Berwick Springs Junior Football Club
PLAYER REGISTRATION POLICY
VACANCIES
All vacancies are determined by the Registrar upon the expiration of the deadline date in the first instance and then as players leave the club throughout the season.
PRE-SEASON REGISTRATIONS
First preference is given to Last Seasons players** received by 31st December
Second preference is given to siblings of last season’s players** received by end of Jan
Third preference is given to other enquiries by date order of their application
Fourth preference is given to applicants of Registration day by order they are received on day
** Offers for First and Second Preference registrations will be subject to a “Deadline Date”. The date will be determined each year by the Registrar and communicated via email.
REGISTRATION ENQUIRIES
All enquiries on player registrations must be directed to and processed by the club Registrar
The club Registrar determines what vacancies exist and in which age groups. Committee members, Coaches, Team Managers and other club officials have no official capacity to advise players on whether a vacancy exists within a team or age group and should refrain from doing so at all times. All decisions regarding player placement are made by the Registrar, and that decision is final.
AGE OF PLAYER
- A Player must be aged at least 7 years of age on the 1st of January to be eligible to register with our club.
- League Rule: Correct age groups are as follows:
| Age as at 1st January |
Plays in |
Age as at 1st January |
Plays in |
| 7 or 8 years |
Under 9’s |
12 years |
Under 13’s |
| 9 years |
Under 10’s |
13 years |
Under 14’s |
| 10 years |
Under 11’s |
14 years |
Under 15’s |
| 11 years |
Under 12’s |
15 years |
Under 16’s |
PLAYING UP- OUTSIDE OF CORRECT AGE LEVEL
- League Rule: Players must be aged at least 8 years of age on the 1st January to be eligible to play up outside their correct age level.
- League Rule: Players are permitted to play up a maximum of two (2) years above their correct age level.
Eg. An Under 10 player must be aged 9 on 1st January and can play up into an Under 12’s team.
- If a player’s suitability to “play up” from their correct age level is questioned for reasons of safety or similar concerns, the Registrar in conjunction with the Selection Panel will consider all the available information and make an informed decision on the placement of that player.
- Until each team has a full team to field NO consideration will be made for any players to move up a division. Furthermore any application for a player to play up a division will be addressed to the committee in writing and dealt with on a team by team basis.
- If a player elects to register and “play up” from their normal age level they must accept that, if at some time later they wish to “correct their age level”, they can only do so if a vacancy exists in their chosen team and it must be put in writing to the Registrar.
- If a team has too many registered players, players can be asked to play up an age level on a voluntary basis. Players that wish to do so upon request will be exempt from the rule applying to play back down in their appropriate age level.
ACCEPTANCE/REJECTION OF PLAYER REGISTRATIONS
The club Registrar is empowered to accept or reject a player’s application to register. If an applicant is rejected and wishes to appeal against this decision they may do so in writing. The matter will then be dealt with by either the Executive or General Committee, whichever is deemed the appropriate authority at the time.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The applicant is obligated to supply all necessary documents to the Registrar in a prompt and timely manner having regard for operational deadlines that exist at that time. Handing documents to a Coach/Team Manager or other club official is done so at the entire risk of the applicant and the Registrar/committee will not be accountable for any time delays or loss of documents that may occur as a result.
Upon the Registrars receipt of all required paperwork, a period of not less than 7 days is to be allowed for application to be processed.
A player’s application to the Registrar can only be processed once the Registrar is in receipt of the following documents:
- § Completed SEJ online registration
- § Copy of birth certificate
- § Signed Players Code of Conduct form
FEES
Due Date: All fees are due and payable by the first game. (For U11-Tope age, fees are due by the first grading game. For U8-U10 fees are due before Little Demons Day)
Financial Hardship: Any player experiencing financial hardship should contact the Registrar as soon as possible. A deposit is required before the jumper can be given to the player and a payment plan must be in place before the first grading game.
Attendance: Full fees are applicable to all players, irrespective of how many weeks they attend training or Rounds they play in.
UN-FINANCIAL PLAYERS
Players are deemed to be un-financial if their fees remain unpaid by Round 1. Un-financial members will be ineligible to play or participate in any club/league organised games or attend training sessions at the club.
Players that owe money and/or a club jumper will not be given a clearance to play at another club until their debt is settled and their jumper returned.
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
Players experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to contact the Registrar. Each case will be assessed on its own merits by Executive Committee in a timely manner. If an extension is approved, any departure from the agreement will result in the player being deemed un-financial. Only one application per player is permitted.
RESIGNATIONS/REFUNDS
A player may resign from the club up to and including Round 3 and obtain a full refund of their Registration Fee, less Insurance and Affiliation fees. Resignations must be in writing and received by the Registrar on or before Round 3. From Round 4 onwards, Registrations Fees are non-refundable.
CLEARANCE OF PLAYERS
Players transferring from another club to Berwick Springs Junior Football Club are ineligible to train/play until a full clearance has been received by the Registrar. Once this has been received the Registrar will notify the appropriate Coach and/or Team Manager.
Players wishing to transfer to another club will have their clearance processed without delay providing that the player is financial with the club and has returned the club jumper.
If the Registrar has reason to believe that, due to other circumstances, clearance should not be given, they will notify the Football Operations Manager who will take the necessary action to resolve the matter. If no solution is forthcoming then the matter must be referred to either the Executive or General Committee, whichever is deemed the appropriate authority at the time.
TEAM NUMBERS/SELECTION
- Each team is allowed a maximum of 24 players. This applies across all age groups with no exceptions.
- Final team selection/numbers will be finalised and made public by the Registrar after the final Registration Day (date will be advised by club and on website for each season).
Players from age groups Under 13 and above (with multiple Teams) will be graded. The grading will be performed by the Coaches of that age group and the Coaching Co-Ordinator, and then forwarded to the Player/Team Selection Panel for approval.
REPLACEMENT OF INJURED PLAYERS
Only applicable in a team that has 24 players registered.
If a player is injured and considered unfit to play for a period in excess of 6 consecutive weeks they may be replaced temporarily with another player provided that the replacement player and his/her family are fully informed that the position is temporary and will cease to be available once the injured player is fit to return.
PLACEMENT OF PLAYERS
- All registrations are subject to team/age group vacancies.
- The club Registrar is the only person authorised to accept or reject a “Players” Application to register unless exceptional circumstances exist, in which case the application may be referred to either the Executive or General Committee, whichever is deemed the appropriate authority at the time.
Player Selection & Development Policy
CLUB PHILOSOPHY
The Berwick Springs Junior Football Club aims to provide an opportunity for the youth of our area to participate in Australian Rules Football and enhance their health and well-being through organised sport. The Berwick Springs Junior Football Club, will at all times, endeavour to provide for the health, welfare and well being of its players, supporters and spectators. This aim will be achieved by promoting and developing the following values and objectives listed under the Club Objectives.
CLUB OBJECTIVES
The Berwick Springs Junior Football Club will promote the following:
- A sense of social and community values
- An environment to nurture the physical and mental development of our youth
- Respect for officials, opposition players and supporters
- The virtues of fair and disciplined play
- Equal opportunities for everyone
They will be realised by providing as far as reasonable:
- Competent coaches and assistants
- Adequate facilities, amenities and equipment
- Supervised social functions encouraging family participation
- Regular communication and consultation with players and parents
- Active leadership and management of the Club
All players, coaches and officials, parents, supporters and committee members have a responsibility at all times when representing the Berwick Springs Junior Football Club to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner consistent with these values and/or Codes of Conduct.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
The club recognises that players may at different stages of their football career require more personalised attention. This extra attention could be either to improve skills or confidence of a struggling player, or conversely, challenge and promote the talents of a high achieving player.
The Coach of each team is expected to recognise these differences and refer special needs of players to the Football Operations Manager. It is the clubs intention that the appointed Club advisor/s will then work with the coach to co-ordinate a program that will enhance the learning outcomes for the player/s concerned.
PLAYER/TEAM SELECTION PANEL
The Selection Panel consists of:
- The respective coaches of each age level
- Football Operations Manager
- Coaching Co-Ordinator **
- An Executive Committee Member
- Minimum of 2 selected panel member ( appointed by the Executive Committee)
This panel will also seek information and advice from others, as it deems necessary in its attempts to achieve the club objectives.
This panel has autonomy in its decision making and will only refer issues to the Executive committee by exception.
** If the Coaching Co-Ordinator is also the respective coach, the Executive will appoint a further panel member (for that Team) to ensure any perceived conflict of interest does not occur.
PLAYER/TEAM SELECTION CHARTER
Under 9’s & Under 10’s In circumstances where more than one team exists in the same age group
- The placement of NEW players will be dependent on vacancies and the player’s preference at the time of registration.
Under 11’s & Under 12’s’ In circumstances where more than one team exists in the same age group:
- The placement of NEW players will be dependent on vacancies and the players preference at the time of registration
- Existing teams will progress up from the previous age bracket intact. This will usually ensure and even mix of both confident, skilled players and the not so confident, relatively unskilled players in all divisions
- The Selection Panel in empowered to assess the competitiveness of each team. If an imbalance is identified, the panel can recommend a change of division for the team or alternatively, an adjustment of players between teams.
- Any recommended movement of a player from one team to another will be in consultation with the player and parents and whilst encouraged, will be purely voluntary on the part of the player.
- Maximum effort will be given to accommodate the wishes of the player, however, the final decision on placement of new players will remain with the Selection Panel
- In the event that the club has two teams playing in the same division, the players will be selected so that both teams have a fair and equal distribution of skilled and less skilled players so they may compete on equal terms.
Under 13’s – U16’s In circumstances where more than one team exists in the same age group:
- The placement of NEW players will be dependent on vacancies and the players preference at the time of registration
- The Selection Panel in empowered to assess the competitiveness of each team. If an imbalance is identified, the panel can recommend a change of division for the team or alternatively, an adjustment of players between teams.
- Maximum effort will be given to accommodate the wishes of the player, however, the final decision on placement of new players will remain with the Selection Panel
ALL PLAYERS
- The club preference is not to field two teams in the same division
- If a player’s suitability to “play up” from their correct age level is questioned for reasons of safety or similar concerns, the Registrar in conjunction with the Selection Panel will consider all the available information and make an informed decision on the placement of that Player. This decision will be final.
- If a player elects to register and “play up” from their normal level they must accept that, if at some time they wish to “correct their age level”, they can only do so if a vacancy exists in their chosen team and must be in writing to the Registrar.
REGISTRATION & PLACEMENT OF PLAYERS
- The “Player Registration” Policy is an active component of the “Player Selection & Development Policy and both documents should be referred to jointly to allow for their correct application.
- All registrations are subject to team/age group vacancies
- New players are placed into teams on a first come, first served basis throughout the year
- The club Registrar is the only person authorised to accept or reject a Players Application to registers unless special circumstances exist, in which case the application may be referred to the Executive committee.
- Team placement of new players is at the discretion of the club Registrar who, under some circumstances, may consult with the Selection panel.
PLACEMENT OF PLAYERS IN TEAMS
Under 9’s Player/Parent preference will be given at registration.
Under 10’s-12’s Teams will progress up from previous age group intact. If a recommendation has been put forward from the Selection Panel, it will be dealt with as detailed in the above Player/Team Selection Charter.
Under 13’s – 16’s Players will be graded as per the above Player/Team Selection Charter.
These policies and procedures are complimentary to the Berwick Springs Sports Club and AFL Victoria Policies (which is the states football governing body) and Berwick Springs Junior Football Club is legally bound to abide by these rules and policies and procedures.
