Question 1

How old do I have to be to play?

Accepted Answer

The dates to determine what age group a player is eligible to play in are as follows:

U8 – Born before 30th April 2019
U9 – Born on or after 1st January 2017
U10 – Born on or after 1st January 2016
U11 – Born on or after 1st January 2015
U12 – Born on or after 1st January 2014
U13 – Born on or after 1st January 2013
U14 – Born on or after 1st January 2012
U15 – Born on or after 1st January 2011
U16 – Born on or after 1st January 2010
Youth Boys (U17.5) – Born on or after 1st July 2008 (players born between 1st Jan and 30th Jun may be eligible for a permit)
Youth Girls – Born on or after 1st January 2008

Question 2

Do I have to have played Auskick before?

Accepted Answer

There is no requirement to have played Auskick before participating in YJFL competitions.

Question 3

How much does it cost to play and how do I register?

Accepted Answer

The cost to play varies from club to club.

Question 4

When and where are games played?

Accepted Answer

Most of the games are played on Sundays throughout the season, however on occasion clubs may request a Saturday or weeknight game but this needs to be agreed by both clubs.

Question 5

What time will games be played?

Accepted Answer

Usually the younger age groups will play earlier in the day, but this is dependent on your clubs requests that are made at the start of the season.

Question 6

When and where is training held?

Accepted Answer

Please contact your local club for all the details regarding day, location and time of training.

Question 7

How many players are needed for a team?

Accepted Answer

16 players are needed to field a team. There is a maximum of 24 players per team on game days with 8 on the bench. 11 players are needed to start an official game. If one team has fewer than 16 players, then both teams must play with equal numbers on the field.

Question 8

Is there scoring and finals?

Accepted Answer

Under 8 – no recorded scores.
Under 9 Mixed & Girls – no recorded scores.
Under 10 Mixed scores are displayed on scoreboard but not published (scores only for grading purposes).
Scoring, ladders and finals are permitted in U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, Youth Boys and Girls.

Question 9

Footy can be physical, are there many injuries in the girls’ competition?

Accepted Answer

Girls playing football are at risk of injury no more than a girl playing netball or basketball. Football is a contact sport and can be a physical game which is why different age groups play with different modified rules, tailored to their different stages of development.

Question 10

Can a girl play with the boys in a mixed team if they want to?

Accepted Answer

Girls can play in mixed teams with boys up to and including U14s. After this, girls must play in girls only competitions.

Question 11

Are there other ways to be involved in footy if I don’t want to play?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! You can become a coach, an umpire, a trainer, a team manager or a club administrator. Contact the YJFL for umpiring roles or your club for any other positions.

Question 12

What is the pathway for players if they want to keep playing beyond Youth Boys & Youth Girls?

Accepted Answer

Once you are over 18 and can no longer play Youth Boys and Youth Girls, you can start playing senior Womens & Mens football. There are many senior football teams throughout Victoria that play in a range of suburban competitions. There is also an opportunity to play in the state based VFL & VFL Womens competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions