Illawarra Senior Competition
Dates. The Illawarra Senior AFL competition runs from late Mar / early Apr to early Sep including 15 rounds plus 3 finals for competition divisions.
Game day and time. Games are played on Saturdays. Game timings generally run from Women's Div 1 , Women's Premiers, Men's Div 2, Men's Div 1 to Men's Premiers.
Location. Half of the games are played at our home ground Hollymount Park Woonona, and the other half away at Wollongong, Figtree, Port Kembla, Albion Park, Dapto, Shellharbour, Kiama, Nowra, Bombaderry, Bay n Basin and Ulladulla depending on the the teams/clubs that register each season.
Fixture. The fixture will be published by AFLSC prior to round 1 and will be available online Senior AFLSC page / Senior Playhq
Ladder. A premiership ladder for each Competition shall be maintained in PlayHQ throughout the duration of the home and away season
Player Numbers. Minimum player numbers on 12 (Women's and Men's Division 1/2) to 14 (Men's Premiers). Max players on field 16 (Women's ) / 18 (Men's). Max players on team sheet 20 (Women's Div 1), 22 (Women's Premiers/Men's). There is a on field number adjustment if one field has less players as per AFLSC rules.
Field Size. The playing surface dimensions for Senior Grade Matches are to be in accordance with Law 3.2(a) of the Laws of Australian Football. All fixed posted to be IAW Law 3.3.1 and padded.
Footballs. Women Size 4, Men size 5 Sherrin Match Leather red / yellow depending on game time.
Match Times.
Men’s Premier - 25min qtrs, 5 min qtr break, 10min 1/2 break, total 120mins
Men’s Division 1 - 20 min qtrs, 5 min qtr break, 10min 1/2 break total 100 mins
Men’s Division 2 - 18 min qtrs 5 min qtr break, 10min 1/2 break total 92 mins
Women’s Premier - 18 min qtrs 5 min qtr break, 10min 1/2 break total 92 mins
Women’s Division 1 - 15 min qtrs, 5 min qtr break, 10min 1/2 break total 80min
Game Attendance. Players are requested to complete the Facebook Player Group Poll to advise of availability for the weekend games no later than Wed pm to enable team selection / announcement post training Thurs pm.
Finals. AFLSC CMC will determine finals structure, dates, locations , host club and conditions. Normally Semi, Prelim and Grand Finals. Senior Grade finals are ticketed paid events. Extra time is played for draws 5 mins each way, then if still drawn first team to score a point or goal will be the winner.
Representative Football. Any Player selected in a representative team must be a current registered Player with a Club participating in Competitions of that League.
Game day and time. Games are played on Saturdays. Game timings generally run from Women's Div 1 , Women's Premiers, Men's Div 2, Men's Div 1 to Men's Premiers.
Location. Half of the games are played at our home ground Hollymount Park Woonona, and the other half away at Wollongong, Figtree, Port Kembla, Albion Park, Dapto, Shellharbour, Kiama, Nowra, Bombaderry, Bay n Basin and Ulladulla depending on the the teams/clubs that register each season.
Fixture. The fixture will be published by AFLSC prior to round 1 and will be available online Senior AFLSC page / Senior Playhq
Ladder. A premiership ladder for each Competition shall be maintained in PlayHQ throughout the duration of the home and away season
Player Numbers. Minimum player numbers on 12 (Women's and Men's Division 1/2) to 14 (Men's Premiers). Max players on field 16 (Women's ) / 18 (Men's). Max players on team sheet 20 (Women's Div 1), 22 (Women's Premiers/Men's). There is a on field number adjustment if one field has less players as per AFLSC rules.
Field Size. The playing surface dimensions for Senior Grade Matches are to be in accordance with Law 3.2(a) of the Laws of Australian Football. All fixed posted to be IAW Law 3.3.1 and padded.
Footballs. Women Size 4, Men size 5 Sherrin Match Leather red / yellow depending on game time.
Match Times.
Men’s Premier - 25min qtrs, 5 min qtr break, 10min 1/2 break, total 120mins
Men’s Division 1 - 20 min qtrs, 5 min qtr break, 10min 1/2 break total 100 mins
Men’s Division 2 - 18 min qtrs 5 min qtr break, 10min 1/2 break total 92 mins
Women’s Premier - 18 min qtrs 5 min qtr break, 10min 1/2 break total 92 mins
Women’s Division 1 - 15 min qtrs, 5 min qtr break, 10min 1/2 break total 80min
Game Attendance. Players are requested to complete the Facebook Player Group Poll to advise of availability for the weekend games no later than Wed pm to enable team selection / announcement post training Thurs pm.
Finals. AFLSC CMC will determine finals structure, dates, locations , host club and conditions. Normally Semi, Prelim and Grand Finals. Senior Grade finals are ticketed paid events. Extra time is played for draws 5 mins each way, then if still drawn first team to score a point or goal will be the winner.
Representative Football. Any Player selected in a representative team must be a current registered Player with a Club participating in Competitions of that League.
Senior Tigers Teams
Team Allocation. NDAFC is planning on fielding 3 teams in 2023 - Men's Premiers, Men's Division 1 and Women's Division 1. Player allocation to teams is based upon coach assessment of player skill, experience and performance.
Senior Illawarra Clubs
Senior Rules
Games governed by AFL Laws of the Game and AFLNSW ACT and AFLSC Rules found on respective websites. This includes a quick reference guide to the on field rules for each age division.
Senior Team Admin
Registration Period. All players must be registered to play for each season. The registration period for each season commences on 01 November immediately preceding the season. New Player registrations will be accepted until the end of the home and away series in the season in which the Player intends to play. Where a Player identifies as transgender or non-binary, the AFL Gender Diversity Policy – Community Football applies.
Player Club Transfers. The transfer window opens on 01 Feb each season and closes mid season. Applies to Tigers Junior graduates moving to Seniors and players moving to/from other clubs. Initiated by the gaining Club, processed by losing Club and AFLSC. Processing time maybe auto or within 6 days.
Match Day Registrations The former Rule that allowed for an unregistered Player to play in a Match and then register at a later time / date has been repealed by AFL NSW/ACT. With the advent of PlayHQ, Players and Clubs are now able to manage the registration process at very short notice on match day. Where a Player is looking to ‘trial’ the code, the Player must still register prior to playing but the Club may forgo payment of any registration fees until the Player confirms an ongoing commitment to playing. Refer AFLSC 11.1.3 and 11.1.4
Juniors playing Senior Grades. Junior U17s must be registered with a Junior club if there is an available Junior competition at their age level within reasonable proximity. Application for dispensation only in exceptional circumstances. Junior U17s may apply to the Senior club for game / season permits to play up. The Senior club as the gaining club will initiated the permit request via playHQ for Junior Club and AFLSC CMC approval. The minimum age to player Senior Grade is 16 years as at 31 December of the year prior to the Competition Year. Players turning 17 or older in the Competition Year may play Senior Grade. The Player should always first commit to playing in the eligible age group most closely aligned to their age. The Player must not displace another Player to whom that higher age group applies and who otherwise would be available to play. Refer AFLSC rules 11.2.1 - 11.2.2, 11.4.1 - 11.4.4
Age Dispensations. Age dispensations forms must be lodged for any player who is younger than the minimum age requirement and gain CMC approval prior to playing. CMC considerations include: exceptional circumstances, best interest of player development, players ability to physically compete at the higher level, not to make up numbers, not to displace an eligible player, safe integration of junior player into senior environment from child safety perspective and not jeopardise the viability of the Player’s current age eligible team being able to continue to participate in the Competition. There are also age dispensations to play down on the basis of a ‘disability’ or for ‘physical size considerations’. Refer AFLSC Rules 11.2.2 and 11.2.3
Senior Player Grades. The AFLSC rules govern the movement of Senior players between Senior Grades. Refer AFLSC 11.2.5
Senior Player Finals Eligibility. Player final eligibility is 6 games Men's Premiers or 5 for other Senior Grades. If10 or less season games eligibility is 4 games. Only one finals match per weekend. Any senior player who has played in a combined total of 8 or more home and away matches in any higher division(s) is not be eligible to play finals in a lower division. Finals dispensations for expectational circumstance refer AFLSC rules appendix 2.
Player Club Transfers. The transfer window opens on 01 Feb each season and closes mid season. Applies to Tigers Junior graduates moving to Seniors and players moving to/from other clubs. Initiated by the gaining Club, processed by losing Club and AFLSC. Processing time maybe auto or within 6 days.
Match Day Registrations The former Rule that allowed for an unregistered Player to play in a Match and then register at a later time / date has been repealed by AFL NSW/ACT. With the advent of PlayHQ, Players and Clubs are now able to manage the registration process at very short notice on match day. Where a Player is looking to ‘trial’ the code, the Player must still register prior to playing but the Club may forgo payment of any registration fees until the Player confirms an ongoing commitment to playing. Refer AFLSC 11.1.3 and 11.1.4
Juniors playing Senior Grades. Junior U17s must be registered with a Junior club if there is an available Junior competition at their age level within reasonable proximity. Application for dispensation only in exceptional circumstances. Junior U17s may apply to the Senior club for game / season permits to play up. The Senior club as the gaining club will initiated the permit request via playHQ for Junior Club and AFLSC CMC approval. The minimum age to player Senior Grade is 16 years as at 31 December of the year prior to the Competition Year. Players turning 17 or older in the Competition Year may play Senior Grade. The Player should always first commit to playing in the eligible age group most closely aligned to their age. The Player must not displace another Player to whom that higher age group applies and who otherwise would be available to play. Refer AFLSC rules 11.2.1 - 11.2.2, 11.4.1 - 11.4.4
Age Dispensations. Age dispensations forms must be lodged for any player who is younger than the minimum age requirement and gain CMC approval prior to playing. CMC considerations include: exceptional circumstances, best interest of player development, players ability to physically compete at the higher level, not to make up numbers, not to displace an eligible player, safe integration of junior player into senior environment from child safety perspective and not jeopardise the viability of the Player’s current age eligible team being able to continue to participate in the Competition. There are also age dispensations to play down on the basis of a ‘disability’ or for ‘physical size considerations’. Refer AFLSC Rules 11.2.2 and 11.2.3
Senior Player Grades. The AFLSC rules govern the movement of Senior players between Senior Grades. Refer AFLSC 11.2.5
Senior Player Finals Eligibility. Player final eligibility is 6 games Men's Premiers or 5 for other Senior Grades. If10 or less season games eligibility is 4 games. Only one finals match per weekend. Any senior player who has played in a combined total of 8 or more home and away matches in any higher division(s) is not be eligible to play finals in a lower division. Finals dispensations for expectational circumstance refer AFLSC rules appendix 2.
Umpiring
Games are officiated by Illawarra Umpires with fees paid by host club.
If interested in becoming an umpire through AFL South Coast Umpires. Training is conducted at Dalton Park on Wed nights. Umpiring expressions of interest for season 2022 open NOW! www.play.afl/umpire/become-an-umpire/
- Stay involved in the game you love
- Meet like-minded people
- Improve your understanding of the game
- Get paid
Support and empathy for umpires is crucial. They are the third team of the field without which the games and competition would not occur. Umpire abuse will not be tolerated under any circumstance. Please remember that many of the Senior Grade games are officiated by Illawarra South Coast umpires who are minors between 14 and 17 years. For many it is their first part time job and many are still learning the role.
If interested in becoming an umpire through AFL South Coast Umpires. Training is conducted at Dalton Park on Wed nights. Umpiring expressions of interest for season 2022 open NOW! www.play.afl/umpire/become-an-umpire/
- Stay involved in the game you love
- Meet like-minded people
- Improve your understanding of the game
- Get paid
Support and empathy for umpires is crucial. They are the third team of the field without which the games and competition would not occur. Umpire abuse will not be tolerated under any circumstance. Please remember that many of the Senior Grade games are officiated by Illawarra South Coast umpires who are minors between 14 and 17 years. For many it is their first part time job and many are still learning the role.