VAFA WOMEN'S FOOTBALL CLUB GUIDE

VA FA

AF A

VAFA WOMEN’S FOOTBALL CLUB GUIDE

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL CLUB GUIDE

Contents Female Participation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Participation Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current Competition Structure In Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2017–2020 Competition Structure In Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Possible Community Competitions in 2017/18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 2 3 3

2017 VAFA Competition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Benefits in having a Female Competition. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Recruitment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Funding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Affiliation Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Umpiring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Policies, Procedures & Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 VAFA 2017 Competition FAQ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

VAFA Women’s Football Questions to Consider. . . . . . . . 12 VAFA Women’s Football Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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Female Participation Participation Rates Female participation has been growing rapidly throughout the years. In 2015, more than 280,000 females participated in Australian Football through introductory programs and competitions. This is a growth of 162% in the last 6 years.

This year the Victorian Women’s Football League is celebrating their 25th year with 25 teams, representing 20 clubs participating in the league which are spread all over Metropolitan Melbourne. The league has managed will remain in its current divisional structure.

Female participation in Australian football soared by 46 per cent this year, and there were 163 new female football teams that began in 2015, with the number of women now taking part in football we have reached 284,501 participants.

There will be eight women’s teams aligned with AFL clubs which have been formed and will participate in the new women’s national competition planned for 2017. The AFL is considering running a national competition in February and March next year which will include four teams from Victoria and one from each Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

Current Competition Structure In Victoria VFL WOMEN’S COMPETITION VWFL Women’s Competition (10 Teams / Seniors)

VWFL COMPETITION Premier – 6 Teams Division 1 – 8 Teams Division 2 – 8 Teams Division 3 – 7 Teams

South East – 10 Teams

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Goldfields – 5 Teams

North West – 7 Teams

2017–2020 Competition Structure In Victoria VFL Women’s Senior Competition (10 Teams / Normal Season)

TAC Women’s Competition (1 Section / February – March)

Possible Community Competitions in 2017/18

2017 GOLDFIELDS – (5 teams from VWFL) SOUTHERN – (5 teams from VWFL) PENINSULA/NEPEAN/SOUTH EAST – (7 teams from VWFL) VAFA

2018? EASTERN NORTHERN ESSENDON AND WESTERN

2020? VWFL Competition will conclude with all participating teams allocated to the respective community competitions.

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2017 VAFA Competition ELIGIBILITY For a player to be eligible to play in this competition she must be at least 16 years old as at 1st January in the year of the competition

COMPETITION SUMMARY 18-a-side games (Note even up rule in Development League) Abide by VAFA Policies and Procedures in conjunction with the VWFL Rules and Regulations and the AFL Laws of the Game Competition to be played from April to August;

The competition is evolving and the final section structure will be confirmed on March 17. The VAFA is likely to introduce a regionalised grading system at the beginning on the season which will form section structures for the remainder of the season. Please see below the possible options.

VAFA Women’s Development League North

VAFA Women’s Development League East

VAFA Women’s Development League South

VAFA Women’s Development League Central

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Benefits in having a Female Competition There’s never been a better time to get involved with women’s football in Australia, with the fast growing participation rising higher each year creating a female football competition can benefit clubs in numerous ways. The benefits of having a female competition include: – An increase in members, supporters and volunteers – More players joining your club – Increasing opportunities to strength clubs committee through adding female integration – Provides a stronger case to upgrade facilities through council funding. It could become relevant that clubs with female participation will be a priority – Makes your club better position to attract new and retain players – Sends a strong message to your community that your club has a fully inclusive environment

– Reshaping and diversification, leading to better decision making – Broadening sponsorship and fundraising opportunities – More appealing social atmosphere – Provides more opportunities for your coaches and teachers who have a strong liking for skill acquisition – Creating relationships and partnerships with organisations who have previously had little or no relationship with the VAFA eg. Single sex schools, local netball competitions, Fernwood gymnasium etc.

Recruitment – The VAFA encourages all clubs to actively recruit new players through holding come-and-try sessions, preseason training sessions and registration days. – The VAFA can assist in promoting your recruitment initiatives and positions vacant our website (www.vafa.com.au) and Facebook page (www.facebook. com/VAFA). – It is imperative that a new club stays in regular contact with the VAFA during its recruitment/ registration process and advises The VAFA of insufficient player numbers prior to 31st January 2017. The VAFA may be able to assist by sourcing additional players or joining two clubs’ teams together. – Please be aware of the rules below with relation to the limited number of players that your club is permitted to transfer in from other VAFA clubs each year. The transfer period is between 1st February and 30th June.

– A Member Club of The VAFA is not permitted to accept the transfer of more than five players from other Member Clubs of the VAFA during the period of 1st October to 30th September in any year. – A Member Club of the VAFA is not permitted to accept the transfer of more than two players from any one Member Club of the VAFA during the period of 1st October to 30th September in any year, except where both Member Clubs agree. – Clubs are encouraged to send representatives to female football carnivals and knockout competitions, as they provide great opportunities for recruitment of new players. Stay up-to date by visiting the Primary School Sport and Secondary School Sport websites. – Advertise at Fernwood all female gymnasiums and all other suitable health centres.

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Girls School – 19 Schools ST MARGARET’S BERWICK STRATHCONA METHODIST LADIES COLLEGE MELBOURNE GIRLS GRAMMAR X 3 TEAMS GENAZZANO IVANHOE GIRLS GRAMMAR LORETO MANDEVILLE HALL X 3 TEAMS LAURISTON X 2 TEAMS MENTONE GIRLS GRAMMAR STAR OF THE SEA SACRÉ COEUR X 2 TEAMS RUYTON X 2 TEAMS FIRBANK PRESBYTERIAN LADIES COLLEGE ST CATHERINE’S SIENA SHELFORD FINTONA TOORAK COLLEGE, MT ELIZA

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South Metro Junior Football League Under 11’s – 6 teams

Under 13 – 11 teams

Under 16’s – 8 teams

WAVERLEY PARK

ST PETER’S

EAST BRIGHTON

ST PETER’S

EAST MALVERN

WAVERLEY PARK

EAST MALVERN

PRAHRAN

HIGHETT

EAST BRIGHTON

EAST BRIGHTON

ST PETER’S

CHELTENHAM

ST BEDE’S MENTONE TIGERS

EAST SANDRINGHAM

MORDIALLOC

HAMPTON ROVERS

MORDIALLOC BRAESIDE

FERNTREE GULLY

BEAUMARIS

WAVERLEY PARK

MT WAVERLEY

BAYSWATER EAST SANDRINGHAM ST KILDA CITY

Yarra Junior Football League Under 12’s – 11 teams

Under 15’s – 10 teams

Youth Girls – 10 teams

ST MARY’S

GLEN IRIS

EAST MALVERN (SMJFL)

KEW COMETS

KEW ROVERS

SEVILLE

BULLEEN TEMPLESTOWE

WHITEHORSE

KEW ROVERS

CAMBERWELL

KEW COMETS

WHITEHORSE

GLEN IRIS

BULLEEN TEMPLESTOWE

CHIRNSIDE PARK

WHITEHORSE

BANYULE

BULLEEN TEMPLESTOWE

BANYULE X 2

FITZROY

ST MARY’S MACLEOD

BLACKBURN

ST MARY’S

FITZROY

FITZROY

IVANHOE

ST DAMIAN’S

IVANHOE

BLACKBURN

HEALESVILLE

ST KILDA CITY

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Funding There are a range of grants available to football clubs to help fund items such as sporting equipment, promotional materials, team uniforms, new programs and upgraded facilities. You can view a comprehensive list of grants via the online “Grants & Assistance Finder”. A few grants available that could assist you in setting up a female football team and catering for this growth at your club are: – Sporting Club Grants Program: http://www.sport.vic.gov. au/grants-and-programs/sporting-club-grants-program The sporting club grants program provides grants to assist in the purchase of sports uniforms and equipment.

Category 1: Grants of up to $1000 to purchase uniforms or other equipment essential for participation. Category 2: Grants of up to $2000 to improve the skills of club members by providing training for coaches, officials, administration staff and management committees. Category 3: Grants of up to $5000 to improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency of clubs through strategic planning or to increase community participation through accessible sport and active recreation opportunities. – VicHealth Active Club Grant: https://www.vichealth. vic.gov.au/funding/active-club-grants. Grant of either $3000 to buy equipment to help increase or maintain participation throughout the club. Or $10,000 to implement programs/buy equipment to increase participation numbers. – Community Sports Infrastructure Fund: http://www. sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/communitysports-infrastructure-fund. Grants of up to $100,000 are available to build new and upgrade existing, outdated change facilities at sports clubs around the state that cater for female sport, with a focus on promoting female and family friendly environments. – Sports Incentive Program: http://www.sportsfocus.com.au/ australian-sports-foundation-sports-incentive-program/. Grants or equipment to the value of $10,000. $2500 $10,000 available to go towards buying new equipment. – Defibrillators for Local Sports Clubs: http://sport.vic. gov.au/grants-and-programs/defibrillators-for-sportingclubs-and-facilities-program. Successful applicants receive an ‘Automated External Defibrillator Package’. Includes high quality defibrillator, some basic training and a minimum five years of essential maintenance – Women Leaders in Sport Grants: http://www.ausport. gov.au/participating/women. WLIS grant program goal is to provide female administrators, coaches and officials with opportunities to undertake intermediate or advanced training within an existing pathway in the sports industry.

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Insurance Victorian Amateur Football Association in conjunction with BJS Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, the league’s insurance broker and risk adviser, has arranged insurance coverage for all their affiliated member clubs, officials, coaches, umpires, voluntary workers and players. This insurance portal has been provided by BJS for the Victorian Amateur Football Association and its members to deliver an online tool to access important information about the insurance program. We ask club officials to take the time to read the following information and encourage all club members to do the same. It is most important all are aware of the coverage provided and the procedure to follow in the event of a claim prior to an incident arising. Failure to be aware of the extent of coverage and procedures to follow often leads to unnecessary delays and, in some cases, disappointment. The level of cover and the competitive costs have been achieved to benefit all clubs, coaches and individual members who are part or looking to be part of this Program and therefore, it is extremely important that everyone supports this initiative. The program provides competitively broad protection across the following areas: – Public Liability including Professional Indemnity – Group Personal Accident cover for Capital Benefits, Non Medicare Medical Expenses and Loss of Income (When selected) – Association/Management Liability – Travel Insurance With regard to the Personal Accident coverage, the schedule of benefits should be considered as basic and entry level. The Victorian Amateur Football Association encourages all players and others covered by this policy to take out private health insurance. Additional cover for weekly benefits is also available on a team basis. This may be arranged by contacting BJS Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd – on 03-9860 4200 or [email protected] A further benefit of the Program is the easy access to insurance coverage details via the web site: www.vafainsurance. com.au as well as access to the documentation mentioned above, including information on How to Make a Claim

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Affiliation Fees Affiliation Fees are invoiced to clubs by the VAFA accompanied by a letter which will outline payment schedule. In 2016, fees are due and payable by – 31st

May 2016, 30th June 2016, and 31st July 2016. All discounts will be available for the new women’s competition.

Umpiring Similar to the VWFL, the VAFA commits to providing two field umpires with both clubs supplying a boundary and goal umpire each. Payments for umpires are included in

your affiliation fees. A full complement of umpires will be provided by the VAFA for all finals matches.

Policies, Procedures & Forms The VAFA will be initially using: – VWFL Rules and Regulations – note rule 8.6 Evening up rule in the Development League – VWFL Team Managers Handbook – AFL Laws of the game – VAFA Policies and Procedures Click on the links below to access the following: – 2016 Laws of Australian Football – VWFL Rules and Regulations – VWFL Team Managers Handbook – VAFA Policies and Procedures http://www.vafa.com.au/club-info/vafa-policies/

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VAFA 2017 Competition FAQ What time and days will games be played?

How many players are needed to start a team?

The majority of VWFL matches are played on a Sunday afternoon ranging from mid-day to 3:00pm. It is anticipated that this will be the most likely time to play matches in 2017, however if the demand requires a Saturday competition, the VAFA will consider.

It is expected that your club will be required to have 20 names by the end of January, 2017. In the development league, where one team has between 12 and 18 players and the second team has more players than the first team, both teams shall field the same number of players, therefore an equal number of players shall take the field.

How many minute quarters will be played? All quarters will be 20 minutes with no time on.

What company will apparel be supplied from? The VAFA will use a supplier model similar to the male competition, this is yet to be decided.

Will grounds other than home grounds be available to play on? Sportscover Arena will be available for up to 4 matches each Sunday for those clubs unable to obtain a ground. As grounds will become a premium, we recommend your club speaks to your council as soon as possible.

How many teams will make finals? This is dependent on the number of teams in competition, however the preferred model is to have a final 4.

What is the player eligibility requirement for finals? In a 14 Round competition, a minimum of 4 games will be required to play finals.

What size footballs will be used? Footballs will be size 4.5.

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VAFA Women’s Football Questions to Consider To assist the administration of VAFA decide whether your Club is ready to enter a women’s football team into the Foundation season in 2017 your Club will need to provide information using the following headings: (1) Management/Committee Structure eg. Who does the coach report to?

(5) P layers- Where will you source your players from? (Junior Teams within Club, Affiliation with a Junior Club, Affiliation with local Schools)

(2) Staff/Volunteers – Women’s Football Manager, Women’s Coach, Team Managers, Club Umpires, Medical Staff (Trainers)

(6) Education – Education of Staff directly involved with the Women’s team. Indirectly, education of current male players, trainers, committee members and coaches.

(3) Facilities – Home Ground (s), Details of which other teams or Clubs use proposed Home ground on the Weekend. Access to change and social rooms to host the after-match.

(7) Fixtures – What is you preferred day and time for games?

(4) Finances – How will the Club finance this team? Costs

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will include Affiliation Fees (which includes Umpires), Hire of Grounds and Clubrooms, Player Uniforms (Jumpers, Shorts, etc…) and other items.

VAFA Women’s Football Checklist To assist the administration of VAFA decide whether your Club is ready to enter a Women’s football team into the Foundation season in 2017 your Club will need to provide information using the following headings:

STAFF 1

Women’s Football Manager

2

Women’s Coach

3

Coaching Assistance

4

Team Manager

5

Medical (Trainers)

6 Timekeeper 7

Field, Boundary and Goal Umpires

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Committee Member responsible for Women’s Football

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Canteen Operator

Yes No

£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £

£ £ £ £

GROUND 10 Training Facilities 11 Home Ground 12 Access to Social Rooms / Change Rooms / Canteen Facilities 13 Advised ground management eg. council / school of your intention to play women’s football

FINANCES 14 Plan to finance Women’s team 15 Team Sponsor

£ £ £ £

PLAYERS 16 Plan to recruit players for Women’s team 17 Do you have enough players to field a Women’s team

£ £ £ £

Contact For queries regarding Female Football please contact:

Sam Confait FOOTBALL OPERATIONS MANAGER VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION Phone: 0407 246 372 Email: [email protected]

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