Football Brisbane have released the following update, regarding the player age policy for 2012
please take time to read the document in full.
SSF - U17 Player Age Policy 2012
AGE REQUIREMENTS/RESTRICTIONS JUNIOR RULES OF COMPETITION 2012
From Football Queensland Memo 10/11
Players must play in their designated age group as determined by date of birth unless exceptional circumstances apply. Exceptional circumstances are defined as identified players who participate at State or National level competitions.
PREAMBLE
Subsequent to the above advice from FQ, the following requirements/restrictions will form part of the Football Brisbane Junior ROC for 2012. They replace any previous Age Policy or ROC.
Clubs should make every effort to place junior players in their age appropriate teams. Whilst Football Brisbane recognises there will be times when composite teams have to be fielded, this should only be done as a last resort. Under no circumstances should clubs promote “playing up” as an appropriate development strategy to young players or their parents/guardians. In all cases parental/guardian approval must be obtained before a player is considered to be allowed to "play up”. Clubs should familiarise themselves with the age restrictions/requirements before the season commences and ensure that all coaches are aware of them when selecting teams. Any club in doubt as to the meaning of these rules should contact Football Brisbane for clarification.
BOYS
All BJL, ALL U/17, ALL DIVISION 1 AND U/12 DIVISION 1 COMPETITIONS
Players must attain the appropriate age for the competition they wish to play in during the Year of Competition.
- U/17 Born 1995 or 1996
- U/15 Born 1997
- U/14 Born 1998
- U/13 Born 1999
- U/12 Born 2000
Players will not be permitted to play up into these competitions unless they qualify for and have been granted “Special Circumstances” status.
U/15, U/14, U/13 DIVISION 2 AND BELOW, U/12 DIVISION 2 AND BELOW
Players are permitted to play one year up into these competitions, subject to the "composite team rules, with parental/guardian approval.
Composite Team Definition
Where clubs have to combine age groups in Lower Divisions the following restrictions apply.
The majority of players should come from the older age level. Where this is not the case application should be made to Football Brisbane for permission to vary this rule. Football Brisbane's decision on any such application will be final.
Football Brisbane reserves the right to withdraw from competition any team found in breach of these rules.
GIRLS
Football Brisbane recognises that, because of numbers, the “girls only” competition requires special consideration. Accordingly there are minor variations to the age requirements/restrictions for “girls only” competitions.
U/17
As for Boys, although girls may play one year up into this competition, with parental/guardian consent and upon application to, and approval from Football Brisbane. Football Brisbane's decision on all applications will be final.
U/12 to U/15 inclusive
Girls may play one year up into these competitions with parental/guardian approval.
SSF
Playing up in SSF will only be permitted within the following bands U/6 to 7, U/8 to 9, U/10 to 11. Players who have not attained the age of 5 years must not be played beyond U/6 SSF.
JUNIOR PLAYERS IN SENIOR COMPETITIONS
All players are classified as "junior" players until they attain the age of eighteen years.
MALE
Players that have attained the age of 17 years may play freely into any Senior Competition.
Players that have attained the age of 16 years may apply for “Special Circumstances” status to play into U/19 only, or into All Senior Football (Excepting Metro Divisions where players must have attained the age of 17 to be allowed to play).
FEMALE
Players who have attained the age of 17 years may play freely into all Senior Football.
Players who have attained the age of 16 years may play into the SEQ Diamond or FB Sapphire Leagues with parental/guardian approval.
Players who have attained the age of 15 may apply, with parental approval, for “Special Circumstances” status to play into the SEQ Diamond or Football Brisbane Sapphire Leagues.
Players must have attained the age of 17 years to play into any FB Womens League Competition i.e. Division 1 and below.
EXEMPTION FOR 2012 ONLY FOR 2011 U/18 PLAYERS
Players who played 7 or more times in an U/18 Competition in 2011 and who will attain the age of 17 in 2012 will be permitted, with parental/guardian approval, to play in the U/19 Competition.
NOTE
Football Brisbane will issue a guide to applying for exemptions under the „exceptional circumstances” clause following the conclusion of discussions with Football Queensland on the process to be followed.
Memo
To:
Date:
23/11/2011Subject:
11- 55 – Age Policy and Rules of Competition UpdateDear Clubs,
Following the final clarification from Football Queensland, the Football Brisbane Junior Rules of Competition will be released shortly. There are no significant changes apart from a strengthening of the age requirements and the move structurally from U16 (Junior) – U18 (Senior) to U15 – U17 (Junior) – U19 (Senior) which clubs need to be aware of when forming teams. Clubs who are unsure of the meaning of the age changes should contact Football Brisbane for clarification before fielding teams.
The guiding principles of the age changes are that ‘playing up’ should not be seen as a development strategy and that clubs should make every endeavour to place young players at their age appropriate level. Clubs should familiarise themselves with the FQ Memo outlining these changes and the Football Brisbane rules which implement them.
For your information the following amendments/additions should be read in conjunction with my original memo (11-46) on the subject.
BJL / Division One Competitions
Players may play up one year into these competitions, with parental consent, a maximum of three times a season to cover injuries, absences or at the discretion of their coach. At the culmination of the third game they must return to their own age group. Clubs should be aware that it is not ‘three games up, stay up".
Clubs are reminded that where it is necessary in the lower divisions to field composite teams, that the majority of players must come from the higher age group.
SSF Players
SSF players are not permitted to play up into Under 12 Division 1 or Division 2 Competitions even if they have been involved in the SAP Programme. The FFA Curriculum envisages a development pathway with each step along the way being an important stage which should be followed if young players are to reach their potential as footballers. There are appropriate levels of competition offered within Football Brisbane for these players.
Transition Year Arrangements 2012
Football Brisbane recognises that with the changes to the age requirements that some relaxation may be required in the transitional year. These considerations will be for 2012 only.
Under 19 Competitions
A player who played in an Under 18 Competition in 2011 and who attains the age of seventeen (17) years at any time in 2012 will be given an exemption to play Under 19 in 2012. However, this only applies to players
who played seven (7) or more games at Under 18 level in 2011. Clubs are reminded to check this qualification before lodging any exemption request.Senior Women’s Division 1 and below
Clubs are reminded that the minimum age to play into these competitions is now "attained the age of seventeen (17) years". For 2012 only, the following exemption will apply.
Players who played in a Senior Women’s Competition in 2011 and who will attain the age of seventeen (17) years at any time in 2012 will be permitted to play into these competitions. This applies to players
who played seven (7) or more times in a Senior Women’s Competition in 2011. Clubs are reminded to check this qualification before lodging any exemption request.Exemptions
The Football Queensland Memo 10-11 (relevant section attached below) identified the minimum requirements for any exemptions from these age rules. Clubs should make players aware of those conditions before submitting any exemption application.
Regards,
Michael Bailey
President - Football Brisbane
