Castle Hill Tag League Player Guidelines & Responsibilites

Player Eligibility 
  • All participants in Senior Competitions must be at least 16 years of age in the calendar year of the competition. 
  • All participants must be a registered and paid up team member of the Local Tag League Competition.
  • Each team must have a minimum of 10 fully paid players to be eligible to compete.
  • All participants must sign on with Photo ID prior to taking the field for each game.
  • Teams cannot use unregistered players otherwise known as "Ring In's" to play in their team for any reason.
  • We encourage teams play all their games, but there are occasions where a team may be short of players due to unforseen circumstances. To avoid a forfeit which would cause both teams to miss a round, we allow the use of “Fill In” players on a limited basis.
  • A team short of players ie. less than 8 in any given week of the competition, can use a registered player from another team in the competition to "Fill In". A maximum of 3 "Fill In's" can be used in any game, and they cannot be used as reserves for substitution during a game. A match point penalty is applied for each “Fill In” that takes the field for a team.
  • “Fill In” Players must be from the same or lower division. Eg. Division 1 players cannot Fill In for a Division 3 side.
  • Teams need to advise the competition convenor or supervisor that they propose to use a "Fill In" and the opposing team captain also needs to be advised. 
  • Any player used as a "Fill In" must sign on for that team for that game.
  • A team cannot consistently use "Fill In's" ie. more than 3 games in a season.
  • A Fill In is not entitled to participate in any prize should the team they Filled In for win a prize.
  • Teams who use “Fill In’s” for substitution will be deemed to have forfeited that game, with NO match or competition points awarded to them.
  • Teams found to be using a Ring In will forfeit any match points for that Round with winning points awarded to the opposing team.
  • Teams who are in breach of guidelines on more than 1 occasion will be suspended for 1 or more games, with teams who are found to be repeat offenders being suspended or disqualified from the competition.
Medical Conditions
  • The safety of participants is paramount. Pre-existing medical conditions need not be an impediment to playing, but must be reported at time of registration or when the participant becomes aware of such condition. For people with pre-existing conditions, a form needs to be completed with questions answered that allow the determination of whether someone is fit to play.
  • Female participants who are pregnant can play if they so choose in their first trimester and depending on their circumstance into their second trimester. The decision to play is a personal choice and participants who are pregnant should consult their physician as to whether they should play.
  • Whilst Tag League is a low contact non-tackling sport, participants understand that playing any sport can result in injuries. Whilst every precaution is taken in the administration of games to prevent injury, circumstances can occur where injuries are sustained. These include but are not limited to heat stroke, bruising, muscle sprains and tears, joint dislocations, broken bones, concussion and in rare cases death. Participants can reduce the risk of injury by the use of protective equipment.
Personal Protection
  • Tag League is a non-tackling sport. However, injuries do occur from time to time. The following will assist in the prevention of injury.
    • Mouthguards – Mouthguards help prevent tooth damage or loss, reduce cuts to the lip, mouth and tongue and decrease susceptibility to jaw fractures and risk of concussion.
    • Bracing/Strapping - Preventative taping has been found to:
      • Reduce severity of injury to the ligament Lower recurrence of injury by as much as 75%
      • Give the most support while limiting backward bending
  • Supporting garments such as “Skins” are considered useful, as they can provide support and reduce risk of abrasion.
  • Players are not permitted to take the field in a metal brace, casts or using any supporting appliance that may cause another player injury.
  • Warm Up/Stretch & Warm Down. Cold muscles, tendons and ligaments are more vulnerable to injury. Stretching improves flexibility, which allows you to move your joints through their full range of motion.
Equipment
  • Official Tag League shorts or tights must be worn, or in the alternative other Tag sports shorts may be worn. Home made shorts or official shorts that have been modified in any way are not permitted. If someone is injured playing in non-official shorts or modified shorts, insurance cover is waived.
  • No screw in studded footwear can be worn, nor can any metal studded boots. Boots with plastic moulded studs, Blades or Runners are required. You cannot play bare footed.
  • Team shirts must be worn from at latest round 3, be clearly numbered (to a minimum height of 25cm & 25mm in thickness) with unique numbers (maximum 2 digits), uniform in colour, and must be of a length that can be tucked into shorts or tights. Teams beyond week 3 who have members without compliant shirts may take the field but will incur a match point penalty for each member not in compliance.
  • Shirts with temporary numbers such as tape are not permitted. Shirts with hand painted numbers are permitted but MUST be clearly marked (to a minimum height of 25cm and 25mm in thickness) such that they are clearly visible from across a field.
  • Players may NOT share / swap shirts with another player/s during a game.
  • An official Tag League match ball and tags will be provided for the use of players in their game, but remains the property of the local association and must be left on the field following their game.
  • Practice balls and tags can be loaned for the purposes of warm up by teams. A deposit or surety may be required and given back when equipment is returned.
Fees
  • All participants in each team must each pay a fee to register for the competition. Fee’s assist in covering the cost of running the competition which includes the cost of Administration, Staff & Referee’s, Public Liability Insurances, Ground Hire and Lighting,  Line Marking, Equipment and Prizes.
  • Each team must have a minimum of 10 fully paid players to be eligible to compete.
  • Fees vary by competition area and are set based on the relative costs of the competition which are influenced by length of season, field hire charges and other factors.
  • All Fee’s are payable prior to the start of the competition, must be paid prior to taking the field for Round 1 by all participants.
  • People who play or attempt to play without paying in full are considered not registered and are not permitted to take the field. Teams who field players who have not fully paid will face penalties ranging from loss of competition points, suspension from or disqualification from the competition.
  • When registering, teams and individuals must pay in full or leave a deposit to confirm their registration.
  • Refunds are only available in the following circumstances;
    • Withdrawal prior Competition Draw developed – 100%
    • Withdrawal prior Competition Start once draw developed – 60%
    • Withdrawal once the Competition Starts – No Refund
    • Withdrawal due to Injury – No Refund
    • Suspension or Disqualification from Competition – No Refund
    • Compassionate Grounds – will vary by circumstance
Weather
  • If wet weather is experienced, the Local Council generally will determine if grounds are open for use or not. This can at times extend for a period following wet weather to allow time for grounds to dry for the purpose of avoiding damage.
  • In the event that grounds are closed, facebook posts will be your first point of contact advising of weather outcomes. Participants who have provided up to date contact information will be advised via SMS as after 4pm or early as possible on the day their games are scheduled, and the association web site will also be updated.
  • As a minimum, two wet weather replay rounds will be scheduled in any given season. Where additional access to fields during a season is possible, all wet weather affected rounds will be rescheduled, or as many as can be accommodated.
  • If foul weather is experienced during play, it will at the discretion of the competition supervisor to continue, suspend or abandon play. As a general rule, play will continue in Drizzle Rain, but if rain is heavy and standing water is apparent on the fields, play will be abandoned. In the event of stormy conditions such as high wind or lightning, play will be suspended until conditions ease, with any incomplete games concluded where possible. Any unplayed games will be rescheduled.
  • Where play is abandoned, games that have played a full first half will be considered complete, with the half time score being recorded for that round. Games abandoned before half time will be rescheduled.
Sign On
  • It is a condition of entry to the competition that ALL players must be registered, fully paid up and MUST sign on prior to taking the field. This is a requirement for Identification purposes. 
  • Players are required to present a Photo ID for sign on. This must be supplied or they cannot sign on or take the field.
  • Players must sign in full, not just using initials.
  • Players must only sign on for themselves, not for anyone else. Signatures will be cross checked for consistency.
  • Players cannot sign on using someone else’s name. If they are 'Filling In" for a team, they need to write their own name on a separate line on the separate sign on sheet provided, then sign on for the week that they are playing.
  • Players who do not sign on, are injured, and attempt to claim on member support, WILL HAVE THEIR CLAIM DENIED.
  • Anyone found to be playing for a team without sign on may cause that team to face a match point penalty, competition points penalty, suspension or disqualification if they are ineligible to play.
Game Start
  • Participants are to play with a spirit of Fun and Fair Play at all times. 
  • Teams are to collect their tags and be ready for play before the scheduled start time.
  • All games should start at their scheduled time. This will be brought to the teams attention by the sounding of the referee’s whistle.
  • Timing of games is usually by the sounding of a horn, but players must play to the referee’s whistle.
  • Teams may start short of players if they have registered players who are running late. A team must have a minimum of 5 players on the field for them to be eligible to play, 1 of which must be female for Mixed competitions.
  • Teams may use Fill Ins if they are short players, refer to player eligibility rules.
  • Teams arriving late can take the field without signing on, but MUST sign on at the half time break or will be penalised a match point for each person not signed on.
  • Teams who are late to arrive will be given 3 minutes grace. At the 4th minute a one point penalty will be awarded against the late team. A further point will be awarded every two minutes up to the tenth minute (4 point penalty).
  • The game will be called a forfeit at the tenth minute, with a 5-0 score line recorded and no competition points awarded against the forfeiting team.
  • If the game starts late, the first half will be shortened by that amount of time.
  • Teams who know they will run late or are running late should contact the local competition supervisor and advise them of the circumstances.
  • Teams who know they will not be able to participate on any given night should call the local competition supervisor and advise them that the team will forfeit. This should be done by 2pm on the scheduled day of play. This is a sign of courtesy to the local competition and the opposing team. Teams who do so will receive 1 match point and 1 competition point.
  • Teams who forfeit without notice will receive a Forfeit Penalty which means they get Zero Competition and Match Points.
Team Conduct & Responsibilities
  • Participants are to play with a spirit of Fun and Fair Play at all times. 
  • No player is to take the field under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Referee's or supervisors will instruct players suspected of being intoxicated to leave, exercising their duty of care in the process.
  • No jewellery is to be worn, including but not limited to neck laces, watches or bracelets, piercing rings or studs & rings (other than simple bands). Security of items that need to be removed is the responsibility of the player. Items that cannot be removed will need to be taped for the protection of participants.
  • Players should trim finger nails to not extend beyond the length of the finger. This is for the protection of the player from injury as well as the other participants from scratching.
  • Participants should familiarise themselves with the rules and play in accordance with rules.
  • Participants must conduct themselves in a civil manner, and not engage in anti-social behaviour such as intimidating behaviour, sledging, swearing, spitting, fighting.
  • Participants are reminded that Australian law specifically prohibits behaviours such as;
    • Bullying, which is unwelcome and offensive behaviour that intimidates, humiliates and/or undermines a person or group. Bullying involves a persistent pattern of behaviour over a period of time and may include verbal abuse, physical assault, unjustified criticism, sarcasm, insult, spreading false or malicious rumours about someone, isolating or ignoring a person, and sabotaging someone's efforts or their ability to contribute.
    • Discrimination, which is treating someone unfairly or unequally simply because they belong to a group or category of people. Equal opportunity laws prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, pregnancy, family responsibility, family status, race, religious beliefs, political conviction, gender history, impairment, age or sexual orientation.
    • Harassment, which is any unwelcome and uninvited comment or action that results in a person being intimidated, offended, humiliated or embarrassed. Equal opportunity laws prohibit harassment on the grounds of sex and race.
    • Racial Harassment, which occurs when a person is threatened, abused, insulted or taunted in relation to their race, descent or nationality, colour, language or ethnic origin, or a racial characteristic. It may include derogatory remarks, innuendo and slur, intolerance, mimicry or mockery, displays of material prejudicial to a particular race, racial jokes, or singling someone out for unfair treatment.
    • Sexual Harassment, which is any verbal or physical sexual conduct that is unwelcome and uninvited. It may include kissing, embracing, patting, pinching, touching, leering or gestures, questions about a person's private or sexual life, requests for sexual favours, smutty jokes, phone calls, emails, or messages, offensive noises or displays of sexually graphic or suggestive material.
    • Assault, which is a person who strikes, touches, or moves, or otherwise applies force of any kind to another person, either directly or indirectly, without the other person's consent, or with the other person's consent if the consent is obtained by fraud, or who by any bodily act or gesture attempts or threatens to apply similar force under such circumstances that the person making the attempt or threat has actually or apparently a present ability to effect the threat, is said to assault that other person.
  • Supporters and participants who attend a game but are off field must conduct themselves in an equally civil manner or will be asked to leave. The referee can stop a game and / or sanction a team based on the behaviour of team members and supporters off field.
  • All participants and supporters should show respect to the supervisors and referee's who are there for the sole purpose of facilitating games for the benefit participants.
  • Supervisors and Referee’s will show respect and care for all participants and spectators.
  • All participants and supporters must follow the direction of supervisors and referee's.
  • The Referee can issue penalties on field in accordance with rules and with the conduct of players. Players may be asked to leave the field for a period of time nominated by the Referee, known commonly as the Sin Bin, allowing the offending player time to cool off. If the offence warrants further action, the player may be Sent Off. In both cases a replacement cannot take the field and the team must continue short that player for either the period of time the player is in the Sin Bin or for the balance of the match if Sent Off.
  • All players Sent Off face an automatic 1 week suspension and the incident will be placed on review by the convenor with an incident report completed by the Referee. If the offence is found to warrant further action, the player may face additional penalties including but not limited to further suspension and disqualification.
  • Individuals will be advised of any disciplinary action via their team delegate and must comply or the team will face disqualification from the competition.
  • Players will not be victimised by the convenor as a result of disciplinary action. Once a penalty has been served the matter will be deemed concluded with no further consequences.
  • A record of a person or teams behaviours will be kept and will be referenced in the event of any further incident. Repeat offenders can expect higher penalties.
Penalties
  • Penalties can be awarded against players and teams for their behaviour on and off the field. This can be in the form of match points, competition points, suspension for a period, or disqualification from the competition.
  • Individuals or teams who are disqualified are not eligible for refund of any fees paid.
  • Teams who are disqualified forfeit all opportunity to any potential prizes.
  • The convenor of the local competition is the arbitrator in penalty decisions. Individuals and teams can request a review by the Tag League Association if they feel they have been unfairly treated. The Tag League charges a $200 fee to review a penalty.
  • In an attempt to bring some uniformity to decisions, the following benchmarks can be used, but may be varied up or down based on the nature of specific incidents and the attitude of teams or individuals;
  • Send Off for foul play – Automatic 1 week plus further review based on referee’s report. Additional week for each repeat offence.
  • Send Off for Referee Abuse – Automatic 2 week plus further review based on referee’s report. Additional week for each repeat offence.
  • Throwing of a punch either instigated or in retaliation - Automatic 4 weeks plus further review based on the referee or officials report. Automatic disqualification for repeat offenders.
  • Threat to a Referee or Official – Automatic 4 weeks plus further review based on the referee or officials report. Automatic disqualification for repeat offenders.
  • Any team which incurs 3 send offs in a season will incur a penalty of 2 Competition points in addition to any penalties or suspension. Any additional send offs are grounds for disqualification from the competition.
  • If a game is called off due to an incident, the team who is judged to have caused the incident will be deemed to have forfeit.
Report All Injuries
  • If a player sustains an injury, this must be brought to the attention of the match referee and reported to the local competition supervisor.
  • The local competition supervisor will complete an incident report.
  • To be eligible for a member support payment, a player MUST;
    • Be a registered & fully paid up member of a team in the local competition
    • Their details must be completed on the team registration form
    • They must have signed on for the night the injury occurred and reported it to a supervisor. An injury report must also have been completed. 
  • Failure to meet all of the above conditions may result in the player not being covered by the Tag League Association Member Support Program. 
Addition or Replacement of Players
  • Teams have until Round 5 of the competition to complete their team registrations. During this time they can Add, Remove, Swap players.
  • Additional players who register during the first 5 weeks will pay the full registration fee for the season. Players being swapped will pay no additional fee. Players being removed are not entitled to a refund.
  • If a player is injured during the season and can no longer play, that player may be replaced.
  • During the first 5 rounds, a full registration fee will apply to the replacement player.
  • During Rounds 5-10, a registration fee of 60% of the standard registration fee applies.
  • After Round 10, no replacements will be allowed.
  • A medical certificate needs to be produced as evidence of the injury.
Best & Fairest
  • During the season, there may be a competition conducted to select the most valuable player in each division.
  • This competition is open to all registered players during the duration of the normal season (excluding finals), with nominations accepted from Round 3 onwards.
  • It is a condition of registration that ALL players wear numbered shirts from Round 3 onwards.
  • The referee will take note of nominations based on the shirt number of the person nominated.
Nominations:
At the conclusion of each game, players will be nominated as follows:
o    Each captain will select a player from the opposing team.
o    The match referee will select one player from either team.
o    This will total 3 nominations per game.
o    Should a captain not wish to make a nomination, the referee will nominate on their behalf and the team not nominating will forfeit having a player nominated for that round.
o    A player may receive more than one nomination per game.
o    The player with the most nominations at the end of the season will be declared the winner.
o    In the event of a draw, the player with the most nominations from the referees will be declared the winner.
Selection Criteria:
A player may be nominated based on their:
o    Level of sportsmanship
o    Spirit of participation
o    Contribution to the result of the game
Ineligibility:
o    In the event that a game is prematurely ended (called off), neither captain will be required to nominate a player.
o    The referee, at his discretion, may nominate a player from a game that has been “called off”.
o    A player, who has been sent from the field, may not receive a nomination for his or her participation during that game.
Prizes
  • All competitions have prizes in the form of Vouchers for both winners and runners up in each division.
o    Winning teams receive $250 - Can be used in Tag League Shop or in reducing the Fees payable in a new season
o    Teams running up receive $150 - Can be used in Tag League Shop or in reducing the Fees payable in a new season
  • Winners will also be awarded medals in all competitions that are played. 
  • An additional Prize will be awarded to the player nominated Best & Fairest in each division.
  • Vouchers and medals are presented at a catered end of season grand finals function following the grand final games for each location / game night.
  • Garments/Merchandise are made to order through the Tag League Shop and can take an extended time for deliver once details are confirmed.