In 2014 the AFL, in conjunction with AFL Victoria and all AFL Victoria Metropolitan leagues, will introduce the new AFL Junior Match Policy commonly referred to as AFL JuMP. The newly adopted policy has been over 12 months in the making and has been constructed to provide junior footballers of all levels and abilities with the best possible opportunity to develop.
The RDFNL has worked closely with all AFL Vic Metro leagues and key stakeholders of junior football within the AFL system to devise, construct and implement guidelines of junior football to meet the best interests of junior footballers.
Of greatest significance is the achievement of uniformity across the metro leagues with regards to match conditions and policies for junior football. In previous seasons, neighboring clubs in different leagues could play under differing localised rules and match conditions, often creating difficulty with player development and retention.
Of the many improvements implemented for the 2014 season, the more significant improvements include:
- Dividing junior football into two phases: Development Phase and Competition Phase
- Development Phase – Under 8 – Under 10.
- Competition Phase – Under 12 – Under 16.
- Reduced playing ground size for Under 10 football where grounds are too large
- Modified tackling rules which prevent players at Under 10 level from being taken to the ground (a major cause of injury to players under 10 years of age)
- Under 10 players only allowed one bounce to encourage sharing of the football
- No Premiership Points, scoring, ladders, publishing of results or best and fairest awards at Under 10 level.
The shift from focusing on a match result over the continual improvement of a clubs’ players is a move in the right direction according to RDFNL Operations Manager Toby Boyle.
“At Under 10 level our clubs can now place the greatest amount of focus on player development without the pressure of focusing on whether the team is winning or not,” Boyle commented.
There have been minor adjustments in match length times and other match conditions to assist umpires and coaches at Under 10 level.
For the RDFNL, the match program from Under 12 level upwards will remain largely unchanged with all RDFNL clubs receiving a detailed copy of the AFL JuMP prior to Christmas last year. AFL Victoria will soon launch its “Junior Football Match Guide – This Is Our Game” campaign to all Junior players, clubs and leagues.
In further good news for the RDFNL, the previous junior structure of the league has been amended to allow for teams at Under 12 level upwards to find their competitive level. In 2014 the RDFNL will structure the junior competition as follows:
- Turner Division: RDFNL clubs with two or more teams per age group will affiliate a Senior and Reserve team each in age groups of Under 10, 12, 14 and 16.
- Beatson Division: RDFNL clubs with one team in each age group will affiliate a team in each age group of Under 10, 12, 14 and 16.
- Watson Division: RDFNL clubs with less than one team per age group or clubs given exemptions by the RDFNL will affiliate the teams they have in as many age groups of Under 10, 12, 14 and 16 as they can. Turner and Beatson clubs with excess teams will be affiliated in this division.
The three divisions have been named after long serving RDFNL Junior identities; current Board Member and Life Member Steve Turner, current RDFNL Junior Development Officer Rob Beatson and RDFNL Life Member and Ambassador Charlie Watson.
“Creating the new structure was an important step to coincide with the introduction of the AFL JuMP,” explained Boyle.
“The new structure not only places clubs in divisions with other clubs of similar player numbers, but more importantly allows families to stick together more than ever before”
“The RDFNL will not back down from what it considers most important at Junior level – development and family friendly clubs over win at all costs culture”.
The change in structure has also paved the way for the introduction of Junior Netball for clubs affiliated to the Turner and Beatson Division in 13 & Under and 15 & Under age groups. The first season of the RDFNL Junior Netball competition will ensure that the RDFNL has a structured Netball pathway and provides opportunities for young netballers in the region to play sport each Sunday during the RDFNL season.
RDFNL JUNIOR CLUB REGISTRATION DAYS – INFORMATION
Club |
Date |
Time |
Venue |
Melton Bloods |
12/02/2014 |
5pm - 8pm |
Blackwood Drive Reserve |
Gisborne Rookies |
16/02/2014 |
10am - 3pm |
Gardner Reserve |
Wandong |
16/02/2014 |
10am - 1pm |
LB Davern Reserve |
Lancefield |
7/02/2014 |
5pm - 6pm |
Lancefield Park |
Melton Centrals |
9/02/2014 |
10am - |
McPherson Park #2 |
Riddells Creek |
14/02/2014 |
6pm - 8pm |
Riddells Creek Rec Reserve |
Melton South |
5/02/2014 |
5pm - 8pm |
Melton Rec Reserve |
Melton South |
9/02/2014 |
10am - 2pm |
Melton Rec Reserve |
Kilmore |
15/02/2014 |
11am - 3pm |
JJ Clancy Reserve |
Macedon |
21/02/2014 |
4pm - 6pm |
Tony Clarke Reserve |
Sunbury Kangaroos |
9/02/2014 |
10am - 2pm |
Boardman Reserve #3 |
Diggers Rest |
16/02/2014 |
11am - 2pm |
Diggers Rest Rec Reserve |
Sunbury Lions |
16/02/2014 |
11am - 2pm |
Boardman Reserve #2 |
Players and parents are required to contact your local club for further information on AFL JuMP, Junior structure or registrations.
Last Modified on 11/02/2014 10:35