SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE INCORPORATED BY-LAWS Updated on 9 March 2011.
CONTENTS Page No. 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION... - 4-2. LAWS OF AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL... - 4-3. AFFILIATION FEE... - 4-4. PLAYER REGISTRATION... - 5-5. FOOTBALL COMPETITIONS... - 8-6. FIXTURES... - 10-7. LADDERS... - 11-8. FINALS... - 13-9. ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS... - 14-10. GROUND INSPECTIONS... - 15-11. UMPIRES... - 16-12. UNIFORMS... - 20-13. TEAM LISTS... - 21-14. CONDUCT OF MATCHES... - 22-15. INTERLEAGUE MATCHES... - 25-16. ALCOHOL... - 26-17. COMPLAINTS AND PROTESTS... - 26-18. INVESTIGATION PROCESS... - 27-19. MEDIATION... - 28-20. REPORTABLE INCIDENTS... - 28-21. PLAYER TRANSFER.... -29-22. COACH REQUIREMENTS... - 31-23. BEST AND FAIREST VOTES... - 32-24. PRESENTATION NIGHT TICKETS... - 32-25. CLUB ACCOUNTS... - 32-26. MEETINGS... - 33-27. UNAUTHORISED MEDIA STATEMENTS... - 33-28. FINE FOR BREACHES... - 34-29. FINE FOR BREACHES APPEALS... - 34-30. POLICIES AND CODES OF CONDUCT... - 34-31. ARRANGEMENTS FOR MATCHES... - 34-32. EMERGENCY GROUND... - 34-33. CONTROL AT MATCHES... - 34-34. CONDUCT UNBECOMING........ -34-35. AFL VICTORIA POLICIES... - 36-36. MISCELLANEOUS... - 37-37. ALTERATION TO BY-LAWS... - 37 - - 2 -
SCHEDULES 1. LAWS OF AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL (AS ADOPTED BY THE LEAGUE) 2. INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL PROCEDURE 3. GROUND INSPECTION REPORT 4. CLUB REQUIREMENT OF MATCH AND FOOTBALL RECORD INFORMATION 5. RULES OF PLAY 6. RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS VILIFICATION PROCEDURES 7. 2009 FINES STRUCTURE. - 3 -
It is the Mission & Purpose of the Southern Football League to conduct a first class community football competition aligned with community values. 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 1.1 In these By-Laws unless the contrary appears: SFL means Southern Football League Incorporated. In these rules referred to as SFL or the League. Laws of Australian Football means the laws of the game of Australian Football adopted by the Australian Football League as modified for the League set out in By-Laws Schedule 1. Board means the Board of Management of the League. League means the Southern Football League Incorporated. Junior means a player who is 19 years of age on or after the 1 st January of the current playing season. 1.2 The appendices and schedules attached should be read in conjunction with and form part of the By-Laws of the Southern Football League. 2. LAWS OF AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL 2.1 All games shall be played in strict accordance with the Laws of Australian Football as determined by the AFL, as adopted in Schedule 1 by the League. 3. AFFILIATION FEE 3.1 Each Affiliated Club shall pay as an annual affiliation fee the sum prescribed by the Board from time to time. 3.2 All monies due to be paid to the League by Affiliated Clubs shall be payable in full no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the monthly invoice issued by the League unless contrary arrangements are specifically authorised by the Board. 3.3 The full amount of each invoice is to be paid in full no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the invoice. In the case of clubs failing to make such payments, unless acceptable alternative arrangements are made with the League CEO, no team of that club will be eligible for match points until the account is remitted in full. Percentages for any game played while ineligible for match points will be calculated on final scores submitted for each game and awarded as per By-Law 7. 3.4 The League CEO shall have the authority to negotiate an initial entry affiliation fee with any club seeking membership of the SFL. - 4 -
4. PLAYER REGISTRATION 4.1 General (a) PLAYER REGISTRATION: No person shall play in any fixtured match until his application on the prescribed form has been completed and signed by the applicant before a president or secretary of a Club. The club must keep the original copy on file for the duration of the player s registration with the club. This requirement applies to any player who seeks registration in the Southern Football League. All new Under Age registrations shall be accompanied by a photocopy of a certified extract of birth, a full birth certificate or an official passport. (b) ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REGISTRATION: Upon registration of a new player the club must enter the player s details into the Leagues official database. Notwithstanding anything contained in these By laws, the Board may withdraw the permit of a player and in that event, shall forthwith notify the player s Club and the player where practicable. (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) No permit to play will be issued prior to 1 February in each season; and no permit to play will be issued to any player for any season for a nominated Affiliated Club unless a valid application for registration and playing permit is lodged with the League prior to 5.00 pm on the 30 June. Any player registered with the League and permitted to play with an Affiliated Club wishing to transfer to play with another Affiliated Club must apply to the League to transfer and complete the process via the on-line database. A player who can satisfy the League that he has not played competitive football for a period of 24 months can register to play after 1st day of July. All players are still required to qualify under By-Law 4.3 for finals; A person who has never played competitive football may register with the League after the 1st day of July. All players are still required to qualify for finals under By- Law 4.3. No player who has transferred to either the AFL or the VFL and has played in ten or more football matches in any Open Age football competition conducted by either the AFL or VFL in any one season shall be selected to play in matches conducted by the League. Any player on a dual AFL/VFL/TAC and League registration may only play with one club in any one weekend. Any player on a dual AFL/VFL/TAC and League registration may only participate in an official League fixture when the League has received notification from the AFL/VFL/TAC that such player is available for such Club in our league and not required by his AFL/VFL/TAC club in any one weekend. - 5 -
(j) (k) (l) For a player to be eligible to participate in Colts grade matches, he must NOT have reached the age of nineteen before 1st day of July in the year for which he desires to be registered for the Colts competition, except that A club can play up to 6 players in the Colts competition each week who have reached the age of 19 years between January 1 to June 30 in the current year of competition. Clubs to submit Senior team on the online database with player positions by 10:00am Friday prior to the weekend games. Team lists with player positions must be as close as possible to the team that will play on the weekend. 4.2 Penalty for Playing Non-Permitted Players/Non-Accredited Coaches/Officials under Suspension (a) Any Affiliated Club that allows a player/coach/official to play or officiate in any home and away games or finals series where that player/coach/official is: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) not registered with the League; or not permitted to play with that Affiliated Club; or is under suspension; or is not accredited. shall be liable to: (A) (B) (C) a Fine for breach not exceeding $500; and/or disqualification from the competition; and/or loss of all premiership points obtained in matches in which the player/coach/official played or officiated and the awarding of those points to the appropriate opposing teams; as the League CEO thinks fit. (b) (c) (d) The League CEO may also deal with the player concerned as he thinks fit. On or before the 1 March in each season, the League CEO shall furnish to each Affiliated Club a list of players registered with the League as being permitted to play with the respective club in the previous season; Each Affiliated Club shall advise the league in the manner stipulated from time to time by the League CEO by no later than 30 June in each year detailing all players change of addresses and those players whose permits to play are no longer required: Fine for breach: In accordance with Schedule 7 (e) Any player whose name is removed from the permitted players list shall not be entitled to play with the Affiliated Club or any other club without first: (A) re-applying for a permit to play; or - 6 -
(B) where appropriate, applying for a clearance approval. (g) No person shall be qualified to play for a league club in any match played under the auspices of the league: (i) (ii) (iii) Who is not for the time being a duly registered playing member of such Club and the holder of a permit to play; Who is under any disqualification or who has not paid any Fine for breach imposed by any competent authority. A record of such disqualification or Fine for breach (as far as known) shall be kept by the league and shall be available for inspection by all officials at any time. Unless he is the holder of all required clearances and permits. (h) A reported player may continue to play with his Affiliated Club until his case is heard by the Independent Tribunal and any suspension that may be given shall date from the date of the Tribunal s decision and the player shall be suspended in any competition. 4.3 To Participate in All Matches PLAYER INTERCHANGE WITHIN A CLUB DURING SEASON INCLUDING FINALS: All players shall be entitled to free movement between grades, subject to age limitation where the club fields more than one team in the competition conducted by the League, provided that :- (a) (b) Only two players, excluding Juniors, who have played in ten or more games in a higher grade, shall be permitted to play in a lower grade during the subsequent Home and Away matches; A player, excluding a junior, who has played 10 or more games in a higher grade(s) (added or separate) CANNOT play in any finals of a lower Open Age grade, but: (i) (ii) any Club who field only Senior and Reserve Open Age teams that are both playing in the same round of the finals shall have open selection of players; any Club who field Senior, Reserve and Third Open Age teams that are all playing in the same round of the finals shall have open selection of players. (c) (i) A player, cannot play in a Reserve grade final match unless such player has played six Home and Away matches, of which four must have been played in the Reserve grade and/or Thirds grade, with the exception being as stated in By-law 4.3 (b) in relation to open selection; (ii) A player, cannot play in a Third grade final match unless such player has played six Home and Away matches, of which four must have been played in the Third grade, with the exception being as stated in By-law 4.3 (b) in relation to open selection; (iii) A player, cannot play in a Senior grade final match unless such player has played six Home and Away matches. - 7 -
(d) (e) (f) A player to be eligible to play in an Under Age finals match must play in a minimum of FIVE (if odd number competition) / SIX (if even number competition) Home and Away matches in that grade during the season. AFL/VFL Open Age shall be deemed a higher grade than the League Open Age teams of any Division; The League grades of one division shall be deemed equal to the same grades in any other division of the League; (g) (h) TAC Under 18 shall be deemed a higher grade than the League Under Age teams. A player eligible to play Senior, Reserve, Colts or Thirds grade finals may only play one match per finals weekend including Friday nights. 4.4 INCORRECT OR FALSIFIED REGISTRATION: (a) (b) (i) (ii) A player who wilfully falsifies any particular or wilfully omits any material particular, eg tribunal history, shall be liable to be suspended for a period of not exceeding five years and be deemed ineligible for any match he has participated in. Any player or club representative who makes any mis-statement or misrepresentation in applying for: registration; a clearance approval may be dealt with by the League CEO by way of: (A) (B) (C) a Fine for breach not exceeding $500; and/or disqualification from the competition; and/or loss of all premiership points obtained in matches in which the player played and the awarding of those points to the appropriate opposing teams. 5. FOOTBALL COMPETITIONS GRADING: The Board must grade all members within the League where possible in a divisional structure and take into account as first priority the promotion and relegation system as part of the grading process. 5.1 Promotion/Relegation (a) As otherwise directed by the Board, the Club that wins a division Premiership and there is a higher division, shall be promoted to the higher division. The Club that finishes last in a division, and there is a lower division, shall be relegated to the lower division. - 8 -
(b) The Board may otherwise promote, relegate or refuse to promote any club in the event that: (i) (ii) (iii) the club cannot field a full compliment of teams for the forthcoming season; playing facilities of the club are not of a sufficient standard for the division in which the team is to compete in the next season; there are any other circumstances which, in the opinion of the Board, require a club to be promoted, relegated or refused promotion. 5.2 Joining Clubs A club joining the League shall be entitled to participate only in the Division determined by the Board with appropriate consequent promotions or relegations being made to other clubs. 5.3 Team Nominations Each Member shall deliver to the League CEO its official team nominations on an approved form no later than fourteen days prior to the Annual General meeting preceding the year of nomination or such other time prescribed by the Board. 5.4 Ground Equipment HOME CLUB MATCH REQUIREMENTS: a) The home club must provide a suitable siren, time clock, goal posts (not less than 6 metres high) and behind posts (not less than 3 metres high), of which these posts must be painted white and suitably padded. b) The playing arena must be clearly marked at the boundary lines, centre square (not less than thirty metres and not more than 50 metres), centre circles (1 x three metres, 1 x 10 metres) and goal square (nine metres). An arc is also to be marked where the apex must be no less that 1 metre from the centre square marking. c) The home Club must provide a scoreboard, which must be manned for each match and must provide a stretcher in an accessible place for use by each team. d) The home Club must provide adequate seating arrangements at the designated coaches place, for the interchange players, for members of the selection committee and runner for the opposing club at each match. e) Clubs are required to mark a white line on the ground half-way between the fence line and the boundary line in front of the coaches boxes, or an area set aside for coaches and Club personnel, and extending for approximately 8 to 10 metres parallel to the boundary line. f) In the event of a coach electing to locate on the opposite side of the ground, the coach must ask the home side to mark out a similar area. This request must be made in sufficient time to allow the home side to mark out the ground. - 9 -
g) The home club must provide for all Senior and Reserve grade open age matches, two footballs, one of which must be new, and the other of which must be in match condition and approved by the Field Umpire. h) The home club must provide for all Colts matches two footballs in match condition and approved by the Field Umpire. i) The footballs must be of an SFL approved brand, embossed with the League logo and embossed with the logo of the SFL approved Ball Sponsor. (j) For all official Senior, Reserve, Colts and Thirds games, clubs are required to lodge on-line with the league the final scores, best players and goal kickers by not later than 5.45 pm on the day of the match. Fine for breach: In accordance with Schedule 7 (k) Any club who submits incorrect final scores to the llague, may be liable to a Fine for breach in accordance with Schedule 7. 5.5 Club Office Bearers Each Club must furnish to the League CEO names, addresses, telephone numbers and any other like pertinent particulars of its president, secretary, registration secretary, treasurer and coaches, on the required form and of any resignations, charges or replacement to those offices as they occur. 6. FIXTURES 6.1 Preparation a) The League CEO must notify all Clubs as soon as reasonably practicable each year the date of the commencement of the football season and the match fixture for that season. b) The League CEO must determine at the earliest practicable time preceding each season the dates, starting times and fixtures of all football matches for all grades and divisions, the duration of any such part of any football match and any other special conditions thereto. c) The SFL Board has the power to alter the fixtures at any time during the season. 6.2 Failure to Fulfill Engagements (a) (b) Should any Affiliated Club fail to fulfill its engagement to play in any premiership match, the league may disqualify from further premiership matches or otherwise deal with such Affiliated Clubs as it thinks fit. Any Affiliated Club failing to fulfill its engagement shall pay all umpires expenses relative to the said fixture plus an additional Fine for breach as set by the Board. 6.3 Alterations (a) Clubs desiring to conduct Senior, Reserve, Colts or Thirds matches on a day or time other than that published by the league in the official fixture may do so providing the following requirements have been satisfied: - 10 -
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) that all appropriate licences and permissions to conduct the game have been received and copies forwarded to the League Office prior to the game; that 28 days notice is forwarded to the League office indicating times of commencement of all games and any alterations of venues to the published fixture; that 28 days notice in writing requesting approval from the Board that the fixture be altered is forwarded to the League office from each club; that an advertisement be taken in the League weekly record at least one week prior to the scheduled match advertising the change to the published fixture. In each season, the clubs in each Division shall play games consisting of two rounds. The first round shall consist of home and away matches between the teams in each Division according to the fixture. The second round shall comprise the finals series which will be developed at the discretion of the Board and published prior to the start of each season. 7. LADDERS 7.1 Point Allocation and match ratio calculations (a) In the first round matches, four points will be allotted for a win, four points for a team in whose favour a forfeit or walkover is ruled, two points for a draw and zero points for a loss. Where an affiliated Senior Club or affiliated Junior Club deemed to be not financial competes in a home and away match, four points will be awarded to the opposition club. In competitions involving an uneven number of byes for competing teams, the League shall also prepare a match ratio which reflects the number of wins by each team against the number of matches played by each team. (b) The Board shall prepare a weekly ladder for each Division and in addition to awarding points for each win, forfeit, walkover, draw or loss it shall also prepare a percentage table comparing the total points scored by each team against the total points scored against each team and in the event that selection for the finals series is between teams with the same number of points, the team with the highest percentage points will be entitled to participate in the finals series ahead of a team with lower percentage points. All decisions of the Board in respect of the calculation of the points and percentages shall be final and binding. 7.2 Scores Used to Calculate The scores used by the League to calculate the points and percentages for each Divisional ladder shall be based upon the scores contained in the goal umpires cards. Should these scores disagree, the timekeeping cards will be used as the basis for calculating points and percentages. In the event that the timekeeping cards disagree, then the League CEO will investigate and make a decision. - 11 -
7.3 Forfeit Calculations Each Club must field the teams included in the fixture and must use its best endeavours to ensure that each team completes each match. A match shall be forfeited by a Club if :- a) when required by the League CEO, it fails to give notice of a suitable replacement venue for a match to the League CEO and the opposing Club on the Thursday preceding the date of the scheduled match; b) it refuses to play when so ordered by the Field Umpire unless:- 1) both team captains have agreed that the playing arena is unsuitable for play, in which event contact must be made with the Duty of Care Officers; or 2) if the match is a Finals match and the Board has determined that the playing arena is unsuitable for play. c) Where no result has been achieved in a match, the team of the Club not responsible for such a result shall be awarded a forfeit. d) Where a Club receives a forfeit or bye, it shall be entitled to lodge an official team sheet for the match in question, whereupon the players must be recorded as having played in the round, provided that the team sheet is lodged with the League CEO by the following business day. e) Any Club unable to play a match for which it is drawn, must give written notice of such inability to the secretary of the opposing Club and the League CEO of the League by the business day prior to the date fixed for the match. f) A Club forfeiting must give written explanation detailing the reason for forfeiting the match to the League CEO within seven days of that match and satisfactory to the Independent Tribunal. If the required explanation is not given by the forfeiting Club, then the Umpires fees for that match shall be paid by the forfeiting Club in addition to any other penalty which may be awarded under these Bylaws. (g) Where in these By-laws a team receives a forfeit that team shall be granted the match points and the scores shall be calculated as follows: When a team forfeits a scheduled match it shall be credited the lowest 'FOR' points scored in that grade on that day and be debited with the highest 'AGAINST' points scored in that grade on that day. Their scheduled opponent shall be credited the highest 'FOR' points scored in that grade on the day and be debited the lowest AGAINST points scored in that grade that day, and will be awarded four Premiership Points. - 12 -
7.4 Non-Completion of Matches Any Club responsible for the non-completion of any match, for any reason whatsoever must:- a) pay all umpires fees, unless a clear twenty-four hours notice for forfeiture has been given to the League CEO; b) submit to the Board a written statement of reasons for non-completion of the match; c) deliver a team sheet to either the senior Field Umpire on the day the match was scheduled to have been played, or to the League CEO by 9:00 am on the Monday following the scheduled match. 7.5 Match Forfeit Due to Insufficient Players A Member Club failing to field a team with a minimum of 14 players 20 minutes after the scheduled starting time of the match shall automatically forfeit the match at that point in time. If, during the course of a match a Member Club team is reduced to less than 14 players the match shall be forfeited as a consequence and the Team Sheets shall immediately be signed on the ground by the two Team Managers in the presence of the Field Umpire, who shall endorse the Team Sheets with his signature, date and time. The Field Umpire shall forward the Team Sheets to the League office in the usual manner, marked to the attention of the Football Operations Manager. A Member Club who forfeits a match under By-Law 7.5 shall pay in full all umpires fees in relation to the forfeited match. 8. FINALS 8.1 Arrangements a) The final series shall be played under the final four system of finals matches or as otherwise approved, by the Board. Official Boundary and Goal Umpires shall be appointed to all grades including Open Age and Under Age during the final series. Such officially appointed Boundary and Goal Umpires shall have the power to report any on field offence.. Each final series match shall have an officially appointed emergency field umpire. (b) All finals matches shall be played on all enclosed grounds to be decided by the Board and where a charge for admittance can be made. c) All fines, due fees, calls or other financial obligations imposed on any Club, Club official, team official or player shall be paid by the applicable club within 30 days of the date of the monthly invoice Notwithstanding anything contained in this By-law the Board may direct that a Club is disqualified from participation in a match while such obligation continues and the obligation shall be deemed to continue until the completion of the Finals Series. To be eligible to participate in a match, a Club must be financial at Round 11 and at the 2 nd last match of the home and away season. - 13 -
8.2 Draw If the scores are tied at the end of normal time in a final series, the following procedure will apply :- i) all players will remain on the playing arena; ii) the team runner may enter the playing arena to marshall the team players together in readiness to change ends; iii) coaches must remain off the playing arena and must not address their players, except where the opposing team has a playing coach and then, the non-playing coach may enter the arena to address his players. iv) the Field Umpire will confer with the Goal Umpires and when they verify that the scores are tied, the players of the two teams will change ends; v) five minutes plus time-on will then be played each way; vi) at the end of this time the team which then has the greater score will be the winner of the match; vii) if the scores are still tied, then the same procedure for a tie will apply until a team is winner of the match. 8.3 The Board The Board shall exercise full control in relation to the arrangement of the times and places of the playing of all finals matches. 8.4 Entrance Fees The Board shall be responsible for the fixing and collection of all entrances fees at all finals series matches. The Board may delegate its authority for the collection of entrance fees from time to time. 8.5 Finals Uniforms (a) Where teams from Clubs having the same or similar uniform or colours are drawn to play each other during the Final Series, then; 1) The team that finished the home and away season in the higher ladder position will wear its own club uniform. 2) The team that finished the home and away season in the lower ladder position will wear an SFL supplied, or approved, uniform. 8.6 Finals Eligibility All Affiliated Clubs participating in final series matches must be financial with the League before the conclusion of the home and away matches. In the event that a participating club is not financial, the League may at its discretion, remove all or any of its teams from their position in the final series matches and promote the next entitled financial teams in their place to participate in the finals series. 9. ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS 9.1 If the air temperature, as broadcast on ABC radio, is below 5 degrees Celsius or in excess of 35 degrees Celsius on a training night, umpires are to sign the attendance book but are not to train. 9.2 If the air temperature, as broadcast on ABC radio, is below 5 degrees Celsius, or in excess of 35 degrees Celsius, one hour prior to the scheduled start time of an - 14 -
official Southern Football League match at any grade, no umpire is permitted to officiate in such match and the match shall be cancelled. 9.3 In the event that a senior, reserve, colts or Thirds game has commenced, and in the opinion of both club captains the weather conditions have become too hazardous, the game will be abandoned and the provisions of By-Law 7.4(b) shall be applied. 9.4 If two or more games are cancelled or abandoned due to adverse weather in the same grade and division, the round will be declared void and no premiership points, percentages or best and fairest votes will be awarded or applied for that round. If any one match is cancelled or abandoned due to adverse weather in a particular grade or division, no points will be awarded for the applicable match. 9.5 If the Board of the league, or its representative, during the review of a match, is not convinced that match should have been cancelled or abandoned or the reason for the cancellation or abandonment was not in good faith, it reserves the right to award points or any penalty as it sees fit. 9.6 Match Suspension In the event of severe inclement weather immediately prior to commencement or during a game, such as lightning, very heavy rain, hailstorm or fog, the game can be suspended by: (a) in all senior grade games, upon the agreement of the competing captains in consultation with the field umpire/s; and for such time as they consider appropriate, but not for a time exceeding 20 minutes after which time the match must resume. 10. GROUND INSPECTIONS 10.1 The League retains the right to take whatever action is deems necessary to address any issue arising from the ground inspection report, including but not limited to; moving the game to another venue, cancelling the game or rescheduling the game to another day or time. 10.2 On the day of any official senior, reserve, colts or Thirds match arranged by the Southern Football League, all players and officials must make a full inspection of the ground on which the match will be played prior to the commencement of the first match played on that day. A representative from each club shall complete the official Ground Inspection Report (Schedule 3) and a representative of each club shall sign the inspection report and hand it to the Field Umpire. 10.3 The Duty of Care Officer for each match day is the President of the home club or his/her appointee. - 15 -
11. UMPIRES 11.1 General (a) The Board must appoint an Umpires Appointment Board. (b) (c) (d) The Umpires Appointment Board shall comprise not less than five persons and the Board shall appoint a Director of Umpiring and an Administrator.- A person shall not be eligible for appointment to the Umpires Appointment Board should he have a direct or indirect relation with any other activity of the League. The Umpires Appointment Board must regularly report to the Board of all its activities and decisions. (e) The Umpires Appointment Board shall :- 1) regulate Umpire discipline, training and standards; 2) adjudicate and determinate any dispute, protest, charge or objection lodged with the Secretary in relation to the performance of the duties of any Umpires as specified in these Bylaws; 3) appoint, dismiss and supervise Umpires and maintain the general welfare and morale of Umpires; 4) perform any other function in relation to Umpires generally but subject to review by the Board. (f) In all disciplinary hearings, enquiries and other matters affecting Umpires, a panel of not less than three members of the Umpires Appointment Board shall have the power to impose disciplinary sanctions on Umpires as they deem fair and reasonable but in all cases it shall exercise procedural fairness. 11.2 UMPIRE AVAILABILITY: a) Any umpire placed on the approved list must be available for appointment as Field Boundary or Goal Umpire until the end of the season. b) Umpires must appear when called to do so before the Umpires Appointment Board. c) Umpires must be at their appointed ground thirty minutes prior to the official start time of the match and must be on the field correctly attired at least five minutes before commencement of each match. 11.3 UMPIRES DUTIES: a) Umpires must attend all meetings, coaching sessions, training sessions and other events as directed by the Umpires Appointment Board. b) All umpires must be registered members of the Southern Football League Umpires Association. - 16 -
c) No umpires shall officiate in any match not conducted by the League without the prior consent of the Umpires Appointment Board. d) All umpires shall enforce and administer all Bylaws, Rules and Rulings of the Board and the Umpires Appointment Board in so far as they relate to his/her match or other duties and must report any person or club infringing the rules of football or these Bylaws. 11.4 UMPIRES MATCH DUTIES: a) Umpires officiating in any match must be properly attired and readily identifiable as such and must check the time with the official timekeepers prior to the commencement of each match. b) The Field Umpire must be provided with a satisfactory replacement for any match football that in his/her opinion is unfit for play. c) No umpire shall have any communication with any team coach before the commencement of any match in relation to any rules of play, except where the team coach has specifically sought the advice of that umpire on a matter unrelated to the rules of play. d) After the completion of each match, the designated official Field Umpire shall deliver to the League CEO by first mail available or by hand delivery, the next business day following the match the particular match items as listed: the Field Umpire s match report fully completed; the score and time records of the match; the team sheets received from the clubs; the Goal Umpire and Field Umpire votes, where applicable. (e) All umpires (including emergency umpires in finals matches) shall exercise their discretion to report any person infringing any Rule, Bylaw or other regulation within their jurisdiction or administration and which relates to the conduct of any match and shall notify the relevant authorised body of any such report forthwith, and shall attend the proceedings of that body where the subject matter of the report is to be heard. 11.5 GOAL AND BOUNDARY UMPIRES AND SCORES (a) The goal umpires shall record the scores on the cards provided by the League and check the scores on the cards between quarters and at the conclusion of the match. A Fine for breach (In accordance with Schedule 7) shall be imposed by the League if the card supplied by the League is not used. Any discrepancy between the scores shall be rectified as soon as possible in consultation with the field umpire. The cards shall be properly completed and signed by the goal umpires. If the goal umpires disagree on the score, but the timekeeper s score is the same as one of the goal umpires scores, this score shall be recognized as the official score of the match. Failing which, any disputes shall be referred for hearing and determination by the Board. - 17 -
(b) (c) Club goal umpires shall be attired in white coats. Club boundary umpires shall as a minimum be attired in an orange top and black shorts. Any Affiliated Club not having its umpires so attired shall be fined for breaches. In all matches the home club shall be responsible for a scoreboard which shall be in operation throughout the whole game. The scoreboard must be clearly visible to the goal umpires who shall check its accuracy at the conclusion of each quarter. Umpires shall report to the League CEO, via the Umpires Report, any occasion on which an Affiliated Club fails to operate a scoreboard and a Fine for breach shall be imposed by the League. 11.6 Official Powers All umpires appointed by the Umpires Board shall have the power to report players, clubs and officials in accordance with such of the AFL Laws of Australian Football adopted by the League from time to time and for any breach of these By-Laws. 11.7 Escorts a) Both Clubs must provide an adult person (over 18 years of Age) to act as an Umpire Escort for all Umpires (Field, Boundary, Goal). Such person must comply by discharging the following duties: Duty No.1: Escorting all Umpires from their change rooms to the centre of the ground prior to the commencement of the first and third quarters. Duty No.2: Remaining within the centre square during the first and third quarter intervals. b) Both Club escorts must be introduced to the Field Umpire prior to the commencement of the match. c) Club escorts must be identified by wearing the Official League Umpire Escort bib whilst escorting the umpires from the playing arena and to the umpire change rooms. 11.8 Penalty for Assaulting (a) In the event of a player or club official of any Affiliated Club being found guilty on a charge of assaulting any umpire appointed to officiate by the Umpires Board, the club to which he/they belong may be dealt with by the SFL Board by way of: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) a Fine for breach not exceeding $500; and/or disqualification from the competition; and/or loss of all premiership points obtained in matches in which the player played and the awarding of those points to the appropriate opposing teams. No Club, official, team official or player shall abuse, threaten, assault, hinder, influence or otherwise interfere with the proper performance of any duty of any Umpire in or in relation to any match or other activity conducted by the League. In the event of the above occurring such Club, official, team official, player Supporter may be charged under By-Law 34. - 18 -
11.9 CLUB PROVIDED UMPIRES: a) Where no official umpire is appointed to a match each participating Club shall provide properly attired and equipped persons of at least fourteen years of age to act as substitutes, the home Club providing the first and each subsequent alternate umpire as required, and the away Club providing the second and each subsequent alternate umpire as required. Club supplied umpires shall be subject to approval of the official Field Umpire who may dispense with the services of any one or all of them during the match. b) Club supplied Goal Umpires must wear a white coat and have two white flags and club supplied Boundary Umpires must wear the approved League uniform, being an orange top, black shorts, and orange socks, and have an umpire s whistle. c) Club provided Field Umpires must have attained the Southern Football League s Accreditation for Club Supplied Field Umpires certificate to be able to officiate in any home and away reserve grade match of the League Fixture when required. d) All member clubs must nominate a minimum of one person to attend the Southern Football League s Accreditation for Club Supplied Field Umpires course. e) Any member club who wishes to nominate a person who already holds a Level 1 accreditation, or higher, for Field Umpires must arrange for such person to attend the first session of the Southern Football League s Accreditation for Club Supplied Field Umpires certificate course. f) Any Club who fails to nominate a person and/or such person fails to attend the Southern Football League s Accreditation for Club Supplied Field Umpires certificate course, such member club may not be able to participate for premiership points whilst they do not have a qualified Field Umpire. 11.10 NO OFFICIAL FIELD UMPIRE: a) Where there is no official League field umpire the club field umpire must deliver the documentation to the official League field umpire of the senior grade match on the same day. If there is no official League field umpire, the club umpire must deliver the documentation to the Secretary of the home club who then must deliver the documentation to the League CEO in like manner as the official field umpire is required to under these Bylaws. 11.11 COMPLAINTS AGAINST UMPIRES: a) Complaints against umpires by a club must be lodged with the League CEO, in writing, on Club letter-head either by mail or by e-mail, within forty-eight hours of the conclusion of the relevant match, with a fee of five hundred and fifty dollars ($550.00 inc GST) which will be refunded less the administration charge should the complaint be deemed by the Umpires Appointment Board not to be frivolous. - 19 -
b) Any such complaint must be signed by the Club president or secretary. c) At the conclusion of such match or as soon as practicable thereafter the umpire must be informed of the complaint and the nature thereof. d) The signatories to such complaint must appear before the Umpires Appointment Board when required by it to substantiate the complaint. e) The Umpires Appointment Board may award a penalty of up to five hundred and fifty dollars ($550.00 inc GST) or suspension for five years or both against any umpire found by it to be guilty of misconduct. 12. UNIFORMS 12.1 General a) Each Club shall register its uniform and colours with the Board prior to competing in any football match. b) No Club shall compete in a football match in any uniform or colours other than its registered uniform or colours and may only change, modify or alter such registered uniform or colours with the written approval of the Board or in accordance with these Bylaws. Such uniforms shall be supplied by the manufacturer(s) approved by the Board. c) Where teams from Clubs having the same or similar uniform and colours are drawn to play each other, the visiting team shall wear an approved alternative uniform and colours for that match during the Home and Away matches. d) Home teams shall wear their club s registered colour shorts and the Away team shall wear white shorts. e) Each player shall wear the official League Logo upon the right hand side of the front of his football jumper, whilst playing any official League fixture. f) Each player shall wear the Club shorts with the official League initials upon the webbing of the shorts whilst playing in any official League fixture. g) Each player shall wear the Club socks with the official League logo attached to the socks whilst playing any official League fixture. h) If the umpire of a match is of the opinion that a player is not dressed in accordance with this Bylaw and as a consequence is likely to cause confusion in identification, he may summarily disqualify the player from participating in the match until such time as the umpire is satisfied that the player s dress is satisfactory. 12.2 Bicycle Shorts No player shall wear Lycra or like fabric bicycle shorts under their football shorts unless flesh coloured or the exact same coloured bicycle shorts as - 20 -
12.3 Sponsor Logos (a) their Club shorts are worn during home matches and flesh or white coloured bicycle shorts during Away matches. The teams of each club shall wear their registered club coloured guernseys, bearing the League logo, at all games. (b) (c) Clubs may apply to the Board for approval to incorporate sponsors logos on their guernseys. Such logos shall be located: (i) a minimum of 2 cm either above or below the player number and have a maximum height of 10 cm. No logos will be approved for addition to the back of playing shorts. Fine for breach: In accordance with Schedule 7 (d) The teams of each club shall wear their registered club coloured shorts, bearing the League logo, at all games. Fine for breach: In accordance with Schedule 7 (e) (f) Application may be made by clubs for logos, outside of the above listed dimensions, which may be approved at the absolute discretion of the League CEO. The teams of each club shall wear their registered club coloured socks, bearing the League logo, at all games. Fine for breach: In accordance with Schedule 7 (g) No player will be permitted to compete in any official League match without a number on the back of the playing guernsey. No two players in the one team shall have the same number. Each number shall be a whole number greater than zero (0) with a maximum of two digits. Fine for breach: In accordance with Schedule 7 (h) Except with the prior permission of the League, clubs fielding seniors and reserves teams are to have one set of guernseys for both teams numbered in whole numbers greater than zero (0) with a maximum of two digits. 12.4 Headguards and Surgical Appliances: No player shall wear a surgical appliance or a headguard in a match without first obtaining written approval from the League. Approval must be sought from the League CEO prior to the player participating in a match and then only during the currency of that approval. 13. TEAM LISTS - 21 -
13.1 All Clubs must provide the League CEO or as otherwise directed by him information contained in Sporting Pulse. 13.2 Team Numbers by Grade i) Thirds / Colts Competitions There is no limit of players on the team sheet for any Home & Away match. In Finals, there is a limit of 26 players on the team sheet for any particular Finals match. ii) Reserves There is a limit of 22 players on the team sheet for any Reserves match. iii) Seniors There is a limit of 22 players on the team sheet for any Senior match. 13.3 Players Exceeding Permitted Number Where a Team has more than the permitted number of players on the Playing Surface, the following shall apply: (i) the score for the team that infringes will revert to their score at the last break, ie if the team infringes in the second quarter their score will revert to the quarter time score or if they infringe in the first quarter their score will revert to zero. (ii) Play would then resume where it was suspended originally. 14. CONDUCT OF MATCHES 14.1 Entering Coaching Boxes No trainer, non-playing Affiliated Club Official or unauthorized person shall enter the coaches box during a match, except: (a) Trainers and other authorized Affiliated Club Officials during ¼ time and ¾ time intervals; (i) (ii) Approved trainers when and for so long as is necessary to attend an injured player or to replace such player when such approved trainer is wearing League Trainers T Shirt; Medical practitioners, members of St. John Ambulances or other approved first aid attendants when and for so long only as necessary to attend an injured player; (iii) Umpires shall report any infringement of this rule. 14.2 TEAM MANAGER: a) Each Team Manager shall provide to the Field Umpire a written and accurate team and sheet containing:- i) names, registration numbers and signature of all players; ii) names, registration numbers of coach, sports trainers and club provided field umpire; iii) name of the runner, waterpersons, timekeeper, and club provided boundary and goal umpires; iv) name of the team manager. b) The official original team sheet must be delivered to the Field Umpire at half time. - 22 -
c) All team managers must sign their own and the opposition team sheets where indicated. d) A player who participates in a practice match must have his name, signature and jumper number entered on a Practice Match Team Sheet. e) The Practice Match Team Sheet must be completed in duplicate, the original to be forwarded to reach the League Administrator no later than 4.00pm on the 1 st business day following the match. The duplicate to be retained by the Club. 14.3 DUTIES OF CLUB SPORTS TRAINERS: a) Each Club must have a minimum of one approved sports trainer present during the full course of each match in which a team is fielded by the Club. b) An approved sports trainer must be registered as such with the League CEO. No approval shall be given unless the person seeking it is :- i) qualified as a Level 1 Accredited Trainer of Sports Medicine Australia; or ii) qualified by a Sports Medicine Centre authorised by Sports Medicine Australia. c) No sports trainer shall enter the playing arena unless :- i) The sports trainer is dressed in the official sports trainers jacket or top and in white/black trousers, dress or overall; ii) The sports trainer is required for medical treatment of an injured player, the replacement of damaged attire of a player or other like purpose or the first or third quarter intervals are in progress. d) No sports trainer shall communicate, provoke or in any way interfere with the umpire or any player from the opposing Club during any match. Nothing in this clause shall be construed to prevent a trainer attending to assisting an injured person. 14.4 OFFICIAL CLUB RUNNER: a) A Club must have a Club Runner for the match to commence, if unable to provide a club runner, then the match is to be forfeited by the Club which is unable to provide the club runner. b) A Club runner may enter the playing arena during any football match provided that the runner :- i) has not been named in the competing team of the club; ii) is attired in the approved League uniform with the Club name on the back of the uniform; iii) enters the playing arena for the purpose of delivering a message or instructions of a coach to a player of the Club or other similar purpose; iv) exits the playing arena immediately upon fulfilling his task; v) does not cajole, encourage or in any way attempt to influence the conduct or performance of any player or players present on the playing arena; - 23 -
vi) does not communicate, provoke or in any way interfere with any umpire or any player from the opposing Club during the match. c) A Club runner must report to the official timekeeper should a player or players from his/her Club be ordered from the playing arena by the Field Umpire to inform the timekeeper of the player/s number and Club and to communicate with the timekeeper regarding the time when such playing time has elapsed. 14.5 Timekeepers a) A timekeeper must be appointed by each Club for each match. The timekeeper :- i) must be equipped with timing device and must record all playing times; ii) must maintain an official timekeeper s card and record on it :- the starting and finishing times of each quarter of play of the football match; extra time as directed by the Field Umpire. iii) iv) must be supplied by the home team with a suitable siren device, with which the timekeeper shall signal :- a two minute warning prior to the commencement of play; the commencement of play; must record the card colour, the playing number and club of any player ordered from the field provided by the Club Runner, on the back of the timekeeper s card. v) must place his/her signature on the timekeeper s card upon completion of the match. 14.6 CLUB WATERPERSONS: a) The maximum number allowable of Sports Trainers and Waterpersons to carry a water-bottle into the playing arena during a match is four. They may be any combination equalling the maximum number allowable and must be at least fourteen years of age. b) No waterperson shall enter the playing arena with the sole purpose of providing refreshment to players and umpires unless the waterperson is wearing the League approved waterperson bib. 14.7 PERSONS ALLOWED INSIDE PLAYING ARENA DURING MATCH: a) No person other than players, umpires, trainers, interchange players, a maximum of four selection committee and the official runner shall enter the area between the fence and boundary line during any match. b) Members of a selection committee stationed in the area around the playing arena between the boundary line and the fence must remain seated and stationary while play is in progress in any match. c) Sports trainers may be stationed at various positions in the area around the playing arena, between the boundary and the fence. - 24 -