The Sharks are offering a fantastic opportunity for female players of all ages to grow their skills in Australian Rules Football.
Through qualified and skilled coaching, we aim that our Sharks Youth Girls Teams have a strong pathway to continuously improve skills, develop as sportspeople, and establish new friendships. From the Auskick program or entering the club at a junior or senior level, we welcome all players.
Interested? Register now!
Girls, we need you! Registrations are now open to join the Sharks for the 2019 footy season. Come and be part of the fun! Questions? Email our Sharks Girls Coordinator!
Information Brochure Match Guide Club Guide YJFL FAQ
FAQs
How old do I have to be to play?
You will need to have turned 7 years old by the 16th April 2019 to be able to register with a club. In 2019 the YJFL will be running girls’ competitions for U10s, U12s, U13s, U14s, U15s, U16s & U18s. The dates to determine what age group a player is eligible to play in are as follows:
U10 – Born on or after 1st January 2010
U12 – Born on or after 1st January 2009
U13 – Born on or after 1st January 2007
U14 – Born on or after 1st January 2005
U15 – Born on or after 1st January 2004
U16 – Born on or after 1st January 2003
Youth Girls – Born on or after 1st January 2001
Do I have to have played Auskick before?
There is no requirement to have played Auskick before participating in YJFL competitions.
How much does it cost to play and how do I register?
When and where are games played and training held?
How many players are needed for a team?
16 players are needed to field a team. There is a maximum of 24 players per team on game days with 8 on the bench. 11 players are needed to start an offical game. If one team has fewer than 16 players, then both teams must play with equal numbers on the field.
Is there scoring and finals?
U10s girls’ games have scoring but will not play finals as the focus is on learning the game and developing their skills. Scoring, ladders and finals are permitted in U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, and U18. U15 through to U18 also have representative teams.
Footy can be physical, are there many injuries in the girls’ competition?
Girls playing football are at risk of injury no more than a girl playing netball or basketball. Football is a contact sport and can be a physical game which is why different age groups play with different modified rules, tailored to their different stages of development.
Are there other ways to be involved in girls footy if I don’t want to play?
Absolutely. Girls/Womens football is the fastest growing area of AFL football in Australia and there are always roles for women and girls. You can become a coach, an umpire, a trainer, a team manager or a club administrator. There are plenty of voluntary and paid roles in the AFL for females so contact your local club to find out how you can get involved.
What is the pathway for girls if I want to keep playing beyond youth girls?
Once you are over 18 and can no longer play Youth Girls, you can start playing senior womens football. There are many senior womens football teams throughout Victoria that play in the Victorians Womens Football League (VWFL). The AFL has also announced that their will be a National Womens Competition starting in 2017.
Questions? Email our Sharks Girls Coordinator!
Modified Rules
U10 | U12, U13 | U14 | U15, U16, and U18 | |||||||||||||
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Players | 15 a side plus up to 5 interchange. | 16 a side plus up to 8 interchange. | 24 players in total. | 11 players needed to start an official match. | 16 a side plus up to 8 interchange. | 24 players in total. | 11 players needed to start an official match. | 16 a side plus up to 8 interchange. | 24 players in total. | 11 players needed to start an official match. | ||||||
Maximum ground sizes/use of zones | 100m x 80m | 3 equal zones | Full Size | Full Size | Full Size | |||||||||||
Match Length | 4 x 12min | 4 x 15 min | 1⁄4 & 3⁄4 time – 5 min | 1⁄2 time – 10 min | 4 x 20 min | 1⁄4 & 3⁄4 time – 5 min | 1⁄2 time – 10 min | 4 x 20 min | 1⁄4 & 3⁄4 time – 5 min | 1⁄2 time – 10 min | ||||||
Contact | Modified tackle*/no bump. | Players cannot bump/push an opponent, knock/steal the ball out of their hands or smother an opponents kick. | Full tackling is permitted. | (no sling tackling) | Full tackling is permitted. | (no sling tackling) | Full tackling is permitted. | (no sling tackling) | ||||||||
The ball | Size 2 Synthetic | Size 3 Synthetic | Size 4 Synthetic | Size 4 Leather | ||||||||||||
Umpiring | 1 field, 2 goals. Parents. | 1 field, 2 goal and 2 boundary umpires. | Club/association | 1 field, 2 goal, 2 boundary umpires. | Club/association. | 1 or 2 field, 2 goal umpires, 2 boundary | Club/association | |||||||||
Coaching | Onfield (1) | Sideline | Sideline | Sideline | ||||||||||||
Bounces | 2 bounces before disposing | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | ||||||||||||
Marking | A mark is awarded, irrespective of the distance the ball has travelled, to any player who catches it or makes a reasonable attempt to mark it. | A mark is awarded when a player catches the ball directly from another players kick that has travelled at least 10 metres | A mark is awarded, irrespective of the disctance the ball has travelled, to any player who catches it or makes a reasonable attempt to mark it. | A mark is awarded when a player catches the ball directly from another players kick that has travelled at least 15 metres. | ||||||||||||
Out of Bounds | From a kick, a free kick is awarded against the player who last kicked the ball. From hands, or if there is doubt, the umpire shall call a ball-up 10m in from boundary. | Boundary throw-in. | Boundary throw-in. | Boundary throw-in. | ||||||||||||
Kick off the ground | Not permitted unless accidental. | Not permitted unless accidental. | Not permitted unless accidental. | Not permitted unless accidental. | ||||||||||||
Stealing, smothering, sheparding, barging | No stealing, smotheringm, sheparding or barging. | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | ||||||||||||
Penalties | 10m | 25m | 25m | 25m |
*Note : Modified Tackling – A player in possession of the ball may be tackled by an opponent wrapping both arms around the area below the top of the shoulders and on/above the knees. The tackle may be from either side of from behind