18 Month Registration Policy /

In each Football Year (the period commencing on 1 October in any given year and concluding on 30 September of the subsequent year), players will be classified as Junior players or Senior players. Unless otherwise determined a Junior player covers six (6) years to eighteen (18) years inclusive. A Senior player covers nineteen (19) years and above.

All Junior players that are born in the second half of the calendar year (July 1 – 31 December) are eligible to apply for the 18-Month Registration Window. Only Senior players who attain the age of nineteen (19) years during a Football Year and are born in the second half of the calendar year (July 1 – 31 December) shall be eligible to apply for the 18-Month Registration Window.

Junior Representative players shall not be eligible to apply for the 18-Month Registration Window for a period of two (2) Football Years after which they were selected as a Junior Representative player. A Junior Representative player as defined in these rules is a player who has played in any Development Squad, Local League or School District representative Rugby League.

Please note, this policy is aimed at improving the Rugby League experience for players who fit the following criteria. Please carefully consider your child’s circumstances before applying to play under this policy.   

Successful applicants of the 18-Month Registration provision will forfeit the following:

• Consideration for Junior Representative teams outside their calendar group
• Eligibility for ‘portability’ clearance to transfer to another competition
• Eligibility in a Restricted Weight Division outside their calendar group
• The right to participate in their calendar group unless under special circumstances (e.g. a team would forfeit without their involvement) 

Considerations when identifying players eligible to apply for 18-month registration include, but are not limited to:

• Weight and/or height of participants and those who are deemed above the 85th percentile for their calendar grouping may be ineligible to apply for this policy.
• Differences in physical, mental or emotional maturity relative to remainder of calendar group
• Feeling overly challenged in their calendar age group
• Unavailability of the applicant’s calendar group
• New participant to the game of Rugby League
• Additional provisions may be provided in extenuating circumstances (including but not limited to medical reasons)

A comprehensive list of all successful applicants will be sent to all participating clubs prior to the commencement of the season and is subject for review until the completion of Round 4.

Should any situation or matter arise, not covered by these rules, the matter shall be referred to the Local League, State League or NRL for decision, which will be final.

Prior to the commencement of regular season fixtures, all clubs will be provided with a list of players playing under the 18 Month Registration policy.

An appeal process will be available for Clubs wishing to request a review of a player participating under the policy. Each League will nominate an appropriate committee for the review of disputes of initially successful 18-Month Registration players. Local League staff may also act as representatives.

The Committee will be responsible for the collection of supporting information to assist in the decision-making process as to whether the player who was previously admitted the 18-Month Registration provision shall remain in their respective age group. Supporting information includes, but is not limited to:

1. a)            The players weight, to assist in determining which percentile they fall in on the weight-for-age percentile scale
2. b)            Interviewing/gathering feedback from opposing coaches to the player in question
3. c)            Previous scorecards

The Committees determination of which age group the player should continue in shall be final.

NOTE: The 18-Month Registration Window may or may not be offered by your association. If you are unsure, contact your Club/Association.

Step 1 - In Associations that offer the 18-Month Registration Window, applicable players will be prompted with the option to apply on the club registration form.  Click "Apply for 18 Month Provision" (see image below)

Step 2 - Extra questions will be need to be completed including:

• Reason - why is the Player applying to play down an age group?
• Height & Weight- of the Player applying.

Step 3 - Complete the Player registration form (and make payment if required) and your 18-Month application will be sent to your local Association administrator for approval.

It is recommended you reach out to your Club to discuss your application.

NOTE: The 18-Month Registration Window may or may not be offered by your association. If you are unsure, contact your Club/Association.

If you didn't apply for the 18 Month Registration Window during registration, you can lodge your application via "My Profile"

Step 1 - Log in to profile.mysideline.com.au

Step 2 - Click the Menu button and select "Dispensations"

Step 3 - Select the Member from the drop-down menu you wish to apply for the 18 Month Registration Window.  The Player MUST be registered in the current season to apply here.

Step 4 - From the "Select dispensation" drop down, choose 18 Month Registration Window then click the green APPLY HERE button.

Step 5 - Complete the required questions and click SUBMIT.

Step 6 - Your 18-Month application will be sent to your local Association administrator for approval.

It is recommended you reach out to your Club to discuss your application.

Step 1 - Log in to profile.mysideline.com.au

Step 2 - Click the Menu button and select "Dispensations"

Step 3 - Select the Member from the drop-down menu and you relevant Dispensation requests will appear below.  Check the Dispensation Status column to see if it Approved, Pending, or Declined.

If you have any questions about the status of your Dispensation request, contact your local Club or Association for more information.