The Lane Cove Cats enter teams in the Greater Sydney Juniors AFL competition. More information on the GSJ can be found at www.aflgsj.com.au.
In 2018 we plan to have teams playing in Under 10YG, Under 12YG and Under 15YG divisions. More details on these teams can be found on the following pages.
Under 10YG |
Under 12YG |
Under 15YG |
Training sessions are run on Wednesdays between 5-6pm at Blackman Park Ovals 4. All home games are held on on the new synthetic oval (Blackman Park No 1 & 2), while away games are at a variety of North Shore clubs. The majority of games are played on Sunday morning, with some games on Friday night under lights.
Games mirror the same format of the boys junior competition. The team size is a minimum 9 and a maximum of 12 (or 15 for U15YG), on a 110m long field (same as U9-11 boys). Tackling is modified for ages 12 and under.
If your daughter is interested in playing in this competition, please email Greg Byrne (Youth Girls Coordinator) at girls@lanecovecats.com.
Fixtures
For all junior competition teams, head to our “Results & Fixture” page for more details.
Youth Girls Rules
| U10 | U12 | U15 | U18 | |
| Playing field | 100-140 metres long (determined by agreement | 100-140 metres long (determined by agreement | 100-140 metres long (determined by agreement | Full Length- (Player/s 15-16) Full Length x 90 metre width (player/s 12 -14)
For any Ground with a fence the Boundary line should not less than three 3 metres from the fence. |
| Ball Size | Size 2 Synthetic Ball | Size 3 Synthetic Ball | Size 4 Leather Ball | Size 4 Leather Ball |
| Team | 9 Min 12 Max, with any number of reserves.
All Players should play at least 3 quarters of the match where possible. |
9 Min 12 Max, with any number of reserves.
All Players should play at least 3 quarters of the match where possible. |
9 Min 15 Max, with any number of reserves.
All Players should play at least 3 quarters of the match where possible. |
12 Min 16 Max, with any number of reserves.
All Players should play at least 3 quarters of the match where possible. |
| Scoring | All players may score | All players may score | All players may score | All players may score |
| Playing Time | 4 x 10 Minute Quarters (4/5/4) min intervals. | 4 x 10 Minute Quarters (4/5/4) min intervals. | 4 x 15 Minute Quarters (4/7/4) min intervals. | 4 x 15 Minute Quarters (4/7/4) min intervals. |
| Starting and restarting play | Only centre line Players attend centre bounces (20m clearance/centre square from all other Players).
The Umpire is to enforce a similar 20m area for field ball ups. No Full possession permitted Players contesting the ball up may not grab the ball and play on; and a Player must knock, palm or punch the ball to A teammate or open ground, and may not play the ball again until it has been touched by another Player or hit the ground. |
Only centre line Players attend centre bounces (20m clearance/centre square from all other Players).
The Umpire is to enforce a similar 20m area for field ball ups. No Full possession permitted Players contesting the ball up may not grab the ball and play on; and a Player must knock, palm or punch the ball to A teammate or open ground, and may not play the ball again until it has been touched by another Player or hit the ground. |
As per the Laws of Australian Football. | TAs per the Laws of Australian Football. |
| Out of Bounds | From a kick – a free kick is awarded to the closest opponent. A Player cannot kick for goal from this free kick. If in doubt – ball up 5metres in from boundary. Off hands or body – ball up 5metres in from the boundary. No full possession permitted. | From a kick – a free kick is awarded to the closest opponent. A Player cannot kick for goal from this free kick. If in doubt – ball up 5metres in from boundary. Off hands or body – ball up 5metres in from the boundary. No full possession permitted. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. |
| Gaining Possession | A player’s prime objective should be to gain possession of the ball (eyes on the ball). Restrained side (shoulder to shoulder) contact is permitted when Players are contesting a loose ball, provided that the ball is within 5 metres. “Running with” the Player rather than “running at” the Player must be the intention.
Front on contact or contact from behind is strictly prohibited. The ball is possessed by controlling it, catching it, grabbing it, or laying 2 hands on it when it is on the ground. Once the ball is possessed, other Players may apply a wrap tackle (refer to tackling rule). |
A player’s prime objective should be to gain possession of the ball (eyes on the ball). Restrained side (shoulder to shoulder) contact is permitted when Players are contesting a loose ball, provided that the ball is within 5 metres. “Running with” the Player rather than “running at” the Player must be the intention.
Front on contact or contact from behind is strictly prohibited. The ball is possessed by controlling it, catching it, grabbing it, or laying 2 hands on it when it is on the ground. Once the ball is possessed, other Players may apply a wrap tackle (refer to tackling rule). |
As per the Laws of Australian Football. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. |
| Tackling | Players can perform a modified tackle.
A Player in possession of the ball may be tackled by an opponent wrapping both arms around the area below the top of the shoulders and on/above the knees. The tackle may be from either side or from behind providing the tackle from behind does not thrust forward the Player with the ball (That is push back the Player in the back). If the Player in possession of the ball is taken to the ground in the act of tackling, they will receive a free kick. If the Umpire feels the Player drops to the ground deliberately in order to receive a free kick, they will be penalised for holding the ball. A Player in possession of the ball, when held by an opponent applying the wrap around tackle, should be given a reasonable chance to dispose of the ball by kick or by handball, or by attempting to kick or handball, otherwise a free kick shall be awarded to the tackler for holding the ball. The Field Umpire shall conduct a ball-up when the Player with the ball has the ball held to the body by an opponent, unless the Player has had a reasonable time to dispose of the ball prior to being tackled, in which case a free kick shall be awarded to the tackler for holding the ball. The Field Umpire shall allow play to continue if the ball is knocked out of a player’s hands by an opponent. A Player not in possession of the ball, when held by an opponent, shall be awarded a Free Kick. There is strictly no bumping, slinging or deliberately bringing the opposition player in possession of the ball to the ground. Players cannot knock the ball out of an opponent’s hands, push the Player in the side, steal the ball from another player or bump an opponent. |
Players can perform a modified tackle.
A Player in possession of the ball may be tackled by an opponent wrapping both arms around the area below the top of the shoulders and on/above the knees. The tackle may be from either side or from behind providing the tackle from behind does not thrust forward the Player with the ball (That is push back the Player in the back). If the Player in possession of the ball is taken to the ground in the act of tackling, they will receive a free kick. If the Umpire feels the Player drops to the ground deliberately in order to receive a free kick, they will be penalised for holding the ball. A Player in possession of the ball, when held by an opponent applying the wrap around tackle, should be given a reasonable chance to dispose of the ball by kick or by handball, or by attempting to kick or handball, otherwise a free kick shall be awarded to the tackler for holding the ball. The Field Umpire shall conduct a ball-up when the Player with the ball has the ball held to the body by an opponent, unless the Player has had a reasonable time to dispose of the ball prior to being tackled, in which case a free kick shall be awarded to the tackler for holding the ball. The Field Umpire shall allow play to continue if the ball is knocked out of a player’s hands by an opponent. A Player not in possession of the ball, when held by an opponent, shall be awarded a Free Kick. There is strictly no bumping, slinging or deliberately bringing the opposition player in possession of the ball to the ground. Players cannot knock the ball out of an opponent’s hands, push the Player in the side, steal the ball from another player or bump an opponent. |
As per the Laws of Australian Football. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. |
| Smothering | As per the Laws of Australian Football. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. |
| Barging | No barging, fending off or chopping past opponents is permitted. A free kick shall be awarded to the nearest opponent. | No barging, fending off or chopping past opponents is permitted. A free kick shall be awarded to the nearest opponent. | No barging through opponents is permitted. Fending off with open hand to the body (provided it is not above the shoulders or in the back) is permitted. | No barging through opponents is permitted. Fending off with open hand to the body (provided it is not above the shoulders or in the back) is permitted. |
| Shepherding | As per the Laws of Australian Football. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. |
| Marking | A mark is awarded irrespective of the distance the ball has travelled to any Player who catches it or shows control. | A mark is awarded irrespective of the distance the ball has travelled to any Player who catches it or shows control. | A mark is awarded when a Player catches the ball directly from another Player’s kick that has travelled at least 10 metres. | A mark is awarded when a Player catches the ball directly from another Player’s kick that has travelled at least 10 metres. |
| Distance Run and Bouncing the Ball | A Player running with the ball must bounce it within 15 metres, only 2 bounces are permitted. Players cannot dispose of the ball to themselves intentionally. | A Player running with the ball must bounce it within 15 metres, only 2 bounces are permitted. Players cannot dispose of the ball to themselves intentionally. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. |
| Kicking off the Ground | Not permitted unless accidental. | Not permitted unless accidental. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. | As per the Laws of Australian Football. |
| Distance Penalty | 25m penalty can be applied at the Umpire’s discretion if they feel a player has been hindered in any way | 25m penalty can be applied at the Umpire’s discretion if they feel a player has been hindered in any way | 25m penalty can be applied at the Umpire’s discretion if they feel a player has been hindered in any way | As per the Laws of Australian Football. |
Fixtures
For all junior competition teams, head to our “Results & Fixture” page for more details.