a lack of opportunity to play within their permitted age group and chosen pathway through the rest of the week so dispensation would be needed to allow them to participate.

Personal Circumstance

Where personal circumstances stop an individual from being able to participate in the game and that by being permitted to play outside of their prescribed age groups they would be able to play football. (Please see next slide for personal circumstances that would be deemed ineligible or should be considered against an alternative dispensation category e.g. mental health or chronic illness)

Non Eligible examples

Insufficient Research

Following support of the County FA a reasonable opportunity to play is found.