The following Communication was sent to all Member National Associations from the FISTF Board.
We are publishing it here in the interest of communication with all players and clubs.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Chères Mesdames et Messieurs,
Dear Members,
Chères Membres,
The purpose of this communication is to clarify how the Under 20, Under 16 and Under 12 age categories will be applied in season 2023-24, commencing 1 September 2023. The need for this clarification has arisen in the last few days following some updates to the FISTF website and Facebook page which caused some confusion and concern amongst some MNAs and clubs.
Age Category Definitions for Season 2023-24
The definitions as set out in section 2.6.2 of the FISTF Official Handbook dated 15 August 2023 and published on the FISTF website will apply as written.
They are as follows:
2.6.2 Definitions
For the season 2023-2024, the categories will be as follows:
(a) Open; all players of any gender and age
(b) Veterans: players born before September 1st, 1973;
(c) Under-20: players born on or after September 1st, 2003;
(d) Under-16: players born on or after September 1st, 2007;
(e) Under-12: players born on or after September 1st, 2011;
(f) Women: female players only, of any age.
Background
In its extensive updates to the Handbook for this season, the Board inadvertently overlooked the decision made by members at the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in December last year to change the age category definitions.
Resolution 5, which was approved by a two-thirds majority of members, was “I agree that players competing in “Under categories” (U20, U16 and U12) must be under that age for the entirety of the season”.
This resolution was put forward to address the issue that many players playing in “under” categories were in fact not under the age limit for much of the season. For example, someone could turn 20 years of age on 2 September, yet play in the “under” 20 category for almost the entire season.
This change was not introduced for the 2023 season (which has run from 1 January to 31 August 2023) because the final voting for the AGM was only completed in late December 2022. It was considered to be too late to introduce it so close to the start of the season.

The intention was to introduce this change for the 2023-24 season. Unfortunately, as noted above, the resolution/members’ decision was overlooked in the updates to the Handbook. Over the last couple of days, we discovered our error and had sought to correct it by applying the age categories in accordance with the members’ decision last year under Resolution 5.
However, we are now faced with a similar situation to last year, with just one week before the new season starts.
Several clubs have expressed strong concern over the past few days regarding the late implementation of this decision and its effects on their arrangements for the coming season.
The Board has therefore decided to further delay the implementation of Resolution 5 and to retain the current age definitions for the 2023-24 season.
This means, for example, that a player who wishes to play in the U20 category will be able to do so even if they turn 20 years of age during the 2023-24 season, as in previous years.
For members’ information, the Board is also currently reviewing the possible impact of the 2022 resolution/decision, if implemented, on the development of our game and on numbers in the junior categories.
We will report back on this issue at the 2023 AGM before seeking members’ views and, if necessary, a further decision on age category definitions.
The Board would like to apologise for its oversight and the ensuing lack of clarity, but we seek MNAs’ understanding and cooperation in moving forward as we work together to improve our sport.

Veterans
Finally, please be reminded that as decided at the 2022 AGM, from 1 September 2023, the minimum age for the Veterans category will increase from 45 to 50 (players born before 1 September 1973) and that points previously accumulated in the Veterans category will not be transferred to the Open category for affected players.

With kindest regards FISTF Board 

The following was sent to all Member Nations by FISTF.

The FISTF Board of Directors and Operational staff have decided unanimously to revamp the FISTF rules process.
It was agreed that the current process was no longer fit for purpose.
In its place FISTF has created a new Rules and Referees Committee (RR Committee).
The RR Committee will be created under the authority of FISTF.
It will become an autonomous committee, in the same way as the Disciplinary Council, Equipment Committee and Operational Secretary are able to make and implement their own decisions, under the authority of FISTF.
The Scope of the Committee will be:

• > To protect the core values, especially the simplicity of playing the game.
  > Clear decision-making process and implementation by the RR Committee
  > To benefit the game at all levels, whether small, local clubs, national competitions or elite international events.
  > The development of a thorough training process to assist all players in understanding and learning the rules
  > Development of a proper Referees Guide and an associated Referees course and certification.
  > Develop and maintain the Rules of the Game document, as well as a simplified rules document for beginners.

FISTF is now calling on the Member Nations to nominate members for the RR Committee.
There will be four positions in total available for nomination by the MNAs.
Each member nation can submit as many nominations as it likes.
If there are more than 4 nominations from across all the member nations, then an internet vote of the Members will be held to determine the 4 to be named on the RR Committee.
Of these 4, an MNA can only have a maximum of one elected representative . So, one nation cannot dominate.

There will be 7 members in the RR Committee.
For its part, FISTF will nominate 3 members for the Committee, including Patrizio Lazzaretti (RR Committee Chairman) and Chris Angelinas (FISTF Sports Director).
FISTF will nominate one more for the RR Committee.
The FISTF nominees will not be constrained by MNA — so the MNAs could elect an Italian and a Greek, and Patrizio and Chris are still valid.
The RR Committee will decide its internal votes by a simple majority.

In the interests of dealing with any changes to the rules in an efficient and transparent manner, the RR Committee will follow the following process:
> FISTF provides the authority to the RR Committee.
> The RR Committee is the owner of the Rules of the Game document and will create a separate Referees Guide.
> The Chairman of the Committee is the executor, under the authority of the Committee and the FISTF Board.
> The RR Committee can accept and call for contributions/suggestions. But the Committee owns the process and has the authority to reject or accept these suggestions.
> The Committee can also ask for clubs or small tournaments to ‘play test’ potential new rules and request analysis of these changes before they are implemented generally.
> Changes/amendments to the rules of the game are then implemented. In the case of major changes, they will be in force at the start of the next season.
> The RR Committee will also work on an on-line rules test so that players can start seeing how well (or not) they know the rules. Then they will develop a proper referee’s test and referee certificates.

All candidates for the RR Committee must abide by the policies of FISTF in relation to its board and committees:
> Committee solidarity (decisions taken in proper form by the whole committee is a decision of all members).
> Internal discussions, correspondence, and reports must remain confidential, until released by the Chairman of the Committee. Internal discussions must not be aired in a public forum.
Candidates must agree to these policies before being accepted as members of the committee.

If you are interested in submitting an application to be on the committee, you should must apply through your national association.

FISTF