Competition Evolution Brings Rule Changes For 2008
With the steady growth in experience and participation, AFL Victoria's Youth Girls competitions are reviewed annually by AFL Victoria's Youth Girls Executive to ensure that the program evolves to meet the changing needs of the participants and the increase in demand from the community. This is an important process as the Youth Girls program is still in its infancy. Our aim is to bring as many girls as possible to football and ensure that the development needs of all girls are catered for, as well as providing as many Youth Girls competitions as is needed across Victoria.
The 2007 review saw cause for a few changes to existing competition rules, which are detailed below:
2008 Rule Changes (Explanations underlined)3.1.7 Minimum Number of Players.
3.1.7a The minimum number of players to constitute a side shall be eleven (11).
3.1.7b If one team is short of players the numerical strength of each team must be adjusted, so that the team with more available players has no more than one (1) more player on the field than the opposition.
3.1.7c If both coaches are in agreement, players can be transferred from one team to the other to even up playing numbers. This should be noted on the team sheet of the team to which they have been transferred for the day as being "on loan".
** Previously, the wording wasn't clear as to whether it was compulsory to even up teams. 3.1.14 Finals Eligibility - Players
3.1.14a For a player to be eligible to play for her club in finals games, the player must have played in a minimum of three (3) games, including games resulting from forfeiture.
**Byes no longer count as games played for finals eligibility.3.1.15 Finals
3.1.15a Sides participating in finals shall number at least four (4). In the case of a competition having less than four registered teams, teams that finish first and second on the ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season will play in the Grand Final.
**As Youth Girls competitions grow in number we will see competitions of less than 4 teams beginning. 2007 rules didn't cater for that situation. 3.2.3 Type of Football
3.2.3a The Match Manager is to supply two (2) good quality footballs of approved size.
3.2.3b In 2008 teams in the Northern, Eastern, Western Division 2 (if applicable) and Bendigo competitions shall use a Sherrin size 4 synthetic match ball. If Captains and Coaches from both teams agree, teams in the Western (Division 1 if applicable) and South Eastern competitions shall use a Sherrin size 4 leather match ball for games, except those involving first year teams. All games involving first year teams shall use a Sherrin Size 4 synthetic match ball.
(Sherrin Brand Footballs approved by AFL Victoria are the only footballs to be used in all official Youth Girls matches).
** Due to the developmental nature of the Youth Girls competitions, newer competitions will still be required to use synthetic footballs, however the more experienced teams will be allowed to use leather footballs in the Western and South Eastern competitions, as long as both teams' Captains AND Coaches agree. If they are playing a first year team however, synthetic footballs will be used. This means that all first year teams in these competitions will be using synthetic footballs for each game in 2008. This rule is being trialed in 2008 in these two competitions as their standard of football has grown as has player confidence and ability.
NOTE: Our recent player survey has found that only 14% of all girls across all competitions disliked playing with synthetic footballs. Girls in new teams were more supportive of playing with synthetic footballs, supporting the need to have new teams playing with synthetic footballs in their first year of competition. 3.2.23 Clearances
3.2.23a Age of Clearances
* Players aged 14 or over on January 1st of the competition year and who were registered with a club in the previous year, are required to obtain a clearance if wishing to transfer to another club from the previous season.
* Players under 14 on January 1st of the competition year are not required to obtain a clearance from their former club if wishing to transfer to another club the previous season, but must complete the official Youth Girls Clearance Form and forward it to the Competition Manager via email, fax or mail to notify them of their transfer.
** This rule for the age of clearances was added to be consistent with AFL Victoria's policy on clearances. 3.2.23b Clearance Time Frame
** This rule for the timeframe for clearances was added to be consistent with AFL Victoria's policy on clearances. * Clearances will not be processed prior to the start of business on February 1 for that season.
* No clearance will be approved by the Competition Manager after the close of business on June 30 in that season.
3.2.23c Number of Clearances per Team
* The maximum number of Clearances a team can receive in any season is 3 (three), and an unlimited number of Special Clearances.
** NEW RULE - For Youth Girls competitions to grow, they are dependent on clubs bringing new girls to football, rather than simply recycling existing players between clubs. AFL Victoria actively encourages clubs from seeking out girls new to football. 3.2.23d Applications
* A player seeking a clearance from one club to another must complete the official Youth Girls Clearance form, submit it to their former club and keep the Clearance Form Receipt.
* A player must have approval from their former club and the Competition Manager before they are able to play for their new club.
* No clearance will be approved by the Competition Manager after June 30 in the relevant season.
**Introduced to prevent girls changing teams for finals and is consistent with national rules on clearances. 3.2.23e Approvals
* The former club of a player requesting a clearance must approve the clearance and notify the Competition Manager within six (6) clear business days of the written request being made by the player, by forwarding the completed Clearance Form to the Competition Manager via hand delivery, fax, mail or email.
* Should the former club fail to respond to the clearance application, the clearance will occur automatically six (6) clear business days from the dated noted on the Clearance Form receipt, and the player presents the original Clearance Form receipt to the Competition Manager.
* The Competition Manager will approve no more than three (3) Clearances to any one team in any one season, excluding Special Clearances.
** Essentially the same, however the last point relating to the limit of 3 clearances has been added. 3.2.23f Refusals
* The former club of a player requesting a Clearance must refuse the clearance within six (6) clear business days of receiving the Clearance Form by completing and returning the Clearance Form to the Competition Manager via hand delivery, fax, mail or email.
* A Club can only refuse to clear a player when the club can substantiate that the player:
o Is indebted to their former club financially; and/or
* Is in possession of club property (eg: jumper) that needs to be returned.
**The same rule as previous________________________________________
** Special Clearance NEW RULE - AFL Victoria recognises that there are particular circumstances for Youth Girls to change clubs and consequently, a Special Clearance rule (below) has been added to the clearance procedure. The Special Clearance rule applies to clubs seeking more than 3 players via clearances. Please note: the club has a responsibility to demonstrate the factors (geography/family) related to the need for a Special Clearance. 3.2.24 Special Clearances
3.2.24a Special Clearances
* A Special Clearance must be applied for by the Club wishing to receive a player after receiving three new players via clearances for the relevant season.
* A Special Clearance Form must be completed and submitted for each player for which a Special Clearance is sought.
* A Special Clearance will only be granted to teams after they have already exceeded the allowable number of annual clearances.
* A Special Clearance may be granted to a team for a player who:
o Can demonstrate that the new club is geographically the closest club to their permanent place of residence; or
o Can demonstrate that the player has a sibling who is a registered and financial member of the club seeking the Special Clearance, and that the sibling is, or intends to be, playing for the club which is seeking a Special Clearance in the relevant season for which the Special Clearance is being applied.
3.2.24b Number of Special Clearances per Team
* A team can receive an unlimited number of Special Clearances in any one season.
3.2.24c Special Clearance Applications
* Clubs seeking a Special Clearance must complete and submit the official Youth Girls Special Clearance form and the required documentation demonstrating the circumstances outlined above for the Special Clearance.
* The player seeking the clearance must still complete and submit the official Youth Girls Clearance Form.
3.2.24d Approvals
* The Competition Manager will notify the Club seeking a Special Clearance of the outcome within six (6) clear business days of receiving the Special Clearance Form and all relevant documentation.
* The Competition Manager will not process the Special Clearance application until all required documentation is presented, including a Clearance Form from the player's former club granting the clearance, and the required documentation demonstrating the circumstances outlined above for the Special Clearance.
* The Competition Manager may approve an unlimited number of Special Clearances to any one team in any one season according to the Special Clearance requirements.
3.2.24e Refusals
* A Special Clearance will be refused when:
o the player for which the Special Clearance is being applied has not been cleared by their former club;
o the club fails to demonstrate that the new club is geographically the closest club to the permanent place of residence of player for which the Special Clearance is being applied; or,
o the club fails to demonstrate that the player for which the Special Clearance is being applied has a sibling playing at the club who is a registered and financial member of the club seeking the Special Clearance, and that the sibling is, or intends to be, playing for the club which is seeking a Special Clearance in the relevant season for which the Special Clearance is being applied.
Last Modified on 16/12/2008 23:30