Water Carrier

Altered rules due to Covid - All players to bring and use their own water bottles.

Water carriers need to refer to Covid Policy

Number of Water Carriers permitted to enter the field of play to deliver water to players: Modified Rules - None, Under 11 & under 12 mixed -  One (1), Under 13 and above (mixed/boys and girls) - Two (2)

Water Carriers must be at least 12 years of age or, in the opinion of the Field Umpire, of sufficient age to be competent to perform the task.

May only carry plastic bottles on to the field of play.

Water Carriers shall only enter the field of play behind play to deliver water to the players whilst: a player from either side is having a set shot for goal; or whilst the football is being retrieved and returned to the field umpire who will be located in the centre of the ground after a goal has been scored.

 Water Carriers:

May enter the field of play from any position on the ground.

Are not permitted to communicate with the Team Bench other than during the breaks between quarters.

Must not at any time other than during the breaks between quarters be within 30 metres of the Team Bench.

Are not permitted to pass messages or give instructions to players, or disrupt play.

A Field Umpire may order from the field and report any Water Carrier who is in breach of the By-laws. Any Water Carrier ordered from the field may be replaced.

• NO COACHING PERMITTED

Umpire Escort

Umpire Escorts must be at least 18 years of age

The Umpires’ Escort shall escort the field umpires to and from the ground at the commencement of the match, at half-time and at the conclusion of the match.

Each escort shall commence from or conclude at the door of the Umpires’ Room, as the case may be.

The Escort must remain with the umpires until all SMJFL paperwork has been signed and finalised.

During the first and third quarter breaks the Umpires’ Escorts must remain with the umpires and provide drinks for them.

OTHER DUTIES

Interchange Steward

During play Umpires’ Escorts shall act as Interchange Stewards to ensure that players enter and exit the ground via the designated interchange area.

Team appointed Boundary Umpire

Boundary Umpires are NOT REQUIRED for Modified Rules competitions and Under 12 Girls competitions.

Where boundary umpires are not provided by the SMJFL Umpiring Department, each team participating in a match must provide a boundary umpire.

Team appointed Boundary Umpires be at least 14 years of age or, in the opinion of the Field Umpire, of sufficient age to be competent to perform the task.

When a club provides a boundary umpire, anytime the ball crosses the line the boundary umpire will signal the field umpire with a whistle and arm straight up that the ball is out. They are not required to throw the ball in as the field umpire will conduct a ball up 10 metres inside the field of play adjacent to where the ball crossed the line

The Boundary Umpires must be familiar with the correct procedures to ensure the proper conduct of the match and Field Umpires may overrule a decision by a Boundary Umpire.

Boundary Umpires are not permitted to coach or communicate with any players or officials - other than during breaks between quarters. 

Boundary Umpires are not permitted to lay a Report but should submit any Complaints via the Club Secretary after the match

Field Umpire may order from the field and report any team appointed Boundary Umpire who is in breach of this By-Law. Any team appointed Boundary Umpire ordered from the field must be replaced.

NO COACHING PERMITTED

Team appointed Goal Umpire

Team appointed Goal Umpires must be at least 16 years of age or, in the opinion of the Field Umpire, of sufficient age to be competent to perform the task.

Each Goal Umpire shall be equipped with a scorecard, two flags and a pen.

Each Goal Umpire shall be responsible for keeping score and the Goal Umpires shall confer and verify scores at the end of each quarter.

At the completion of the match they must sign each other’s scorecard.

In the case of a disagreement on scores by the Goal Umpires the score recorded on the official Timekeepers’ card shall be regarded as correct.

Goal Umpires shall be responsible for ensuring that the area between and behind the goals is kept clear of spectators and obstacles and must not enter the field or dispute decisions of the Field Umpires at any time.

Field Umpires may overrule a decision by a Goal Umpire except in the case where the Goal Umpire is appointed by the League.

Goal Umpires are not permitted to coach or communicate with any players or officials - other than during breaks between quarters.

A Field Umpire may order from the field and report any team appointed Goal Umpire who is in breach of the By-laws. Any team appointed Goal Umpire ordered from the field must be replaced.

NO COACHING PERMITTED

Runner

Runners must be at least 16 years of age or, in the opinion of the Field Umpire, of sufficient age to be competent to perform the task.

Runners may only enter the playing surface once a goal has been kicked and must exit the playing surface before play recommences.

Runners must not coach, barrack or in any way deliberately obstruct play or interfere with a player or official from the opposing team.

A Field Umpire may order from the field and report any Runner who is in breach of these By-laws. Any Runner ordered from the field may be replaced

NO ON-FIELD COACHING PERMITTED

Trainer

One (1) Trainer per team who has completed Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC) and holds a minimum Provide First Aid qualification with a CPR component that is updated every 12 months.

Medical Practitioners can act as a trainer provided, they are in a current clinical practice and registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation. Medical Practitioners must complete the ERC training every three years and CPR training every year and are exempt from holding a Provide First Aid certificate.

A Trainer must be present for the duration of all games in which the Trainer’s team participates.

Trainers must remain in the Team Bench area unless they are attending to an injured player on the field.

If there is no venue trainer with Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC) qualifications present, trainers for under 13 and above age groups must also have completed ERC training.

The role of the Water Carrier and the Trainer are NOT interchangeable.

Coach

All Coaches must have a minimum current Foundation AFL Coaching Accreditation, relevant to their age group to coach in the SMJFL in accordance with the SMJFL Coach Accreditation Policy

All SMJFL Coaches shall, to the best of their ability, uphold the AFL Coaches Code of Conduct, and must maintain a standard of behaviour and conduct that is in the best interests of the game and the players in their care.

Coaches are not permitted to enter the field of play while any match is in progress, and must remain in the designated Team Bench area at all times other than during the breaks.

It shall be the responsibility of coaches to maintain team discipline and to instruct the players to play within the rules and spirit of the game at all times.

Coaches are not permitted to approach, abuse or question the decision of the umpire.