Senior Competition Information Winter 2016

Last Updated: Friday 29th April 2016

Divisions Available

• Mens Opens - No age restrictions on players (16ys or older).
• Mixed Opens - No age restrictions on players (16yrs or older), Maximum 4 Male players on the field at once. Any number of Female players to make up a team of 8.

General Information 

• Teams may have a maximum of 8 players on the field at any time in a half field configuration.
• There is no limit to the number of team members or interchanges.
• Teams must have at least 10 fully paid team members so they have reserves, with 12 recommended.
• Players MUST wear approved Tag League Shorts or Tights or cannot take the field. Shorts are available for purchase at $25.00, tights are $30. Some other Tag sports shorts/tights are acceptable, check with the competition manager if you are unsure yours comply.
• Teams MUST have an individually numbered shirt of the same colour for each team member by Round 3 of the competition. Numbers must be from 1 to 99 with each team member having a unique number.
• Shirts can be purchased from Macarthur Tag League or from anywhere.
• Teams not complying with numbered shirts will not be eligible to take the field.
• Teams who have individual players without numbered shirts face a match point penalty for each person not complying.
• Games consist of 2 x 20 minute halves, with a 2 minute half time break.
• Teams receive points for each game; Win-3, Draw-2, Loss-1, Forfeit (with notification)-1, NoShow or Penalty-0.
• Position on table is based on points, with goals "for & against" used where there is a draw, Goals "for" if tied.
• The competition will run for a total of 14 Rounds, being a 12 week Round Robin plus 2 weeks of finals.
• The first 5 rounds will be run ungraded, with teams then placed into separate divisions of 8 (subject to numbers) and will play the last  7 rounds in those divisions, playing each other once.
• The top 4 teams at the end of the Round Robin progress to a 2 week sudden death finals series (1 plays 4, 2 plays 3 with winners playing in the Grand Final).
• Winners and Runners Up in each division receive prizes.

Prizes

• Each division will play for a cash prize of $300 with $200 for the runner up.
• A catered Grand Finals presentation will be provided for all participating teams.
• The winners in the top division will also receive their choice of Premiers Jackets or Branded Merchandise to an equivalent value (eg. Custom Shorts or Shirts).

Player Eligibility 

• All participants must be at least 16 years of age in the 2016 calendar year. 
• All participants must be registered on a team and be paid up before they can compete in the Macarthur Competition.
• Registration cost in the Macarthur Winter 2016 Senior Competition is as follows; 

• Prices are per person for the 14 week season, there are no additional costs beyond shorts and shirts.
• Each Team must have 10 fully paid up members as a minimum, 12 or more is recommended.
• All participants must sign on prior to taking the field and comply with sign on guidelines.
• Teams cannot use unregistered players otherwise known as "Ring In's" to play in their team for any reason.
• A team short of players ie. less than 8 in any given week of the competition can use a registered player from another team in the competition to "Fill In". A maximum of 3 "Fill In's" can be used in any game, and they cannot be used as reserves for substitution during a game. A point penalty is applied for each fill in that takes the field for a team.
• Teams need to advise the competition convenor or supervisor that they propose to use a "Fill In" and the match referee & opposing team captain also needs to be advised. 
• Any player used as a "Fill In" must sign on for that team for that game.
• A team cannot consistently use "Fill In's" ie. more than 3 games in the season.
• A Fill In is not entitled to participate in any prize should the team they Filled In for win a prize.
• Teams found to be using a Ring In will forfeit any match points for that Round with winning points awarded to the opposing team.
• Teams who are in breach of guidelines on more than 1 occasion will be suspended for 1 or more games, with teams who are found to be repeat offenders being disqualified from the competition.

Sign On

• It is a condition of entry to the competition that ALL players MUST sign on prior to taking the field. This is a requirement for insurance coverage.
• Players who do not sign on, are injured, and attempt to claim on insurance, WILL HAVE THEIR CLAIM DENIED.
• Players must only sign on for themselves, not for anyone else. Signatures will be cross checked for consistency.
• Players must sign in full, not just using initials.
• Players cannot sign on using someone elses name. If they are 'Filling In" for a team, they need to write their own name on a separate line on the sign on sheets and sign on that line for the week that they played.
• Players are required to present a Photo ID for sign on. This must be supplied or they cannot take the field.
• Anyone found to be playing for a team without sign on may cause that team to face a match point penalty, suspension or disqualification if they are found to be ineligible to play.

Scheduling of Games - Eschol Park Sports Complex - Eagle Vale

• Men's Open games will be played between 7.00pm and 9.15pm on Monday evenings (unless rescheduled).
• Mixed Open games will be played between 7.00pm and 9.15pm on Monday evenings (unless rescheduled).
• The draw is published in advance, with game times varying by week.
• Teams may specify if they wish to play early or late, early games being scheduled for 6.30pm or 7.15pm, late games being scheduled for 8.00pm or 8.45pm.
• No games will be scheduled on public holidays.

Scheduling of Games - Hilder Reserve - Elderslie

• Men's Open games will be played between 6.30pm and 9.30pm on Wednesday evenings (unless rescheduled).
• Mixed Open games will be played between 6.30pm and 9.30pm on Wednesday evenings (unless rescheduled).
• The draw is published in advance, with game times varying by week.
• Teams may specify if they wish to play early or late, early games being scheduled for 6.30pm or 7.15pm, late games being scheduled for 8.00pm or 8.45pm.
• No games will be scheduled on NRL State of Origin dates.

Wet Weather

• It is the policy of Macarthur Tag League to play all scheduled rounds of the competition, with games rescheduled if they cannot be played on their assigned date for any reason, usually the result of wet weather.
• For the Winter 2016 Season there will be provision for 4 wet weather replay rounds.
• More wet weather replacement rounds will be scheduled if required and if grounds can be secured.
• Ground closure is determined by Campbelltown or Camden Shire Councils based on conditions.
• Final assessment on ground suitability for play lies with Macarthur Tag League, who will inspect grounds prior to play to determine if they are safe for play and / or if excessive damage to the playing surface is a risk.
  

* Wet Weather replacement rounds.

** Revised start date.