Player Age Policy

Purpose

This policy sets guidelines under which a player may compete or train in activities conducted for players of an age higher or lower than the player's playing age.

Principles

Players, through their Guardian(s), may wish to play up, and in doing enhance their football skills or provide enjoyment to the player. In special circumstances it may be appropriate that a player should be able to play down.

Players shall only be permitted to play up when their physical capacity and social sense enable them to compete adequately at the higher age level. A player shall be permitted to play down only when their physical capacity and social sense are suitable to the lower level.

Competing in too many games or training sessions can be detrimental to the development of a player as a footballer.

The decision whether a played should play up, should be based on the advantages to the player. The decision as to whether a player is able to play down must also consider the other players in the competition or training session.

Where player numbers do not permit conducting  a competition in every age group, a player may play into the next eligible competition, without assessment.

Minimum Age

The minimum age of any registered player eligible to participate in any match/fixture or competition shall be five (5) years. To be sure, eligibility shall not be met until the player has reached 5 years of age.

Permission to Play Up or Down

Prior to competing or training at a different age level, the permission of a player's parent or guardian must be obtained in writing, supported by an assessor's authorisation. The permission documentation must note the age levels in which the player is able to compete and train. In the case of playing down, the permission of Football Queensland must also be obtained. This may involve a further assessment process.

Appointing Assessors

Clubs are invited to submit to Football Queensland, through their Zone or Competition Management Centre, the name(s) of suitable persons for appointment as an assessor. There are no formal prerequisites for appointment, but a nominee should be mature and capable of determining whether there is evidence to refuse the parent or guardians request.

The Assessment Process and Records

The Policy acknowledges the principle role of the parent or guardian in deciding that a player should play in a higher age competition than the one determined by the players age. When a player requests permission to play up, the club should provide the parent/guardian with the Football Queensland "Application for Permission to Different Age Level" form. On completion, the form is passed to the club assessor to complete. The form should be then forwarded by the club to the CMC or Zone, who will hold for a period of no less than four (4) years. A new form must be completed each calendar year.

Exceptional Considerations

A player may not compete or train in an open age competition unless they have attained the age of fifteen (15) for males and fourteen (14 ) for females. Where a parent seeks relief from this provision, variations must be approved by Football Queensland on receipt of supporting information. This clause is to be read in addition to, not in place of, earlier requirements. To be sure, a player falling under the exceptional consideration provisions, is still required to comply with the assessment process.

DEFINITIONS

Player is a Registered Participant in a Football competition sanctioned by Football Queensland. A junior player is one who has not attained the age of eighteen years (18) at the time of signing on.

Player Age is determined by the year of birth of the player in accordance with the following scale.

To Play Up is to compete or train either regularly or casually in a competition of a higher Chronological Age than the first available competition for that player.

To Play Down is to compete or train, either regularly or casually in a competition or training session conducted for players of a lower Chronological Age.

A CMC is an incorporated body issued with Licence to administer a football competition sanctioned by, and on behalf of Football Queensland.