We’re looking forward to continue working with you, to make SportUNE Football League an even stronger and more enjoyable competition for our region.
Our competition comprises foundation football clubs with over 50 years of history. Clubs join us from across the region, including; Guyra, Glen Innes, Walcha, Uralla, and numerous Armidale-based clubs.
We are focused on providing an accessible competition to all, that builds upon the success of regional Football and community spirit.
The SUFL competition hosts players from five years old, up to senior 1st-grade division, with many teams boasting generations of players.
Please note our competitions will be following the NSW Public Health Order, NSW Office of Sport, and University guidelines, complying with all COVID-19 restrictions.
Tag us on social or simply send us a message and your pic here!
Access $100 towards registration & participation costs of sport & active recreation!
Updated advice for the Community Sport and Recreation Sector from the Chief Health Officer on the 19th August can be found here
The sustainability of community sport requires all of us to rise to these expectations, and we thank you in advance for your assistance.
For further clarification, please contact Graham Parsons sportunefl@une.edu.au
SUFL follows the guidelines of NSW Government, SportUNE and the University of New England
Please familiarise yourself with all COVID requirements before attending a SUFL Match.
Each individual player needs to register to play. If you’re a family group, across different age groups and divisions, you can now register in the same easy application or individually – whichever suits you best. If you need a hand, reach out to our Football League Managers.
Registrations close on 31st May.
Inverell – 2022 rego link coming soon
SportUNE Football League plays at a number of locations across the New England Region, some of the regular fields include;
The 2022 senior SUFL seasons kicks off on April 2nd.
Women’s football starts on Friday April 29th.
Junior competitions will start on Saturday April 30th.
Please keep an eye on SportUNE Socials and our SUFL Facebook Group for further updates.
We urge parents, guardians, and carers to claim their Active Kids Voucher ahead of registrations opening for the football season.
Football remains the largest sport in the region and expects many new players to take the pitch this season.
Across the Northern Tablelands region, there has been a very large increase in entry-level players (5-7 yrs), as well as a 26 percent increase in female mini-game players (5-11 yrs) in the last five years.
About NSW government’s Active Kids Vouchers
The NSW government is again helping kids get active with their Active Kids program. The program provides two $100 vouchers for parents, guardians, and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and active recreation costs each year.
Voucher 1 is valid from January to December, with Voucher 2 valid from July to December.
Eligibility
If you’re a parent, carer, or guardian, the student will be eligible if they are:
You can apply for a voucher for each eligible student.
You can use the voucher for registration, participation, or membership costs with an approved Active Kids provider.
What you need
Note: If you have not already verified your MyService NSW account, you will need two proof of identity documents in addition to the above.
How to apply
To use the voucher:
Apply for an Active Kids Voucher HERE
All teams must read the SportUNE Football League Competition Rules & Regulations & Code of conduct.
G 1. APPLICATION AND JURISDICTION
1.1 The following procedures apply exclusively to facilitate the expeditious and fair resolution of breaches of the SUFL Competition rules and regulations and the Accepted Laws of the Game that arise between SUFL, Clubs, Players, and Officials (Participants).
1.2 Each Participant submits exclusively to the jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Procedure and agrees that unless and until the Disciplinary Procedure has been exhausted, it will not attempt to resolve any Grievance in a court of law.
1.3 This Disciplinary Procedure binds Participants and applies exclusively for the resolution of Disciplinary determinations.
1.4 This Disciplinary Procedure does not apply to policies under SUFL Football Rules and Regulations that have their own dispute resolution procedures.
G 2. SUFL JURISDICTION
2.1 If a Participant has or is involved in a dispute or grievance within the jurisdiction of SUFL Statutes, that Participant:
G 3. APPOINTMENT OF JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
3.1 The Competitions Administrator must appoint a panel of at least 3 persons to act as a Judiciary Committee.
3.2 The Competitions Administrator (Disciplinary) shall appoint a Chairperson from this panel. The Chairperson may delegate this appointment from time to time to one of the persons of the panel. 3.3 The members of the panel should have:
3.4 If a person on the panel resigns or is unwilling or unable to continue to act, the Competitions Administrator (Disciplinary) will appoint a replacement.
3.5 The Competitions Administrator (Disciplinary) will notify Participants of the panel of the Judiciary Committee from time to time, including through its website.
G 4. JURISDICTION AND COMPOSITION OF JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
4.1 A Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction to determine all matters that arise, directly or indirectly, within the SUFL jurisdiction, including those specified in clause 1 above.
4.2 Unless the parties to the proceedings otherwise consent, the Judiciary Committee must comprise of a minimum of three (3) persons.
4.3 The Judiciary Committee has the power to:
4.4 A member of the Judiciary Committee cannot hear or determine any matter if that member has a conflict of interest, actual or perceived, including if he or she is a director or employee of any party to the matter of if there is any other reason where a private or personal interest could influence the way the member performs his or her duties.
4.5 Each member of the Judiciary Committee has a single vote, and all decisions of the Judiciary Committee will be made by majority vote. If there is an equality of votes, the Chair has the casting vote.
G 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF APPEALS TRIBUNAL
6.1 The Appeals Tribunal is established and will comprise a panel of at least 3 independent persons, with a Chairperson as appointed by the Competitions Administrator (Disciplinary) as follows:
6.2 The members of the panel should have:
6.3 If an Appeals Tribunal member resigns or is unwilling or unable to continue to act, the
The competition Administrator (disciplinary) will appoint a replacement.
6.4 The Competition Administrator (Disciplinary) will notify Participants of the panel of the Appeals Tribunal from time to time, including through its website.
G 7. JURISDICTION AND COMPOSITION OF APPEALS TRIBUNAL
7.1 The Appeals Tribunal has jurisdiction to:
7.2 Unless the parties to the proceedings otherwise consent, the Appeals Tribunal must comprise of a minimum of three (3) persons.
7.3 The Appeals Tribunal has the power to:
7.4 A member of the Appeals Tribunal cannot hear or determine any matter if that member has a conflict of interest, actual or perceived, including if he or she is a director or employee of any party to the matter of if there is any other reason where a private or personal interest could influence the way the member performs his or her duties.
7.5 Each member of the Appeals Tribunal has a single vote, and all decisions of the Appeals Tribunal will be made by a majority vote. If there is an equality of votes, the Chair has the casting vote.
G 8. HEARING PROCEDURES
8.1 Hearings are not bound by the rules of evidence usually applicable to proceedings in courts of law, but all hearings must be conducted in accordance with the principles of natural justice, including that a respondent to a matter has had:
8.2 A person who is a legally qualified solicitor or barrister shall not be permitted to:
8.3 A party may provide to the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee a copy of any written submissions, materials, or documents it intends to rely on in the hearing at least 2 business days before the start of that hearing. If it fails to do so, that party is not, without the leave of the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee, allowed to submit them into evidence at the hearing.
8.4 The Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee has the right to determine all procedures to be adopted in hearing a matter and may during the course of any hearing:
8.5 At the start of a hearing, the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee will:
8.6 At a hearing:
8.7 If a party fails to attend a hearing, the matter can be heard and determined in that party’s absence, including as to determination of the charge and/or sanction.
8.8 The Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee has the right, prior to hearing a matter to:
G 9. FEE
9.1 There shall be no fees applicable to matters being dealt with or by the Judiciary Committee where a matter has been referred for determination.
G10. DETERMINATIONS (AUTOMATIC PENALTY / SANCTIONS SYSTEM)
10.1 The Competitions Administrator (Disciplinary) shall be empowered to apply an Automatic Penalty System or Sanctions. This System prescribes minimum penalties to be imposed for Send-Off and/or Caution offences committed under the Laws of the Game and as proscribed in the Rules and Regulations.
10.2 The Competitions Administrator (Disciplinary) shall as soon as possible after receipt of notification of a Send-Off or Caution offence, notify in writing, the participant of the penalty to be imposed under the Automatic Penalty /Sanctions System.
10.3 There is no appeal process for a mandatory match suspension unless it is a case of mistaken identity and obvious error/ serious missed Incident.
PART E: RIGHT OF APPEAL
11.1 If a party to a Matter heard by the Judiciary Committee wants to appeal the Determination, it must:
11.2 The Chairperson of the Appeals Tribunal must convene an Appeals Tribunal to hear the appeal as soon as practicable but within 14 days of receipt of that notice.
11.3 The Appeals Tribunal will rehear the matter and the terms of Part D (Hearing Procedures and Determinations) will apply to the rehearing of the matter and a reference to the Disciplinary Committee is a reference to Appeals Tribunal.
11.4 The Appeals Tribunal has the power to:
11.5 A person who is a legally qualified solicitor or barrister shall not be permitted to:
11.6 The Chairperson of the Appeals Tribunal has the right, prior to hearing a matter to:
11.7 If a rehearing is successful, the specified District Association must refund to that party the appeal fee less an administrative charge of $220.00 (50% of the fee).
11.8 In the event of a submitted appeal being later withdrawn by the Participant prior to the hearing, the appeal fee is forfeited in full.
11.9 If a party to a Matter heard by the Appeals Tribunal appeals the Determination, it must:
G12. ADMINISTRATION AND EXPENSES
12.1 The Competition Administrator (Disciplinary) acting on behalf of the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee and the Appeals Tribunal must:
12.2 Hearings of a Disciplinary Committee or Appeals Tribunal must be heard in person.
12.3 Hearings of the Disciplinary Committee and Appeals Tribunal will be conducted at a place so determined for those purposes.
12.4 The Joint Board of the District Associations must meet all administrative costs of the Chairpersons and the conduct of this Procedure.
12.5 Each party must meet its own expenses incurred in initiating or defending a Matter, including preparation and attendance costs and airfares and accommodation expenses (if applicable).
G13. NOTICE
13.1 A party notifying or giving notice under these Procedures must notify in writing and in English. 13.2 A notice will be deemed received:
G14. DISCIPLINARY DETERMINATION GUIDELINES
As per the Accepted Laws of the Game as proscribed and issued by SUFL from time to time, the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee shall follow the following guidelines:
14.1 PARTICIPANT SEND-OFFS (RED CARD)
The sent-off Participant must immediately leave the Technical Area, remove their playing shirt, and move to a point at least 3 metres past the Technical Area marked by a fence, rope line, marked line, or line of witches’ hats that clearly delineates the boundary. Such person may not return to the Technical Area or encroach within this Club-marked boundary line for the duration of the Match.
14.2 PARTICIPANT CAUTIONS (YELLOW CARD)
14.3 AUTOMATIC PENALTIES / SANCTIONS SYSTEM
The Competitions Administrator (Disciplinary) has the power to implement an Automatic Penalty / Sanctions System as per Part 10, and shall use the following Guidelines as per FFA recommendations:
The following MINIMUM penalties shall apply for the offences listed below for Participant Send-Off (Red Card):-
14.4 DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE HEARINGS
Notwithstanding the existence of the Automatic Penalties/ Sanctions System, the Competitions Administrator (Disciplinary) or his/her nominee may, at his/her discretion, choose to have a Player Send-Off (Red Card) offence dealt with by citing the offending Player to appear at a Disciplinary
Committee hearing. This may result in a dismissal of the case or an increase, decrease, or maintenance of the penalty that would have been imposed under the Automatic Penalties / Sanctions System. The following Disciplinary Committee Maximum Penalties Guidelines shall apply for Players charged with action against Players and appearing before the Disciplinary Committee.
The following Disciplinary Committee Maximum Penalties Guidelines shall apply for Players, Officials or Spectators charged with action against Officials and appearing before the Disciplinary Committee.
G15 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
15.1 In this Disciplinary and Appeals Procedure: Competitions Administrator (Disciplinary) means the person appointed by the Joint Boards of the Zone Associations from time to time to administer these Procedures and to present the facts and evidence at hearings.
Agent means a person who is licensed by SUFL from to time to act as a player agent under SUFL Rules and Regulations or who otherwise meets the requirements of SUFL Statutes.
Club means any club or team that is from time to time:
Club Official means any personnel involved with the administration, management, or organisation of a Club (whether paid or unpaid), including employees, consultants, officers, and directors.
Determination means a written determination of a Disciplinary Committee or the Appeals Tribunal in accordance with clause 11.1.
District Zone Association means a member or District Association that is a member of, or affiliated to, SUFL from time to time.
SUFL Statutes means the statutes and accompanying standing orders and regulations promulgated by SUFL from time to time.
Framework Documents mean the agreements, regulations, and policies as they relate to the establishment, conduct or promotion of the SUFL including terms of participation, Player or Official contracts, operations manuals, and tournament regulations.
Match means any match staged or participated in by SUFL or District Association or a Club or a match that is otherwise sanctioned by or played under the auspices of SUFL, including any pre or post season, trial, or exhibition match.
Match Official means a referee, assistant referee, fourth official, match commissioner, referee inspector, selector, any person in charge of safety or any other person appointed by SUFL or District Association to assume responsibility in connection with a Match.
Matters means a dispute that arises directly or indirectly out of or in relation to the participation of a Participant in Football under the jurisdiction of the Joint Boards of Armidale, Glen Innes and Inverell Football District Associations, including a dispute about the breach, termination, validity, or subject matter of the Constitution and By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of those District Associations, SUFL and Armidale & District Football Rules and Regulations, the Accepted Laws of the Game or any appeal arising from a grievance or dispute that arises through the Joint Boards of District Association’s dispute resolution framework.
Championships mean any male and female championships staged or sanctioned by SUFL from time to time, including any and all competitions.
SUFL League means the men’s and women’s club competitions, or tournaments conducted under the auspices of SUFL, including the semi-finals, preliminary final, and the grand final, and any pre or post-season or knockout cup competition conducted, organised, or sanctioned by SUFL.
SUFL Team means any team squad selected or nominated by SUFL, including the men’s and women’s senior, underage, Futsal and Beach Football teams or any other representative team determined by SUFL from time to time.
Official means:
Participant means a Player or a Team Official.
PFA or Professional Footballers Association means the Australian Association (Registration No. A 0027415N ARBN 083 328 581) that represents the employment and welfare interests of professional players.
Player means any person who is, from time to time, registered with, or contracted to, a Club or is selected as a member of a Representative SUFL Team, whether that person is an amateur or professional.
Rules and Regulations mean SUFL’s constitution and by-laws and the rules and regulations and policies and procedures as developed or implemented by SUFL from time to time, including the Player Contract System (for the men’s SUFL League), Disciplinary Regulations, Code of Conduct, Member Protection Policy and Privacy Policy.
Team Official means any personnel involved with the management, preparation, or participation of a Club or a National Team (whether paid or unpaid), including the coaches, managers, medical staff (including team or match doctor), physiotherapists, gear persons, and other support staff.
15.2 In these Procedures
15.3 The Joint Board of SUFL, UNE Life and District Associations will interpret all terms of these Procedures and any such interpretation will be final and binding on every person. The Joint Board of SUFL, UNELIFE, and District Associations may issue guidelines to assist in that interpretation.
SportUNE Football League covers ages from 5 years up.
Please note: To begin playing, the player must be turning 5 this year. The age a player is turning this year reflects the competition that they are eligible to play in.
For example:
If a player turns 10 this year they play in the 10 years competition.
If a player turns 13 or 14 this year they play in the 14 years competition.
Females are allowed to play one age group down (i.e a 15-year-old female can play in the 14 years competition).
Team sizes are decided by each individual club and how many subs they would like, the maximum size is usually around 16 per adult squad.
Minimum team sizes:
SportUNE Football League and the New England Football Clubs are working together to deliver a football competitions for:
This is a community competition, and we welcome anyone to register.
At each match all players are required to have/wear;
Red and yellow card or send off offences are decided by the match referee
If you need any information about SportUNE Football League please check the FAQ section and if the information isn’t there, please reach out to the Football League Managers directly;
Alan Gray
Mobile: 0401 642 583
Email: agray43@une.edu.au
Graham Parsons
Mobile: 0429 322 630
Email: gparson8@une.edu.au
If a send-off occours in any seniors, 16, 14 and 12 divisions a Match Official Send-Off Expulsion Report must be completed.
All injury/incidents/near misses relating the SportUNE Football League competitions MUST be reported as soon as reasonably practicable.
For Insurance purposes, injury reports must be completed within 72 hours of the incident occurring.
SportUNE Football League offers a local,community-based juniors competition that includes children from 5-16yrs old, this competition is open to the entire New England Region.
Miniroo’s is a branded competition governed by Northern NSW Football from Newcastle – SUFL offers a different competition to this.
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sportunefl@une.edu.au