SUFL | Football League

PART A: APPLICATION AND JURISDICTION

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:

• submits to the jurisdiction of SUFL, of any incident deemed by Competition Management to be reviewed as a result of a breach in the Code of conduct or Competition Rules.

PART B: APPOINTMENT AND JURISDICTION OF DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

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:

• a reasonable knowledge of the Laws of the Game; and
• a background in football to assist in the determination of disciplinary charges.

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:

• examine reports submitted by Referees, Assistant Referees, Member Clubs, Players, Spectators, Officials, and Directors of UNE Life.
• impose such penalties as it deems appropriate including – to dismiss the matter, reprimand, impose a fine, bond, period of probation or suspension, or any combination of these, as well as deduct points or remove from Competition (Player, Official, or Club).
• substitute its own sanctions or finding; or
• impose any sanction or make any finding that the Disciplinary Committee could have imposed or made.

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.

PART C: ESTABLISHMENT AND JURISDICTION OF APPEALS TRIBUNAL

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:

• a reasonable knowledge of the Laws of the Game; and
• a background in football to assist in the determination of disciplinary charges.

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:

• determine matters referred directly by the Competition Administrator (Disciplinary) under clause 6, and
• hear appeals from Determinations of the Disciplinary Committee.

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:

• dismiss, allow in whole or part, or vary (whether by way of reduction or increase) any Determination of the Disciplinary Committee;
• substitute its own sanctions or finding, or
• impose any sanction or make any finding that the Disciplinary Committee could have imposed or made.

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.

PART D: HEARING PROCEDURES AND DETERMINATIONS

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:

• reasonable and sufficient notice of the Hearing; and
• the opportunity to be heard and to make submissions in relation to the issues of merit and sanction.

8.2 A person who is a legally qualified solicitor or barrister shall not be permitted to:

• represent a party at a hearing of the Disciplinary Committee in that capacity; or
• be represented on the Disciplinary Committee in that capacity.

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:

• admit and request the production of documents or any relevant written evidence available to a Participant or any other person, including reports from Match Officials, declarations from the parties and witnesses, expert opinion, and video or audio recordings;
• order the attendance of any person for the purpose of asking questions relevant to the matter; or
• grant or order an adjournment to provide parties with additional time or to consider additional information.

8.5 At the start of a hearing, the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee will:

• open proceedings with a summary of the matter;
• present the evidence as received by the parties; and
• advise as to any relevant Rules and Regulations or Framework Documents.

8.6 At a hearing:

• a party may attend in person or be represented by a person of his/her choice;
• a party that is a minor (ie under the age of 18 years) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• a party that is a Player must be accompanied by a Club representative.
• SUFL, District Association, or Club may be represented by an officer or employee of that party;
• SUFL reserves the right to be heard and to make submissions;
• the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee must, and the Appeals Tribunal may refuse entry to any person who is not directly involved in the matter, including the media; and
• any witness that a party intends to call to give evidence in a hearing must remain outside the hearing room until called to give evidence.

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:

•  if the respondent is a Player – to allow the Player to continue to play pending the hearing of the matter and this shall be at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee, it must not be assumed that permission will be given.
• if the respondent is an Official – to allow that Official to continue in that capacity pending the hearing of the matter and this shall be at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee, it must not be assumed that permission will be given.

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:

• give written notice to the Competition Administrator (Disciplinary) within 7 days after receipt of that Determination that it wants to appeal the Determination, specifying its grounds of appeal
• (b) pay any award or fine the subject of that Determination to the specified SUFL before the Appeals Tribunal conducts the appeal, unless the party making the appeal can satisfy the Chairperson of the Appeals Tribunal that there are exceptional and compelling circumstances; and
• (c) pay an appeal fee to the specified SUFL of $2200.00 (includes GST) if a natural person (such as Player, Official or Agent) and $220.00 (includes GST) if an entity (such as a District Association or Club).

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:

• dismiss, allow in whole or part, or vary (whether by way of reduction or increase) any Determination of the Disciplinary Committee;
• substitute its own sanctions or finding; or
• impose any sanction or make any finding that the Disciplinary Committee could have imposed or made.

11.5 A person who is a legally qualified solicitor or barrister shall not be permitted to:

• represent a party at a hearing of the Appeals Tribunal in that capacity; or
• be represented on the Appeals Tribunal in that capacity.

11.6 The Chairperson of the Appeals Tribunal has the right, prior to hearing a matter to:

• if the respondent is a Player – to allow the Player to continue to play pending the hearing of the matter and this shall be at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Appeals Tribunal, it must not be assumed that permission will be given.
• if the respondent is an Official – to allow that Official to continue in that capacity pending the hearing of the matter and this shall be at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Appeals Tribunal, it must not be assumed that permission will be given.

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:

• give written notice to the Competitions Administrator (SUFL) within 7 days after receipt of that Determination that it wants to appeal the Determination, specifying its grounds of appeal;
• pay any award or fine the subject of that Determination to the specified Association before the Disciplinary Tribunal (SUFL) conducts the appeal unless the party making the appeal can satisfy the Competitions Administrator (SUFL) that there are exceptional and compelling circumstances; and
• pay an appeal fee to SUFL of $880.00 (includes GST) if a natural person (such as Player, Official or Agent) and $880.00 (includes GST) if an entity (such as a District Association or Club).

PART F: ADMINISTRATION

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:

• collate all documents and evidence received by the parties or relevant to the matter;
• provide copies of notices and Determinations to the parties to the matter;
• convene all hearings of a Disciplinary Committee and the Appeals Tribunal as soon as practicable and, if an urgent hearing is required, convene an urgent hearing;
• be the central point of contact for the parties to a Matter and ensure that all timeframes and requirements are met, and
• provide support services to the Chairperson so that he/she can perform all tasks prescribed to the Chairperson and any incidental tasks necessary to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of this Procedure.

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:

• if delivered by hand to the recipient‘s address, on the date of delivery, as long as the delivery is acknowledged in writing by the recipient;
• if sent by post, 3 days after the posting; and
• if sent by email or facsimile on a working day at the recipient’s, on the date of transmission, or if sent on a non-working day at the recipient’s, on the next working day (in both cases as long as the sender’s email or facsimile machine records a successful transmission).

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)

• A Participant (Player/Team Official) shall be sent from the field of play by a Referee (shown the Red Card) for the following offences as prescribed for in the Laws of the Game:
  – Violent Conduct
  – Serious Foul Play
  – Foul and/or Abusive Language
  – Persisting in Misconduct after Receiving a Caution
  – Professional Foul

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.

• A Participant sent from the field shall be penalised by an AUTOMATIC ONE (1) FIXTURE SUSPENSION. There shall be NO Appeal against this Suspension.
• A Participant sent from the field may be penalised additionally to the Automatic One (1) Match Suspension; a further penalty may be imposed by the Automatic Penalties/Sanctions System or by the Competition Administrator (Disciplinary).
• A Participant shall serve his/her Suspension whilst his/her Team competes in the following Fixture(s) of the Current Competition or Final Series; or should that Competition or Final Series conclude, in the following Fixture(s) of the following District Association’s Competition in which he/she is a registered Player.
• Should a Participant accumulate two (2) or more recorded Red Card Infringements during a Competition and Final Series then he/she shall serve, in addition to the AUTOMATIC ONE (1) FIXTURE SUSPENSION, a further ONE (1) FIXTURE SUSPENSION in addition to any further suspensions imposed by the Competitions Administrator (Disciplinary). There shall be NO Appeal against this Suspension.

14.2 PARTICIPANT CAUTIONS (YELLOW CARD)

• A Participant may be cautioned (shown the Yellow Card) during the course of a Fixture for any offence under the Laws of the Game as deemed necessary by the Referee.
• A caution is administered by the Referee recording a Participant’s Name and Number and the Offence committed on the back of the Team Sheet during or at the conclusion of the Fixture and may or may not involve the showing of the Yellow Card.
• Should a Participant accumulate SIX (6) recorded Cautions during a Competition (noting that where a yellow card in a match is followed by a second yellow card resulting in a red card sending off, neither the original nor the second yellow card shall count towards the Participant’s cumulative yellow card total), then he/she shall serve an AUTOMATIC ONE (1) FIXTURE SUSPENSION. There shall be NO APPEAL against this Automatic Suspension. Note that Rule 15.2 (c) applies to ALL Inter District and Zone Age Grade and Zone League Football Competitions.
• Should a Participant receive a further two (2) recorded Cautions during the Competition in addition to 15.2 (c), then he/she shall serve an AUTOMATIC TWO (2) FIXTURE SUSPENSION. There shall be NO APPEAL against this Suspension.
• Should a Participant receive any further recorded Cautions during the Competition in addition to 15.2 (d), then EACH Caution shall fetch a further AUTOMATIC ONE (1) FIXTURE SUSPENSION. There shall be NO APPEAL against this Suspension. This penalty may be increased at the discretion of the Competitions Administrator (Disciplinary) and a Participant has the right to appeal against this decision to the Disciplinary Committee.
• Should a Participant accumulate two (2) recorded Cautions during a Finals Series Competition (excepting where a Participant receives two (2) recorded Cautions in the same match), then he/she shall serve an AUTOMATIC ONE (1) FIXTURE SUSPENSION. There shall be NO APPEAL against this Suspension. The Player shall serve this Suspension in the next Finals Series Competition Fixture and/or the next following Competition Fixture whichever comes first.
• The Participant’s Club must contact the Competition Administrator (Disciplinary) to check the total number of accumulated Yellow Cards before acting in any way to stand down the Participant; the Competition Administrator (Disciplinary) will advise the Club during this contact if it needs to stand down the Participant.A Registered Player playing in either a Competition fixture or Final Series fixture after this notification of Suspension and within the period of Suspension shall be deemed an INELIGIBLE PLAYER (See Rule C03 (e)).A Registered TEAM OFFICIAL participating in either a Competition Fixture or a Finals Series Fixture after this notification of Suspension and within the period of Suspension shall be deemed an INELIGIBLE TEAM OFFICIAL (Refer to Rule C21 (e)).

• Cautions not incurring Suspensions shall not carry over from one Season Competition to the next or carry over into a Final Series; however, any Suspensions occurring in a Competition and not being served in that Competition or Final Series shall be served in the following Season Competition. Any Suspension occurring in a Final Series and not served in that Final Series shall be served in the following Season Competition.

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):-

• Offence No.1 (R2 for players)
  (Denying the opposing team a clear goal scoring opportunity) – The Mandatory Match Suspension Offence
• Offence No. 2 (R6 for players) Use of offensive, insulting, or abusive language and/or gesture – The Mandatory Match Suspension Offence
• Offence No. 3 (R3 for players) Serious Foul Play (e.g.: when challenging for the ball). – 1 additional match plus the Mandatory Match Suspension Offence
• Offence No. 4 (R5 for players) Assault on a player (e.g.: violent conduct when not challenging for the ball) – 1 additional match plus the Mandatory Match Suspension Offence
• Offence No. 5 (R3 for players) Serious Unsporting Conduct – 1 additional match plus the Mandatory Match Suspension Offence
• Offence No. 6 (R6 for players) (Use of discriminatory language and/or gestures, including racist, religious, ethnic, or sexist) – 4 additional matches plus the Mandatory Match Suspension Offence
• Offence No. 7 (R4 for players) ( Spitting at a player) – 5 additional matches plus the Mandatory Match Suspension Offence
• Offence No. 8 (R6 for players) (Inciting a brawl)
• – 5 additional matches plus the Mandatory Match Suspension Offence
• Offence No. 9 (R6 for players) ( Use of offensive, insulting, or abusive language and/or gestures against a match official) – The Mandatory Match Suspension Offence
• Offence No. 10 (R8 for players) (Unsporting conduct toward a match official) – 3 additional matches plus the Mandatory Match Suspension Offence
• Offence No. 11 (R8 for players) (Assault of a match official) – 6 months including the Mandatory Match Suspension Offence
• Offence No. 12 (R4 for players) (Spitting at a match official) – The Mandatory Match Suspension
• Offence No. 13 (R7 for Players) A player guilty of receiving a Second Caution (Yellow Card) in a match (Persisting in Misconduct After Receiving a Caution) – The Mandatory Match Suspension

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.

• Violent Conduct – all these charges represent what is meant by Violent Conduct and the length of the sentence is determined by the severity and type of the offence.

1. Going over the ball 1-year Violent charging | 2 years
2. Headbutting | 2 years
3. Punching/fighting | 2 years
4. Elbow to head |2 years
5. Grabbing hair | 12 matches
6. Rugby tackle | 2 years
7. Spitting | 2 years
8. Elbow to body | 2 years
9.  Indecent actions | 20 matches
10. Dangerous play | 1 year
11. Kicking | 2 years
12. Foul or Abusive Language | 8 matches
13. Persistent Misconduct | 8 matches

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.

1. Threatening by word or action | Life
2. Tripping | Life
3. Pushing with an open hand or part of body | Life
4. Striking with a ball or another object, kicking or elbowing | Life
5. Spitting | 5 years
6. Foul or Abusive | 1 years
7. Inciting crowd | 6 years
8. Attacking or fighting spectator’s | Life
9. Bringing the game into disrepute | Life
10. Deliberately misleading Judiciary | 2 years

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:

• a member of, or affiliated to, SUFL or District Association;

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:

• Club Official, Match Official or Team Official;
• An employee, consultant, officer, and director of SUFL, a District Association; or
• A member of a council, committee, panel, or body constituted by SUFL, District Association.

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

• any use of the word ‘includes’ or words such as ‘for example’ or ‘such’ do not limit anything else that is included in general speech;
• any reference to ‘$’ or ‘dollars’ is to Australian dollars;
• all amounts are GST exclusive; and
• ’day’ means a day when the offices of the Joint Boards of District Associations are ordinarily open for business.

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.