Footy Ops pre-season update

Football Operations Team

Similar to VAFA Clubs, the VAFA Football Operations Team are right in the thick of pre-season, gearing up for a huge 2021! We hope the following key information will assist administrators in having teams return to the field safely and adhering to VAFA Rules and Policies:

Return to Training and Games Protocols

AFL Victoria released RTP/RTT protocols version 6 as of February 24 2021. These are the Community Sport RTP/RTT protocols for state-wide application and can be accessed via the link below:

AFL Victoria Return to Training and Games Protocols

VAFA Conference

The VAFA Football and Umpire Operations department will present on a number of topics at the VAFA Conference next Wednesday evening via Zoom teleconference including the new Laws of Australian Football and what the VAFA will and will not be adopting, the latest on Concussion Management and the VAFA COVID-19 Conditions of Play for the 2021 season. A full list of the Football and Umpiring topics being presented are listed below:

• Overview of VAFA Portal and Functions
• Tribunal Changes
• Rule Changes
• Umpire Feedback
• Umpire Practice Match Submissions
• Club Umpires
• Coaches and Captains Night
• 2021 Rules and Laws of the Game Update
• 2021 Football Key Dates
• Management of Concussion
• Player Points System

If you wish to attend the VAFA Conference, please complete the form via the link below by no later than close of business Monday March 1^st:

2021 VAFA Conference RSVP Form

Fixturing

The VAFA Football Operations Team will be in touch with all VAFA Clubs across March to finalise fixtures, section structures and confirm team entry. As per previous seasons, clubs will receive a draft version prior to final fixture confirmation and distribution.

Football Operations Compliance

Under 19 Over-age Players

Hopefully all club administrators have now viewed the updated Under 19 Over-age Player Policy and the Under 19 Football Age Eligibility Explainer uploaded on the VAFA Portal under Rules and Policies. Please be aware that all players who are born January 1^st 2001 – June 30^th 2001 are eligible to play Under 19 Football as an over-age player provided clubs have submitted their list of proposed Under 19 Over-age Players for approval by VAFA Football Operations via the link below or via the VAFA Portal under Match Day Requirements:

U19 Over-age Application Form 

Playing Coaches

If your club has a playing head coach, in accordance with the VAFA Amateur Status Rules, you are required to submit a Statutory Declaration to the GM – Football & Umpire Operations ([email protected]) by Round 1 (April 10, 2021). A copy of the Statutory Declaration is available for download via the VAFA Portal under Match Day Requirements.

Ex-AFL Players

Clubs with ex-AFL players who played a minimum one (1) AFL match in the three previous seasons (2017, 2018 and 2019) are required to complete the Ex-AFL Player Declaration Form on the VAFA Portal and return to [email protected] by Round 1 (April 10, 2021).