Sanctioning during Covid -19
During Covid-19 clubs must have their Club Covid-19 Safety Plan in place and comply with the requirements of applicable Public Health Orders and NSW Health requirements. Click here for NSW Health updates.
Sanction Application Form
Quick link to SANCTION APPLICATION FORM
What is Sanctioning?
Sanctioning is the process of seeking approval from Football NSW (FNSW) to run events and activities which are not part of the normal winter football season to ensure the event/activity is covered by FNSW insurances.
It is also the process of seeking approval for players, teams or referees to participate in football events conducted outside of their own association or run by another FFA member federation, such as the Kanga Cup.
Sanctioning is also required when Referee branches need to provide refereeing services to an event run by a non-affiliated entity such as a school.
Sanctioning involves applying and seeking approval from FNSW to either hold an event or activity or participate in an event or activity. For grassroots clubs, approval must first be obtained from their association prior to submitting the FNSW Sanction Application form.
Why is sanctioning required?
Sanctioning is required for insurance and risk management purposes. The insurances provided by FNSW only apply to events and participation sanctioned by FNSW. The FNSW Personal Injury insurance only applies to players, team officials, referees, club officials and volunteers participating in FNSW sanctioned events and activities or in other events where participation has been sanctioned by FNSW.
For further information refer to the FNSW Sanctioning Policy
What events are already sanctioned?
- FNSW approved Summer Football competitions including trials, official training and games.
- Grassroots winter football season – official trials, training and competition games (after 1 January prior to the season commencing).
- Other winter season related activities including: club registration days, club training matches, club member meetings, club committee meetings, working bees, facility maintenance, ground maintenance, canteen operations and end of year presentations held at the club venue (with the exception of events involving amusement rides or jumping castles).
- FNSW approved futsal – training & competitions at an affiliated futsal club or affiliated futsal centre.
- FNSW state run competitions, tournaments and events including approved official trials and training.
Club registration days and sanctioned come-and-try days can be held prior to 1 January each year in preparation for the upcoming winter football season.
Official grassroots club trials and training can commence after 1 January each year prior to the upcoming winter football season. (Subject to approval by the relevant club and association and on association approved grounds)
Prior to commencing pre-season training, players and coaches must check with their club that the grounds are approved for use and training has been approved to commence.
Note: Players and team officials who trial or train prior to 1 January or trial, train or play on non-approved grounds or prior to the club or Association’s official training start date are not covered by FNSW insurances, including the personal injury insurance.
What events require sanctioning by Football NSW?
Events and activities that require sanctioning by FNSW are:
- Gala days, tournaments, charity events, festivals
- Pre-season come-and-try days
- School holiday camps and clinics
- Off-site activities which are not held at club venue
- Off-site Fundraising activities
- Off-site club functions or events
- Bunnings BBQs (or similar)
- Extended training (high level/rep teams wanting to continue official training after the end of the winter season. Note: Extended training must be on club or association approved and allocated grounds.
- Special out of season training requests (E.g. Teams needing to train outside of the winter season in preparation for a particular tournament)
- Alternative training activities that are not football activities. E.g. swim sessions, gym sessions, beach runs.
- 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.
If the event or activity you are seeking sanctioning for involves players who are not currently registered in Play Football, refer to the Non-Registered player fees below.
Non-Registered Player Insurance 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 Online services team can assist clubs in setting up registration packages in Play Football. If required phone 02 8814 4400 and ask for Online Services)
A list of all Non-registered participants must be provided to FNSW upon completion of the event. Please refer to the Non-Registered Player Fees for fee details.
NON-REGISTERED PLAYER FEES (Circular 2020)
Come and Try Days
These events are a great way to introduce and attract new players to football in the lead up to the season. They can include skills training or ‘game play’ activities. Come and Try days are usually held prior to or alongside a club Registration Day. For more information download the Come and Try Days Information Sheet
Charity Tournaments
Contact Football NSW for information regarding Charity tournaments and events. Email enquiries to [email protected] or phone 02 8814 440o and ask for Aaron or Michelle.
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 event 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 may also be made to your club, association and FNSW for teams to participate in special tournaments, such as official charity tournaments.
Note however that the FNSW public liability insurance cannot apply to tournaments conducted by another FFA Member Federation or non-affiliated entities, 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 sanctioned (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 and associations and FNSW run competitions, programs and events.
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 required is 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.
FORMS
SANCTION APPLICATION FORM – APPLY NOW
Kanga Cup – Sanction Application Form (Cancelled for 2020)
Viking Challenge – Sanction Application Form
Johnny Warren 23rd Memorial Cup – Sanction Application Form
Inter-Association Trial Matches
Inter-Association Trial Match Form
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 FFA and FNSW requirement.
OVERSEAS Tour Application Form
INTERSTATE Tour Application Form
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
