The 2018 Season sees the introduction of an under 12s girls age group in the AFL Illawarra league. The following is to give you as much information as we can, even though some details are still being worked out at a Club and League level. We’ll continue to update this page as more details become available. We’re pretty confident that most of this is accurate, but please be aware that some of the details, particularly relating to game rules, may change before the season starts.
Big Picture Stuff (Fixture, Other Teams etc)
In it’s first year, the Under 12s Girls comp won’t be played as an actual “competition”, ie there is no ladder and no finals. Games, however, will be scored.
The season will go for 10 rounds commencing on Sunday 8 April. The fixture is yet to be determined, but most games are expected to be at 9am. Some will be later than this especially where Clubs have more than one girls team playing at home.
There is a proposed Gala Day (round robin comp) at the end of the 10 rounds with a trophy for the winning team.
At this stage its expected there will 8 to 10 teams in the comp. As at 1 February, it looked like this:
- 2 x Kiama Power
- 1 x Port Kembla Eagles
- 1 x Figtree Kangaroos (possibly 2)
- 2 x Wollongong Lions
- 1 x Albion Park Crows
- 1 x Northern District Tigers
- 1 x Bomaderry Tigers
Important Club Stuff (Coaches, Helpers, Training, Gear etc)
Team App
Our club uses TeamApp as its main form of communicating about important team and club things, eg training, games, social events etc. Please make sure you download the App to your phone / pc and register for our club. You can get Team App at the following link or through the Apple iTunes or Google Play:
Complete the “sign up” process and search for our Club which in TeamApp is known as “Kiama Power Junior AFC”. Request to be signed up for Access Groups “U12s Girls Lightning” & “U12 Girls Thunder”.
Teams & Registration
Our club is genuinely committed to making the Under 12s Girls teams a big success. Winning games is great, but success to us is seeing the girls eager to train and play because its a fun environment to be in, as well as a great opportunity to get fitter and improve skills. Its important to note that we don’t grade kids or teams and everyone is treated equally regardless of ability.
We’re aiming to get two teams for the 2018 season (Lightning and Thunder).
Registration is now open. In our inaugural 2018 season, the club and the league will be sharing the cost of registration (usually $140). So although its “free” to play, we’re making an investment in the girls and in the future success of the competition. On this basis, we think its fair to say that registration shouldn’t be seen as “we’ll just try it for week and if we don’t like it we won’t bother playing again” scenario. Its a commitment to the 10 week season and to the team each player is part of. Of course, we obviously understand that some won’t be able to play every week due to other commitments or illness etc.
To Register, go the following link and select the “Junior Registration” button.
https://kiamapowerafl.com/register-to-play/register-for-auskick-or-juniors/
Coaches
Expressions of Interest for coaching roles close on 23 February 2018. No experience is necessary as training will be provided.
Team Managers
Each team will need a Team Manager. This person essentially helps the coach with a lot of the day to day communications about game times, who’s available to play and co-ordinates other helpers on game day. These roles are up for grabs at the moment, so if you want to help the team and the club in a valuable way, please put your hand up. You’ll get a Team Managers kit that give you all the info and tools you need for the role.
Other Helpers
One of the things that makes our Club run so well is the willingness of parents to help out, particularly on game day. Things like:
- Scoring
- Picking player awards
- Goal umpiring
- Running messages or water to players
- First Aid
For home games, we also have a canteen and bbq roster. Given there’s likely to only be around 5 home games for each team, you would only be expected to be on canteen or bbq duty once for the whole season for about 1 hour.
Training
Training will be one night per week. The day and time will be determined by the coaches. We know that a number of girls play other sports such as netball, so we’ll try to pick a day that doesn’t clash with this and that allows maximum numbers to participate. Its our aim for both teams to train together.
We may run some more weekend skills sessions before the season starts if the majority want this.
Apparel
All new players to the club receive a free pair of shorts and socks. Jerseys will be supplied for the duration of the season, but need to be returned at the end of the season. We recommend football boots be worn (runners are ok, but not so good on wet grounds). The club has a supply of second hand boots if anyone wants to try them.
Code of Conduct
All players and parents will receive an AFL “Code of Conduct” to read, sign and return. This sets an expected standard of behaviour for those on and off the field.
Other Important Stuff (Game Info & Rules)
| REGULATIONS | |
| Ground size | 90m x 80m (same as U9s) |
| Zones | Yes (Forward, Mids, Backs – rotated each quarter) |
| No. of players on ground | 9 a side (may be more or less on the field depending on the other team’s numbers) |
| Ball type | Synthetic only |
| Ball size | 3 |
| Quarter duration (mins) | 12 |
| Break length ( ¼, ½, ¾ time ) | 4 – 4 – 4 (same as U9s) |
| Scoring | Yes |
| Results | No recording of best players or goal kickers |
| No. of field umpires | 1 Club umpire |
| Boundary umpires | No |
| Coaches on field | Optional, ie can be on field or sideline |
| GAME LAWS |
|
| Tackling | Modified (bear hug) |
| Bumping | No |
| Stealing the ball | No |
| Barging | No |
| Smothering | No |
| Fending off | No |
| Shepherding | Modified (Arms only, no bumping) |
| Bouncing the ball | 1 max |
| Kicking off the ground | No (free kick to other side) |
| Ball-ups | Nominated players by umpire |
| Throw-ins | No. Ball up 5m in |
| Marking | Any distance reasonable attempt |
| Distance penalty | 10m |
| Deliberate out-of-bounds | No |
| Deliberate rushed behind | No |