Football NSW Capped Registration Fees

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One of the requirements of clubs competing in Football NSW competitions is to comply with the capped registration fees set for each of the leagues.

This is outlined in the Participation Agreement entered into by applicants for the 2019 season, Clause 6(b)(i) provides that clubs must “… implement and comply with the requirements of Part 1 – Application Form – of the Application including, without limitation, the requirements in relation to Capped Fees”.

 

In turn, “Part 1 – Application Form”, provides as follows:

(o) Capped Fees

(i) Successful Applicants agree:

a. To comply with the caped player registration fees set by Football NSW (where the club is participating in a league in relation to which Football NSW has communicated capped fees);

b. to disclose registration fee breakdowns on the MyFootballClub registration system (or itssuccessor(s)) and on the Applicant’s website; and

c. not to levy any fees or charge on players and above the capped registration fees set by Football NSW including, but not limited to, building fund levies, facilities fund levies, raffles etc, without the prior written approval of Football NSW

(ii) Football NSW reserves the right to sanction successful Applicants who fail to comply with these conditions, including,

Non-compliance with these requirements, including clubs seeking to levy fees or charges on players over and above the cap, was considered by the Football NSW Board at its most recent meeting. The Board reaffirmed its position that clubs must comply with the capped player registration fees set by Football NSW and resolved that clubs may only impose fees or charges above the prescribed capped player registration fees if those fees or charges are completely voluntary.

For clarity, clubs must therefore not impose any fees or charges above the capped player registration fees set by Football NSW unless payment of those fees is completely voluntary.

As is the usual practice, Football NSW will communicate the capped player registration fees for the 2019 season to clubs shortly.

We take this opportunity to also remind clubs that, as per the Participation Agreement and the Application Form, that clubs have agreed to be bound by, clubs must disclose registration fee breakdowns on the online registration system and on their websites.

Further to this, clubs must not suggest, in any communication in relation to registration fees, whether directly or indirectly, that the total fee paid by the player is the “Football NSW Registration Fee” (or such similar wording). The capped player registration fee set by Football NSW is the total maximum registration fee that a club may charge (clubs may charge less if they so choose) which is not the Football NSW Registration Fee.

The capped player registration fee is a fee that includes a number of charges, namely, the FFA’s NRF, the Football NSW Capitation Fee, Personal Injury Insurance, Government Sporting  Injuries  Insurance  and  the  club’s  own fees. Clubs must ensure this is made very clear in any relevant communication with players and/or their parents (or guardians), and the breakdown of that fee must also appear on the club’s website (as per the Application Form set out above).

Football NSW understands some clubs will often run raffles as fundraisers. We wish to make two points in relation to the running of raffles.

Firstly, while the club is free to run raffles, the selling of tickets and/or the purchase of raffle ticket books must not be compulsory, and there cannot be a requirement or expectation that parents will purchase any unsold tickets from any raffle ticket book given to them. Secondly, the club must ensure that any raffles it conducts comply with the relevant legislation – here is a link to the Raffles Fact Sheet – click here issued by Liquor & Gaming NSW to assist clubs with ensuring that any raffles are conducted in compliance with the relevant legislations, in this case, the Lotteries and Art Unions Act 1901 and the Lotteries and Art Unions Regulation 2014.

We also understand that some clubs add the cost of attending end of season presentation nights to the cost of registration. In line, with the Board’s position in respect of capped registration fees, if the cost is outside of the capped registration fees attendance at such events must be voluntary and the club must not include the cost of attendance in its registration fee or otherwise seek to make the purchase of such tickets compulsory.

Please note that Football NSW reserves the right to sanction clubs who fail to comply with the conditions in relation to capped player registration fees. Such sanctions may include, but are not limited to, declining to issue a licence (Participation Agreement) to an Applicant Club, terminating a Participation Agreement (where one has already been entered into by the club and Football NSW), the issuing of fines and/or the application of point deductions (including Club Championship points).

Football NSW will shortly be communicating its position to all stakeholders via social media and direct emails to players (eDMs). Any complaints against clubs in relation to non-compliance with the requirements around capped player registration fees will be treated seriously and, if substantiated, clubs will be sanctioned by Football NSW. Any allegation that a club has not selected a player or released a player because their parents are unwilling to pay any additional fees or charges will also be treated seriously and sanctions may be applied.

In summary:

  1. clubs must not impose any fees or charges above the capped player registration fees set by Football NSW unless payment of those fees is completely voluntary;
  2. Football NSW will shortly issue its capped registration fees for the 2019 season;
  3. clubs must disclose registration fee breakdowns on their website;
  4. clubs must disclose registration fee breakdowns on the online registration system (when it goes live for the 2019 season);
  5. sanctions (including, but not limited to, declining to issue a Participation Agreement, terminating a Participation Agreement, fines and/or point deductions) may be applied by Football NSW for non-compliance with the conditions in relation to capped registration fees; and
  6. Football NSW will shortly be communicating its position to all stakeholders via social media and direct emails to players (EDMs).

Please ensure this correspondence is sent all respective parties within your club.