2025-12 – AGM 2024 – Resolution 9 – Defined playing materials/figures and modified rules for Under 12 players

Preamble

Proposal: To limit the playing material used by Under 12 players and to modify the playing rules for Under 12 players as outlined in the attached submission from the Austrian Tablesoccer Federation (EÖTV).

Background:

Please see the attached detailed submission from the Austrian Tablesoccer Federation (EÖTV) regarding this proposal.

If this proposal is approved, amendments will be drafted to the relevant FISTF documents (Official Handbook, Tournament Organisers’ Handbook and Rules) for introduction from the 2026-27 season.

(Submitted by A Strommer, President, (EÖTV), Austria

Voting

AGM 2025-12 – Resolution 9 – Defined playing materials/figures and modified rules for Under 12 players

Vote: To accept or reject Resolution 9

> I agree that amendments should be drafted to the relevant FISTF documents (Official Handbook, Tournament Organisers’ Handbook and Rules) for introduction from the 2026-27 season to limit the playing material used by Under 12 players and to modify the playing rules for Under 12 players a proposed by Austria.

> I do not agree that amendments should be drafted to the relevant FISTF documents (Official Handbook, Tournament Organisers’ Handbook and Rules) for introduction from the 2026-27 season to limit the playing material used by Under 12 players and to modify the playing rules for Under 12 players a proposed by Austria.

> I abstain

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As per the FISTF Statutes, a majority vote of 66.67% is needed to carry this resolution.
Abstention is not a cast vote (it was voted but will not be considered in the final results)

Discussion of Resolutions 8 and 9:

Manfred Joseph (AUT) presented the resolutions from Austria to use small pitches and simplified rules for under 12 players to increase participation. He summarised the positive experience in Austria over the previous year.  Based on that positive experience, the proposal is to trial the use of smaller pitches on an optional basis for three years, then to review the experience and decide whether it is the way to proceed. If so, MNAs/organisers would be given a further two years to change to smaller pitches for the U12 category.

Steve Dettre and Yves Peremann (BEL) discussed the potential impact of the proposal on team events and the need for consistency in rules. Yves asked whether the entire package of rules would need to be accepted or if individual rules can be voted on.  Manfred stated that the rules could be considered individually and that the whole package need not necessarily be adopted. We could see what worked well and what did not.  Yves also said that some U12 players in Belgium play in the second division on full size tables (although they are lower so that they can more easily reach all of the pitch), and that playing on smaller pitches could confuse them.  Manfred explained that under-12 players must participate on normal tables if they want to play in the general competition.

Regarding implementation and the production of and purchase of smaller pitches, Yves mentioned the need to buy new pitches specifically for under-12 players and the timing of production.  Manfred mentioned again the proposed long period of optional use (three years) to allow organisers time to implement the changes.  Regarding the availability and cost of the new pitches, Manfred indicated that they have been using Astroturf 77 pitches in Austria, which currently cost 48 Euros.