Prior to lodging a Sanction Application, please refer to the information below, noting that some activities are already sanctioned and others require a Sanction Application form to be lodged for approval by Football NSW to be covered by FNSW insurances.
Jumping Castles, Inflatables & Amusements Rides at Events
Clubs & Associations intending to use jumping castles, inflatables or amusements rides at any function, event or activity, must obtain sanctioning from Football NSW and must ensure the devices are installed, secured and operated in accordance with the SafeWork Australia Inflatable Devices information, SafeWork Australia Amusement Devices information and the equipment supplier safety and operator information. Devices intended only for use as a toy are not permitted to be used. All providers of inflatables and amusement devices must carry their own Public Liability insurance for minimum of $20M and provide a Certificate of Currency as proof of insurance and this must be uploaded with the Sanction Application to FNSW.
2021 Winter Football Season is now Closed
The 2021 Winter outdoor football season is now officially closed and no further training or games associated with the 2021 winter football season are sanctioned with the exception of working bees, club and committee meetings and end of season presentations, subject to compliance with current Covid-19 Public Health Orders.
2022 Winter Pre-season Trials and Training (From 1/11/2021)
As from 1 November 2021 all grassroots clubs and associations can conduct winter football pre-season trials and training for the 2022 season on condition that sanctioning approval has been granted by the relevant Association and Football NSW. All pre-season trials and training conducted during the period of 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2021 must be sanctioned (approved) in the first instance by the relevant club and association and then a Sanction Application must be lodged with Football NSW for approval.
Group Sanctioning for Association Clubs Trialing & Training (1-11-21 to 31-12-21)
Where an association approves for all of its affiliated clubs to commence trials and training from 1 November onwards, the association may submit one (1) Sanction application to FNSW noting that all clubs affiliated with that association will commence trials and training from 1 November (or whichever date after 1 November the association has approved for trials/training to commence).
Where a select group of Association Clubs are Trialing & Training (1-11-21 to 31-12-21)
If only a select number of your association’s affiliated clubs will be commencing trials and training after 1 November, or if clubs are commencing their trials and training on different dates after 1 November, the association can either note this on the sanction form or upload an attachment with the sanction application noting the club names and trial commencement dates.
Where single clubs are conducting Trials & Training (1-11-21 to 31-12-21)
Where only one or two of your association’s affiliated clubs are conducting trials and/or training during the period (1-11-21 to 31-12-21) those clubs can either submit individual sanction application forms or your association can still submit a Sanction Application for one or both clubs. It is up to each association how this is managed.
Sanctioning Approval by FNSW
Pre-season trials and training conducted during the period (1-11-21 to 31-12-21) are only sanctioned when approved by Football NSW.
After 1 January 2022 all trials and training are already sanctioned by FNSW and a sanction application is not required.
Approved Grounds for Trials & Training
In all cases, trials and training must only be held on grounds approved by the Association and deemed suitable for use by the club and association. Grounds must always be risk and safety inspected prior to use and the grounds must be either owned by the club or association or under a current hire or lease agreement with the relevant Council. Any trials or training conducted during the period (1-11-21 to 31-12-21) which has not been sanctioned by the relevant club, association and Football NSW will not be covered by any FNSW insurances. If your club is unsure about whether your grounds are under a current lease agreement contact your Association.
2021/22 Summer Football Season
The Summer Football season for 2021/22 has been approved to commence subject to compliance with relevant Covid-19 Public Health Orders and approval by Football NSW. Click here for information about Hosting a Summer Football Competition.
Sanction Application Form and Policy
Quick link to Sanction Application Form
Quick link to FNSW Sanctioning Policy
What is Sanctioning?
Sanctioning is the process of seeking approval from Football NSW (FNSW) to run events and club activities to ensure the event/activity and its club, officials and participants are covered by FNSW insurances.
FNSW sanctioning must also be sought for players, teams or referees to participate in football events conducted outside of their own association or run by another Football Australia member federation, such as the Kanga Cup.
FNSW sanctioning is also required when Referee branches provide refereeing services to an event run by a non-affiliated entity such as a school.
Sanctioning involves applying to obtain approval from FNSW to either hold an event or activity or participate in an event or activity. For grassroots clubs, written approval must first be obtained from their association prior to submitting the FNSW Sanction Application form and a copy of the Association approval uploaded with the sanction application.
Why is sanctioning required?
Sanctioning is required for insurance and risk management purposes. The insurances provided by FNSW only apply to events sanctioned by FNSW. The FNSW Personal Injury insurance and other insurances only apply to registered players, team officials and referees and club officials and volunteers participating in FNSW sanctioned events and activities or in other events where their participation has been sanctioned by FNSW.
What events are already sanctioned?
- Grassroots winter football season – official trials, training and competition games held after 1 January each year prior to the winter season commencing are automatically sanctioned by FNSW and covered by FNSW insurances. Prior to 1 January any trials or training must be sanctioned by FNSW.
- FNSW approved Summer Football competitions including trials, official training and games are sanctioned.
- Club registration days, club meetings, club working bees, general cleaning and upkeep of facilities, canteen operations and end of year presentations held at the club venue are sanctioned (with the exception of events involving amusement rides or jumping castles which do require sanctioning by FNSW due to insurance requirements).
- FNSW approved futsal competitions and training by futsal registered players at an affiliated futsal club or centre are sanctioned.
- FNSW state run competitions, tournaments and events including official trials and training are sanctioned
Club Come-and-Try events can be held prior to 1 January each year in preparation for the upcoming winter football season subject to the requirements as outlined on the Come and Try Events Information Sheet.
Prior to commencing pre-season training it is strongly recommended that players and coaches check with their club that the grounds are approved for use and training has been approved to commence. Teams must not commence training without the approval of their club.
SPECIAL NOTE: Trials and training for the 2022 winter football season held between 1 November and 31 December 2021 must be sanctioned by FNSW. No trials or training at grassroots clubs and associations is permitted to be held prior to 1 November each year. All sanction applications must be lodged 14 days prior to the first trial/training date and FNSW approval received before the trials or training commence.
What events require sanctioning by Football NSW?
- Gala days, tournaments, charity events, festivals
- Pre-season come-and-try days
- School holiday camps and clinics
- Activities not being held at a club’s official grounds
- Fundraising activities not held at a club’s official grounds
- Off-site club functions or events
- Bunnings BBQs (or similar)
- Special out of season training requests (E.g. High level/Rep teams only who require ongoing training outside of the winter season in preparation for a particular tournament) Note: Extended training must be on club or association approved and allocated grounds and must be supported by the relevant club and association for FNSW to consider the application
- Alternative training activities that are not football activities. E.g. swim sessions, gym sessions, beach runs during the season.
- The use or hire of any jumping castles, inflatables or amusement rides of any kind. (see information below)
- Any other event or activity which is not a normal winter football activity.
The Personal Accident insurance and other insurances provided by FNSW only apply to FNSW sanctioned football related activities and events. Players or teams who participate in non-sanctioned or unofficial football activities are not covered by FNSW insurances and do so at their own risk.
Sanction applications must be received by FNSW a minimum of 14 days prior to the event. Applications received within 14 days prior to the event will not be considered.
If a proposed event or activity involves players who are not currently registered in the Play Football registration database, refer to the Non-Registered player fees below.
Registration Requirements
ALL players MUST BE REGISTERED in Play Football as current and active with the applicable club/entity before participating in any Sanctioned tournaments, competitions, events or activities.
With the exception of trials, clubs MUST ensure that all players are registered and active in Play Football prior to their participation as failure to do so can result in future events by the club not being sanctioned and can have serious consequences for the player/s as it is likely to result in the player/s not being covered by the Personal Accident Insurance or other insurances provided by FNSW.
Players, team officials and match officials must also ensure that they are actively registered in Play Football prior to participation in any tournament, competition, event or activity as this is a requirement to be covered by the FNSW Personal Accident Insurance and other insurances provided to registered participants.
Non-Registered Player’s Fees
To assist FNSW stakeholders in promoting football and engaging with future football participants, FNSW has worked with its insurers to develop a fee structure to enable non-registered football players to participate in the following events when sanctioned by FNSW:
- Development Programs;
- Holiday Clinics; and
- Tournaments.
To be covered by FNSW insurances the non-registered player fees shall apply and players MUST register on the National Registration platform www.playfootball.com.au (FNSW can assist clubs in setting up registration packages in Play Football. Call 02 8814 4400 and ask for the Online Services helpdesk)
A list of all Non-registered participants must also be provided to FNSW upon completion of the event.
NON-REGISTERED PLAYER FEES (Circular 2022)
Sanctioning during Covid -19
While Covid-19 Public Health Orders remain in place, all clubs must maintain their Club Covid-19 Safety Plans and comply with the requirements of applicable Public Health Orders and NSW Health requirements. Click here for NSW Health updates.
Come and Try Events
These events are a great way to attract new players to football in the lead up to the season. They can include skills training or ‘game play’ activities. Come and Try events require sanctioning and are usually held prior to or alongside club registration days. For more information download the Come and Try Events Information Sheet
Charity Tournaments
Contact Football NSW for information regarding Charity tournaments and events. Email enquiries to sanctioning@footballnsw.com.au or phone 02 8814 440o and ask for Sanctioning assistance.
Team and Player Sanctioning Requirements for other Events
Teams and players MUST obtain approval from their club, association and Football NSW prior to entering any tournament conducted by another FFA Member Federation or affiliated organisation outside of their association or Football NSW. E.g. Kanga Cup, Bill Turner Cup, Mallacoota Cup. Application can also be made for teams to participate in official charity tournaments.
The FNSW public liability insurance cannot apply to tournaments conducted by another FFA Member Federation or non-affiliated entity, however the FNSW player injury insurance can cover players and officials participating in these types of events on condition that a Sanction Application has been lodged and the participation has been approved by the player’s club, association and FNSW.
FNSW does not sanction tournaments or events conducted by non-affiliated organisations.
The Personal Accident insurance provided by FNSW can only apply when a tournament and/or participation in a tournament or event has been sanctioned by FNSW. The other insurances provided by FNSW generally only apply to events and activities conducted by FNSW affiliated clubs, associations and FNSW.
Sanction applications must be received by Football NSW at least 14 days prior to the event. Teams should not enter events until sanctioning approval has been received from FNSW. To apply, refer to the information provided on this page and complete a Sanction Application Form ensuring that all information and documents required are provided with the application.
If travelling interstate or overseas for any tournament or event a Sanction Application and a Tour Application Form must be completed.
Jumping Castles, Inflatables & Amusement Rides
Where safe practices are in place, most usage of these devices occurs without incident. Serious injuries and deaths can occur however if equipment and operation of the equipment does not meet regulatory standards, is incorrectly set up, supervision is lacking or sufficient care and responsibility is not taken.
When Jumping Castles, Inflatables and Amusement Rides are being hired or used for an event, clubs are required to obtain proof from the supplier of the equipment that the supplier holds a sufficient level of Public Liability Insurance. To obtain this, a copy of the Public Liability Certificate of Currency must be requested and obtained from the supplier of the equipment. Suppliers of jumping castles, inflatables and amusement rides to FNSW clubs MUST have a minimum of $20M Public Liability cover.
A copy of the supplier’s Certificate of Currency MUST be uploaded with the FNSW Sanction Application form.
For safety information go to:
Safework Australia Inflatable Devices
Safework Australia – Amusement Devices
SANCTION APPLICATION FORMS
- FNSW SANCTION APPLICATION FORM – APPLY NOW
- Kanga Cup – Sanction Application Form
- Viking Challenge – Sanction Application Form
- Johnny Warren Memorial Cup – Sanction Application Form
Inter-Association Trial Matches
INTERSTATE AND OVERSEAS TOUR PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
Teams travelling interstate or overseas to participate in football events must complete the relevant touring permit prior to entering the event and submit their permit application to FNSW a minimum of eight weeks prior to departure. This is an FA and FNSW requirement.
REFEREES
Referees may not be covered by FNSW insurances when officiating at non-sanctioned events.
Referees are covered by FNSW Personal Accident insurance when officiating in FNSW competitions and tournaments, winter football competitions conducted by FNSW affiliated associations and FNSW Summer Football competitions. Referees are also covered when participating in official referee branch training, mentoring, referee coaching activities and meetings.
Referees are not covered by FNSW insurances when providing refereeing services at non-sanctioned competitions, tournaments or events unless participation in such activities has been sanctioned by FNSW. If unsure whether an event is sanctioned, Referee Branches should ask for sanctioning confirmation from event organisers or contact FNSW for confirmation .
If a Referee Branch is providing referees to a non-sanctioned competition or tournament, E.g. Johnny Warren Cup, King’s School Tournament, Police Games, Defence Force Cup etc. the Referee Branch needs to complete a Sanction Application form to apply for ‘participation sanctioning‘ for their Branch referees to provide referee services at these events.
To apply for referees to be sanctioned and covered for injury insurance when officiating at a non-sanctioned event click here
