Non-club player – A player who is not registered with that club. Refer rule2.

Club Permit – A player who is over aged for that level but is ability assessed and approved a permit to play down. Refer Rule 4.

A coach’s first point of call is to call the opposing coach or then junior delegate / official if not contactable. The coach which has the low player count should initiate the contact. Under no circumstances are the players or parents to be involved when seeking non-club player transfer.

The makeup of the non-club players will be limited to 4. The definition of non-club means players from outside of the club who requires them to play for the team. Non-club players are either players from within the other RMFL clubs or an outside club from another league (permit player as per SANFL CFL). If a permit player(s) are available then they will reduce the amount of players allowed from the non-club category. Non-Club players are to be eligible to be credited with Connolly or Bryan Medal votes and Leading goalkicker award goals, however they will be recorded against the team they are representing. E.g Bill Smith of Ramblers plays as a non-club player for Jervois. If he gets votes, they are assigned to Bill Smith of Jervois. They will not accumulate on his tally, Bill Smith of Ramblers.
Players to be approached priority
1. Players from the opposing club that week
2. Players from other RMFL clubs
3. Players from outside leagues

The RMFL’s priority is to ensure that every effort shall be made to ensure that matches are played for premiership points. To constitute a game it is preferred to have a minimum of 14 players per side. Each club must supply their own registered players for that grade first, then they can source non-club players to reach a maximum of 14 players. Refer to sliding scale for the numbers for each team below. (Up to a maximum of 3 players from a lower grade, who have already played a game, can be used as bench players.) Club will submit player numbers prior to the start of the season which will determine the amount of non-club players that are eligible to play, which will be published on the RMFL Website Junior Page.

As of the 2018 season a club will register all players for their appropriate age group (including under 13’s). This list will determine the amount of “Non-club players” that each team is allowed for the season. From the registered numbers at the start of the season, that age group will be allowed to access the amount of non-club players that is required to ensure they can field the minimum 14 players to constitute a game.

Example Sliding scale formula:

Club Number of players registered for their grade as at start of season Number of Non-club players allowed to play each week
XXXX 8 6
YYYY 12 2
ZZZZ 14 0

If during the season a team may require alterations to non-club players due to the following:

• Has a new player registered into the group
• Has a player transfer out of the group
• Has a player sustain an illness or injury
• Suspension
• Unavailable/College

Then the club involved must inform the RMFL as per usual process. Team mangers are to list players who are unavailable with reasons on the team sheet.

If a new player is registered into the group then the amount of “non-club players” that team is allowed will decrease in line with requirements to make up the 14 players. Alternatively, a team has a player transfer out of the group, or sustain a “long-term injury”, then that team can apply to the Junior Delegation for increase in number of “non-club players” allowed to allow a game to proceed.

In addition to this sliding scale the coaches from each club playing that weekend may, at their discretion, allow more non-club players to play to allow up to 18 a side take to the field.

If a club doesn’t have access to lower grade players to assist the inter-change shortfall, then they may seek two extra non-club players as interchange players. (Duty of Care Obligations).

If the coaches agree to this situation the game will still proceed for points. In this instance it would be considered appropriate if these additional non-club players are provided by the opposition club first, before being sourced from elsewhere.

If numbers of players are still a problem after the above options have been exhausted, then the coaches can agree to play for premiership points with reduced number(s).

Example

Club A has the minimum 14 players allowed to constitute a game (may or may not also have 3 bench players from lower grade, who have already played a game).

Club B has 21 players and further 4+ players surplus who are able to play for the opposition.

With agreement of both coaches, the Coach from Club B may provide Club A with the additional 4 players required to make the game 18 per side (and up to 7 players if available to assist in providing a bench).

Example:

Club Number of Players Registered at start of season Number of Non-Club players allowed to play Total players available to play game Number of players under agreement allowed to play in addition to non-club players Total Players on the field
A 8 6 14 Between 4 & 7 18 + bench
B 28 0 21 +4-7 0 18 + bench

If a club is struggling to field the minimum 14 per side, and no assistance is offered from the opposing club when you believe they are in a position to assist, the club shall provide a written report to the RMFL Secretary.

A club can apply for an Over Age Permit if they feel the player still requires further development or for some reason is physically or mentally impaired. The application will be assessed by the Junior review committee initially through correspondence/email and reviewed at the next scheduled meeting. The player must be listed as a permit player on the team sheet. The junior rule review committee will be consulted and can recommend as such to the RMFL Executive.

This rule will apply to all junior games including finals.

After a goal is kicked by a team leading by 10 goals (actual major scores indicated on the scoreboard), a free kick (player must kick only) is awarded to the opposing team on the edge of the square toward their goals.(Opposing player stands on the square line). This only takes place while the margin is 10 goals or greater. If the losing side reduces the 10 goal gap, the play restarts with a ball up in the centre. The scoreboard goal margins are only considered, refer scenarios below;

Scenario 1) Team A 11.2(68) to Team B 1.1(7). Scores show a 10 goal gap. A free kick is awarded to Team B once the ball is returned to the centre. A re-set of players in positions takes place, Centre players (including wing positions) are to remain defensive side of the player awarded the ball. The player on the mark is to be positioned on the  goal side square line.

Scenario 2 Team A 9.14 (68) to Team B 1.1 (7) Here the margin is more than 60 points, but not in full goals then the ball is thrown up at the centre circle as per normal.

Refer appendix 20 for the diagram.

Green Velcro on the upper left arm only for Players going up. Velrco tape will be supplied by the RMFL.

A Non-club player who qualifies for a team by playing 4 minor round games in that team, not just the club, can apply to the RMFL Executive to play for that team in the finals. E.g. a player from Ramblers can play 4 games for Jervois under 15s and qualify for finals to represent Jervois under 15s only, no other grade. Game can go from 18 to 16 players required for finals, still allowing a team with 21 players to play 16+5 bench. The final decision on what teams are to consist of will rest with the RMFL exec if required, number imbalance/ permits/ qualifications.