Competition Rules for Youth teams: U13 plus
In Under 13 and Under 14, games are played in four 15-minute quarters, with no time on. Under 16 plays four 20-minute quarters, with no time on.
In all cases, teams must have the minimum number of players available at the start of the match.
For Under 13 and Under 14 Division One and Two teams, the minimum number of players is 16, the match number (or ideal number) is 16 and maximum is 18.
For Under 13 and Under 14 Division Three teams, the minimum is 14, the match (ideal) number is 16 and the maximum is 18 players.
For all divisions, interchanges are limited to six.
For Under 16 Division One and Two teams, the minimum is 15 players, the match (and maximum) number of players is 18. Division Three: minimum 14, and the match number (and maximum) is 18.
For all divisions, interchanges are limited to six.
For youth girls teams, the minimum number of players is seven, the match number is 9, and the maximum is 12, with an unlimited number of interchanges allowed.
Evening Up
Where a team has the match number of players, but the other team has more, then borrowing players from the other team is not compulsory to balance overall numbers.
However, if a team has less than the match number of players, and the other team has more than the first team, then it is compulsory to borrow or loan players, to balance on-field player numbers.
The 60-point mercy rule applies for any Division Three Youth teams. Where the score difference between two teams equals or exceeds 60 points, scoring will stop and the end score will only ever be 60 points. While the rest of the game will be played out, the coaches are encouraged to even up the skill levels of the teams.
Other than as outlined above, the rules for Youth Teams follow the Laws of Australian Football.
Spirit of the Game
All participants are reminded of the Codes of Conduct for players, parents, coaches and officials.
Players, coaches, officials and umpires should shake hands before and after the game…. and don’t forget three cheers for the umpires and the group huddle for the team song!
This is just a summary of the rules. If you would like further information, check out AFL Sydney Juniors 2019 Competition Rules and Bylaws or the series of videos on the Laws of Australian Football, released by the AFL.
If you have any further questions, please contact Drummoyne Power.