Association By-Laws

 

Current as at 1 March 2010

 

 

1.         INTERPRETATION.. 3

2.         REGISTRATIONS. 3

3.         CLEARANCES. 4

4.         OSFA SPECIFIC REGISTRATION AND CLEARANCE BY LAWS. 6

5.         MATCHES. 7

6.         FORFEITS. 9

7.         CANCELLED GAMES. 10

8.         INELIGIBLE PLAYERS. 10

9.         UNIFORM.. 11

10.       ADMISSION CHARGES. 11

11.       THIRDS ELIGIBILITY  -  Repealed 27 Feb 2006. 11

12.       ORDER OFF RULE.. 11

13.       ELIGIBILITY FOR FINALS. 12

14.       PREMIERSHIPS. 12

15.       FINALS MATCHES. 13

16.       ASSOCIATION PLAYER AWARDS. 14

17.       REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. 14

18.       CLUB COACHES. 15

19.       MATCH PAYMENTS & EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS. 15

20.       MEETING TIMES AND VENUES. 16

21.       INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL.. 16

22.       APPEALS COMMITTEE.. 18

23.       ALCOHOL.. 19

24.       EXPELLED PLAYERS. 19

25.       DISPUTES, COMPLAINTS AND PENALTIES. 19

26.       DECISIONS AFFECTING THE CONDUCT OF MATCHES. 20

27.       SCHEDULE OF FINES. 20

28.       ALTERATION TO BY-LAWS. 21

29.       MISCELLANEOUS. 21

 


1.         INTERPRETATION

1.1.      These by-laws are to be read in conjunction with the constitution of the Association.

1.2.      The Association shall have full power to interpret these by-laws.

 

2.         REGISTRATIONS

 

2.1       Registrar

 

2.1.1    The Executive of the OSFA of the league shall act as the registrar annually.

2.1.2    A club has the right to appeal to the appeal committee against any decision of the registrar under these By-Laws and the decision of the appeal committee is final

 

2.2       Registration of players

 

2.2.1    The league shall furnish to the club a list of players registered by the club during the previous season for re-registration, showing the full name, address and date of birth of each player.

2.2.2    Each club shall furnish to the league a properly completed and signed application for registration in respect of each player not registered with that club the previous season.

2.2.3    No player can participate in any Premiership match until the relevant application has been lodged and registration approved.

2.2.4    The acceptance of the re registration by the club shall bind the player to the stipulated club until he receives a clearance from the club.

2.2.5    Throughout these By-Laws a player who is named on a team sheet lodged prior to a match is deemed to have played or participated regardless of whether he took the field or not.

2.2.6    Application for registration shall be referred to the registrar who may reject or grant each application at his discretion and may require the attendance of the applicant.

2.2.7    Where an application for new registration is granted, the given name, surname and address of the player, the name of his club and the date of registration shall be entered into a register of players which shall be kept in the office of AFL Southern Tasmania.

2.2.8    The onus of good faith in respect of all information submitted for the purpose of registration shall at all times rest with the applicants club

2.2.9    The registration of a player remains in force if the player plays at least one club game in two consecutive years.

2.2.10  Registration forms must be lodged with the league before 9.30am on the Friday before the day on which the player intends to play his first match,and a player is not deemed to be registered until it has been accepted by the registrar, except as provided in Clause 4.1.

2.2.11  No registration can be accepted after 9.30am on the first Friday in July annually except as provided in Clause 4.2.

2.2.12  Any new registration for the current season will not be accepted until the 1st January of the current season

 

 2.3      Unregistered Players

See By Law 8.

 

3.         CLEARANCES

3.1.1    A clearance form must be used in all cases whenever a player transfers to or from a club and must be lodged with the registrar within seven days following the date of signing by the player.

3.1.2    A player registered with a club under this part who wishes to transfer to another league club shall submit to the registrar on the appropriate form a request for approval for a clearance.

3.1.3    If a club fails to respond to the request for approval of a clearance within fourteen (14) days from receipt of the clearance application the League shall grant the clearance.

3.1.4    Where the By-Laws of an association in Australia other than the OSFA specify a requirement of clearance approval by the controlling body, the procedure for a clearance for a player in such an association shall be the same.

3.1.5    There shall be no transfer fees applied.

3.1.6    Any new clearance for the current season will not be accepted until the1st January of the current season

 

3.2       Clearances between different competitions.

3.2.1    In this rule “association” means any other football body operating in Australia other than the OSFA.

3.1.2    A player registered with a club who wished to play with any other association or body shall apply to the registrar for a clearance on the form available for that purpose.

 

3.2A     Clearances after standing out of football.

A player who was registered with a league club but who submits a statutory declaration saying that he has not played football in any competition in the preceding 24 months is not required to produce a clearance to play with another league club but he does require a new registration approved by the registrar.

 

3.3       Refusal of clearance

3.3.1    This rule applies to a player registered with clubs who wishes to transfer to another club and a player in another association or body who is refused a clearance by a league club to which his club is attached or the association in which he is registered.

3.3.2    A player is deemed to have failed to obtain a clearance if he receives formal notice of the refusal.

3.3.3    A player can only be refused a clearance on the grounds of;

(a)        If the player has an existing contract with the transferor club;

(b)        If the player owes property to the transferor club; or

(c)        If the player is financially encumbered to the transferor club

3.3.4    The onus on proving the provisions in the above rule lies with the club refusing the clearance.

3.3.5    A player may appeal against a refusal of a clearance to the Appeal Committee by lodging a notice in the approved form with the Executive Officer AFL Southern Tasmania with a cash deposit of $50.00.

3.3.6    The appeal shall be lodged within seven days of the refusal and shall set out the grounds of the appeal including where applicable details of hardship suffered by the player because of the refusal.

3.3.7    The Executive Officer AFL Southern Tasmania, by notice in writing, shall notify the player and club or association or body which has refused the clearance of the date and time of the appeal and advise that club or association or body that it is entitled to be heard at the appeal if it wishes.

3.3.8    The Executive Officer AFL Southern Tasmania shall use his best endeavours to arrange a hearing within 14 days of lodgment of the appeal.

3.3.9    A player under suspension or disqualification for a field offence or by his body or who has been expelled by the league, association, body or club is not eligible during the relevant period to lodge an appeal against a clearance.

 

3.4       Playing in breach of these By Laws

A player who obtains a clearance or registration by using wrong information or whom in any other way plays contrary to the By Laws in this part shall be dealt with as the registrar deems appropriate.

 

3.5       Cancellation of registration

Should the registrar decide at any time that a player of any club should not be permitted to play with that club, the club, on receiving notice from the registrar shall discontinue to play said player after receiving such notice, it shall be dealt with, as the OSFA may think fit.

 

3.6       Effect of disqualification

A person who has been disqualified is not allowed to hold any position in connection with any league club until the disqualification is removed or expired.

 

3.7       Interstate clearances

3.7.1    The procedure for interstate clearances is the same as for intrastate clearances except that the appropriate AFL form shall be used and the time for lodgment is 14 days.

3.7.2    A player must have resided in Tasmania before being eligible for a clearance.

 

4.         OSFA SPECIFIC REGISTRATION AND CLEARANCE BY LAWS

4.1.      A player, not requiring a clearance, may be deemed registered if his application for registration is lodged with the Secretary on or before 10.00am the first working day following the first match in which the player has played.

4.2.      No application for registration shall be granted after accepted after 9.30am on the first Friday in July, except as follows:

4.2.1    If any club disbands at any time during any season, its members may apply for registration in respect of any other club.

4.2.2    If, by reason of a bona-fide change of residence, it is more convenient for a player, who was formerly registered in the same season with another Association or League, to play in this Association then he shall be eligible to play immediately upon registration.

4.2.3    The re-registration of a player who was registered within the immediate preceding two seasons and who has not played with any other club other than the club with which he is seeking re-registration may be made at any time up to the last roster match.

4.3.      A full time student currently registered with the OSFA, will be permitted to play for his interstate home club whilst on term/semester vacation in that locality.  This can occur only on lodgment of a VCFL (or equivalent) Permit for Students Living Away from Home form, with the Secretary.

4.4       Any registration granted by the Association shall be cancelled in any of the following events:

4.4.1    If the Association Executive decides accordingly.

4.4.2    If the player concerned be granted registration or play with any other club in this Association or any other Association or body conducting a regular weekly Australian Rules Football competition, except if that Association or body is a School or Superrules Association.

4.4.3.   No one player will be permitted to be registered more than two times in this Association in any given year.

 

5.         MATCHES

5.1.      ORGANISATION

5.1.1.   Unless otherwise decided it shall be the duty of the Association to provide umpires for all matches played in the competition.

5.1.2.   It shall be the duty of the home club to provide a ground and suitable footballs, and to ensure that a "Jordan Lifting Frame" is available on the ground in the interchange area for each roster match.

5.1.3.   Each Club shall be responsible for providing at least one registered trainer and a competent time-keeper for all matches.  No more than three (3) trainers or runners shall be allowed on the ground at any one time, except in special circumstances.

5.1.4.   Clubs must notify the Secretary, in writing, prior to the first match in each season, of the names of their registered club trainers, and where applicable, club doctors and shall ensure that these people are clearly identified at all matches by means of armbands provided by the Association.

5.1.5.   The scores of each match shall be recorded by both goal umpires, who must stand alone at all times when umpiring, and both timekeepers. If the goal umpires agree, the score recorded by them shall stand, but if the goal umpires disagree, a majority of the four recorded scores shall decide the final score.

5.1.6.   Senior & Reserve teams shall consist of up to twenty-two players (four players being interchange players).

5.1.7    No match shall be commenced unless each team consists of not less than sixteen players.

5.2.      PLAYING TIMES

5.2.1.   Reserve matches shall commence on Saturdays at 11.45am, they will be followed at 2.00 pm. by the Senior match.

5.2.2.   Senior matches shall consist of four twenty minute quarters PLUS time-on. Reserve matches shall consist of four eighteen minute quarters PLUS time-on.

5.2.3.   Any club not on the ground ready to commence within five minutes of the prescribed time shall be fined the sum of $20.00.

5.2.4    Variations to playing times may only be made with the mutual agreement of the two clubs involved, and the subsequent endorsement by the OSFA executive.

5.3.      TEAM SHEETS

5.3.1.   In each roster match the Team Manager of each club shall, before the commencement of the game, hand a list of the players, in alphabetical order, and the numbers displayed on their respective guernseys representing his club, together with the name of the club's official runner,  to the Team Manager of the opposing club and to the Field Umpire. The only players eligible to play in that match shall be those named on the team list. Forms for the compilation of this list will be supplied by the Association.

5.4.      MATCH MANAGER

5.4.1.   At the conclusion of each match the Team Manager of the home club (hereinafter referred to as the Match Manager) shall collect from both participating clubs and the umpires the team lists together with details of best players and goal kickers and any other reports that may be applicable. The Match Manager shall then be responsible for:

5.4.2.   phoning the Results Clerk by 4.45 pm. with the match result, best players and goal kickers, and

5.4.3.   forwarding all documentation to the Secretary of the Association, or his nominee, to reach him by 10.00 am. on the Monday following the day of the match.

5.4.4.   Any member club failing to comply with this rule shall be fined the sum of $20.00 for each offence.

5.5.      GENERAL

5.5.1.   Member clubs wishing to submit a report on the Field Umpire shall submit such report on club letterhead signed by the club President or Secretary, and shall forward same to reach the Secretary of the Association by 4.00 pm. on the Thursday following the match.

5.5.2.   No person shall trespass on the playing area for the purpose of encouraging or coaching a team, or of carrying out any undesirable action, whilst a match is being played. Penalty: up to $100.00, which may be imposed on the member club if the offender be a member, official or supporter of that club.

5.5.3    The Executive may make a reasonable direction to a member club.

 

6.         FORFEITS

6.1       Any member club not ready to commence any match within fifteen minutes of the prescribed time shall award such match to the opposing member club, provided the opposing club shall have been ready to take the field at the end of the fifteen minutes, or shall have received prior notice of the defaulting club's intention not to play.

6.2       Where a forfeit occurs, the side that did not forfeit must still prepare and submit to the Secretary of the Association a team sheet in the prescribed form.  This team sheet will be taken into account in determining eligibility for finals.

6.3       If a club forfeits (with the exception of a forfiet in accordqnce with clauses 5.1.7 and 6.1), the Executive will impose a penalty on the forfeiting club of 12 premiership points in the grade forfeited.

6.4       If a game is forfeited, in accordance with this section, the Association Best and Fairest votes, and the Goals kicked, still count towards Associations awards (See Section 16)

 

7.         CANCELLED GAMES

7.1.      If the home club is unable to provide a ground for any rostered match then the opposing club must be immediately notified and be given the opportunity of finding a suitable ground. If the opposing club cannot provide a ground then the Secretary of the Association must be notified.

7.2.      The final decision regarding any cancelled game will be made by the Executive of the Association and will not be made until 8.30 am. on the Saturday of the match, unless the Executive meet and decide otherwise.

7.3.      Where a match is cancelled it shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of the Association to notify all radio stations by 9.00 am. on the Saturday and advise them of all relevant details in order that they may make an appropriate broadcast.

7.4.      The "one-off-all-off rule" shall not apply within the Association. 

7.5.      If, upon arrival at the designated ground, both captains agree that the ground be not fit to play on, the match shall be cancelled, but if the captains disagree it shall be at the discretion of the field umpire whether the game be played or not. Any club refusing to abide by the umpire's decision shall forfeit the match.

7.6.      Premiership points for any cancelled game shall be shared between the two affected clubs.

7.7       If, for any reason, only one game is able to be played, that game will be the senior game.

7.8       Goals kicked, and Association Best and Fairest votes, will be counted towards Association Playeer Awards for any game completed, regardless of whether another game was cancelled in that round.

 

8.         INELIGIBLE PLAYERS

8.1.      If any club plays a player ineligible to play with such club, it shall be fined the sum of $50.00 and shall forfeit all matches in which such player shall have played while ineligible, together with all scores registered by it in such matches. Each match shall be awarded to the opposing club, whom shall have the option of including both scores in its average, or of not including either. If such option is not exercised within fourteen days of the match concerned, both scores shall be included.

8.2       If any club deliberately plays a player ineligible to play with such club, it shall be fined the sum of $200.00 and shall forfeit all matches in which such player shall have played while ineligible, together with all scores registered by it in such matches. Each match shall be awarded to the opposing club, whom shall have the option of including both scores in its average, or of not including either. If such option is not exercised within fourteen days of the match concerned, both scores shall be included.

 

9.         UNIFORM

9.1.      Each club shall register its uniform, consisting of guernsey, shorts and socks, with the Association. Priority of registration shall determine the exclusive right to any uniform, subject to the approval of the Association.

9.2.      In every match each player shall wear the registered uniform of the club together with a number, which shall differ numerically from all numbers worn by other members of his team at the same time, and such number shall be legible and properly attached to the guernsey. The penalty for breach of this rule shall be $10.00 for each offending player.

 

10.       ADMISSION CHARGES

10.1     Admission charges for roster matches, where applicable, shall be adults (including players) $5 and children under 16 years of age and cars free.

10.2     Where admission charges have been collected, the duty club shall refund an amount of $120 to the visiting club unless other arrangements have been agreed upon.

10.3     Admission charges for Senior and Reserve finals (except the Grand Final) shall be adults $7, pensioner card concession only $5 and children under 16 years of age free.

10.4     Admission charges for the Senior and Reserve Grand Final shall be adults $10, pensioner card concession only $5 and children under 16 years of age free.

 

11.       THIRDS ELIGIBILITY  -  Repealed 27 Feb 2006

 

12.       ORDER OFF RULE

12.1.    The order off rule for the Association shall reflect the application of the rule as set out in the AFL Southern Tasmania Independent Tribunal - Tribunal Guidelines.

 

13.       ELIGIBILITY FOR FINALS

13.1.    A player shall not be eligible to play in any finals match unless he has played in at least two matches in the roster of the Association, on separate weekends, in the same season as the finals.

13.2.    Except where both Senior and Reserve teams from the one club are playing in finals matches on the same weekend, a player shall not be eligible to play in a lower grade finals match if he has played more than half his roster games in a higher graded team or teams.

13.3.    Any player who has participated in a Reserve grade final shall be allowed to play in any further Reserve grade finals in which his club participates, provided he participates in no subsequent Senior grade finals.  Should a player subsequently participate in a higher grade final, he shall only be permitted to play in a lower grade final provided the higher grade is playing on the same weekend as per By-Law 13.2. or he qualifies on the basis of roster games played, as per By Law 13.2.

13.4.    Where both Senior and Reserves teams from one Club play in finals matches on the same weekend but on different days, no player shall be allowed to participate in more than one match during that weekend.

 

14.       PREMIERSHIPS

14.1.    In every season, unless otherwise decided by the Association before the first match of such season, the following shall be the method of deciding the premiership:

14.2.    The club winning each match shall be awarded 4 points; if any match is a draw, or if matches are cancelled, 2 points shall be awarded to each club.

14.3.    Where there is a bye in the roster, the club with the bye shall not receive any points.

14.4.    If, at the end of the roster matches, any clubs are equal in points, then their order shall be based on the percentage of their total points scored for, and against, each club in every match played by them during the season.

14.5.    The top four clubs at the end of the roster matches shall enter the semi-finals.

14.6.    The teams finishing 3rd and 4th at the end of the roster series shall meet each other in the 1st semi final with the loser being eliminated and the winner progressing to the Preliminary final.  The teams finishing 1st and 2nd at the end of the roster series shall meet each other in the 2nd semi final with the winner advancing to the Grand final and the loser meeting the winner of the 1st semi final in the Preliminary final.  The winner of the Preliminary final shall meet the winner of the 2nd semi final in the Grand final with the winner being declared the Premiers.

 

15.       FINALS MATCHES

15.1.    SENIORS & RESERVES

15.1.1. The Executive shall appoint a Match Manager for each Senior and Reserve finals match and shall notify the respective Team Managers of the fact.

15.1.2. The Match Manager shall control all administrative matters including issuing and collecting match footballs, receiving any reports from the umpires and notifying respective Clubs of same, collecting team sheets, goal kickers and best players from participating Clubs and advising relevant match details to the Association's Publicity Officer.

15.1.3. Each participating Club shall be issued with THIRTY complimentary gate passes per team. The passes shall be handed in at the gate upon entrance to the ground.

15.1.4. Each participating Club shall be responsible for providing a suitably experienced timekeeper and, in the case of all Senior matches and the Reserve Grand Final, preparing a quarter by quarter match report.

15.1.5. Reserve finals shall commence at 11.30 am. and shall consist of four, eighteen minute quarters PLUS time-on.

15.1.6. Senior finals shall commence at 2.00 pm. and shall consist of four, twenty minute quarters PLUS time-on.

15.1.7. All member Clubs of the Association shall be rostered during the final series as "Duty Clubs", and when rostered shall be responsible for providing three people to perform gate, scoreboard and football retrieval duties for both matches.

15.1.8. Rostered Duty Clubs failing to provide the necessary personnel shall, at the discretion of the Association, be fined.

 

15.2.    DRAWN MATCHES

15.2.1. In any finals match, should the scores be level at the conclusion of the normal playing time then additional time shall be played as follows :

15.2.2.   The teams will change ends immediately after the end of the normal playing time and will play for five minutes (plus time-on) before changing ends again and playing for a further five minutes (plus time-on).

15.2.3.   The leader at the end of this additional time will be declared the winner of the match unless the scores are still level in which case a further two (2) five minute (plus time on) periods will be played until there is a result.

15.3.    PRESENTATIONS

15.3.1. Premiership Cups and medallions shall be presented at the conclusion of each Grand Final. Premiership pennants and perpetual shields shall be presented to the relevant Clubs either at their Annual Dinner or at the commencement of the next Season.

 

16.       ASSOCIATION PLAYER AWARDS

16.1.    BEST AND FAIREST

16.1.1. Best and Fairest awards shall be determined for Senior and Reserve competitions by means of a single 3-2-1 vote to be recorded by the central umpire of each match. 

16.1.2. Voting shall conclude at the end of the home-and-away roster series.

16.1.3. Any player found guilty of an offence in any grade, by the Independent Tribunal where the offence was committed during the current season in either a roster or representative match shall be ineligible to receive a Best and Fairest award.

16.1.4. Should two or more players receive the same number of votes within the same competition then the count shall be declared a tie.

16.1.5. Best and Fairest winners shall receive a trophy from the Association.

 

16.2.    LEADING GOAL KICKERS

16.2.1. Leading Goal kickers shall be determined for the Senior and Reserve competitions at the end of the home-and-away roster series.

16.2.2. Should two or more players kick the same number of goals within the same competition then the result shall be declared a tie.

16.2.3. Leading Goal kickers shall receive a medallion from the Association.

 

17.       REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES

17.1.    A representative game shall only be arranged in a particular season if:

            (i)              there are no roster games on the same weekend, and

            (ii)             it is still possible to have a full roster.

17.2.    The Association shall have full disciplinary power over players in teams representing the Association.

17.3.    Any player who shall refuse, without good and sufficient reason, to play when selected for an Association team may be dealt with as the Association deems fit.

17.4.    Umpires reports arising from representative games shall be forwarded to the Independent Tribunal for determination.

 

18.       CLUB COACHES

18.1.    Clubs fielding Senior and Reserve sides shall be permitted to employ three coaches.  These may be in the from of a Senior Coach, Senior Bench Coach, Reserve Coach and Assistant Coaches.

18.2.    Such coaches shall be permitted to be paid either in cash or in kind.

18.3.    Clubs must notify the Secretary, in writing, prior to the first match in each season, of the names and positions of the above mentioned coaches.

18.4.    If due to injury, illness or other commitment coaches nominated in 18.3 are unable to fulfil their commitments, such persons may be replaced subject to approval by the Association executive.

 

19.       MATCH PAYMENTS & EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS

19.1.      GENERAL

19.1.1. No player, other than the coaches notified to the Secretary, shall be permitted to receive payments, either in cash or in kind, pursuant to a contract, whether such contract be verbal or written.

19.1.2. No player, other than approved coaches, shall be permitted to be reimbursed, by either Clubs or supporters, for travelling or any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of playing football within the Association.

19.1.3. Any player receiving such payments shall be ruled to have been ineligible for the whole of the season.

 

19.2.      APPLICATION OF PLAYER INCENTIVES AND AWARDS

19.2.1.   A club shall not make or facilitate the payment of cash awards to players.

19.2.2.   The value of non cash awards made to a player in any one week shall not exceed $60.00.  The total value of all awards issued by a club in any one week shall not exceed $300.00.

19.2.3.   A club shall maintain a register of awards made to players.  This register shall record the date of the award, a description of the award, the value of the award and the recipient of the award. The register shall be made available to the Executive for inspection upon request.

19.2.4.   No more than five (5) players participating in any one team shall be in receipt of an award in any one week..

 

20.       MEETING TIMES AND VENUES

20.1.    ORDINARY MEETINGS

20.1.1. Ordinary meetings of the Association shall be held during the season on the last Monday of each month at a time and venue agreed upon at the previous meeting.

20.1.2. All other meetings shall be held in accordance with the Constitution at such times and places as notified by the Secretary in the notice convening the meeting.

20.2.    TRIBUNAL MEETINGS

20.2.1. The Independent Tribunal will be the AFL Southern Tasmania Independent Tribunal which shall meet, when required, on the Tuesday following the weekend on which the report is made, at 6 p.m. at AFL Tasmania, Argyle St, North Hobart. 

 

21.       INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL

21.1 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

21.1.1  The tribunal has jurisdiction to deal with all charges brought under the laws of Australian football or these By Laws and such other matters as the Executive may from time to time refer to the tribunal.

21.1.2  Charges may be brought by umpires or OSFA Executive.

21.1.3  Where a person pleads guilty to, or is found guilty of a charge, the tribunal may suspend, disqualify or fine that person or impose any other penalty which it is authorized by the laws of Australian football or these By Laws.

21.1.4  The tribunal may of its own motion charge a witness (whether the witness is a party to the proceedings or not) with giving unsatisfactory evidence and after giving the person so charged an opportunity to be heard, proceed to a finding of guilty or not guilty and impose a penalty, if applicable, in the same manner as with other charges.

21.1.5  Except as otherwise specified in this By Law the decision of the tribunal is final.

21.1.7  Where a penalty of suspension or disqualification for more than three years is imposed, the person affected may (in addition to the right of appeal) after three years apply in writing to the tribunal for a review of the penalty, and, after hearing the application the tribunal may;

(a) Reduce the term;

(b) Suspend so much of that term as it thinks appropriate and allow the applicant , in the nature of parole, to resume playing subject to any condition it may impose; or

(c) Re-affirm the penalty

21.1.8  A person whose penalty is re affirmed on an application after three years may re apply after each further year, but in the case of a second or later application he shall lodge a non refundable deposit of $500.00

 

21.2 PROCEDURES

21.2.1  On the hearing of a charge, the tribunal:

(a) Shall make a full and thorough investigation without regard to legal forms and solemnities;

(b) May admit evidence, including video evidence, that is considered relevant notwithstanding that the evidence might not be admissible in a court of law; and

(c) Shall observe the principles of natural justice.

21.2.2  The failure of an umpire, the board or any other person presenting a charge to comply with one or more of the conditions in the laws of Australian Football or these By Laws shall not prevent the hearing and disposal of a charge if the Chairperson of the tribunal is satisfied that no substantial miscarriage of justice will occur as a result of that failure.

21.2.3  A party to proceedings, whether it is the person making the charge or the person charged, is entitled to be represented by a person nominated by him as his advocate and that advocate shall have the normal conduct of that party’s case, including calling and examining witnesses, summing up and where applicable, making a submission as to the penalty.

21.2.4  Subject to those provisions, the tribunal may regulate its own procedure.

21.2.5  The chairman of the tribunal may, in his discretion, prepare and publish guidelines from time to time for the benefit of parties to hearings, with the particular aim of achieving consistency in procedure and decision making.

21.2.6  In any case where exceptional circumstances exist leave of absence may be approved by the chairperson of the Tribunal. In such cases the charges may be adjourned from time to time.

21.2.7  Unless otherwise directed by the chairperson, hearings of the tribunal are public hearings.

21.3 ATTENDANCE AT HEARINGS

21.3.1  Unless otherwise notified by the board a hearing will be conducted at a place determined by the board commencing at 6.00pm sharp on the Tuesday following the match in respect of which the report was made.

21.3.2  Attendance by umpires, reported players and offended players is compulsory and any such person who is not present by 6.25pm may be charged with failing to attend a hearing.

21.3.3  A person who cannot attend must give notice in writing to the league by noon on the day of the hearing explaining the reason for incapacity to attend, which may include written evidence from an employer that the person is required to be at work at the relevant time.

21.3.4  A penalty for non attendance is in addition to any other penalty arising from the hearing.

 

21.4 SET PENALTIES

21.4.1     A player or official who is reported under the laws of Australian Football may  take the option of accepting a set penalty dependent on the rule that he has been reported under as set out in the AFL Southern Tasmania Independent Tribunal - Tribunal Guidelines.

 

22.       APPEALS COMMITTEE

22.1     (a) Where a person has been found guilty of a charge under these provisions, that person may appeal the finding or any penalty imposed by the Independent Tribunal

(b) The appeal is to be determined by an Appeals Committee, as appointed under these laws.

(c) A written Notice of Appeal, signed by the appellants Club Director, must be lodged with the General Manager within 48 hours of the tribunal’s determination and/or imposition of penalty.

(d) A deposit of $250 must be paid by the appellant prior to the hearing of the appeal.

(e) Where the Appeals Committee considers an appeal to be frivolous or without merit, the deposit may be forfeited either wholly or in part.

(f) Any penalty imposed on a player by the Independent Tribunal remains in force notwithstanding that an appeal has been lodged by that player.

(g) On hearing the appeal, the Appeals Committee has the power to increase, decrease or otherwise revoke the original penalty imposed by the Independent Tribunal.

 

23.       ALCOHOL

23.1.    No person shall be permitted to take alcohol into any ground where an Association match is being played.

23.2.    Where alcohol is available for purchase at the ground then the conditions for its consumption shall be controlled by the Club providing the facility.

23.3.    No alcohol shall be taken onto the playing arena during any match (including the quarter, half and three-quarter time breaks) controlled by the Association.

 

24.       EXPELLED PLAYERS

24.1.    Any club expelling a player from its ranks shall, within seven days, forward to the Secretary the name of such player, together with particulars of the offence for which he has been expelled.

 

25.       DISPUTES, COMPLAINTS AND PENALTIES

25.1.    Any club referring a dispute, complaint or charge against any player or club shall verbally advise a member of the Executive within forty-eight hours of the incident and shall have the matter in the hands of the  Secretary of the Association, in writing, by 4.00 pm. on the Thursday following. The Secretary shall immediately give notice thereof to the club concerned and notify such club when the matter will be considered.

25.2.    If a charge is made against any club of playing a player illegally, such club shall be responsible for the appearance of that player at the next meeting of the Association. Failure to produce the player without good and sufficient reason shall be taken as prima facie evidence of the truth of the charge.

25.3.    The Association, Independent Tribunal and all umpires shall have the power to compel any player in any match to appear before the Association or Independent Tribunal as a witness, and the club to which such witness belongs shall be held responsible for his appearance.

25.4.    All disputes, complaints or charges that may be referred to the Association shall be finally decided by the Association, and any club refusing to abide by such decision shall cease to belong to the Association.

 

26.       DECISIONS AFFECTING THE CONDUCT OF MATCHES

26.1.    Any resolution carried at any meeting of the Association which affects the conduct of any match shall not be introduced until at least 72 hours notice is given to all Clubs in writing.

27.       SCHEDULE OF FINES

This schedule sets out the fines that may be levied by the Association using the powers granted by Clause 4.5 of the Constitution.

 

27.1.    Failure of a club delegate, or proxy to attend a meeting (refer Clause 7.1 – Constitution) will incur a $50 fine.

27.2.    Payment of monthly subscriptions after the due date (refer Clause 12.6 - Constitution) will incur a fine of $20 per week or part thereof.

27.3.    Failure to provide a club’s previous year’s full financial statements by 10am on the first working day after the first senior roster match (refer Clause 12.10 - Constitution) will incur a fine of $50 and $20 per month thereafter.

27.4.    Failure to notify of inability to attend tribunal (refer Clause 14.5 – Constitution) will incur a fine of $50.

27.5.    Failure to provide information either by phone or in paper form by the stipulated time (refer Clause 5.4.4 - By-laws) will incur a fine of $20.

27.6.    Trespass on the playing arena (refer Clause 5.5.2 - By-laws) will incur a fine of $100.

27.7     Failure to comply with a reasonable direction from the Executive (refer to Clause 5.5.3 – By Laws) will incur a fine of up to $50.

27.8.    Playing of an ineligble player (refer Clause 8.1 - By-laws) will incur a fine of $50 plus the stated non monetary penalties.

27.9.    The failure to any player to wear the registered uniform of the club (refer Clause 9.2 - By-laws) will incur a fine of $20.

27.10.  Failure to provide weekly programme information, teams or squads to the Mercury or details of matches to the Publicity Officer will incur a fine of $20.

27.11.  Failure to provide information requested by the due date will incur a fine of $20 and $10 per week thereafter.

 

 

28.       ALTERATION TO BY-LAWS

28.1.    No alteration or addition to, or recision of, these by-laws shall be made except at an Ordinary, Annual General or Special Meeting of the Association.

 

29.       MISCELLANEOUS

Life Membership

29.1     When interpetting Clause 17.3 of the OSFA Consitution on Life Membership:

“Long and distinguished service to a member club” would be evidenced by:

·        A significant period (15 years plus) on the Executive and/or committee of a member club; and

·        A significant period (15 years plus) of unpaid volunteer work for a member club.