Area Agreements and the Permit System

AREA AGREEMENTS AND THE PERMIT SYSTEM

March 2014

CONTENTS:

Page 2: Permits

Page 3: Area Agreements

Page 5: Agreement with the Bendigo Football Netball League

Page 6: Agreement with the Heathcote & District Football League

Page 8: Agreement with the Loddon Valley Football Netball League

Page: 10 Agreement with the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League

Page 12: Agreement with the North Central Football League

Page 14: Obtaining a player on a permit

Page 15: Local interchange and temporary transfers

Page 17: Appendix – Multiple match day permit form

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2. PERMITS

There are a number of ways in which a player can participate with another club without being transferred (cleared) to that club. These are all covered under AFL Victoria Country Regulation 2.0.

 AFL Victoria Country Permit: A player can play up to eight games with a major league club but these games can only be with the senior grade competition:- neither reserves nor underage. (refer to AFL Victoria Country regulations 2.1 – 2.8)  AFL Victoria Country Student permits: A student living away from home and returning to his former club during registered school holidays or semester breaks may apply for a permit to play with his former club. (The definition of “former club” is the last club he was registered with prior to being transferred to his current club) (refer to AFL Victoria Country regulation 2.11)  Special Circumstances Permit: AFL Victoria Country regulations allow for a player to be temporarily transferred to another club if their current club has gone into recess or their current club is affiliated with a league that has delayed their season start due to the grounds being drought affected (refer to AFL Victoria Country regulation 2.13)  Under Age Compassionate Permit: A player under the age of 16 years (as at 1st January in the current year) who is in the situation where his parents have separated and special custody arrangements exist may be eligible to apply for a permit to play at a second club which is more than 150km away for his/her first club. (refer to AFL Victoria Country regulation 1.13)  Area Agreement permits: These are the most common permits and they allow a player to apply for a match day permit only if his current league and the league in which he wishes to compete have developed an area agreement that allows this to occur. (refer to AFL Victoria Country regulation 2.10)

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3. AREA AGREEMENTS

The Bendigo Junior Football League (BJFL) has negotiated area agreements with a number of surrounding leagues in accordance with AFL Victoria Country regulation 2.10.

For the current season these leagues include:  Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL)  Heathcote & District Football League (HDFL)  Loddon Valley Football Netball League (LVFNL)  Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League (MCDFNL)  North Central Football League (NCFL)

PURPOSE: In general, area agreements have:  Been developed to provide the opportunity for a club to field an underage team on the day of competition with the aim to have that team being competitive during the match.  Been developed to provide an opportunity to gain game time where he may not have been getting as much opportunity at his current club.  NOT been developed to provide an opportunity for a player to play at a higher level, to gain experience or to “try out” at that higher level, especially at the expense of a currently registered player.  NOT been developed to allow a team to utilise the best young players from an underage team so that they can win more games.

CONDITIONS: The use of permit players is always controlled by particular conditions as determined by each league. In general, the following conditions may be included in an area agreement (but they are not limited to only these conditions):  All available club registered players must be listed on the team sheet before any permit players can be considered.  There may be a limit on the number of permit players allowed for each game.  There may be a limit on the maximum number of players that can be listed on a team sheet, including any permit players.  An area agreements may place a limit on the number of permits that a player may apply for during any one season.

An area agreement is unique to the two leagues involved and it is incumbent on all clubs to be aware of the conditions governing the use of permits under each individual area agreement.

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THE 2014 BJFL AREA AGREEMENT WITH THE: BENDIGO FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE (BFNL)

This agreement is signed pursuant to the AFL Vic Country Incorporated Rules and Regulations pertaining to clearances and permits and in particular clause 2.10 whereby an interchange of players between Clubs of the above-mentioned Leagues may take place without clearance and is subject to any provisions contained within this agreement. PROVIDED HOWEVER  That this Agreement is in force for the current season only.  That the players involved desire to play with the club in the other League on the day in question.  That the Clubs involved are agreeable to the players playing on the day in question.  That the players concerned are acquainted with AFL Vic Country Regulation 2.0 regarding permits.  That prior to playing their first game under this agreement, the player shall obtain permission to do so from his parent Club using the permit form provided with this agreement.  Club registered players must be selected before permit players can receive endorsement to play.

1. NUMBER OF PERMITS 1.1 BJFL players may be granted a maximum of eight (8) area permits by their club to play in the under 18 competition of the BFNL during the BFNL home and away season. Day permits can be issued if there are no more than 20 players listed (including permit players) on the under 18 BFNL team sheet. Players may play TWO games per weekend but only ONE per day. 1.2 BFNL Registered Players will NOT be granted match day permits to play in the BJFL during the BJFL season. 1.3 BFNL teams are permitted to play a maximum of SIX permit players in any one match.

3. REPORTED PLAYERS A player playing on permit in the BFNL who is reported shall face the Tribunal of the BFNL. Any penalty that is imposed shall apply in all competitions of either league.

4. FINALS PERMITS. No match day permits are to be issued for players to play in the Final series of the BFNL.

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THE 2014 BJFL AREA AGREEMENT WITH THE: HEATHCOTE & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE (HDFL)

1. NUMBER OF PERMITS: 1.1 A HDFL player may be granted a maximum of eight (8) area permits by their club to play in the BJFL during the BJFL home and away season, provided that they meet any age requirement of the BJFL. 1.2 Once a player has played in the senior grade of the HDFL during the current season, then that player is ineligible to apply for any further permits to play in the BJFL competition during that season. This means that the player’s initial permit application form is no longer valid for the remainder of the season. (NOTE: the senior grade does not include any reserves games) Permits can be issued if there are no more than 20 players listed (including permit players) on their relevant team sheet. Players may play TWO games per weekend but only ONE per day 1.3 A BJFL player may be granted a maximum of eight (8) area permits by their club to play in the HDFL under 17 competition during the HDFL home and away season. Permits can be issued if there are no more than 20 players listed (including permit players) on their under 17 team sheet. Players may play TWO games per weekend but only ONE per day 1.4 Each HDFL team is only permitted to play a maximum of SIX permit players in any one match. 1.5 Each BJFL team is only permitted to play a maximum of FOUR permit players in any one match.

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2. TRANSFERS 2.1 Transfers of players between the above-mentioned Leagues shall be as outlined in AFL Victoria Country regulation 1.0 and specifically regulation 1.9 (closing date for clearances and permits). That is, a transfer request must be submitted before the 1st July in the current season. 2.2 Match day permits are not subject to the same cut-off date as a transfer and may be applied for anytime during the home and away season. 2.3 If a player transfers from the BJFL, they are not eligible to play on permits in the BJFL for the remainder of the season. In exceptional circumstances, a player may apply in writing to the BJFL Executive for permission to play on permit back in the BJFL after being transferred under 2.1 above.

3. REPORTED PLAYERS A player playing on permit who is reported shall face the Tribunal of the League in which the offence was committed. Any penalty that is imposed shall apply in all competitions.

4. FINALS PERMITS. No match day permits are to be issued for players to play in any grade of the Final series of either league.

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THE 2014 BJFL AREA AGREEMENT WITH THE: LODDON VALLEY FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE (LVFNL)

1. NUMBER OF PERMITS: 1.1 A LVFNL player may be granted a maximum of eight (8) area permits by their club to play in the BJFL during the BJFL home and away season, provided that they meet any age requirement of the BJFL. 1.2 Once a player has played in the senior grade of the LVFNL during the current season, then that player is ineligible to apply for any further permits to play in the BJFL competition during that season. This means that the player’s initial permit application form is no longer valid for the remainder of the season. (NOTE: the senior grade does not include any reserves games) Permits can be issued if there are no more than 20 players listed (including permit players) on their relevant team sheet. Players may play TWO games per weekend but only ONE per day 1.3 A BJFL player may be granted a maximum of eight (8) area permits by their club to play in the LVFNL under 17 competition during the LVFNL home and away season. Permits can be issued if there are no more than 20 players listed (including permit players) on their under 17 team sheet. Players may play TWO games per weekend but only ONE per day 1.4 Each LVFNL team is only permitted to play a maximum of SIX permit players in any one match. 1.5 Each BJFL team is only permitted to play a maximum of FOUR permit players in any one match.

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3. REPORTED PLAYERS A player playing on permit who is reported shall face the Tribunal of the League in which the offence was committed. Any penalty that is imposed shall apply in all competitions.

4. FINALS PERMITS. No match day permits are to be issued for players to play in any grade of the Final series of either league.

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THE 2014 BJFL AREA AGREEMENT WITH THE: MARYBORUGH CASTLEMAINE DISTRICT FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE (MCDFNL)

1. NUMBER OF PERMITS: 1.1 A MCDFNL player may be granted a maximum of eight (8) area permits by their club to play in the BJFL during the BJFL home and away season, provided that they meet any age requirement of the BJFL. 1.2 Once a player has played in the senior grade of the MCDFNL during the current season, then that player is ineligible to apply for any further permits to play in the BJFL competition during that season. This means that the player’s initial permit application form is no longer valid for the remainder of the season. (NOTE: the senior grade does not include any reserves games) Permits can be issued if there are no more than 20 players listed (including permit players) on their relevant team sheet. Players may play TWO games per weekend but only ONE per day 1.3 A BJFL player may be granted a maximum of eight (8) area permits by their club to play in the MCDFNL under age competitions during the MCDFNL home and away season provided they meet any age requirements of the MCDFNL. Players may play TWO games per weekend but only ONE per day 1.4 Each BJFL team is only permitted to play a maximum of FOUR permit players in any one match.

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3. REPORTED PLAYERS A player playing on permit who is reported shall face the Tribunal of the League in which the offence was committed. Any penalty that is imposed shall apply in all competitions.

4. FINALS PERMITS. No match day permits are to be issued for players to play in any grade of the Final series of either league.

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THE 2014 BJFL AREA AGREEMENT WITH THE: NORTH CENTRAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE (NCFL)

1. NUMBER OF PERMITS: 1.1 A NCFL player may be granted a maximum of eight (8) area permits by their club to play in the BJFL during the BJFL home and away season, provided that they meet any age requirement of the BJFL. 1.2 Once a player has played in the senior grade of the NCFL during the current season, then that player is ineligible to apply for any further permits to play in the BJFL competition during that season. This means that the player’s initial permit application form is no longer valid for the remainder of the season. (NOTE: the senior grade does not include any reserves games) Permits can be issued if there are no more than 20 players listed (including permit players) on their relevant team sheet. Players may play TWO games per weekend but only ONE per day 1.3 A BJFL player may be granted a maximum of eight (8) area permits by their club to play in the NCFL under age competitions during the NCFL home and away season provided they meet an age requirement of the NCFL. Permits can be issued if there are no more than 20 players listed (including permit players) on their under 17 team sheet. Players may play TWO games per weekend but only ONE per day 1.4 Each NCFL team is only permitted to play a maximum of SIX permit players in any one match. 1.5 Each BJFL team is only permitted to play a maximum of FOUR permit players in any one match.

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3. REPORTED PLAYERS A player playing on permit who is reported shall face the Tribunal of the League in which the offence was committed. Any penalty that is imposed shall apply in all competitions.

4. FINALS PERMITS. No match day permits are to be issued for players to play in any grade of the Final series of either league.

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4. OBTAINING A PLAYER ON A PERMIT.

All requests for a player on a permit must be applied for on line through the Fox Sportspulse system on the members’ database. However, prior to applying on line, the appropriate paper work must be completed. You can only apply for a permit player if we have an area agreement with that player’s current league or if he falls under the AFL Victoria Country permit system.

Paper work required:

A match day permit form must be completed by all relevant people. This form must be signed by all parties which include the player, a parent or guardian of the player, a representative of the player’s current club and a representative of the club requesting the permit. THE PLAYER’S NAME and DATE OF BIRTH MUST be written legibly in the appropriate place on the form. A copy of this form must be forwarded to AFL Central Victoria, usually via facsimile (5434 2444) or with the match day documents. A copy of a match day permit form is shown in the Appendix.

When this form has been completed ONCE, then the club may apply for the player on line whenever he is able to participate as a permit player. Without this form, the player MUST NOT be requested on line (penalties may apply)

Requesting the player as a permit player:

 Enter your club’s member database and click on the “Request a Transfer/Permit”.  Search the system using the bottom option by entering the player’s name and date of birth (hence the requirement to have these written legibly on the permit form)  Click “Select” button: this should give the player’s current details.  After checking that you have the correct player, click on “select”.  Scroll down passed the “Submit Transfer” button.  From the drop down “Permit Type” menu select “1. Match Day”. A warning note will appear to remind you that paper work must be up to date.  Enter the date in which you wish the player to participate. The “From” date and the “To” date should be the same.  Click on the “Submit Permit” button.

No further action is required The player is now available to be selected onto your team sheet for that particular date. When the team sheet is printed out, he should be indicated with a (P) beside his name.

There is no need to submit a new permit form each time you require this player once the form has been submitted. Even if you complete and submit the form but do not use the player until later on in the season, you do not need to complete a new form. Just apply on line in the manner above each time the player is required BUT making sure that he is available to play.

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5. WHAT ARE THE OTHER PERMITS FOR? In applying online, you may have noticed that there are two other permit types available: 2. Local interchange 3. Temporary Transfer Local interchange is used when a player is on interchange with another club in another league for an extended period of time. This is only valid for players that will be playing for a TAC team such as the Bendigo Pioneers. For example, a player with your club has been selected in the Bendigo Pioneers squad. The Bendigo Pioneers will apply for a local interchange for the entire season. He will NOT be transferred from your club to the Pioneers. However, this player will be able to be selected on your team sheet if he is not required for the pioneers on any on weekend without the need to be transferred back again. This process is not an automatic approval but will need each club and league to approve the permit on line. (A match day permit is automatically approved once the application on line has been processed) Temporary Transfer is mainly used for a player transferring to a club in the Northern Territory competition (and vice versa) during the off-season. This type of transfer also requires on line approval by all clubs and leagues.

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APPENDIX: (A copy of this form can also be downloaded from the league website)

Multiple Match Day Permit- Application

Player to Complete

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………. First Name Surname Date of Birth

Contact telephone number………………………………….

Footyweb Number …………………………………………

Currently registered with the ………………………………………………… Football Club affiliated with

the…………………………… Football League.

Current Club Age Group ………………………………………

Applies for permits to play with the…………………………………………………………Football Club, a club

affiliated with the ………………………………… Football League.

Player’s Signature ______Date ______

Parent / Guardian Signature* ______Date ______

Player’s Home Club to Complete

The ______Football Club Grants the permits.

Date ______Signature ______Position ______

Player’s Permit Club to Complete

The ……………………….. Football Club acknowledges the permits and understands that the player is

eligible to play in the underage competition of the ………………………………… Football League.

Date ______Signature ______Position______

*Must be signed by a parent or guardian if the player is under 18 years of age.

The club requesting the permit must be aware of the regulations governing permits, including but not limited to the knowledge of which leagues are part of an area agreement with their own league.

This form MUST be completed in Triplicate: One copy to be retained by EACH club and one copy to be forwarded to AFL Central Victoria (Fax: 5434 2444)

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