Club Policies

Click here to download a copy of the LFC Junior Handbook for 2023.

Click here to download a copy of the LFC Juniors Coaching Philosophy.

1. Remember that children play sport for their enjoyment not yours;
2. Encourage children to participate, do not force them;
3. Focus on the child’s effort and performance rather than winning or losing;
4. Encourage children to always participate according to the rules;
5. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game;
6. Remember that children learn by example. Applaud good play at all times (for both sides);
7. Abusive language is unacceptable.
8. Do not use remarks based on race, religion, gender or ability.
9. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse for sporting activities;
10. Show appreciation of volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them your child could not participate;
11. Respect official’s decisions and teach children to do likewise;
12. The consumption of alcohol and smoking is inappropriate at all junior games.

Club Information – Your Team Manager will provide you with information during the season. The Club Website will also keep you informed.

Rules and Regulations – All members affiliated with the LFC junior squads will comply with the rules and regulations of SANFL Juniors, and will operate within the guidelines of the Club. The league imposes restrictions on registered players. Preference is given to previous season’s players, or those who have a sibling already playing at the club and to players and parents or families who assist as volunteers at the club. Volunteer roles can include team managers, time keepers, team runners, first aid, committee persons, assisting with club fundraising (BBQ/canteen help for example.)

All players, officials, parents and supporters representing the club are expected to behave in a polite and respectful manner as outlined in the Code of Conduct. Any individual who contravenes the rules and regulations may be disciplined through informal processes and/or formal processes as set down by the league. SANFL Juniors have the right to impose fines on clubs for not adhering to the league requirements.

Football Training and Playing – All players must make themselves available for training and playing. If they are unable to attend, a team coach or team manager should be notified. Continued absences from training may impact on selection. All players must be registered and playing within their own age group. Players should wear the correct club attire as outlined in SANFL Juniors rules.

Grievances – Any player/parent with a grievance should first approach the Team Manager with their concerns. If the issue cannot be resolved, players/parents have the right to approach the Junior President.

Concussion occurs when, after a blow to the head, there is brain injury with some immediate disturbance of brain function. Any player showing the signs or symptoms of concussion should be removed from the field immediately and referred to a medical practitioner. A player who has suffered concussion with or without loss of consciousness should not participate in any match or training session until he/she is fully recovered and has been cleared by a thorough medical examination.

All players sustaining a concussion require a medical clearance before the resumption of training or playing.

Key Considerations

• Any player who has suffered a concussion or is suspected of having a concussion must be medically assessed as soon as possible after the injury and must not be allowed to return to play in the same game or train in the same practice session.

• A concussed player must not be allowed to return to training or playing before having a formal medical clearance. If in doubt, sit them out!

• There should be a trained first aider at every game and the principles of first aid should be used when dealing with any player who is unconscious or injured.

• The child is not to return to play or sport until they have successfully returned to school/learning, without worsening of symptoms. Symptom assessment in the child often requires the addition of parent and/or teacher input.

• It is reasonable for a child to miss a day or two of school after concussion, but extended absence is uncommon.

This information sheet outlines the guidelines and the steps that should be followed before your child returns to training. It should be read in conjunction with the SANFL Juniors Concussion Policy.

Concussion can have a serious effect on a young, developing brain. Recovery from sports concussion in players under 18 years of age can take up to four weeks – this is significantly longer than the expected 7-10 day recovery in adults. The Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Medical Association protocol states that a concussed junior player should not engage in competitive physical activity for at least two weeks after their symptoms have resolved.

In the recovery phase following a concussion, children may complain of:

Fatigue, Sensitivity to light & noise, Difficulty concentrating, Feeling “slowed down”, Memory impairment,  Irritable behavior, Headache, Feeling Sleepy

Recommended treatment for concussion. “If in doubt, sit them out!”

• You should have your child assessed by a medical doctor as soon as possible to evaluate the extent of the concussion and formulate a plan for treatment.

• Once a child has been diagnosed with a concussion, he/she generally requires 2-3 days of rest from cognitive (thinking, concentration and memory) and physical tasks. Let the school know your child has had a concussion, and may need a short period of time away.

• The child should avoid computers, video games and TV if these make symptoms worse.

• The child should not be given any medications, including pain killers, unless prescribed by a medical doctor.

• The child should not go back to school until the symptoms are improving.

• The child should not go back to sport, PE or training until a doctor gives permission. Ideally a medical clearance should be obtained prior to resuming training and playing.

Treatment recommended for any ongoing symptoms

If concussion symptoms are continuing for greater than four weeks, it is recommended that you seek advice from a Sports Doctor that is specifically trained in the management of concussion. Suggested Drs in Adelaide include:

Dr Steve Kennett or Dr Marc Cesana:
Wakefield Sports Clinic
270 Wakefield St, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8232 5833
Weekend Sports Injury Clinic : 1800 888925

Glenelg Sports Medicine:
712 Anzac Highway, Glenelg SA 5045
Phone: (08) 8295 1294

Click here to download a copy of the LFC Selection Policy.