Mitchelton Football Club est 1920, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Home of Mitchie Soccer

The Junior football teams at Mitchelton are a very large component of our Club. We have over 500 players in our teams and have had to limit the numbers of players at times to ensure that we can continue to provide adequate training and car parking facilities.

Mitchelton FC is one of the top 3 largest Clubs on the North side of Brisbane. Mitchelton Football Club is a community minded organisation with a vision that ensures the continued development of football facilities whilst ensuring the Teralba Park precinct retains a green open space for all current and future Mitchelton generations. The club works closely with the Brisbane City Council to ensure the park is developed with this vision in mind.

Mitchie FC welcomes new members and wishes that all junior players and parents have a great experience meeting new friends and enjoying what is a fantastic sport.

Junior Sign-On Information

It is important that we understand the Junior Sign-on procedure so as to save disappointment at a later stage. Please Note: Children must have turned 5 years of age to register.

Junior Registration Fees

The full registration fee/s must be paid before the start of fixtures. 

Children from 5 years of age through to under 17's will be required to bring the following on Sign-on Day.

a) Themselves for a photo or perhaps to sign forms

b) Their Parents (Mum or Dad) so they can sign forms

c) A copy of a Birth Certificate or Passport or Registration of Birth for the club to keep plus the original document for the Registrar to sight

d) Appropriate Fees - No player can play until full registration fees are paid

e) NO player will be allowed to participate unless fully registered

Children who register after sign-on days will also need to bring a recent Passport Photograph (Clear head shot with No Hats) as well as the above requirements.

De-Registration 

Parents wishing to deregister or transfer their children from the club will need to obtain a clearance from the Club. Refunds will be given in accordance with the time the player has spent at the club. Parents will forfeit their Membership fees and a $10.00 office fee as a minimum and will forfeit the player registration fee if the player has played any games.

What do I get for my Junior Player Registration money?

1) Registration with Football Brisbane

2) Affiliation with Football Queensland and Football Federation Australia.

3) Basic Player Insurance cover

4) Supporters Jersey 

5) Training equipment 

6) Training facilities

7) Use of Floodlights for training or night games.

8) Membership to the Mitchelton Football Club Inc for a parent or guardian provided they are 18 yrs or over (Free at time of sign on)

9) End of season trophies

10) A team photo

11) An end of season break-up

Match Fees

All players pay a match fee to the club for every game they play except for the finals series.

Managers will be responsible for collecting the appropriate Match Fees from each child and placing the fees into the envelope provided and returned to the club as soon as possible after the game. Club Match Fees are $6 per player per game

Match Fees are used to pay for the running of the club. They pay for match balls, nets, whistles, club maintenance, BCC rates, water usage charges, building and public liability insurance, electricity, phone, post office charges, stationery, and all other items required to maintain the club facility.

Team managers may also seek an additional contribution per player per game to be put towards an individual team breakup at the conclusion of the season. This is normally decided by a team manager in consultation with the team member's parents. It is up to individual teams to make the decision as to whether they wish to hold their own breakup for the kids.  

What does it all cost for a junior player?

So, taking all of the above into account, you should take into consideration the cost of all of the items listed below in order to determine what dollars you are up for to have a child play with the club. Please note that some of these items are optional.

Must Have

• Registration Fees
• Match Fees
• Referee Fees (for Divisional team players)
• Mitchelton Shorts
• Mitchelton Socks
• Shin Pads
• Boots

Should Have

• Training Ball
• Water Bottle

Could Have

• Sports bag
• Towel
• Tape for bootlaces
• Mitchelton Club Shirt
• Mitchelton Club Jacket
• Contribution towards end-of-season individual team breakup  

Training Schedule

Junior Coaching Staff!

As with any organisation of our size, it is sometimes difficult to find enough qualified coaches to go around. All teams need to have a coach and a manager. Usually coaches and managers are found from within the parents or from a relation to the player. Should any parent feel they would like to get into coaching, the club provides videos, CDs, coaching manuals and coaching nights. You can also participate in a Level I coaching course but it is not compulsory. The Level 1 coaching course is run by qualified association coaches and does have a fee but it is something that you will have forever. If you are interested in coaching a team contact one of our Co-ordinators.

Playing Equipment  

Under our Duty of Care policy ALL children must wear shin pads and boots to training & games. Any player not wearing these will not be allowed to participate.

The club encourages all players to have their own correct size football and to bring it to training. As players learn skills it is best if they can practice these skills at home as well. (Please make sure your ball is clearly marked with your name)

Ball Sizes

Under 6, 7, 8 Size 3

Under 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Size 4

Under 14, 15, 17 Size 5

During games, players must only wear brands of clothing approved by the governing body. Mitchelton socks and shorts only are to be used for fixtures. We are constantly being checked in this area and failure to comply will see the club being fined.

Mitchelton Shorts and Socks can be purchased at the clubhouse. Gear Shop hours are 6.30pm to 7pm Tuesday and Thursday only.  

Information for Junior Coaches and Managers

"BLUE" Cards

It is the policy of the club to ensure that all persons over the age of 18yrs who:

• do not have children playing with the club, and
• are involved with the junior players in any way

obtain, and retain, a Suitability Card for Child Related Employment, generally known as a "Blue" card, from the Commission for Children and Young People.

"Playing Numbers" and "Grading Policy"

A limit may be placed on the number of registered Under 6 and Under 7 players should numbers prove to be excessive. Registrations will be accepted on a first-in basis.

The grading policies with respect to particular age groups are as follows:

• Under 6, 7 and 8 - All teams are selected based on 1) playing in a previous Mitchelton team, 2) if the player knows another player or 3) which school they go to. There is no grading of players for these age groups.
• Under 9, 10 - There will be assessments of players for team selections in these age groups. Assessments will be made at the end of the previous season along with during pre-season.
• Under 11 to 17 - In these age groups, players will go through a formal grading process. Players will be placed into teams that suit their ability. Previous team affiliations/friends are not necessarily able to be considered.
• ONLY players who are registered with Mitchelton can participate in training/assessment/grading sessions.
• In allocating players to teams the club may need to take into account the need for coaches and/or managers in each team.
• The club will make every endeavour to ensure that all "divisional" teams play in the division that suits their abilities.
• The club will make every endeavour to place registered players into a team. In a very small numbers of instances this may mean that a player may have to be offered the option of "playing up" into a higher age group team if they are the only places left available. This option will only be taken with the full consent of the player and parents and only if the club believes that the player can handle playing in the higher age group.
• Where the situation arises that there are insufficient numbers of players to enable a particular team to be fielded in an age group, the "playing up" option will be explored, and, failing that, the club will assist in identifying clubs who may be able to use players from such teams.

Training Details

The proposed training schedule is set out in the section on "Junior Sign-On Information". This is a tentative schedule and there may be some minor changes based on available space and commitments/requirements of coaches. There will be NO training on public holidays.

Fixture Details

Coaches and managers will be provided with fixture details as soon as they become available from Football Brisbane. Fixture details will be left in the individual team pigeonholes in the clubhouse, and should be picked up by the coach or manager only. It is the manager's responsibility to ensure all players are informed as to the time and venue of their game and that all players have transport to and from the ground. Ground location sheets will need to be supplied to all parents. It is important that players arrive at the ground at least 30 minutes before kick off time, as officials will often prohibit latecomers from taking the field. All game information should be given in writing.

Player ID Cards 

Through Football Federation Australia and Football Brisbane a new arrangement is currently being put in place for Player ID Cards. We anticipate a similar arrangement to previous years however there will be no Green Cards as they were previously known. Previous arrangements were as follows and we believe this information will still be relevant; Managers for all teams will be issued with their team’s player ID cards. It is important that these ID cards are available at every game as the opposition has the right to check them. ID Cards must be returned along with all other equipment to the club on the completion of the season. If you do not have a card for every player in your team you should contact the club registrar before fixtures commence. Any player without an ID card is either unregistered or the registration has not come through. These players must NOT play unless the association gives permission. Do NOT play these players without permission. The club receives a fine for every unregistered player as well as loss of points.

Unregistered players are also not covered by insurance.

Coach and Manager ID Cards

All coaches and managers will be issued with photo ID cards indicating that a coach and manager are bone-fide team officials. These MUST be worn at all fixtures. Referees will only acknowledge team officials who are wearing ID cards. Failure to comply with this rule could result in loss of points and a club fine.

Borrowing Players

If you are likely to be short of players for a game you are entitled to borrow players from another Mitchelton team in accordance with Football Brisbane regulations. There are strict rules for borrowing players and the breaking of these rules will result in loss of points and fines to the club. Managers and coaches are asked to keep a note of all borrowed players so that they do not become ineligible for their own team. Before borrowing a particular player, the arrangement must always be discussed with the player's team manager in the first instance and then with the player's parents. If a player is borrowed they do not have to pay the match fee a second time.  

Referees Fees 

All divisional players U11 - U17, pay referees fees. Managers of the divisional teams will be responsible for collecting the appropriate Referee Fees from each child and paying the referees before the game starts.

Referees fees are per game and it is recommended that an amount per player per game is set by the team manager totalling the match fee plus the referee fee. The fees for referees and assistant referees are set by SARB at the commencement of each season and are published in the Football Brisbane Coach and Managers Handbook, a copy of which is issued to each team manager.

Asthma 

Players who are likely to require the use of an asthma treatment medication during a game should have their names marked with an "A" on the match card to ensure that a referee does not refuse the use of such medication during a game.

Spectacles

If your child is required to wear spectacles, please ensure that they have plastic lenses and that they are suitably restrained such that they cannot be dislodged during a game.  

Contact Lenses 

If your child wears contact lenses, it is a wise precaution to take a spare set to games.  

Jewellery

Both male and female players should be aware that a match referee is entitled to request that jewellery, including chains, watches, bracelets, and body piercings such as earrings, nose rings and eyebrow studs be removed prior to a player taking the field for a match, if, in the opinion of the referee, they consider such items to be dangerous to either the player or other players.  

Hats

Players, at the referee's discretion, may wear hats with soft brims. 

Plaster Casts

Players are not permitted to play if they have plaster casts on broken limbs. The referee has the final say on what is considered to be dangerous to players.

Match Results

From Under 11's up it is very important that Managers get home team match cards back to the club immediately after the game. Match Cards are to be handed to the Ground Official. It is the clubs responsibility to send all home results to Football Brisbane so as they can forward them to the newspaper. Game scores should be available in the newspaper the day after the game. No results are published for Rooball games.  

Wet Weather Procedures

It is important you let all players know of the wet weather procedures. The BN&DJSA have supplied a general number for parents wishing to find out whether games have been cancelled due to wet weather. This advice is updated by 7.00am on the day of the game. It is no good ringing the day before as no decision can be made. For training nights it is important all managers call the club to determine whether training has been cancelled and in turn teach the players to call them not the club. With 500 children at our club it can sometimes become a bit hectic answering all the phone calls. A good team procedure will eradicate a lot of the problems.

WET WEATHER NUMBER: 3849 1104

Match Cards

Each manager will complete a match card for every home game and will fill in their details on away games. It is extremely important that you make yourself aware of the CORRECT way to fill out a match card. REMEMBER: NO FELT PENS!!

1) It is the responsibility of the HOME team to supply the match card

2) Each player should be listed in the spaces provided with the number that corresponds with his/her jersey.

3) Players do NOT have to sign the card provided the manager has their ID card. The exception to this is when the opposition manager requests the card to be signed to verify the player.

4) Incorrect spelling of names or incorrectly filled out match cards can and will result in a club fine and loss of points for the team. The match card must then be handed to the Referee for his/her signature. The opposing manager must also sign the match card. The Home team is responsible for the match card regardless of the result.  

Ground Officials

At all junior games there will be at least one (1) Ground Official appointed from the home club. The Ground Official will ensure the correct functioning of the day. Ground Officials will be easily identified by their bright orange vests. ANY PROBLEMS ON THE DAY SHOULD BE REFERRED TO A GROUND OFFICIAL.

Referees

If SARB referees and assistant referees are officiating at fixtures they will require payment BEFORE the start of the game. Referees fee details are detailed in the Coaches and Managers Handbook. Each team is responsible for half the fees. The collection of these fees is the responsibility of the home team manager. If an official referee is not available at a game it is the responsibility of the home team to provide an unofficial referee and assistant. Please note that if an unofficial referee or assistant asks for payment the away team may contribute to these fees if they wish. The home team can pay unofficial referees and assistants if they wish but it is not recommended. If you are playing away from home and the opposing team asks you to contribute to the fees for an unofficial referee or assistant, please advise them that it is NOT Football Brisbane policy. However, common sense should prevail in such instances.

The Referee is always right! 

The Team Benches

Only team officials and interchange/reserve players are permitted to sit on the team benches (Dugout)

Refreshments

Players are to be encouraged to provide their own water bottle for every game and training session. Dehydration is a real concern during the hotter months at the beginning of the season. 

Playing Time

It is the policy of Mitchelton Football Club Inc that ALL children be given fair time on the field. Children will not develop by regularly sitting on the bench.

Alternate Strips

Each team manager should check beforehand on the shirt colours of the opposition. If you have a colour clash HOME teams will need to get, and wear, an alternate strip. These strips are available from the ground official at the club. We ask that all alternate strips be returned washed to the club on the first training night after the game. DO NOT keep alternate strips, as other teams will need them. The HOME team is responsible to change in the event of a clash.  

Home Strips

Teams will be allocated a full set of Home playing strips at the beginning of the season. We ask all managers to make sure this strip stays together. DO NOT let players take their own shirts home. Rotate the jerseys around your parents for washing. If you let players take the strips home and they are unavailable for a game then we will have a big problem. It is also easier for us to get them back at the end of the season. 

Trial or Friendly Games

NO team is to play a trial game against another club without first getting permission from the club. All games must be sanctioned by Football Brisbane in order for the players to be covered by insurance.

Match Balls

Match balls will be issued to the game referees prior to each match.     

Rooball Referees

Mitchelton FC have a great system of training and utilising our own Junior players (U14 to U17) to be referees for the home Rooball games. This has proved very successful for all involved. These Rooball referees are put through, and must pass, an officially recognised training course before they take the field. Our Rooball Referee co-ordinator, Steve Sparks, oversees the recruitment process, arranges the necessary training and then allocates referees to the games. Steve also provides continuing feedback and support to the referees during the games. If you have questions/comments/feedback in regard to the Rooball Referees, please give Steve a call on 3351 1483. Steve is assisted by Alan Lievesley and Graham Coomber.

Having these players refereeing the Rooball games has significantly strengthened their confidence levels and self esteem, as well as building on their club spirit. Hopefully it’s also taught them to appreciate the difficulties faced by official referees in their own games!!

The club would like to encourage more players to take up this activity and requests that all parents encourage these young people. Please remember at all times that they’re young, they’ll be nervous to start with, but that they’re entitled to respect for their commitment in helping your children. Maybe your children will be in the same position at some time in the future.

Junior Team Sponsorship 

As is the case with all sporting organisations, sponsorship plays a big part. With 500 junior registered players and 48 junior teams we offer enormous opportunities to a sponsor for exposure not just to our members but to all those players and supporters of other Club who visit Teralba Park.

Our proposal for sponsoring a junior team includes advertising your business on http://www.mitchiefc.org.au/ as well as your business being advertised through two different medians in and outside our Clubhouse. Your sponsorship will also entitle your team to the Mitchelton FC Coaches Pack as outlined below. Contact Rohan Cassell on 0434 077 380 for more information.