11. JUNIOR COMPETITION BY-LAWS

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1 1. RULES OF PLAY & CLUB TEAMS: a) The TCHTA Junior competition will be conducted under the Touch Football Australia Rules, 7 th Edition and Amendments. Subsequent sub-sections specify supplementary competition by-laws and procedures to be applied by TCHTA. All teams participating in any TCHTA competitions agree to be bound by TFA and TCHTA rules and procedures. b) The junior competition will be based on a club concept and all players that play must be a member of one of the TCHTA senior affiliated clubs or an affiliated club that has been accepted by TJT and TCHTA. That being an incorporated club that has four (4) or more teams playing in the TJT competition. No non-club affiliated teams will be accepted. c) All clubs must have a Junior delegate or club official present at Queens Park during all competition games. 2. CLUB OFFICIALS & BLUE CARD REQUIREMENTS: a) All teams MUST have a coach (over 18 years or aged 16 if holding a level I qualification) present in the substitution box that is to be responsible for the team at each game. Any game where both teams do not each have a coach present that meets this criteria, will not be permitted to take place until they do. b) All coaches, managers and club officials must have either a current Blue Card or a Government Exemption card (in the case of teachers and police officers). c) Coaches, managers and officials MUST be able to produce their Blue Card or Government Exemption Card while carrying out their duties at training, competitions and championships. In the case of pending applications for the Government Exemption Card a temporary Pending card will be issued by the TJT until the applicant s card arrives. Failure to adhere to 2.a) & c) during TJT competition games will result in the game not taking place. d) To meet government requirements all clubs are required to keep a register of their officials (Executive, Coaches, Manager) containing their blue card / government exemption card number and expiry date. ** Please note: All coaches must hold a Level 1 coaching qualification by the start of the 2015 junior season 3. TEAM & PLAYER NOMINATIONS (DIVISIONS/GRADES/POOLS): a) Nominations are to be submitted on the set Nomination Form and a team s nomination will not be accepted unless each team is accompanied with the name of their coach, with their current Blue Card / Government Exemption Card number and its expiry date. In the case of a coach who is waiting for receipt of their Government Exemption Card it is to marked on the nomination form as Pending & have the date the application was sent. TJT is to be notified as soon as the coach s exemption card is received. b) Clubs will be required to pay their team nomination fee as set by the TJT executive on the date set for close of nominations. For 2013 the date will be the 06/09/2013 c) A minimum of four (4) teams is required to constitute a division/grade/pool competition. d) Divisions will be Boys and Girls and grades will be 7 s,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16. When a division/grade contains more than 12 teams then that division/grade may be further divided into pools if numbers permit. (e.g. B7P1 with P1 etc denoting the pool). Teams will be allocated into pools on an alphabetical rotation so that an even distribution of club teams in each pool is possible. e) Pools will cross at semi finals. The top 2 teams in each pool will go into semi-finals. E.g Semi final 1 - Pool A (1) V Pool B (2) and semi final 2 Pool B (1) V Pool A (2). With the winners of each semi final going on to play in the grand final. f) The Association reserves the right to move teams within grades/pools. Any points accumulated by a team prior to the move will be carried into the new pool. g) Players can nominate to play in more than 1 division provided they meet the age criteria for the division/s that they are playing in (i.e. a player can register and play both 14 & 16). However they cannot play for 2 teams in the same division. (i.e. a player cannot nominate to play in 12 girls white and black teams) h) Players are not permitted to play for 2 or more clubs within the same season. i) Team nominations are to be submitted to the TJT Secretary by the 22/08/2013 j) Clubs will have two weeks of competition to make changes to their team nominations, then nominations will close and no more changes will be accepted. The closing date for 2013 will be the 06/09/2013 TCHTA BY-LAWS & POLICIES 11. Juniors Competition By-laws 01/08/2013 Page 1

2 4. TEAM UNIFORMS AND SHOES: a) All teams will be recognised by their club colours. b) Each club is to supply their own uniform to their players. Shirts/singlets/bodysuits with numbers are to be in accordance with the club s current set uniform. Shorts and bikepants are required to be in the colour specified by the club, and are only required to be the club s predominantly set colour. (e.g. if colour is black as long as they are predominantly black it doesn t matter if they also have a pink stripe etc.) c) Shirts, singlets, and bodysuits must have numbers which are to be regulation size. d) If numbers are on the back of shirt they must be not less than 16cm in height. e) If numbers are on the sleeves they must be not less than 8cm in height. f) All teams are to be in uniform by the date as set by the TJT General Committee. For 2013 the date shall be the 26/09/2013. The TJT Secretary is to be notified if there are any delivery problems that will affect teams not being in uniform by the due date. g) If a club has more than one team playing in a division/grade/pool, then when the teams play each other they must wear an alternative strip or bibs with numbers. It will be the responsibility of the club to supply these. h) All players must wear shoes and socks as per TFA rules. i) Shoes with screw-in studs or cleats are not to be worn by any player. Light leather or synthetic boots with soft moulded soles are permitted, provided individual studs are no longer than 13mm in length; the measurement being taken from the sole of the boot. 5. WEARING OF GLASSES, HATS & MEDICAL SUPPORTS: a) All players and/or referees may wear any of the above as long as they have no dangerous parts, and in the case of glasses, they must be secured at the back with a band. b) Any fibre-glass, plaster-of-paris, or solid fixtures of a medical nature cannot be worn while playing or refereeing. 6. JEWELLERY AND FINGERNAILS: a) Players are not to participate in any match while wearing any items of jewellery (unless taped) which may be considered dangerous. b) Long or sharp fingernails are to be trimmed or taped. 7. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GAMES A PLAYER CAN PLAY: a) Players may play more than one (1) game for their club during a competition round, provided the above rule 3 g) is met and they meet the age requirement for that division. 8. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS: a) All competitions are six (6) a side on the field. b) There is no maximum to the number of registered players in a team. However, a maximum of fourteen (14) players are permitted to play in any round game and any finals series game. Teams that play more than fourteen (14) players will have their game countered as a forfeit and all relevant rules for a forfeit will apply. 9. MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS: The minimum number of players required by a team to start a game is four (4). 10. GRADE (AGE) QUALIFICATIONS: a) The minimum age to play is six (6) years and players must turn 6 on or before the 31 st December in the year of the competition to compete. b) Grades (age) will be 7 s, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. c) To play in a grade (age) a player must not be older than the set age in the year of the competition. (e.g. to play in the 8 age group a player cannot turn 9 on or before the 31 st December in the year of the competition) 11. BIRTH CERTIFICATES: Each player and referee is required to prove their age by providing their club with a copy of their birth certificate. Clubs are to keep a copy of their members birth certificates and if any queries arise a club will be required to provide a copy of the player or referees Birth Certificate to the TJT committee. TCHTA BY-LAWS & POLICIES 11. Juniors Competition By-laws 01/08/2013 Page 2

3 12. COMPETITION ROUNDS & FINALS: a) The number of competition rounds shall be determined by the number of weeks of the competition and no catch-up games shall be held. b) Competition dates for 2013 are as follows: Commencement of Competition 29/08/2013 & 30/08/2013, Semi finals 28/11/2013 & 29/11/13 and Grand final night (for ALL divisions) 06/12/2013. NO GAMES due to NQ Junior championships 03/10/2013 &04/10/2013 c) In the case of an uneven round, the games required for the uneven round will follow on from the last round draw format. d) No finals will be played by the 7 & 8 competition teams as emphasis shall be PARTICIPATION not COMPETITION. e) For all other grades (9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16) teams will play a 2 week final series with team finishing positions 1 to 4 playing off for the Premiership in each division/grade unless there are 2 pools. Top 2 teams in each pool will move into semi finals f) Semi Final Week 1 (A) 1 v 4; (B) 2 v 3, and g) Variation if there are 2 pools in a division Semi final Week 1 (A) Pool A (1) v Pool B (2) (B) Pool B (1) v Pool A (2) h) Grand Final Week 2 Winner of (A) v winner of (B). i) All teams will play through to end of round games. Only 7, 8 (who will play in the first timeslot) will play up to and including grand final night. Teams who do not wish to or are unable to play on grand final night are to notify the competition administrator the week prior to the grand final night. j) Only teams who make semi finals and the grand final will play on semi final night and grand final night, with the exception on the 7s and 8s. 13. BYES: a) Teams on a bye will be countered as a game played and normal rules will apply to the players in that team as if the game had been played. b) If their club has another team in that grade they cannot fill-in for that team if their team has a bye. c) Players that play in another age division are still permitted to play as per usual. d) Players who have played with that team prior to the bye occurring will be permitted to count the bye as a game played in their games to qualify. e) No games fee will be charged for a bye 14. PROVISION OF REFEREES: a) In the 7 & 8 grades/pools there will be no referees and the two teams coaches will be on the field with the teams and also act in the capacity of referees. b) For all other divisions, each club will be required to supply one referee for each one of their teams playing. c) The Secretary/Competition Administrator with the Junior Referee Director will prepare the appointment of referees to games (e.g. Brothers v Frogs - Referees: Brothers experienced/ Frogs junior) with the requirement that all games must have at least one (1) Experienced referee appointed. Games in the 15 and 16 boys divisions must have two (2) Experienced referees appointed. It will be deemed the responsibility of each Club Referee Director to allocate their club referee names, according to the appointed position/roles and ensure the attendance of their club s referees. d) To referee in the 2013 Junior season all referees must hold a TFA Level 1 referee qualification e) Thursday night referees appointed to the Experienced position/role must hold a minimum TFA Level 2 Referee qualification (if between the ages of 16-18) or a TFA Level 1 Referee qualification (if over the age of 18). Referees that fall outside the Experienced role are deemed to be Junior. f) Friday night referees appointed to the Experienced position/role must be at least 14 and hold a minimum TFA Level 1 Referee qualification. g) The minimum age for referees is 13 years. Junior referees must be 13 or older on or before the 31 st December in the year of the competition to officiate over games. h) Any referee that cannot attend the game that they have been allocated to referee is required to notify their club referee director and together find a replacement. i) No game will proceed until there are at least two (2) referees in attendance. TCHTA BY-LAWS & POLICIES 11. Juniors Competition By-laws 01/08/2013 Page 3

4 j) If after five (5) minutes two referees are not in attendance then the game will be counted as a forfeit by the offending team whose referee did not turn up. 15. SUBMISSION OF TEAM SHEET & GAME FEES: a) All players who play will be required to pay a game fee per game they play, and must be marked on their team s Team Sheet. Teams are to submit their game fees and completed team sheet to the Competition Administrator immediately following their game. b) Game fees will be 7 & 8 - $1.00/player/game played & all other teams $2.00/player/game played. c) The team sheet must be checked and signed by the opposition coach at the end of the game to verify player numbers, before the sheet can be submitted to administration. d) No players will be permitted to be ticked as playing after the team sheet is submitted to administration. e) Teams who have not paid the required game fees for their team will be required to pay any outstanding fees the next week that they play. f) Failure to pay outstanding fees may leave the team ineligible to take the field for the following week s game. g) At the end of the season, clubs will be liable for any unpaid game fees incurred by their teams. h) No game fees are required to be paid on semi final night and grand final. 16. SCORING: Each touchdown scored shall be worth one (1) point for all players. 17. COMPETITION POINTS: a) Each team receives - Win/Bye... 3 points Draw... 2 points Loss... 1 point Forfeit... 0 points b) Nominations received after the competition commences will be taken as a Forfeit Team and receive 0 competition points and 0 points FOR and 5 points AGAINST for the games missed. c) Teams that nominate on time and are unable to play due to lack of teams to make a pool will receive 2 competition points and 5 points FOR and 5 points AGAINST. This does not apply to teams that have been placed in a pool and have a bye. In this instance normal bye rules and scores apply. d) In the case of equal points at the end of the round games the final team will be decided by FOR and AGAINST points. e) In the case of uneven rounds, points FOR and AGAINST will be allocated to the bye team. In this case a bye team will be allocated 5 points FOR and 0 points AGAINST. f) In the case of a team forfeiting, the forfeiting team will be allocated 0 points FOR and 5 points AGAINST. The non-offending team becomes the BYE team and points as per e) are allocated. g) If Sportsmanship points are being allocated then in the event of uneven rounds, bye teams will be allocated 8 points and in the case of forfeits the forfeiting team will be allocated 0 points. Teams that nominate on time and are unable to play until the pool is complete will receive 8 points. NB: The FOR/AGAINST points are determined as, by TFA rules if a team is not in attendance after five (5) minutes has expired, the game is deemed a forfeit. The offending team is penalised one touchdown after the first minute for every minute thereafter up to 5 minutes. 18. GAME PROCEDURE FOR ALL TEAMS AND REFEREES: a) Prior to the start of the game both teams are to assemble at the side of the field at the halfway line. b) Referees wait in the middle of the field and prior to the start siren call both teams onto the field, both teams walk in lines onto the field. c) The referees ascertain each team s Captain and Coach, who will be responsible for their team in the sub box. They then check shoes, fingernails and jewellery. d) Captains are to bring to the referees attention any doubts they may have with the validity of the opposition team. (e.g. not in uniform, illegal player etc.) Referees are to mark on the back of the scorecard any concerns and after game bring to administration s attention. TCHTA BY-LAWS & POLICIES 11. Juniors Competition By-laws 01/08/2013 Page 4

5 e) Toss is made, players shake hands, subs and coach move to sub box in readiness for the game to commence. f) At the completion of the game the coaches check each other s team sheet to ensure that they agree with the players marked. If in agreeance both sign the bottom of the team sheet. g) If there is no protest on the game, captains are to sign the scorecard. h) If there is a protest on the game (e.g. score incorrect etc) captain is not to sign scorecard. A Protest form should be obtained from the Comp Administration immediately after the game, completed and submitted as per Rule QUALIFYING FOR FINALS: a) A player must have played a minimum of four (4) games for a team to qualify to play in that team for the finals series. b) Byes and Rain Outs can also count as games played provided that the player has played at least one game before the Bye or Rain-Out occurred. 20. INTERRUPTED GAMES: a) Should a scheduled game be unable to continue due to injury or any other extenuating circumstance, the following shall be the policy: Prior to first half - the game results in a draw. After half time - the game score is to stand as it was when play stopped. b) In the case of a final series game where a decision is required, if the game is drawn at the time of the stoppage when the final siren sounds the game will be moved to the nearest available field and a drop-off will occur. Normal Drop-Off rules will apply. c) The decision to cancel games will be made at approximately 3.30pm on game day and if cancelled be advertised on the TCHTA Junior webpage and the radio station. 21. PLAYER TRANSFERS: a) Players wishing to transfer between clubs must: b) Provide a clearance letter/form (available from admin) from the club they are leaving to the TJT Secretary. c) Provide copy of clearance to club transferring to. 22. FORFEITS & WITHDRAWALS: a) Teams must be in attendance at their playing field, five (5) minutes before the commencement of their match. Any team that cannot field a team on the scheduled or rescheduled date (in the case of a game change) with at least the minimum number of players after five (5) minutes of the siren going will be required to forfeit. b) Any teams that forfeit two (2) games shall be required to show cause why they should not be removed from the competition. c) Any team that forfeits three (3) games without good reason shall be immediately removed from the competition. d) Any team that withdraws from the competition after the fourth week of competition shall be liable for the full registration fee. e) Should a team need to forfeit, that team/club MUST notify the TJT Secretary by 5.00pm the day before the scheduled game to allow time to notify the opposing team. Failure by the forfeiting team to notify the TJT Secretary by the given time will result in the team having 0 points recorded for the forfeit, as well as the loss of an additional three (3) points for failure to notify the TJT Secretary by the due time. f) In the case of a forfeit the non-offending team will be countered as a team on a bye and any rules associated with a bye team will apply. Teams will not be required to pay game fees or mark their team sheet if the forfeit results in no game being played. g) If a scratch match is played then teams will be required to mark their team sheets (this is for insurance cover) and if referees are used then game fees must be paid. 23. GAME CHANGES: a) During round games, a scheduled game may be played on an alternate date/and or time. For this to occur both clubs must agree to the rescheduling, and the game must be preplayed before the next scheduled round game. b) In the case of a team requesting a game to be rescheduled due to their players missing due to national, state or regional representative duties (Touch only), then the opposing TCHTA BY-LAWS & POLICIES 11. Juniors Competition By-laws 01/08/2013 Page 5

6 team does not have an option and the game will be rescheduled at a date to suit both teams. If the majority of teams are affected the round may be cancelled. c) The TJT Secretary is to be notified of the change, and it will be up to the two clubs to organise referees for this game. Preference should be given to the game being played at Queens Park during one of the TCHTA competitions (fields permitting) to ensure that the team sheets are available. Game fees and all rules as per a normal round game will apply. d) In the case of a semi or grand final game, the game time only is to be negotiated to allow the player/s affected by representative duties to participate. 24. MODIFIED RULES: a) 7 & 8 - Normal rules apply except for the following: The coach of each team is allowed on the field to direct players. Coaches are to referee these games. Each team is to have possession for six (6) touches regardless of any drop ball, forward pass etc., and the attacking team retains possession but one (1) touch is counted. The defence is not to move forward, until the acting half has passed the ball. Games to be played on a half size touch field. Teams to use Junior Touch balls. Whilst attempting to score a touchdown the ball must be placed (not dropped) on or over the scoreline, but not over the dead ball line. These are non-competitive age groups, so no scores will be kept. b) 9 & 10 - Normal rules apply except for the following: To be played on a half size touch field. Teams to use Junior Touch balls. 25. SUBSTITUTION BOXES: a) Players, coaches, managers and officials must use the designated Substitution Boxes during a game. Coaches have the option of coaching from the end of the field at a distance of not less than two (2) metres from the dead ball line, though if this option is utilised they cannot move from that position until halftime and the manager (over the age of 18 years) must be present in the substitution box to be responsible for the team whilst the coach is not present. b) Spectators are not permitted in the substitution box during a game. It will be the responsibility of the Team Coaches and Referees that this occurs. If spectators refuse to move the game is not to proceed until the sub-boxes are clear of spectators. c) The substitution boxes, when full fields are used are on the cricket pitch sides of the fields 10metres either side of halfway. In the case of fields 7 and 8 where there are no cricket pitches, then the substitution box shall be 10metres either side of the halfway on the Warburton Street side of the field. In all instances if distance permits the depth of the substitution boxes shall be 2 meters. d) The substitution boxes for 7, 8, 9 and 10 s, when half fields are used is the area either side of the half way line on the outer extremity of the half-field. e) Interchange procedure: Player substitution rules as per TFA Rule book apply. Players must remain in their Interchange Area for the duration of the game. All interchanges must occur at or within the team's Interchange Area, and only after the substituted player has crossed the boundaries and entered the Interchange Area. All interchanges must be on the one side of the field and without delay. f) Physical contact does not have to be made between the interchanging players and players leaving or entering the field shall not hinder or obstruct play and must enter from an onside position. g) Following the scoring of a touchdown, players may interchange at will without having to wait for the substituted player to enter the interchange area. 26. TEAM REGISTRATION/INSURANCE FORMS: a) All clubs must register their players, coaches, managers, referees and officials on-line by the 26/09/2013 Teams who have not registered on-line by the due date will no longer take part in the competition until registered. b) New players are to be registered on-line as soon as they commence playing. There is no extra cost involved. c) Players are not covered by the TFA Insurance policy until they are registered. TCHTA BY-LAWS & POLICIES 11. Juniors Competition By-laws 01/08/2013 Page 6

7 27. PROTESTS AND REPORTS: a) All protests are to be in writing and addressed to the TJT Secretary. Forms are available from administration (at the Competition), and the TCHTA office or the TJT website. b) Protests (ratified by the team s Club Delegate) are to be submitted either in person, by mail or to the TJT secretary or in their absence TJT Competition Administrator. c) All reports must be lodged within 48 hours of the rule violation or incident occurring. d) In general reports lodged on match day/night will not be addressed before the next business day. 28. REQUESTS FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES NOT COVERED BY THESE BY-LAWS: a) Where there arises any special circumstance that is not already covered by these by-laws then a club may make application in writing to the TJT committee to have their situation considered. b) All requests must be submitted by a club s registered junior delegate. c) Any letters under this rule that apply to the finals series, must be submitted to the committee by end-of-play two (2) weeks prior to the start of the final series. 29. DURATION OF GAMES AND TIMESLOTS: a) Games for 7 & 8 will be thirty-three (33) minutes duration, consisting of two (2) fifteen (15) minute halves and a three (3) minute halftime break. b) Games for all other ages will be forty-five minutes duration, consisting of two (2) twenty (20) minute halves and a five (5) minute halftime break. c) There will be a five (5) minute break between the finish and start of each game on Thursday and a ten (10) minute break between the finish and start of each game on Friday. Allocation of games will be at the discretion of the Secretary/Competition Administrator. 30. PENALTIES IMPOSED TO OFFENDING TEAM FOR VIOLATIONS OF THESE RULES: Team with players not in correct uniform... Loss of 1 point in round games Players not in uniform for the final series... Players not permitted to play. Player/s playing >1 game not within by-laws... Game to count as a forfeit by the offending team with the non-offending team counted as a team on a bye. Player playing for another team in the same grade... Game to count as a forfeit by the offending team with the non-offending team counting as a team on a bye. Player (who played) not ticked on team sheet... Game to count as a forfeit by the offending team with the non-offending team counting as a team on a bye Team playing more than 14 players... Game to count as a forfeit by the offending team with the non-offending team counting as a team on a bye Player playing for a team when un-financial... Loss of 3 points by offending team No coach present & responsible for team after 5 minutes... Game to count as forfeit by offending team and a bye for non offending team Coach without blue/exemption/pending card not Present after 5 minutes... Game to count as forfeit by offending team and a bye for non offending team Two referees not present to referee game... No game will take place until present Two referees not present after 5 minutes... Game to count as a forfeit by the offending team with the non-offending team counting as a team on a bye Player playing when not qualified for finals... Game counts as a loss by the offending a team Failure to notify TJT of forfeit by set time... Loss of 3points Team that forfeits 3 games without good reason... Removal from competition Non-payment of Game fees... After 2 nd week removal from comp until paid Non-payment of Rego fees... Removal from competition until paid Withdrawal of a team after 4 th week of comp... Full registration fee due. Team playing a player who is not the correct TCHTA BY-LAWS & POLICIES 11. Juniors Competition By-laws 01/08/2013 Page 7

8 gender (9-16 divisions)...game to count as a forfeit for the offending team and a bye for the non offending team Team playing a player who is not the correct Gender (7-8 divisions)...a spoken warning, a written warning and final warning is a removal from the competition. TCHTA BY-LAWS & POLICIES 11. Juniors Competition By-laws 01/08/2013 Page 8