EASTERN DISTRICTS FOOTBALL LEAGUE INC.

Rules & Regulations
(updated 9th December 2003)

FIXTURE COMMITTEE

The Fixture Committee shall arrange the program of all Club, Inter Club and Inter League matches to be played under the control of the EDFL and shall allocate grounds for such matches, which shall be submitted to the League Directors for approval at the February meeting.

PERMIT COMMITTEE

The Permit Committee shall consist of those Directors appointed by the League. This Committee shall exercise the following functions:-
Hear and determine all applications relating to opposed clearances.
Grant or refuse a permit to any player when such permit is necessary.
Hear and determine any questions relating to the right or qualifications of any player to play with any particular Club.
Transact such other business as may be delegated to it from time to time by the League.

FOOTBALL COMMITTEE

The Football, Committee of the EDFL shall consist of the President, Senior Vice President, Junior Vice Presidents and Secretary. They will arrange the program of all matches to be played under the control of the League and to allocate grounds for such matches. They will also arrange functions when required for these games and will perform any other duties the Directors may from time to time direct. 
No Club shall be represented on any Committee by more than one member.

SELECTION COMMITTEE

The Selection Committee of the EDFL shall consist of the EDFL League Coach and selectors.
The EDFL League Directors shall appoint the League Coach and Selectors annually

At the same time as the League Coach is appointed the League shall also appoint a Head Trainer to be responsible for the selection of the training staff for all Inter League and Country Championship fixtures.

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS

The Directors may elect Honorary Life Members of the EDFL provided that such election is decided upon by three fourths majority of the Directors. Life Membership shall be awarded only for special service rendered to the EDFL or to the game of Australian Football.

AFFILIATION FEE

The annual affiliation fee to be paid by the Clubs admitted to the EDFL shall be fixed at the Annual General Meeting and shall be paid prior to the commencement of the season fixtures.

GATE RECEIPTS

The gate receipts of all qualifying matches, the admission fee being determined at the Annual General Meeting each year shall be retained by the home Club. Such Club shall be responsible for the payment of all expenses incurred except League Umpires and visiting Reserve Umpires.
All final round and Inter League matches shall be under the control of the EDFL. A ticketing system is to be used at all final round and Inter League fixtures so that accurate and proper records of attendance can be kept and these records are to be made available to the Directors to ascertain the grounds attracting the most spectators.

PERMISSION TO USE COLOURS

Every Club upon admission to the EDFL shall apply for and obtain the permission of the Directors to use the colours, uniform and design under which the Club proposes to play.  When approved by the Directors the uniform design and colours shall be registered by the Secretary. 

Any Club desiring to alter or vary its colours shall first apply for and obtain permission of the Directors. When approved by the Directors the uniform design and colours shall be registered by the Secretary.

Registration of such colours, uniform and design by the Secretary shall give such Clubs the exclusive right to such colours, uniform and design against any other Club attempting to register the same colours, uniform or design.

LAWS OF THE GAME

In all League competitions the Laws of the Australian game of Football as adopted by the National Football League from time to time shall be complied with by the Clubs playing in such competition.  The said Laws of the game now in force are more particularly set forth in the Second schedule annexed to these Rules.

EXCLUSION OF CLUBS

the League Executive may at a Special Meeting called for the purpose, review the position of any Club in the League and by a majority of the whole League Council may expel or exclude such Club from the League.

If any team is expelled or folds during the year all premiership points, awards and goals recorded to teams that have played that team shall be cancelled for that year.

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

The League Council may from time to time declare any acts or omissions by Clubs and players not specifically mentioned in these Rules and may also declare the penalty for any such offences; provided always that no such penalty shall be imposed until a circular setting forward the offences so declared and the penalties for the same shall have been first sent to every District Club.

A fine may be set by the Directors in respect of any offences committed under these rules in the case where no specified fine or penalty is prescribed.I

Should any League player misconduct himself or commit any offence against the Laws of the game, he shall be dealt with by the Protests and Disputes Board in such manner as the Board think fit.

If a player is reported and found guilty and that player is reported again within the season he must automatically face the Protests and Disputes Board.

Any player who is reported by his Club to the Secretary of the League for any offence or breach of his Clubs Rules shall be disqualified from playing in any League match until his Club shall have reported to the Secretary of the League that such player has made good his default or until such player has appealed to the Protests and Disputes Board against the charge or default made against him by his Club and such appeal has been allowed.

If any player in a Club shall play or attempt to play in any other Club in Western Australia, whether such Club be a member of this League or any other League or Association or not, and either for one match or more, without first having obtained a clearance allowing to do so, such player shall be liable for disqualification by the League Council.

If any Club shall include or suffer to be included in any team any player who has been disqualified from playing under these Rules such Club shall be liable to suspension or expulsion or any other penalty which the League Executive may think fit to order.

a)	Any Club which plays a player who is ineligible to play with such Club or who is disqualified from playing under these Rules and WINS such match, shall forfeit the match in which such player takes part in addition to any other penalty to which such Club may be liable under these Rules.

b)	Any Club which plays a player who is ineligible to play with such Club or who is disqualified from playing under these Rules and LOSES such match, shall be fined the amount set down by the League Executive, from time to time, in addition to any other penalty to which such Club may be liable under these Rules.

The League Executive by resolution may from time to time declare any acts or omissions by clubs and players not specifically mentioned under these Rules to be offences and may also declare the penalty for such offences.  A fine, the amount to be determined by the League Executive may be imposed in respect of any offences committed under these Rules in cases where no specific fine or penalty is prescribed.

No Club in the League shall play any match without the sanction of the League Executive.

MATCHES
At all matches played in the League competition, unless otherwise specially arranged, a bell, siren or gong shall be sounded at 2.30pm and the game shall be started at 2.30pm and the bell, siren or gong shall again be sounded at the proper time for the termination of the match.  If any Club shall not be ready to start to play at the time appointed and when the bell, siren or gong has been sounded such Club shall be fined the amount set down from time to time, by the League Executive, and if any Club shall not be ready to start to play at 2.45pm such Club shall forfeit the match unless the League Executive shall be satisfied that the delay was unavoidable; and also if any Club shall not be ready to resume play within fifteen (15) minutes after the conclusion of the second quarter, such Club shall be fined the amount set down by the League Executive, from time to time.

No Club shall forfeit any match or abstain from playing any match without first obtaining the permission of the League Executive.

Night Fixtures: Yellow footballs are too used in all night games.
Power failures:  In the event of a power failure and the lights are not restored to power within 20 minutes, then the game will be deemed completed not to be replayed.

The result to be decided by the League after consultation with the two clubs.

FORFEITS
a)	Where a team forfeits during the progress of a match.
b)	Where a team fails to appear.

In both cases above, the full premiership points are awarded to the team receiving the forfeit.

The team receiving the forfeit shall be credited with the average number of points scored against the forfeiting team up to the date of the forfeit, and debited with the average number of points scored by the forfeiting team up to the date of the forfeit.  The forfeiting team shall be debited with the average number of points scored against it up to the date of the forfeit and credited with the average number of points it has scored up to that date.

c)	Where a match result is altered by protest or dispute.

The team winning the protest is awarded the full premiership points.  Points scored "for and against" in such match will be recorded as usual.

Footballs - WACFL Logo Burley footballs ( Red or Yellow) must be used in all matches.

Interchange Players - Three interchange players may be used for all matches.

If no Reserve game 6 Interchange players may be used in the League game.

PREMIERSHIP
In the first round of matches each Club will play against each of the other Clubs as many matches as the programme will permit.  Four points shall be counted for a win, and two points for a draw.  In the event of any Club gaining the same number of points at the conclusion of the first round the position of such Clubs shall be determined by the proportion of points kicked for and against.

The Premiership round of matches shall commence after the First Round has been concluded, and will be played as a Final Five and will be played as follows;

Elimination Final - Fourth position versus Fifth position
Qualifying Final - Second position versus Third position
First Semi Final - Loser of Qualifying Final versus winner of Elimination Final
Second Semi Final - First position versus winner of Qualifying Final.
Preliminary Final - Winner of First Semi Final versus loser of Second Semi Final
Grand Final - Winner of Second Semi Final versus winner of Preliminary Final

The winner of such Grand Final match shall be the Premiers for that season.  The Premiership Team shall be presented with the Premiership Pennant.

FINAL ROUND GAMES

A ticketing system shall be used for all final round matches so that accurate and proper record of all attendances can be kept to ascertain which grounds attract the most spectators.

An interchange Steward is to be provided by the Host Club for all finals to record the interchange of players to and from the field.

Drawn Final Round Games - In the event of a drawn final round game, the field umpires shall advise both captions that two additional 5 minute periods with time on shall be played.  In the event of the scores being level after the two periods, additional two x 5 minutes’ periods with time on shall be played until a winner is determined.

Drawn Grand Final- the goal umpires shall consult with each other as to the correct score and confirm to the field umpires that the scores are level and signal to the timekeepers that the scores are correct.
On receiving confirmation that the scores are level, the field umpires shall advise both captains that two additional 5 minute periods with time on shall be played.  In the first additional period teams kick to the opposite end to which they kicked in the final quarter.

The interval between the siren to conclude the fourth quarter and commencement of the first period of additional time shall be six minutes.  Coaches shall be permitted to address teams during this period.
Timekeepers shall sound the sirens in accordance with the normal start of each quarter.

At the conclusion of the first period of additional time, teams shall immediately change ends.  Coaches and other Club officials shall not be permitted to enter the arena at this time.

In the event of scores being level after the two periods, additional two x five minute period with time on shall be played until a winner is determined.  The aforementioned procedures will apply with the exception that teams shall change ends immediately upon confirmation from the field umpires that additional periods are to be played and coaches and club officials shall not be permitted to enter the arena.

RESERVES COMPETITION
All Rules and Laws pertaining to the League competition are to be observed and adhered to in the Reserves competition with the exception that the number of players be increased to 24 for games - six interchange players.  Fifteen {15} a side to be the minimum number for a game to commence (30 players in total) to play for points.  If one side has less than 12 players they must forfeit the game.

It is compulsory for players sixteen years and under to wear yellow shorts to distinguish them for extra protection.
Players 40 and over playing Reserves have an option of wearing yellow shorts with the same protection
as players 16 years and under.
Match commencement of the Reserves shall be governed by Rule 75 except that the starting time shall be 12.20pm or at any other time determined by the League Council.

All final round games shall be played as seventeen minute quarters plus normal time on.

Late match commencement-The Goal Umpires shall confer with the respective Timekeepers at half time and amend the period for the last two quarters so that the match ends at 2.20pm.

Reserves Umpires - Field Umpires are to be supplied by both Clubs for all qualifying games. The League shall appoint Umpires for all Final Round matches. Any Club failing to notify opposing Clubs that they will not be supplying an Umpire for away Reserve games By the Thursday evening prior to the game shall be fined the appropriate Umpires Fee.

Football - Used footballs approved by the Umpires and opposition team can be used in A Reserve games.

If a team is short of the required number of players to commence a game then the opposition team may provide players and still play for premiership points. Those players loaned to the opposition team are to play for that team for the entire game.

Time off is only allowed in A Reserve games when an Ambulance has to enter the playing field to attend an injured player or when a player is sent off the playing field for a misdemeanour.

Finals - A final five system shall be played.

PLAYERS QUALIFICATION TO PLAY IN FINALS
a)	To be able to play in the Final Round of the Reserves competition a League player must have taken part in at least three Reserves matches prior to the last two games before the Final Round.

b)	Any player who takes part in either or both of the last two A Grade matches shall not be eligible to play in the Final Round of the Reserves competition unless he has played at least five games prior to the last two games before the Final Round.

Regulations (a) and (b) are not operative when League and Reserves teams are playing in a Final Round game on the same day.  If League and Reserves are not playing on the same day, a player must have played 3 games in Reserves to play in Reserves Final.

c)	Any player who has played in an League final game and his League team has been eliminated from the competition for that year is required to have played more than half of that season Reserve games to qualify to play in subsequent Reserve Finals in that season.

d) If a League team is playing in an earlier Final round game that the  Reserve team and is eliminated, then all players not selected in the League team and also have played at least one game in the  Reserve competition in the current season are eligible to play in the Reserve Finals still to be played.

e) If a player takes part in both a Reserve and League game on the same day only the League game is counted as a qualifying game.
{1} When no reserves game is played, nomination of 21 players as League players (will qualify as league game) and three players as reserves (twenty four on the teams list), three reserves players will not qualify as playing a League game. Nominated reserves must not have played league in the clubs last fixture.

(f)	If a League team has progressed to the Grand Final, players who do not qualify under (a) or (b) to play in reserves preliminary final, may play if they have not participated in any previous League final provided they have played one Reserves game in the current season

UMPIRES
Field umpires shall lodge with the Secretary of the home club before 6.00pm on the day of the game a report in writing containing the following particulars;

a)	The time when the match started
b)	The final score and such other information as is required on the Form of the Umpires Report prescribed for same, and contained in the third schedule hereto.
c)	Such other remarks and observations as the Umpire may think fit to report.
d)	The carrying out of the duties as to reporting Players in accordance with the Laws of the game 28 and 29.

Field umpires shall report to the Secretary of the home club forthwith any infringement of these Rules or the Laws of the game committed by any Club, player or official of a Club within or without the oval on the day of the match. The Secretary of the home club shall then fax a copy of any such report to the League Secretary by 8.00pm on the day of the match. 

"Whereby a member of the WAFL Umpires Board make a report, his written statement will act as his evidence and also may excuse him from attending the initial Tribunal hearing."

STEWARDS
The League Executive may appoint a Steward or Stewards, Emergency Umpire or Reserve Umpire who shall have the same power and duty of reporting players as that conferred on Umpires under these Rules or Laws.

RUNNERS AND TRAINERS
The standard dress for Runners to be lime green track suit with dark green polo shirt.  Club colour track suit pants and white top for Trainers.  All tops to be marked with Club name.

INTERCHANGEABLE PLAYERS

(1)	There will be two lines, 15 metres apart, marked across the boundary line at which Players can be interchanged.

(6)	Players eligible to interchange throughout the match must cross the boundary line at the same place      within the "marked lines" player off first, player on second.

(7) Players leaving the arena other than through the "marked lines" if replaced, cannot take further part in the match.  In the event of any player entering the arena other than through the "marked lines" will incur the fine set down by the League Council at that time.
                
(8) Players who are taken from the arena by stretcher may leave at any point of the boundary providing the replacement player does not go onto the field until the injured player is over the boundary. They can then participate later if desired.  Players who are not returning to participate in the remainder of a match must have their players numbers recorded with the Steward.

(9) Players leaving the arena under the “blood rule” may leave at the nearest point of the boundary, providing the replacement player does not go onto the field until the “blood rule” player is over the boundary and also the “blood rule” must return to the arena through the interchange area.

TEAM NOMINATIONS
League and "A Reserve" teams of respective Clubs shall be nominated at the Annual General Meeting of the League Executive each year.

GOAL UMPIRES
Each Club shall provide a correctly attired Goal Umpire for every game in which they take part.  He shall record scores of both Teams on cards provided, as well as Goal Kickers of both teams, on the reverse side.  At half time, three quarter time and the end of the Match, both umpires shall check their Cards with each other and the Field Umpire against the scoreboard.  After the match the cards are to be signed and given to the Field Umpire who shall return to the League Secretary along with other papers.  Goal Umpires in these games do not have the power to report.  For all Inter-League and Final Round Games Goal Umpires shall be appointed by the League Executive.  These Umpires shall have the right to make reports against Players and Officials taking part in these games.

BOUNDARY UMPIRES
Each Home Club shall provide Boundary Umpires for each game that is played.  These Umpires must be capable of performing their duties in a right and proper manner.  Either two or four Umpires, one or two each side, to officiate.

TIME KEEPERS
Each Club shall provide one timekeeper and he shall have his own time-piece; approved by the League Executive.

SCORE BOARD ATTENDANTS
Each home Club shall provide a score-board attendant who shall record progressive scores throughout the game.

LEAGUE TEAM SELECTION
Players for Inter-League matches shall be chosen by the League Selection Committee, from a complete list of registered Players, within the League; Players wishing to be excused, must appear before a Tribunal (Tribunal to consist of Selectors), prior to the first Selectors Meeting.  If a player has been selected and then fails to appear for the game, he must appear before the P&D Tribunal, with a recommendation that he be suspended for, up to Two (2) Playing Dates.  Players for the Landmark Country Championships played in Perth, to be chosen from Players able to attend.

LEAGUE PLAYERS INJURED

The League Executive shall have in place each year a Sports Injury Insurance Policy to cover general liability, personal injury and minimum loss of earnings.

PROTESTS AND DISPUTES TRIBUNAL
Any Official or Player who is reported and appears before the Protests and Disputes Tribunal and is found guilty of the charge, then the Club of that Official or Player shall be fined at a figure to be set at the A.G.M.

PROTESTS AND DISPUTES BOARD
This Board shall consist of five (5) members not connected with the League or holding office in any Club.  Any two (2) Members plus the Chairman shall form a quorum.  Nominations by nomination form shall be made at the Annual Meeting of the League.  If an election shall be necessary the same shall be held by means of ballot.  This Board shall exercise the following functions:-

a) Hear all charges under the laws of the game, or defined by the League as offences, or under the constitution of the League.
b) Hear all Protests, disputes, expulsions, disqualification and charges against players, Officials and Clubs.
c) Hear all such other matters which the League Council may from time to time refer to the Tribunal.
d) Re-open and re-hear any case previously dealt with, if the Chairman in his discretion shall consider such a re-hearing to be justified.
e) A Tribunal meeting may be adjourned to another time and place, due advice of which shall be given to the parties involved.
f) The Tribunal shall determine such penalties as they deemed meet and in particular it may suspend, fine, reprimand or caution.

Every decision of this Board shall be reported to the League Council, and shall be received without comment.  A record or reported players shall be kept by the Secretary.

JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS:-

In all judicial proceeding taken before the Permit Committee and the Protests and Disputes Tribunal under these Rules, the following provisions shall apply, viz;
a) Any Club making any protest or charge against another Club or a Player or reporting any infringement of these Rules or the Laws of the game shall forward particulars in writing to the Secretary of the League together with the fee (Set by the League annually), within three (3) days after the date upon which the occurrence complained of took place, and for the purpose of this Rule the day of the occurrence and Sunday each count as one of such three days.  The said sum shall be forfeited to the League if it be decided that the complaint so made was frivolous, vexatious or groundless, but the same shall be refunded to the Player or Club making the complaint if such complaint is upheld.
b)Any Club making a protest or charge against another Club or Player shall give notice thereof, together with a true copy of any particulars in writing of the occurrence complained of to such other Club within twenty four (24) hours after lodging the same with the Secretary of the League.
c) Any Club intending to prefer a charge against a Player shall inform the Secretary or an Official of the Club of such intention before leaving the ground if the occurrence complained of took place in the course of a match or if otherwise within twenty four (24) hours after the occurrence complained of took place or became known to the complainant.
d) Umpires preferring charges against Players shall do so in accordance with, and shall otherwise comply with the Laws.  Umpires may also prefer charges against Clubs or against Coaches or other Officials of any Club in respect of matters arising out of or in the course of any game and in relation thereto shall so far as possible follow the same procedure as in the case of charges against Players.
e) The Secretary of the League shall in all cases satisfy himself that all the provisions of the Rule have been complied with before submitting the complaint to the Permit Committee or to the Protests and Disputes Tribunal as the case may be.
f) The Permit Committee and the Protest and Disputes Tribunal and the parties concerned in any inquiry may summons up to three (3) persons whose evidence may be material, to appear and give such evidence.  If such person does not appear when summoned, or refuses to answer any question in the course of the inquiry without a satisfactory reason for such failure to appear or refusal to answer, then if such person be a Player or in any way subject to the control of the League he shall be liable to disqualification, fine or other penalty as the Committee or Tribunal hearing the complaint may determine.
g) Clubs and Players concerned in any matter before the Committee or Tribunal shall be entitled to appear, and be represented at the enquiry by a representative provided that such representative shall not be a legal practitioner.
h) In all matters dealt with by the Permit Committee and Delegates of the Club concerned therein, and who are members of the Committee, shall be entitled to attend at the enquiry until the close of evidence, but they shall retire there from before any decision shall be considered and determined.
i) If any party to any matter before the said Committee or the said Tribunal shall fail to appear at the hearing thereof, after due notice of such hearing has been duly sent to such party in accordance with these Rules, then the Committee or Tribunal may proceed with the hearing and deal finally with the matter, notwithstanding the absence of such party.
j)If any Player shall be expelled from, disqualified or otherwise penalised by his Club he may appeal against such expulsion disqualification or penalty to the Protests and Disputes Tribunal provided that   notice of his appeal in writing with particulars of the grounds of appeal, together with the Fee (set by the League Annually) , shall be delivered to the Secretary of the League and a copy of such notice and particulars shall be given to the Club concerned within one week after such expulsion or disqualification was ordered or such penalty was imposed.

FINES

a) Late start of a game - $20.00
b) Playing without a player permit - $100.00
c) Non attendance at Annual general Meeting - $100.00

COLTS COMPETITION
The Rules and qualifications of the Colts competition shall be set by the League Council at the February Meeting in each year.

AWARDS

League
Premiership - SEVEN OAKS SHIELD and EMU EXPORT CUP plus PENNANT 
Fairest and Best - MILLER PHARMACY MEDAL
Runner-Up Fairest and Best - DYSON JONE WOOL
Leading Goal Kicker - WESTFUEL
Footballer of the Year - WESFARMERS
Fairest and Best in Grand Final - NA COSGROVE TROPHY
Best over Carnival - DYSON JONES WOOL
R/Up Best over Carnival - MARKS AND SANDS
Best over Carnival and Inter League - 
R/Up Best over Carnival and Inter League - PIBA

The Miller Medal Award Presentation Dinner shall be hosted by all Clubs in rotation as follows:

Southern Cross – 2008
Corrigin – 2009
Bruce Rock - 2010
Hyden/Karlgarin 2011
Burracoppin - 2012
Narembeen - 2013
Kulin/Kondinin - 2014
Nukarni - 2015

Reserves
Premiership - TT ROBERTS SHIELD plus PENNANT
Fairest and Best - NEVILLE GILES MEDAL
Runner Up Fairest and Best - MARKS HEALY SANDS
Leading Goal Kicker - WESTFUEL 
Fairest & Best Grand Final - G YOUNG MEDAL

Colts
Premiership - WEST PERTH SHIELD plus PENNANT
Fairest and Best - WEST PERTH MEDAL

Under 14 Competition
Season Fairest & Best - G REPACHOLI TROPHY

Order of Fixture {8 Team Competition Home and Away}

2008 
1 x Southern Cross 
2 x Corrigin 
3 x Bruce Rock 
4 x Hyden/Karlgarin 
5 x Burracoppin 
6 x Narembeen 
7 x Kulin/Kondinin
8 x Nukarni 

2009
8 x Southern Cross 
1 x Corrigin 
2 x Bruce Rock 
3 x Hyden/Karlgarin 
4 x Burracoppin 
5 x Narembeen 
6 x Kulin/Kondinin
7 x Nukarni

2010 
7 x Southern Cross 
8 x Corrigin 
1 x Bruce Rock 
2 x Hyden/Karlgarin 
3 x Burracoppin 
4 x Narembeen 
5 x Kulin/Kondinin
6 x Nukarni

2011 
6 x Southern Cross 
7 x Corrigin 
8 x Bruce Rock 
1 x Hyden/Karlgarin 
2 x Burracoppin 
3 x Narembeen 
4 x Kulin/Kondinin
5 x Nukarni

2012 
5 x Southern Cross 
6 x Corrigin 
7 x Bruce Rock 
8 x Hyden/Karlgarin 
1 x Burracoppin 
2 x Narembeen 
3 x Kulin/Kondinin
4 x Nukarni

2013 
4 x Southern Cross 
5 x Corrigin 
6 x Bruce Rock 
7 x Hyden/Karlgarin 
8 x Burracoppin 
1 x Narembeen 
2 x Kulin/Kondinin
3 x Nukarni

2014 
3 x Southern Cross 
4 x Corrigin 
5 x Bruce Rock 
6 x Hyden/Karlgarin 
7 x Burracoppin 
8 x Narembeen 
1 x Kulin/Kondinin
2 x Nukarni

2015 
2 x Southern Cross 
3 x Corrigin 
4 x Bruce Rock 
5 x Hyden/Karlgarin 
6 x Burracoppin 
7 x Narembeen 
8 x Kulin/Kondinin
1 x Nukarni