C.ex COFFS INTERNATIONAL STADIUM COFFS HARBOUR 7 - 10 MARCH, 2018 (WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY)
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C.ex COFFS INTERNATIONAL STADIUM
COFFS HARBOUR
7 – 10 MARCH, 2018 (WEDNESDAY–SATURDAY)
Objective of the Event
The National Touch League (NTL) and Elite Eight is the premier TFA event held in March on annual basis. The aim of the
tournament is to celebrate the ‘best against the best’; Australia’s representative Touch Football showcase and best
players competing at the elite level, striving for the prestigious national titles and Australian Squad selection/honours.
The NTL-E8 event has proven to be a highlight on the Touch Football calendar. Every year the event embodies continuous
development of our sport with improved procedures, production and delivery befitting Touch Football’s showpiece event.
All participants who attend the event are offered the challenge of improvement in their chosen field – as a referee, player,
participant or volunteer alike. These improvements and ideas are taken back to all parts of Australia. All participants,
wherever they come from and for whatever purpose, play a crucial role to spread the message from the elite
tournaments, promote best practice and grow and develop the sport of Touch Football in Australia.
Page 2
Important Dates to Remember
Date Item Potential Sanction
Wednesday, 15 November 2017 • Uniform Compliance Test – send all • Uniform penalties may apply.
current playing uniform designs to
TFA so we can ensure that no obvious
clashes will occur (we encourage
teams to do this prior to final
ordering).
• Please note the Harvey Norman NRL
Touch Football logo is compulsory on
all uniforms (see page 15 – 16 of this
document for instructions).
Wednesday, 15 November 2017, • Dates for nominations and applications • May be unable to secure
Wednesday, 13 December 2017 for State Player Pool Meeting. players from State Pool.
and • State Player Pool Meeting and advise • May be unable to secure
Wednesday, 17 January 2018. TFA of outcome. players from State Pools.
Wednesday, 6 December 2017 • Indicative Team Nomination Forms
due.
Wednesday, 20 December 2017 • Referee Nominations due. • May not accept team
nomination.
Wednesday, 10 January 2018 • Team Nomination Forms due. • $100 late payment fee may
apply.
• Confirmation of intent to use a tent • May not secure preferred site
and preferred site position to be • May not be able to utilise a tent
communicated. at the event.
Wednesday, 17 January 2018 • Nominations and applications forms • Late nominations and
due for first National Player Pool applications will move to
Meeting. second National Player Pool.
Wednesday, 24 January 2018 • National Player Pool Meeting.
Wednesday, 7 February 2018 • Team levies due. • $100 late payment fee may
apply.
• Team lists and officials details to be • Details not included in Teams
provided for Hardwrap. Lists of the Event Program.
• Final date for nominations and • May be unable to secure
applications for Second National players from National Pool.
Player Pool Meeting.
Friday, 9 February 2018 • Referee levies due.
Wednesday, 14 February 2018 • Financial status of all Affiliates,
players, officials and Entities due to
TFA.
• Teams or participants to be notified by
TFA if ineligible due to financial status
during the ensuing weeks leading up
to the event.
• Second National Player Pool Meeting. • May be unable to secure
players from National Pool.
Wednesday, 21 February 2018 • Team and officials details to be • $100 fine may apply for non-
uploaded online. compliance.
Tuesday, 6 March 2018 • Managers Meeting.
Wednesday – Saturday, • Touch Football Australia 2018
7 – 10 March 2018 National Touch League and
Elite Eight Series conducted.
Page 3 Contents A – ADMINISTRATIONAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Item 1 – Tournament Venue and Dates ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Item 2 – Team Eligibility........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Item 3 – Player Eligibility ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Item 4 – Coach Eligibility ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Item 5 – Divisions...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Item 6 – Team Nomination Process ................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Item 7 – Medical Assistance ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Item 8 – Referee Nomination Process .......................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Item 9 – Tournament Fees ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Item 10 – Insurance ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Item 11 – Late Entries ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Item 12 – Refunds ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Item 13 – Registration Process ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Item 14 – The Player Pool................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Item 15 – Tents and Associated Equipment ............................................................................................................................................................ 14 Item 16 – Uniforms............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Item 17 –Online Tournament Briefing and Managers Meeting ................................................................................................................... 17 Item 18 – Photography ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 B – EVENT SPECIFIC INFORMATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 18 Item 1 – Rules .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Item 2 – Tournament Management ............................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Item 3 – Draw Formula ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Item 4 – Playing Times ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 19 Item 5 – Match Balls ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 20 Item 6 – Competition Points ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Item 7 – International Teams .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Item 8 – Forfeits ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Item 9 – Determining Positions for Finals/Other ................................................................................................................................................ 21 Item 10 – Complaints and Protests .............................................................................................................................................................................. 23 Item 11 – Informal Complaint/Resolution Process ............................................................................................................................................ 23 Item 12 – Formal Protest Process or Tournament Management Investigation of a Breach ....................................................... 24 Item 13 – Disciplinary Regulations .............................................................................................................................................................................. 25 Item 14 – Suspensions........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Item 15 – Eligibility Issues ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 27 Item 16 – Score Cards......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Item 17 – Score Disputes .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Page 4
Item 18 – Additional Players ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Item 19 – Interchange Area Rules ............................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Item 20 – Incorrect Substitutions ................................................................................................................................................................................. 29
Item 21 – Coaching Positions .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Item 22 – Spectators ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Item 23 – Tour Leader Meetings and Guidelines ................................................................................................................................................. 31
Item 24 – Communication with Referees ................................................................................................................................................................. 31
Item 25 – Presentations ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Item 26 – National Team Talent Identification ...................................................................................................................................................... 32
Item 27 – Champion Entity................................................................................................................................................................................................ 33
C – POLICIES ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Item 1 – TFA Policies............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 34
Item 2 – Member Protection ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
Item 3 – Legal Guardianship Issues ............................................................................................................................................................................. 35
Item 4 – Supervision of Under Age Players............................................................................................................................................................ 36
Item 5 – Child Protection ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 36
Item 6 – Water Safety ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 36
Item 7 – Food Handling....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Item 8 – Images and Video Footage............................................................................................................................................................................. 37
Item 9 – Unaffiliated Rule ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 37
Item 10 – Weather ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 37
Item 11 – Concussion Policy............................................................................................................................................................................................ 38
Item 12 – Blood Bin .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 39
Item 13 – Glass Bottles and Alcohol ........................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Item 14 – Parking Areas and Traffic Management ............................................................................................................................................ 39
Item 15 – Injury Clearances............................................................................................................................................................................................. 39
Item 16 – Anti-Doping Education Plan ....................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Item 17 – Force Majeure ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Item 18 – Social Media ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40Page 5
A – ADMINISTRATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Item 1 – Tournament Venue and Dates
The dates and venue of the Touch Football Australia 2018 National Touch League (NTL) will be as
follows:
7–10 March 2018 (Wednesday–Saturday)
C.ex Coffs International Stadium
Stadium Drive
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Item 2 – Team Eligibility
An Entity is an approved team to compete in the competition.
Teams eligible to participate in the 2018 NTL Elite Eight (E8) divisions are:
• TFA approved Entity;
o The Alliance
• New South Wales Touch Association (NSWTA) approved Entities;
o New South Wales Country Mavericks
o New South Wales Mets
o New South Wales Rebels
o New South Wales Scorpions
• Queensland Touch Football (QTF) approved Entities;
o Queensland Broncos
o Queensland Cowboys
o Queensland Titans.
Teams eligible to participate in the 2018 NTL Open, T League and Senior divisions are:
• those representing TFA approved Entities;
o Australian Capital Territory Raiders (ACT)
o Australian Defence Touch Association (ADTA)
o Northern Territory (NT)
o South Australia Heat (SA)
o Tasmania (TAS)
o Victoria Storm (VIC)
o Western Tigers (WA)
• those representing NSWTA approved Entities;
o Hunter Western Hornets
o Northern Eagles
o Southern Suns
o Sydney Mets
o Sydney Rebels
o Sydney Scorpions
• those representing QTA approved Entities;
o Brisbane City Cobras
o Central Queensland Bulls
o North Queensland Tropical Cyclones
o South Queensland Sharks
o South West Queensland Swans
o Sunshine Coast PineapplesPage 6
• those teams eligible to participate in E8 divisions
• those representing associations from other nations, by TFA invitation only, which are affiliated
to the Federation of International Touch (FIT); and
• any other team as approved by TFA.
Elite 8: Before competing in any other division other than the E8 in the E8 construct, approval must be
sought from TFA with specific requirements to be outlined.
Teams can be composite in nature and if approved to participate in the event, they will be unable to
accrue points or contest finals unless approved by TFA.
International teams must be endorsed by their respective national body and are not permitted to accrue
points or contest finals in any division unless approved by TFA.
All participants at the NTL must be full financial members of TFA or in the case of international teams,
full financial members of FIT.
All participants including players, officials (both team and referee’s), their current affiliate, Entity, state,
and invited teams must all be fully financial with TFA by 5:00pm AEDST – Wednesday, 7 February 2018
and abide by the laws and by-laws of TFA.
Affiliates must have their preceding season’s Certificate of Currency which must also be validated and
confirmed.
Item 3 – Player Eligibility
It is the responsibility of each Entity being represented to ensure that all or their players and officials
are affiliated and financial members of an Entity, and/or meet the pool player requirements as
determined by TFA (refer to section 3 of the NTL General Conditions).
Participants who are not financial will be regarded as ‘un-financial’ and as such will be seen as
unregistered participants. If the team plays with an ‘un-financial’ member, all points may be deducted.
Entities must ensure that they are also financial by all Affiliates within the locality from which players
represent and are also fully financial with TFA to cover all insurance requirements for the individual.
Any participant allowed to take part in the event and subsequently requested to be un-financial will be
the sole responsibility of the entity which signed off on participation. To that end, all attending and
participating players are deemed financial for next level selection.
All participants must primarily make themselves available for selection into E8 divisions. Failure to do so
may result in the inability to participate in any other division at the NTL.
E8 Free Agent
Whereby a participant is eligible for both NSWTA and QTF Entities, they will be classified as an
E8 Free Agent and can participate for any Entity participating in E8 divisions. To that end the participant
is able to do so without any penalty on future participation options.
ADTA Teams
Full serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) that are current members of the ADTA
through participation in on-base competitions qualify the number of games for participation in NTL or
like events. The ADTA committee needs to provide the same evidence as other TFA affiliated bodies thatPage 7
the member wishing to participate is in fact a full serving member of the ADTA and ADF, and/or fulfil
requirements to compete for ADF as per their selection policy.
Item 4 – Coach Eligibility
Coaching Accreditation:
Open / T League Divisions:
All Elite Eight, Mixed Open and T-League coaches must have a minimum current Talent (formally Level
Two) coach accreditation, working towards Elite Coach Accreditation.
Senior Divisions:
All senior division coaches will need to have minimum current Talent (formally Level Two) coach
accreditation.
All assistant coaches must be minimum current Foundation Coach accredited or be a current Level One
accredited coach (old system).
Item 5 – Divisions
Division Age Restriction
Men’s Open – Elite Eight No restriction
Women’s Open – Elite Eight No restriction
Mixed Open (Tony Eltakchi Shield) No restriction
Men’s T League Born in or after 1998
Women’s T League Born in or after 1998
Women’s 27’s (Senior Division) Born in or before 1991
Men’s 30’s (Senior Division) Born in or before 1988
Senior Mixed (Senior Division) Born in or before 1988
Women’s 35’s (Senior Division) Born in or before 1983
Men’s 40’s (Senior Division) Born in or before 1978
Women’s 40’s (Senior Division) Born in or before 1978
Men’s 45’s (Senior Division) Born in or before 1973
Women’s 45’s (Senior Division) Born in or before 1973
Men’s 50’s (Senior Division) Born in or before 1968
Men’s 55’s (Senior Division) Born in or before 1963
*Men’s 60’s (Senior Division) Born in or before 1958
Acceptable proof of age documentation includes birth certificate, current passport or current photo
driver’s license.
The Men’s and Women’s T League will have no age restriction for up to six players, aligned with above
age requirements for ten members per team.
Female players can only be nominated for female divisions, and vice-versa.
Players and team officials can only participate in one division unless approved by Tournament
Management.
NOTE:Page 8
A division must have a minimum of four teams participating to be staged with the exception being the
trial division of Men’s 60’s.
*TFA will be initiating a Men’s 60’s Division intended to provide the ongoing ability for long term
participants to continue engagement with the sport. All logistics associated with attendance will be
managed by the entity as per any other division entered.
If sufficient numbers nominate for the division to go ahead at the close of nominations but teams pull
out after this time (meaning less than four teams are scheduled to participate), the division will continue
in a modified version or will be combined, as determined by TFA.
Item 6 – Team Nomination Process
Entities must submit their Team Nomination Form to zoe@touchfootball.com.au by 5:00pm AEDST –
Wednesday, 10 January 2018.
The form must contain the contact details for the Entity Contact (Tour Leader) including:
• Contact Name
• Mobile Number
• Email
• Address
• Suburb, State and Postcode.
Tour Leaders have the implied delegated authority of their representing Entity.
Tour Leaders may also list the details of Team Contacts and other individuals. Information may be
passed on to these individuals as required to assist in the flow of information to participants.
The Team Nomination Form is available from the NTL website – www.ntl.mytouchfooty.com
If any of the above-mentioned documentation, registration or nomination deadlines are not met, or
payment is not received by the due dates, teams will only be accepted to enter the tournament as
determined by TFA and will incur a late payment fee as indicated.
NOTE:
Entity Team Nominations acceptance will be subject to the referee quota being met.
Item 7 – Medical Assistance
In accordance with section 9 of the NTL General Conditions, teams are required to supply their own
medical staff. It is the Entities’ responsibility to ensure that their medical staff possesses adequate
qualifications and insurances. Please follow TFA Sports Science and Sports Medicine Framework to
guide you through the process.
TFA will ensure suitably trained medical staff are available for the diagnoses of all serious injuries.
Contact details of the Nominated Medical Delegate are to be lodged on the Officials Team Sheet and
Tournament Management will contact this individual during the event for medical issues involving the
respective Entity.Page 9
Item 8 – Referee Nomination Process
In order to conduct a national event, a suitable number of referees with appropriate qualifications are
required. Nominations are sourced from Entities in association with the relevant referee’s structure,
promoting pathways and development opportunities.
TFA invites nominations in the first instance from Level 4, 5 and 6 accredited referees to meet the
minimum number of referees required by an Entity. This meets the required standard for participation in
a national event and should be the benchmark for such selection.
Nominated referees must be active and registered with an affiliated competition.
Each Entity must supply the equivalent of 1.5 suitable qualified referees per team (as indicated below)
for the duration of the event. Equally, all Entities are responsible for developing referees, coaches and
athletes to attend the event.
Teams Number of Referees required
1 1
2 3
3 4
4 6
5 7
6 9
7 10
8 12
9 13
10 15
11 16
12 18
13 19
14 21
By advising the online referee nomination process TFA will release information initially to all state
offices and relevant state/national volunteers. The sequence then is externally, including all Entities,
previous Referees of the event and post information on the TFA website and social media channels.
Referees are encouraged to seek endorsement from their State Referee Director or State Office,
including regional offices in Queensland, prior to completing the online referee nomination process.
On closure of the nomination portal, TFA will provide State Directors and Offices with their referee
nominees from respective States/Entities (NSWTA for NSWTA Entities and QTF for QTF Entities), for final
endorsement based of their relevant eligibility criteria, which may vary from State to State. If there are
issues with individuals that have nominated, this will be escalated at that point in time.
If an Entity does not have a suitable number of Level 4, 5 and 6 accredited referees then TFA may
support a development opportunity extending to Level 3 referees in conjunction with the
recommendation of the associated state/regional structure.
If Level 3 referees are provided an opportunity, TFA will have specific coaching and mentoring to
encourage progression in the pathway and for future events.
In any instance that an Entity is still unable to support the required number of referees, then they must
provide a plan showing how they will address their deficiency, to which they would be given two years to
satisfy.Page 10
Nominations will not be accepted unless all the criteria listed above are met.
All parties will work collaboratively to ensure State or Regional aspects associated with referee quota
are met for the relevant jurisdiction i.e. NSW for NSW Permits, QTF for the same and Alliance for all
other States.
If a referee is nominated, then withdraws, they will need to be replaced by the Entity. If they are not
replaced, then the fine equal to the Referee Event Contribution may be allocated.
Referee Nominations must be submitted by 5:00pm AEDST – Wednesday, 20 December 2017.
Entity Team Nominations acceptance will be subject to the referee quota being met.
Fines of $800.00 per referee short fall will be applicable if an Entities team nomination is accepted and
referee quota not met.
Item 9 – Tournament Fees
The Tournament levy for TFA affiliated Entities is $1,320 (GST inclusive) per team.
The Tournament levy for international teams is $1,815 (GST inclusive) per team.
All Team Nomination fees are due by 5:00pm AEDST – Wednesday, 7 February 2018.
Levies that are late will be treated as a ‘late entry’ and may incur a late payment fee as indicated in Item
11 below. Any non-payment will be removed from the draw provisionally while remedy is worked
through.
NOTE:
TFA will be moving to individual payment processes over the 2016-2020 cycle and has commenced the
process of assessment and communication prior to implementation.
Item 10 – Insurance
The TFA National Insurance Scheme covers all players and officials who have met the insurance criteria
of a current TFA affiliated competition. For this tournament, the player must be a registered player in an
Affiliate, or an accepted Pool Player who meets the criteria as set down in the NTL General Conditions,
and have their fees paid in full for the current season.
International teams must provide evidence of their own insurance coverage as TFA cannot provide
coverage.
Item 11 – Late Entries
Team Nomination Forms received after the relevant closing date will only be accepted at the
convenience of the competition (i.e. to replace a bye or another withdrawal) and will incur a late payment
of $100 (GST exclusive).
Item 12 – Refunds
Refunds will be at the sole discretion of TFA for any team or participant that withdraws after the close of
nominations.Page 11
A full refund will apply to teams that are not able to play due to insufficient number of teams nominating
to stage a division. This will be determined two weeks after the close of nominations.
Item 13 – Registration Process
It is the responsibility of each Entity being represented to ensure that all of their players and officials
meet the eligibility criteria of the tournament.
Players and officials are required to register online via Touch Football Online (TFO). Upon receipt of the
Team Nomination Form, codes and instructions on how to comply with this method will be distributed.
Player Registration Process
Players can register their details via TFO.
This method requires submission of minimum information including:
• Legal first name
• Family name
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Address
• Suburb
• State
• Country
• Postal Code
• Mobile
• Email
• Affiliate – name of eligible Affiliate i.e. Western Suburbs
• Points.
Teams may register a maximum of sixteen players.
Officials Registration Process
Officials can register their details via TFO using a similar method.
This method requires submission of minimum information including:
• Legal first name
• Family name
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Address
• Suburb
• State
• Country
• Postal Code
• Mobile
• Email
• Position i.e. Coach, Manager, Tour Leader, Sports Trainer
• Coach Level
• Team i.e. Mixed Open.Page 12
Coaching staff only need to list their coaching qualifications. Other officials such as medical and
managers just need to list their team and position i.e. Sports Trainer or XO Manager.
Initial Lists
Team details must be provided (for both players and officials) by 5:00pm AEDST – Wednesday,
7 February 2018. As a minimum, all data fields must be completed for ten players, the coach and the
manager from all teams – otherwise the team may be withdrawn from the tournament.
Failure to submit team details by 5:00pm AEDST – Wednesday, 7 February 2018 will result in details not
being listed in the Teams Lists of the Event Program.
All tour leaders will be given, if not already, access to their club within the NTL TFO data base. You can
monitor the progress of all player and official registrations for all teams nominated. You will also be
able to enter the playing shirt number of each player under the Team# column. Managers can be given
access to their relevant team, with requests to come from the Tour Leader.
Updated Lists
The online registration process will be open from Wednesday, 17 January 2018. TFA encourages entities
to provide the registration details to players and officials to complete the online process as early as
possible.
Online registrations for both players and officials is required to be completed by 5:00pm AEDST –
Wednesday, 21 February 2018.
A report on the registered players of each team and registered officials will be emailed to the Tour
Leader. This will give the Tour Leaders an idea who has yet to complete the registration process so they
can ensure it occurs prior to the deadline.
Participants who miss the registration deadline are able to complete the online registration process up
until 5:00pm AEDST – Sunday, 4 March 2018.
Participant who fail to register on time must attend the paperwork submission session in person to
complete the process.
Paperwork Submission
The final report on the registered players of each team and registered officials will be available at the
Managers Meeting. This will contain only details of participants uploaded online until 5:00pm AEDST –
Sunday, 4 March 2018 (as above).
The Managers Meeting will be the final opportunity to make changes to all documents. The Final Team
Sheets and Final Officials Sheet will be provided at this meeting. These documents are to be checked to
ensure correct details have been provided including registered player names and online submitted
playing shirt numbers. The playing shirt numbers, if not already entered online or require changes, are
to be hand-written legibly on the Final Team Sheet. Once the Tour Leader is happy with all documents,
they are to sign-off on its accuracy and confirmation.
Participants that do not upload their details online will be required to attend the Managers Meeting to
complete the online registration process which includes the ‘Membership and Participant Declaration.’
These participants will also be required to have their details added to their respective Final Team Sheet
or Final Officials Sheet.
No deletions, additions or replacements to the Final Team Sheet or Final Officials Sheet will be permitted
after 7:00pm AEDST – Tuesday, 6 March 2018.Page 13
Failure to submit team details by 7:00pm AEDST – Tuesday, 6 March 2018 may result in teams being
issued with a fine of $100 (GST exclusive) per team.
Player Shirt Number Changes
Any excessive changes to player shirt numbers after 7:00pm AEDST – Tuesday, 6 March 2018 may
result in a $20 (GST exclusive) fine per offence to a maximum of $100.
TFA must be made aware of player shirt number changes or relevant issues as soon as possible.
However, this does not exclude the application of the fine. Changes to player shirt numbers can occur by
filling out a form at the Tournament Information Area.
Player Points
All teams must comply with the points system as described in section 3 of the NTL General Conditions.
Required/Additional Paperwork
It is the responsibility of the respective Entity that all their participants have submitted all relevant
documentation before taking part in the tournament in any capacity.
If TFA finds issues with the information contained in the paperwork, it may result in fines or further
action, as determined by TFA.
All Entities competing must supply an Entity Declaration stating that all of their players and officials
qualify for the division they have nominated for and that all relevant policies and conditions have been
officially communicated to the relevant people. This is to be given to TFA at the Mangers Meeting.
The following provides an outline of the authority required for the endorsement of team lists:
• TFA Entities must be endorsed by TFA
• NSWTA Entities must be endorsed by NSWTA, and
• QTF Entities must be endorsed by QTF.
Item 14 – The Player Pool
The Player Pool will be available for all divisions.
There are two types of Player Pools:
1. State based ones that will occur from November through to January (see state based pools
below), and
2. A national based one that will occur in January and any final determination in February.
The Alliance will be the only team in E8 divisions that will have the opportunity to utilise the Player Pool.
Individuals not selected by other teams in the E8 divisions and wish to be considered can enter the
Player Pool.
Before accessing the Player Pool, teams should be aware that applying for players from the Player Pool
is no guarantee that they will pick up the number or individual(s) they requested.
Similarly, players should also be aware that nominating for the Player Pool is no guarantee that they will
be picked up by a team, the team that they requested or with other individual(s) they requested. Players
will also be required to financially commit by paying the $55 GST inclusive (Player Pool Administration
Fee), before being eligible to participate in the Player Pool process.
Players nominating for the Player Pool must play for the team they have been allocated to.Page 14
Teams can apply to receive some pool players but are required to have at least ten players before
nominating for the competition or Player Pool. Teams can receive a maximum of four players from the
Player Pool.
State Based Pools
There will be three state based pools:
• Eligible New South Wales (NSW) players can nominate for the NSW Pool
• Eligible Queensland (QLD) players can nominate for the QLD Pool
• Eligible ACT, ADTA, NT, SA, TAS, VIC and WA players can nominate for The Alliance Pool.
All state pools will be administered by the relevant State and TFA in the Alliance Pool. All outcomes
must be communicated with Tournament Management.
States are required to inform TFA of all state based player pool movements each month by 5:00pm
AEDST – Wednesday, 15 November 2017, Wednesday, 13 December 2017 and Wednesday, 17 January
2018.
National Pool
Individuals can bypass the State Based Pools and nominate directly for the National Pool.
Those that miss out on State Player Pool selection can also be considered for the National Pool if they
wish to nominate.
The National Pool will be administered by TFA.
National Player Pool Nomination Forms (players wanting teams) must be submitted to
zoe@touchfootball.com.au by 5:00pm AEDST – Wednesday, 17 January 2018 and are available from the
NTL website.
National Player Pool Application Forms (teams wanting players) must be submitted to
zoe@touchfootball.com.au by 5.00pm AEDST – Wednesday, 17 January 2018 and are available from the
NTL website.
The Player Pool Meeting will occur (via teleconference) if required at 4:00pm AEDST – Wednesday,
24 January 2018 and TFA will advise the required information before the meeting.
If required a further player pool allocation will run at 4:00pm AEDST – Wednesday, 14 February 2018.
Application and Nomination Form are required by 5:00pm AEDST – Wednesday, 7 February 2018.
Further instructions on the Player Pool are available from the NTL website.
In extenuating circumstances, Players and Teams may be added to the Player Pool or allocated at times
outside the indicated timeframes.
Item 15 – Tents and Associated Equipment
It is the responsibility of the Entity to book their tent and other equipment.
Any temporary structures erected at the venue must meet relevant Australian Standards and be
engineer certified. Copies of this documentation is to be supplied prior to install so details can be
verified.
These items can be hired through All-Ways Party Hire, contact details below:Page 15
Phone – (02) 6652 3933
Email – allwayspartyhire@bigpond.com
Website – www.allwayspartyhire.com.au
The event and tournament needs will be the primary decision on any current locations or associated
infrastructure prior to allocation.
Entities are to advise TFA by 5:00pm AEDST – Wednesday, 10 January 2018 if they will be utilising a tent
and their preferred site position.
Tent Position Preference Forms are available from the NTL website. These forms also include
information on power requirements which is required to ensure adequate power is available. If additional
infrastructure needs to be brought into the venue such as a generator to ensure adequate power, those
utilising the power may be charged to cover costs.
TFA will allocate the position of tents. While preferences will be considered, it is not guaranteed.
All associated equipment is the sole property of the Entity hiring the equipment and any unauthorised
use or abuse of this equipment will not be tolerated. Entities will be responsible for ensuring the safety
and protection of all equipment they bring into the venue. Any large infrastructure such as a cool room
being brought into the venue needs prior permission from TFA.
TFA cannot guarantee that water or power can be accessed at every Entities’ tent. Entities are
encouraged to sort out any arrangements such as water or power access by
4:00pm AEDST – Tuesday, 6 March 2018.
Access to the stadium for Entities to set up their tents will be from 12:00pm AEDST – Tuesday, 6 March
2018.
Item 16 – Uniforms
All playing uniforms must include:
• a securely fixed numbered shirt, singlet, bodysuit or two-piece suit (no temporary measures
such as tape will be permitted to replace numbers);
• a 1 or 2, digit number which meets the requirements of the TFA rules of the game;
• no three digit numbers will be permitted;
• 0 can only be used in the following number sequence – 0 (not ‘01’, ‘02’ etc), 10, 20, 30, 40 and
50;
• shorts or bike pants;
• socks (that are visible) and are the same for the whole team;
• footwear which meets the requirements of the TFA rules of the game; and
• Entity Hat (as ‘correct uniform’).
The only playing numbers permissible are between 0 and 50. No numbers outside that range will be
permitted.
Only approved playing uniforms will be permissible for players to wear while they are involved in any
game. To assist with crowd control, team officials must also wear Entity issued clothing while they are
involved in any game and ensure they wear enclosed footwear (i.e. if they are in the interchange area or
in an alternative coaching position close to the field).Page 16
There are to be no changes to the playing uniform (i.e. inner or outer clothing or style of clothing) unless
the Entity has previously submitted an exemption request for a player to TFA and that request has been
granted.
A combination of playing uniforms is not permitted within a specific team. All members of the team must
wear the same style, colour, cut and design of shirt, singlet top, shorts, bike pants, body suits, socks and
hats. In Mixed Divisions, all male players must wear the same style while females must wear the same
style albeit it can be a different style than the male uniform.
TFA Staff will enforce this as per previous events. In addition to being advised to rectify the
issues/breaches, a $20 (GST exclusive) fine per offence to a maximum of $100 (GST exclusive) may be
issued to Entity’s for breaches of not wearing the correct uniform including non-conforming Entity hats.
All current uniform designs are to be forwarded to TFA by 5:00pm AEDST – Wednesday, 15 November
2017 to ensure compliance with the NTL General Conditions and the approved scheme for each Entity
and that all uniform details are lodged on record.
Any player who is not playing in the official uniform will not be allowed to take the field of play until
correctly attired. Referees will endeavour to enforce this rule. However, if a breach is proven to have
occurred it will result in a caution and/or fine as deemed appropriate by TFA’s Tournament
Management.
Uniform designs including white cannot make up more than 10% of the overall design; in addition,
charcoal shorts/bike shorts are not permitted (as they are the predominant colours of referees’
uniforms).
All Entities’ playing uniforms must display the Harvey Norman NRL Touch Football logo on the right-
hand breast of all uniforms. The logo is under specific license terms and will require approval and
lodgement on all playing uniforms for the event, consistent with the TFA Visual Guidelines, through TFA.
The Entity logo will appear on the left-hand breast of all uniforms.
All Entities must ensure suppliers operate with the appropriate approval of TFA.
E8 Divisions
In order to maintain a high and consistent standard, the uniform requirements for E8 divisions will be the
same as Australian national teams, as follows:
Men’s teams’ uniforms must have shirts as part of their playing uniform.
Women’s teams’ uniforms must be a two piece body suit as their playing uniform.
The Harvey Norman NRL Touch Football logo is to be placed on the right-hand breast of all uniforms.
The Entity logo will appear on the left-hand breast of all uniforms.
Compression Clothing
The use of short length compression apparel such as short thigh length or calf length items of clothing
will be permissible to be worn by a player (underneath their official uniform) and must be barely visible
and with no prominent logo(s). The use of longer compression apparel will require specific dispensation
from TFA’s Tournament Management prior to wearing in a game.Page 17
Item 17 –Online Tournament Briefing and Managers Meeting
TFA will release an online tournament briefing which all Tour Leaders, team managers and coaches
must watch before 4:00pm AEDST – Tuesday, 6 March 2018.
It will still be compulsory for the Tour Leader from each Entity and a Manager from each team to attend
the Managers Meeting which will be held on Tuesday, 6 March 2018.
The time and venue will be:
TBA
Any changes to the online tournament briefing or other important information will be distributed at this
time.
The following documentation is required to be lodged at the Managers Meeting
• Entity Declaration for the Entity
• Final Team Lists for each team (collected at Tournament Briefing)
• Final Officials List (collected at Tournament Briefing)
• Play by the Rules certification for each registered official (TFA encourages its
completion to educate and meet recommended Risk Management Guidelines
but will not exclude an official from participation if they fail to complete it. TFA
takes no responsibility if Entities choose not to comply.)
A reminder that Players and officials who have not completed the online registration process will not
show on the Final Team List and for them to participate in the tournament they must attend the
Managers Meeting to complete the online registration process.
Item 18 – Photography
The official photographers of the 2018 NTL are Energy Images – their contact details follows:
Contact: Dale Watson or Danielle Watson
Phone – 0403 521 190 or 0439 954 097
Email – info@energyimages.com.au
Website – www.energyimages.com.au
Team photos are not included in the Team Levy and will need to be purchased directly through Energy
Images.
Team photos must occur by 5:00pm AEDST – Wednesday, 7 March 2018 unless otherwise arranged
with Energy Images.
Energy Images’ photographers have exclusive access to the inner field and boundaries to all fields,
along with external media and/or hosting councils. Therefore, no other Entities’ ‘official’ photographer
can access this area. Any party found to be publishing imagery of a commercial nature will be subject to
action by TFA.Page 18
B – EVENT SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Item 1 – Rules
The 7th edition of the TFA Playing Rules (six a side) will apply unless otherwise stated. Rules can be
viewed from the TFA website.
Drop-off
After regulation time, when a defending team who has had previous possession knocks the ball down,
the touch count will re-start rather than the game ending at that point. In this instance, the attacking
team has not lost possession and therefore play should continue.
In the instance where three touchdowns have been scored in three consecutive or equivalent sets of six
during drop-off by alternate teams, the team that did not tap off at the start of the drop-off will have a
right of reply in order to score a touchdown. This right of reply will continue until a team fails to score
off a set of six.
Interchange Area
The interchange area will be positioned at half-way on both sides of the fields (20m x 3m), with the
interchange gate (10m x 2m) for all substitution to occur within.
Substitute players must remain in their interchange area for the duration of the match. All interchanges
must occur through a 10m x 2m gate between the interchange area and the Playing Field, and only after
the substituted player has crossed the boundaries and entered the interchange area.
Forced Substitution
This is an option available to referees when they believe for an offence, a Period of Time is too harsh, a
penalty in not quite enough or if they believe a player needs a ‘cooling off’ period.
If this occurs, the signal is both arms crossed and above the head, similar to a half caught signal, only
higher.
The replacement player must be off the field, before the substitute can enter, as per replacement rules.
However, the game should continue while the players are changing.
Mexican Standoff
Should a referee deem that the defence is not moving forward, then they may penalise the offending
team as per Rules 11.6 of the TFA Playing Rules. In the circumstances of continual and disruptive play
related to non-compliance, the referee may place a player from the offending team on the sideline and
be unable to re-join play until such time as their team retrieves possession.
Item 2 – Tournament Management
TFA’s Tournament Management will be in charge of and responsible for all matters relating to the
2018 NTL and will enforce all Conditions of Entry, including the Tournament Director who will manage
the event and event staff team who are the first point of contact for tournament inquiries.Page 19
TFA’s Tournament Management will determine and/or interpret matters not covered or specified by the
Conditions of Entry and Tournament Management decisions will be final. Tournament Management has
the right to amend any tournament rule if required.
Tournament Management has available at its disposal and discretion, a number of recognised, best
practice processes, to support the overall management and conduct of the event. These processes may
include informal and formal interpretation of issues etc. It is at the discretion of Tournament
Management which avenues/processes are used to resolve/eliminate issues or caution participants, as
required.
TFA Tournament Staff at the event formally records incidents and issues, as required. These records are
maintained and can be drawn on when required with a current related issue or problem. All participants
need to be aware of this process and understand that information can be carried over and applied if
necessary/as required.
Furthermore, during an event there is often limited time available to complete written administrative
tasks relative to above. Therefore items such as recording devices and templates are used to be time
and resource effective, to seek an outcome/resolve an issue in a reasonable manner and timeframe.
Item 3 – Draw Formula
After the close of nominations, an indicative draw will be distributed.
The draft draw will only be distributed after team lists have been submitted and all nomination fees have
been paid.
An updated draw will be distributed to Entities with any additional draw changes advised as soon as
possible.
As a principle TFA will where appropriate endeavour to have an extended finals series that provides for
quarter finals or a similar system.
The final draw will be distributed at the Managers Meeting.
Item 4 – Playing Times
All games in the tournament will be 20 minutes each way with a half time break not exceeding five
minutes.
Tournament Management reserves the right to alter duration of games based on any specific
requirements and in the best interests of completing the event with maximum participation.
All finals games must result in an outright winner. In the event of a drawn match at the end of full-time, a
drop-off will determine the match winner.
There is no ‘time off’ during any Preliminary Round or Pool matches.
However, in instances where there are stand-alone Elite Eight Grand Finals, match referees may allow
‘time off’ for serious injury or referee discussion resulting from on-field misdemeanours to avoid
penalising the losing team at the time.
This would be a determination of tournament management.You can also read
