Player Registration

1. FEES

   The fees for season 2024 are outlined below:

   • Standard - $380

   • 6-match season - $250

   • Lower fees apply to our youngest age groups (U8-10 Girls and U8 Mixed/Boys) to encourage participation

   • Plus all registrations are charged a separate $55 SMJFL administration charge at the time of registration

   • A 10% discount is available for all siblings after the initial registration

   • Members are also welcome to make a voluntary monetary contribution to the Club

   The registration fee includes:

   • access and use of facilities (clubrooms and ovals)

   • pre-season squad training sessions

   • season team training sessions (including under lights)

   • participation in league competition fixture

   • league insurance

   • accredited coaches at each training session and match

   • accredited first aid officer at each match

   • training and match equipment

   • loan of match footy jumper

   You’ll need to pay the registration fee in full to participate in junior footy in season 2024.

2. DATES

   The proposed dates for season 2024 are outlined below. However, these dates are subject to change and final dates will be confirmed once the league confirms the fixture.

   11/12/2023 - Registrations open - new and existing participants

   01/02/2024 - Registrations open - transfers from other clubs

   28/02/2024 - Pre-season squad training starts - U13+ age group

   28/02/2024 - Pre-season squad training starts - U11 & U12 age groups

   28/02/2024 - Pre-season squad training starts - U8, U9 & U10 age groups

   28/02/2024- Early bird registrations close

   TBA - Team formation finalised

   14/04/2024 - Round 1 starts

3. Registration STATUS

   We target to field 1 to 2 teams in each age group.  The registration status of each age group is outlined below. 

   U8 mixed - 2 teams - Open

   U9 mixed - 2 teams - Open

   U10 mixed - 2 teams - Open

   U10 girls - 1 team - Open

   U11 girls - 1 team - Open

   U11 mixed - 2 teams - Open

   U12 mixed - 1 team - Open

   U12 girls - 1 team - Closed (contact if interested: girlsfooty.juniorfooty@smdsc.com.au)

   U13 mixed- 2 teams - Open

   U13 girls - 1 team - Closed (contact if interested: girlsfooty.juniorfooty@smdsc.com.au)

   U14 mixed - 1 team - Open

   U14 girls - 1 team - Open

   U15 boys - 2 teams - Closed (contact if interested: youthboyscoordinator.juniorfooty@smdsc.com.au)

   U16 boys - 2 teams - Open

   U16 girls - 1 team - Closed (contact if interested: girlsfooty.juniorfooty@smdsc.com.au)

   U17.5 boys - 1 team - Open

   U18 girls - 1 team - Open

4. REGISTERING

   When the registration process is completed, the player becomes a member of South Melbourne Districts for season 2024.

   Whether you’ve played junior footy for South Melbourne Districts or are new to South Melbourne Districts, you’ll need to complete the registration process to participate in junior footy for South Melbourne Districts in season 2024.  Participation in junior footy includes attending pre-season squad training sessions, being eligible for team formation, attending season training sessions and playing matches.  Completion of the registration process includes full payment of the registration fee.

   (a) EXISTING participants

   Registrations open on 11/12/2023.

   If you registered to play junior footy with South Melbourne Districts in season 2023, If you have previously played junior football – please use the e-mail address that you used to register the player on PlayHQ.

   (B) New participants

   If you’re new to junior footy at South Melbourne Districts in season 2024 and have never previously played for another club, click here and register to play for the first time.

   Once you’ve completed the online registration process, we’ll review, approve and complete the registration process.  Until the registration process is completed, the registration remains pending.

   (C) Transfers from other clubs

   Transfers open on 01/02/2024.

   If you’ve previously played for another club in Australia, you’ll need to tell that club you intend to transfer and e-mail us the player’s name, birth date, club previously played for and league previously played for.  We’ll then review the request.  In reviewing the request, we may request further information, including the player’s conduct while previously playing for another club.  If the player’s previous conduct is inconsistent with South Melbourne District’s junior footy code of conduct, we may not approve the transfer.

   Once we’ve obtained a clearance from that club and we’ve approved the request, you’ll receive an e-mail with a unique link to the registration form which is pre-populated with your details.

   Once you’ve completed the online registration process, we’ll review, approve and complete the registration process.  Until the registration process is completed, the registration remains pending.

5. APPROVAL

   The registration process is not completed until we’ve approved the registration, and we’re able to approve, refuse or cancel a player’s registration in our absolute discretion and for any reason.

6. 6-MATCH SEASON

   If you’re registering a player in a U13+ team, you may register that player for a 6-match season.  The player may play the 6 matches consecutively or intermittently throughout season 2024, provided they notify the team’s manager before they wish to play.  Once the player’s played 6 matches, they may upgrade to a full membership to continue to play additional matches.

7. AGE GROUPS

   To be eligible to register, a player must be 7 years old before 30/04/2023.  To determine which age group to register a player to play in, please refer to the table below:

   If a player turns 7 before 30/04/2023 -> U8

   If a player turns 9 on or after 01/01/2023 -> U9

   If a player turns 10 on or after 01/01/2023 -> U10

   If a player turns 11 on or after 01/01/2023 -> U11

   If a player turns 12 on or after 01/01/2023 -> U12

   If a player turns 13 on or after 01/01/2023 -> U13

   If a player turns 14 on or after 01/01/2023 -> U14

   If a player turns 15 on or after 01/01/2023 -> U15

   If a player turns 16 on or after 01/01/2023 -> U16

   If a player is born on or after 01/07/2005 -> U17.5

8. FOOTY GEAR

   We loan to players a South Melbourne Districts junior footy jumper for the season.  This must be returned to us at the end of the season to avoid incurring a $80 late fee or to delay approval of registration in the following season.

   You’ll need to obtain at your cost the following footy gear for pre-season squad training, season training and matches:

   • 1 pair red club shorts (for girls and boys home matches)

   • 1 pair white club shorts (for boys away matches)

   • 1 pair red and white club socks

   • footy boots

   • mouthguard

   The shorts, socks and other gear can only be bought online.  To shop for footy gear - for playing, training or spectating, click here.

   Our rule is “no mouthguard, no play” for all training sessions and matches.

9. PRE-SEASON SQUAD TRAINING SESSIONS, SEASON TRAINING SESSIONS AND MATCHES

   Throughout the season, there’s one training session during the week and one match held on Sundays, excluding byes and school holidays.

   Once registered, players are expected to participate in pre-season squad training sessions, season training sessions and matches.

   If a player is unable to attend, they’re expected to communicate their unavailability as soon as possible to their pre-season squad coach, season coach or team manager.

   For pre-season squad training sessions, season training sessions and matches venues, times and dates, you can check our website, Bloodlines e-newsletter and TeamApp messages.

10. VOLUNTEERS

    We rely on parents and caregivers to fulfil important team volunteer roles, including season roles, such as coach, assistant coach, team manager, umpire (junior and youth teams) and trainer (first aid officer), and match day roles, such as goal umpire, umpire escort, timekeeper, runner, and other general assistance.  In registering a player, a parent or caregiver is expected to volunteer to fulfil one of these roles for the season or at each match.

    Once you’ve completed the online registration process and uploaded the your valid WWCC, we’ll review, approve and complete the registration process.  Until the registration process is completed, the registration remains pending.

The club welcomes all girls and boys, regardless of whether they’ve played 100 matches or never touched a footy in their life. If you have any ideas, comments or feedback on improving or achieving this objective, please contact us.