Frequently Asked Questions
Why you should read this document
These questions and answers will tell you most things you need to know about playing with Abbotsford Juniors Football Club (AJFC) during the season, as well as what the Club expects of its players and parents. You should refer back to it regularly as it will answer most of your questions that arise during the season.
Who runs Abbotsford Junior Football Club?
Abbotsford Juniors Football Club (AJFC) is a voluntary community organisation serving junior and senior football players primarily from the suburbs of Abbotsford, Chiswick, Drummoyne, Five Dock, Russell Lea and Wareemba. The Club is run by an executive management committee of players, parents and interested community members and is a member of the Football Canterbury Association. All tasks involved in organizing and running the Club are carried out by volunteers and members. As a player or parent of a player, you are a member of the Club and your participation would be most welcome.
When does the football season start and end?
The official 2024 football season will commence on the first weekend in April and finishes in late August. Unless exceptional conditions occur such as COVID-19 impacts or adverse weather, no games or training sessions are scheduled during the middle weekend of school holidays though games are regularly played on the first and last weekends of school holiday periods.
When does player registration open?
Registration for the 2024 season will open in early January 2024. Details on registration fees and how to register can be found at Player Registration for Season 2024.
What does it cost to register with Abbotsford Juniors Football Club?
Details of registration fees for the Club can be found at Player Registration for Season 2024.
What does the Abbotsford Juniors Football Club registration fee cover?
Your registration fee covers levies and payments for Football Federation Australia, injury insurance, Football NSW, the Canterbury Association (CDSFA), council ground hire & lighting costs, team kits (balls, jerseys, cones etc), ground equipment (e.g. nets, flags), referees fees , fees for coaching and referees’ courses, and general administration costs of running the Club. Abbotsford Juniors Football Club also makes a substantial donation to St John’s Ambulance each year for their provision of St John’s First Aid Officers for all of our home games. It also covers the cost of one club jersey, club shorts and pair of socks for each registered player.
Is a playing kit included in the registration fee?
A jersey, shorts and a pair of socks are provided for new players joining the Club in 2024 as part of your registration fee. Players will retain their shorts and socks at the end of the season with the jersey returned to the Club. The Club provides all players with a playing jersey each season prior to the commencement of games.
How do I know which age group my child will be in?
Players qualify for their age group based on the birthday they have during the calendar year of play. For example, a player who has their 10th birthday during 2024 will generally play in a team in the Under 10 competition.
Can my child play with his or her friends?
Yes. The club is very aware that many players who are new to football are invited by, or wish to play with their friendship groups or previous team-mates. Wherever possible, Abbotsford Juniors will do its best to support this participation. The exception is AJFC Academy (Division 1) teams where team participation is via organised trials and selection.
Does Abbotsford Juniors Football Club conduct player trials?
Teams for Under 8 and older age groups will play against other clubs within the Football Canterbury Association in divisions ranked according to “ability” (1st Division, 2nd Division etc). Abbotsford Juniors Football Club does conduct trials and grading sessions for AJFC Academy and selected Division 1 teams with the aim of ensuring highly skilled and motivated players are provided with an opportunity to play in a team of like skill ability, interest and motivation. The Club also caters for teams and groups of players who wish to play competitive football with their friendship group in a division appropriate to their level.
Can my child play “up” or “down” an age group?
Playing down an age group is not permitted by Football Canterbury Association rules, except for extreme situations, such as medical disadvantage or disability. Playing up an age group may be considered from time to time depending on several factors such as player numbers and individual skill level. This will be at the Club’s discretion. Occasionally in the older age groups, players may be invited to play up an age group to ensure appropriate numbers in teams.
What gear do I need as a player?
Players will require shin guards, boots and a named drink bottle. Please note that shin pads/guards must be worn for all training and games. This is critical for player safety - NO shin pads, NO play.
2023 saw Abbotsford Juniors introduce a new playing kit with new sponsorship. Each registered player will receive one playing kit (free of charge) jersey, shorts and pair of socks as part of their registration. Player shorts and socks for new to Abbotsford Juniors players will be orderable from the AJFC Store (delivery cost payable). Team jersey's will be provided to the Team Coach and/or Manager by the Club for distribution to the team's players. Jersey's that do not fit may be exchanged with the Club for an alternate size jersey during nominated sessions (days and times to be confirmed). You WILL need to return your player jersey at the end of the season.
If I decide to withdraw after registering, can I get a refund?
No full refunds are available subsequent to registration, unless there is a medical reason (doctors certificate required), due to the amounts paid out to third parties (see above).
What happens next after I register as a player with Abbotsford Juniors Football Club?
Abbotsford Juniors may elect to hold team formation days where players are grouped into teams. In certain circumstances where there are too few or too many players, additional discussion and coordination may be required including sourcing several new players. Once complete, the Club registers these teams with Canterbury Association. Players who join Abbotsford Juniors in our Under 6 and Under 7 age groups (Small Sided Football) will attend an Intro to Mini-Roos football morning as part of an introduction to their team.
The dates and times for team formations days will be posted on the website and Facebook as well as emailed to those players/parents who have registered.
What are the rules for on-or off-field player, coach, manager and spectator behaviour?
The Football Canterbury Association (CDSFA) has published Codes of Conduct and Child Protection Policies for players, coaches, parents and spectators, all of which are available on its website. Please ensure that you take the time to read these. Abbotsford Juniors Football Club supports these Codes and, like the Association, has a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour by anyone associated with our Club. Negative behaviour towards referees, other players, or spectators will not be tolerated. Football Canterbury Association has set penalties and sanctions that are applied for inappropriate behaviour. The Club reserves its right to impose additional sanctions such as suspension of a player, compulsory forfeiture of one or more games, or expulsion.
While we understand that it is easy to be caught up in the excitement of a game, the Club asks that parents refrain from excessive barracking for their children’s team. Experience shows that shouting at children while they are playing has a negative effect, even if such shouting is meant as encouragement. You wouldn’t like your child standing next to you and shouting whilst you are doing something, so why would you do it to your child? Abbotsford Juniors Football Club takes the protection of its members seriously. If you have any concerns about the welfare or treatment of children, please contact the club's Member Protection and Information Officer.
When does my team train?
Abbotsford Juniors Football Club team training will typically be at least one night per week held on either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Please note that the Club does not have use of the grounds on other nights. The training night and time selected for your team will be determined by the team members, parents and the Coach and Team Manager, subject to pitch space being available at this time.
The exceptions to this are Under 6 and Under 7 team training. Specific training times are reserved for these teams which will be on Tuesday afternoons, 4.30pm to 5.30pm for Under 6 teams, and Tuesday afternoons, 5.30pm to 6.30pm for Under 7 teams.
When are Abbotsford Juniors Football Club matches played?
Abbotsford Juniors Under 6 and Under 7 age groups play all their games at Campbell Park, Chiswick.
Football Canterbury Association matches for Under 8 and older teams are played on a home and away basis at grounds located throughout the Canterbury district. The football season runs from the start of April until the end of August.
The game schedule, results and age division league tables are published by the Association and made available via a link on the Abbotsford Junior Football Club website. Please check the schedule regularly for last minute changes, as game times and locations do change particularly if it has been raining, as grounds may be closed and games re-scheduled..
The general rules for scheduling of CDSFA games are as follows:
- Under 6 team games are played on Saturday mornings 9:00am to 10:00am at Campbell Park
- Under 7 team games are played on Saturday mornings 10:00am to 11:00am at Campbell Park
- Under 7 teams can also participate in Gala days when AJFC play non-competitively against other Clubs at other fields. You will be advised of these games as they are arranged throughout the season
- Under 8 to Under 11 team games are played on Saturday mornings
- All Age and over 35 team games are played on Saturday afternoons
- Under 12 to Under 18 team games are played on Sunday
- Girls and women’s team games are played on Sunday
Pre-season games may also be organised by team managers and coaches in March prior to the season start.
How will I know if training or games are cancelled?
Please check this website, the Football Canterbury Dribl website (for games on weekends), our Facebook page and Twitter on a regular basis in the event of rain or bad weather. The Club endeavours to update all of these information sources as soon as possible.
The Club trains and play on grounds that are owned and maintained by many individual Councils across Sydney and in wet weather, a Council may decide to close a specific ground to preserve its condition. Often a decision to close a ground due to wet weather is not made by Council until mid-afternoon on weekdays, or at the last minute before scheduled games on weekends. This is complicated by the fact that many playing grounds used by CDSFA are in a number of different Council areas.
It is important that Team Managers check these sources and communicate any news to their team (and parents).
Who coaches my team at Abbotsford Juniors Football Club?
In the younger age groups, each team will need to provide an interested parent or relative to act as the coach for the team. Advice and assistance will be provided by the Club's coaching coordinators. No experience is necessary but a ‘Give it a Go” attitude means everyone has fun.
In the older player age groups (Under 9 and above) we strongly encourage coaches, whether parents or other interested community members, to undertake an accredited Football NSW coaching course. Abbotsford Juniors Football Club funds this training for interested coaches and course are run regularly throughout the year by Football NSW and the Football Canterbury Association (CDSFA).
What is required to act as a coach at Abbotsford Juniors Football Club?
All prospective coaches at Abbotsford Juniors Football Club must register with the Club.
In accordance with Football NSW Regulations, ALL coaches are also required to complete and obtain a clearance through the Working with Children Check process. The Club also holds a coaches and managers' induction session during March of each calendar year. The date and time of this session will be posted on our website, facebook and emailed directly to coaches and managers.
What is required to obtain a Working with Children clearance?
Obtaining a Working with Children clearance is a simple process via an online form and also requires a visit to a Service NSW centre or motor registery. Details of the process can be found on the NSW Government Office of the Childrens Guardian website at Working with Children Check.
Who organises my team during the season?
Each team will need to appoint a team-spirited parent to act as the Team Manager to undertake administrative responsibilities of the team. Depending on the age group, of your team, these responsibilities include:
- Handling communications between the Club and your team members.
- Ensuring that all team members know the times and locations of weekend matches
- Informing team members of last minute changes in venue or timing that may be needed when grounds are closed in wet weather or if an opposition team forfeits
- Picking up (or printing) match sheets prior to the game from Campbell Park change sheds.
- Organizing referee and linesmen payment (and claiming it back from the Club)
- Ensuring that when scheduled to do so, your team completes pitch setup and packing away of goals, ropes and other equipment for home games
- Ensuring that two ground officials are present for Abbotsford Juniors Football Club home games
- Taking a photo and submitting match results sheets to the Club and Competition Secretary.
What is required to act as a team manager at Abbotsford Juniors Football Club?
All prospective team managers at Abbotsford Juniors Football Club must register with the Club.
In accordance with Football NSW Regulations, ALL team managers are also required to complete and obtain a clearance through the Working with Children Check process. See above for details on this process.
Do parents of kids playing football with AJFC have to do anything if they’re not coaching or managing?
The Club does not require parents to work in the canteen or run raffles. On game day, parents are required to help with setting up (for the first game on a pitch) and packing away equipment (after the last game on a pitch). At each home game, the team must ensure they have two ground officials, who wear orange ‘high vis’ vests supplied by the Club, and who must be visible at all times during the match. The Club and your team may be fined if this is not followed. On a few occasions in lower age groups, a parent may be required to be a referee or be a referee’s assistant.
What if I have more questions?
As the pre-season period is extremely busy for Abbotsford Juniors Football Club officials, please check the club website, Facebook page, or Twitter to see if the information you require is available there. If it is not, please feel free to contact info@abbotsfordjuniorsfc.com.au.
Please also be aware that there are very few committee members and they all have jobs and families, and are involved in the Club on a voluntary basis. If it takes a little while for a response by email, please try and be patient.
Who do I talk to if I have suggestions or complaints?
If you have suggestions, concerns or complaints, please follow the Club’s Communication Policy. In the pre-season period you may wish to contact a relevant committee member directly however, please do not contact the Football Canterbury Association (CDSFA) directly. The Association will not respond to any direct communication unless it is forwarded via our Club Secretary. Abbotsford Juniors Football Club has two delegates who attend regular Football Canterbury Associationmeetings and represent the interests of the Club and its members.
Contact details for Club office holders and Committee Menbers are available at AJFC Contacts.
These questions and answers will tell you most things you need to know about playing with Abbotsford Juniors Football Club (AJFC) during the season, as well as what the Club expects of its players and parents. You should refer back to it regularly as it will answer most of your questions that arise during the season.
Who runs Abbotsford Junior Football Club?
Abbotsford Juniors Football Club (AJFC) is a voluntary community organisation serving junior and senior football players primarily from the suburbs of Abbotsford, Chiswick, Drummoyne, Five Dock, Russell Lea and Wareemba. The Club is run by an executive management committee of players, parents and interested community members and is a member of the Football Canterbury Association. All tasks involved in organizing and running the Club are carried out by volunteers and members. As a player or parent of a player, you are a member of the Club and your participation would be most welcome.
When does the football season start and end?
The official 2024 football season will commence on the first weekend in April and finishes in late August. Unless exceptional conditions occur such as COVID-19 impacts or adverse weather, no games or training sessions are scheduled during the middle weekend of school holidays though games are regularly played on the first and last weekends of school holiday periods.
When does player registration open?
Registration for the 2024 season will open in early January 2024. Details on registration fees and how to register can be found at Player Registration for Season 2024.
What does it cost to register with Abbotsford Juniors Football Club?
Details of registration fees for the Club can be found at Player Registration for Season 2024.
What does the Abbotsford Juniors Football Club registration fee cover?
Your registration fee covers levies and payments for Football Federation Australia, injury insurance, Football NSW, the Canterbury Association (CDSFA), council ground hire & lighting costs, team kits (balls, jerseys, cones etc), ground equipment (e.g. nets, flags), referees fees , fees for coaching and referees’ courses, and general administration costs of running the Club. Abbotsford Juniors Football Club also makes a substantial donation to St John’s Ambulance each year for their provision of St John’s First Aid Officers for all of our home games. It also covers the cost of one club jersey, club shorts and pair of socks for each registered player.
Is a playing kit included in the registration fee?
A jersey, shorts and a pair of socks are provided for new players joining the Club in 2024 as part of your registration fee. Players will retain their shorts and socks at the end of the season with the jersey returned to the Club. The Club provides all players with a playing jersey each season prior to the commencement of games.
How do I know which age group my child will be in?
Players qualify for their age group based on the birthday they have during the calendar year of play. For example, a player who has their 10th birthday during 2024 will generally play in a team in the Under 10 competition.
Can my child play with his or her friends?
Yes. The club is very aware that many players who are new to football are invited by, or wish to play with their friendship groups or previous team-mates. Wherever possible, Abbotsford Juniors will do its best to support this participation. The exception is AJFC Academy (Division 1) teams where team participation is via organised trials and selection.
Does Abbotsford Juniors Football Club conduct player trials?
Teams for Under 8 and older age groups will play against other clubs within the Football Canterbury Association in divisions ranked according to “ability” (1st Division, 2nd Division etc). Abbotsford Juniors Football Club does conduct trials and grading sessions for AJFC Academy and selected Division 1 teams with the aim of ensuring highly skilled and motivated players are provided with an opportunity to play in a team of like skill ability, interest and motivation. The Club also caters for teams and groups of players who wish to play competitive football with their friendship group in a division appropriate to their level.
Can my child play “up” or “down” an age group?
Playing down an age group is not permitted by Football Canterbury Association rules, except for extreme situations, such as medical disadvantage or disability. Playing up an age group may be considered from time to time depending on several factors such as player numbers and individual skill level. This will be at the Club’s discretion. Occasionally in the older age groups, players may be invited to play up an age group to ensure appropriate numbers in teams.
What gear do I need as a player?
Players will require shin guards, boots and a named drink bottle. Please note that shin pads/guards must be worn for all training and games. This is critical for player safety - NO shin pads, NO play.
2023 saw Abbotsford Juniors introduce a new playing kit with new sponsorship. Each registered player will receive one playing kit (free of charge) jersey, shorts and pair of socks as part of their registration. Player shorts and socks for new to Abbotsford Juniors players will be orderable from the AJFC Store (delivery cost payable). Team jersey's will be provided to the Team Coach and/or Manager by the Club for distribution to the team's players. Jersey's that do not fit may be exchanged with the Club for an alternate size jersey during nominated sessions (days and times to be confirmed). You WILL need to return your player jersey at the end of the season.
If I decide to withdraw after registering, can I get a refund?
No full refunds are available subsequent to registration, unless there is a medical reason (doctors certificate required), due to the amounts paid out to third parties (see above).
What happens next after I register as a player with Abbotsford Juniors Football Club?
Abbotsford Juniors may elect to hold team formation days where players are grouped into teams. In certain circumstances where there are too few or too many players, additional discussion and coordination may be required including sourcing several new players. Once complete, the Club registers these teams with Canterbury Association. Players who join Abbotsford Juniors in our Under 6 and Under 7 age groups (Small Sided Football) will attend an Intro to Mini-Roos football morning as part of an introduction to their team.
The dates and times for team formations days will be posted on the website and Facebook as well as emailed to those players/parents who have registered.
What are the rules for on-or off-field player, coach, manager and spectator behaviour?
The Football Canterbury Association (CDSFA) has published Codes of Conduct and Child Protection Policies for players, coaches, parents and spectators, all of which are available on its website. Please ensure that you take the time to read these. Abbotsford Juniors Football Club supports these Codes and, like the Association, has a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour by anyone associated with our Club. Negative behaviour towards referees, other players, or spectators will not be tolerated. Football Canterbury Association has set penalties and sanctions that are applied for inappropriate behaviour. The Club reserves its right to impose additional sanctions such as suspension of a player, compulsory forfeiture of one or more games, or expulsion.
While we understand that it is easy to be caught up in the excitement of a game, the Club asks that parents refrain from excessive barracking for their children’s team. Experience shows that shouting at children while they are playing has a negative effect, even if such shouting is meant as encouragement. You wouldn’t like your child standing next to you and shouting whilst you are doing something, so why would you do it to your child? Abbotsford Juniors Football Club takes the protection of its members seriously. If you have any concerns about the welfare or treatment of children, please contact the club's Member Protection and Information Officer.
When does my team train?
Abbotsford Juniors Football Club team training will typically be at least one night per week held on either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Please note that the Club does not have use of the grounds on other nights. The training night and time selected for your team will be determined by the team members, parents and the Coach and Team Manager, subject to pitch space being available at this time.
The exceptions to this are Under 6 and Under 7 team training. Specific training times are reserved for these teams which will be on Tuesday afternoons, 4.30pm to 5.30pm for Under 6 teams, and Tuesday afternoons, 5.30pm to 6.30pm for Under 7 teams.
When are Abbotsford Juniors Football Club matches played?
Abbotsford Juniors Under 6 and Under 7 age groups play all their games at Campbell Park, Chiswick.
Football Canterbury Association matches for Under 8 and older teams are played on a home and away basis at grounds located throughout the Canterbury district. The football season runs from the start of April until the end of August.
The game schedule, results and age division league tables are published by the Association and made available via a link on the Abbotsford Junior Football Club website. Please check the schedule regularly for last minute changes, as game times and locations do change particularly if it has been raining, as grounds may be closed and games re-scheduled..
The general rules for scheduling of CDSFA games are as follows:
- Under 6 team games are played on Saturday mornings 9:00am to 10:00am at Campbell Park
- Under 7 team games are played on Saturday mornings 10:00am to 11:00am at Campbell Park
- Under 7 teams can also participate in Gala days when AJFC play non-competitively against other Clubs at other fields. You will be advised of these games as they are arranged throughout the season
- Under 8 to Under 11 team games are played on Saturday mornings
- All Age and over 35 team games are played on Saturday afternoons
- Under 12 to Under 18 team games are played on Sunday
- Girls and women’s team games are played on Sunday
Pre-season games may also be organised by team managers and coaches in March prior to the season start.
How will I know if training or games are cancelled?
Please check this website, the Football Canterbury Dribl website (for games on weekends), our Facebook page and Twitter on a regular basis in the event of rain or bad weather. The Club endeavours to update all of these information sources as soon as possible.
The Club trains and play on grounds that are owned and maintained by many individual Councils across Sydney and in wet weather, a Council may decide to close a specific ground to preserve its condition. Often a decision to close a ground due to wet weather is not made by Council until mid-afternoon on weekdays, or at the last minute before scheduled games on weekends. This is complicated by the fact that many playing grounds used by CDSFA are in a number of different Council areas.
It is important that Team Managers check these sources and communicate any news to their team (and parents).
Who coaches my team at Abbotsford Juniors Football Club?
In the younger age groups, each team will need to provide an interested parent or relative to act as the coach for the team. Advice and assistance will be provided by the Club's coaching coordinators. No experience is necessary but a ‘Give it a Go” attitude means everyone has fun.
In the older player age groups (Under 9 and above) we strongly encourage coaches, whether parents or other interested community members, to undertake an accredited Football NSW coaching course. Abbotsford Juniors Football Club funds this training for interested coaches and course are run regularly throughout the year by Football NSW and the Football Canterbury Association (CDSFA).
What is required to act as a coach at Abbotsford Juniors Football Club?
All prospective coaches at Abbotsford Juniors Football Club must register with the Club.
In accordance with Football NSW Regulations, ALL coaches are also required to complete and obtain a clearance through the Working with Children Check process. The Club also holds a coaches and managers' induction session during March of each calendar year. The date and time of this session will be posted on our website, facebook and emailed directly to coaches and managers.
What is required to obtain a Working with Children clearance?
Obtaining a Working with Children clearance is a simple process via an online form and also requires a visit to a Service NSW centre or motor registery. Details of the process can be found on the NSW Government Office of the Childrens Guardian website at Working with Children Check.
Who organises my team during the season?
Each team will need to appoint a team-spirited parent to act as the Team Manager to undertake administrative responsibilities of the team. Depending on the age group, of your team, these responsibilities include:
- Handling communications between the Club and your team members.
- Ensuring that all team members know the times and locations of weekend matches
- Informing team members of last minute changes in venue or timing that may be needed when grounds are closed in wet weather or if an opposition team forfeits
- Picking up (or printing) match sheets prior to the game from Campbell Park change sheds.
- Organizing referee and linesmen payment (and claiming it back from the Club)
- Ensuring that when scheduled to do so, your team completes pitch setup and packing away of goals, ropes and other equipment for home games
- Ensuring that two ground officials are present for Abbotsford Juniors Football Club home games
- Taking a photo and submitting match results sheets to the Club and Competition Secretary.
What is required to act as a team manager at Abbotsford Juniors Football Club?
All prospective team managers at Abbotsford Juniors Football Club must register with the Club.
In accordance with Football NSW Regulations, ALL team managers are also required to complete and obtain a clearance through the Working with Children Check process. See above for details on this process.
Do parents of kids playing football with AJFC have to do anything if they’re not coaching or managing?
The Club does not require parents to work in the canteen or run raffles. On game day, parents are required to help with setting up (for the first game on a pitch) and packing away equipment (after the last game on a pitch). At each home game, the team must ensure they have two ground officials, who wear orange ‘high vis’ vests supplied by the Club, and who must be visible at all times during the match. The Club and your team may be fined if this is not followed. On a few occasions in lower age groups, a parent may be required to be a referee or be a referee’s assistant.
What if I have more questions?
As the pre-season period is extremely busy for Abbotsford Juniors Football Club officials, please check the club website, Facebook page, or Twitter to see if the information you require is available there. If it is not, please feel free to contact info@abbotsfordjuniorsfc.com.au.
Please also be aware that there are very few committee members and they all have jobs and families, and are involved in the Club on a voluntary basis. If it takes a little while for a response by email, please try and be patient.
Who do I talk to if I have suggestions or complaints?
If you have suggestions, concerns or complaints, please follow the Club’s Communication Policy. In the pre-season period you may wish to contact a relevant committee member directly however, please do not contact the Football Canterbury Association (CDSFA) directly. The Association will not respond to any direct communication unless it is forwarded via our Club Secretary. Abbotsford Juniors Football Club has two delegates who attend regular Football Canterbury Associationmeetings and represent the interests of the Club and its members.
Contact details for Club office holders and Committee Menbers are available at AJFC Contacts.
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