The annual Darwin 9s tournament is conducted under the control of Australian Football International (AFI).
It is the responsibility of each Team to ensure that all players and officials are fully conversant with the contents of these Match Arrangements and Regulations.
Contents
1. General
2. Name of Competition
3. Entry into Competition and Compliance with Regulations
4. Venue
5. Formats
6. Divisions
7. Match Conditions
8. Team Composition
9. Team Officials
10. First Aid & Trainers
11. Laws of the Game
12. Team Sheets and Match Results
13. Player Uniforms
14. Umpires
15. Footballs
16. Insurance
17. Costs
18. Sponsorship
19. Code of Conduct
20. Trophies & Awards
21. Competition Manager
1.1 Definitions
In these Match Arrangements and Regulations unless the contrary intention appears:
“AFI” means Australian Football International.
“AFI Official” means any person appointed by the Competition Manager or AFI, to assist in the conduct of the Darwin 9s.
“Competition Manager” means the person who is the Tournament Coordinator or such other person appointed by AFI.
“Competition” means the Darwin 9s.
“Footy 9s” means the official 9-a-side (tackling) version of Australian Football.
“Laws of Australian Football” means any laws of the game of Australian Football adopted by AFI.
“Jumper” means the playing top worn by a Player.
“Player” means a person eligible and selected to play for a Team competing in the Event.
“Team” means a Team competing in the Darwin 9s.
“Team Member” includes without limitation all Players, Coaches, Trainers, Managers, officials or any person performing any duties for or on behalf of a Team.
1.2 Interpretation
The following rules apply to the interpretation of this document:
(a) words importing the singular shall include plural and vice versa;
(b) words importing any gender shall be deemed to include the other gender;
(c) words importing persons shall be deemed to include all bodies and associations, corporate or unincorporate and vice versa; and
(d) headings are included for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of these Match Arrangements and Regulations.
1.3 Construction and Amendment of Regulations
(a) AFI shall interpret all provisions contained in these Match Arrangements and Regulations and any interpretation or application by AFI of any of the provisions contained in these Regulations shall be final and binding on every person bound by these Match Arrangements and Regulations.
(b) AFI may from time to time amend these Match Arrangements or Regulations or make such further or other Match Arrangements and Regulations as it in its absolute discretion deems fit.
1.4 Delegation
AFI may from time to time appoint a person or persons to exercise any of the powers hereby conferred upon AFI and in each such case a reference to AFI contained in these Match Arrangements and Regulations shall be a reference to such person or persons so appointed. Unless otherwise directed by AFI, the person appointed as delegate for the purpose of these Match Arrangements and Regulations shall be the Competition Manager.
(a) The official name of the Competition is the Darwin 9s or AFI Darwin 9s.
(b) Teams shall not use any other name when promoting the Competition on their social media.
(c) By way of example, the following are all incorrect: Darwin 9’s, Darwin Nines, Nines, AFL Darwin 9s, AFL 9s etc.
(d) If in any doubt, please refer to the Darwin 9s logo.
3. ENTRY INTO COMPETITION AND COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS
3.1 Application
(a) Teams may apply to participate in the Darwin 9s by completing the official Darwin 9s Entry Form.
(b) At the time of submitting the Entry Form, Teams must pay a non-refundable Confirmation Fee of $50 to confirm their Team’s participation in the Darwin 9s.
(c) The deadline to pay the Confirmation Fee is 15 April, 2027.
(d) If the Confirmation Fee is not received by 15 April, 2027, it will automatically increase to $100. There will be no exceptions.
(e) Teams that elect not to pay the Confirmation Fee will be ineligible to compete in the Darwin 9s.
3.2 Number of Teams
AFI may in its absolute discretion decide the number of Teams which will compete in the Darwin 9s. A Team’s participation in the Event is subject to a position being available.
3.3 Bound to Regulations and Other Rules
(a) By participating in the Darwin 9s, each Team and Team Member is deemed to be bound by and shall comply with:
(i) these Match Arrangements and Regulations;
(ii) the Laws of Australian Football, and
(iii) any resolutions, determinations, rules or regulations made by AFI in relation thereto.
(b) Before competing in its first match, a Team must complete and lodge with the Competition Manager the official “Certification of Player Eligibility” form, signed by the Team Manager.
(a) All matches shall be played at the venue advised by AFI.
(b) The Competition Manager shall determine the allocation of change room facilities for each Team at the venue.
(c) Teams can erect marquees, but only in the designated area advised by the Competition Manager.
(d) All marquees must be secured by weights.
(e) All Team areas, including changerooms and marquees, must be kept clean and tidy, with any rubbish being removed.
(f) As the venue is a licensed venue, the bringing in and consumption of BYO alcohol by players, officials or spectators at the venue is not allowed.
(a) The format of the Darwin 9s will be Footy 9s i.e. 9-a-side Australian Rules Football.
(b) There will be 3 separate Divisions – Women’s Division, Division 1 Men and Division 2 Men.
(c) The maximum number of competing Teams will be twelve.
(d) Teams have the option to enter a Team in one, two or all three Divisions.
6.1 Divisions
(i) Participating teams will be ranked and put into equal Divisions at the discretion of the Competition Manager.
(ii) Division 1 Men will consist of 4 teams.
(iii) Division 2 Men will consist of 4 teams.
(iv) The Women’s Division will consist of 4 teams.
6.2 Structure of Competition
The structure of the Competition is as follows:
(i) Each Division will consist of 4 teams.
(ii) Teams will play the other Teams within their Division across the first 3 rounds.
(iii) The top placed finishers in each Division – based on wins, losses and percentage – will progress into the Grand Final.
7.1 Length of Halves
All matches at the Darwin 9s shall consist of 2 x 15 minute halves.
7.2 Half Time
Unless otherwise determined, half time shall be a maximum of 3 minutes.
7.3 Commencement Times
(a) Each Team shall:
(i) enter the playing field at least three (3) minutes prior to the scheduled commencement time of a match;
(ii) be ready to play at the scheduled commencement time of a match, and
(iii) be in position and ready to play at the commencement time of each half.
7.4 Field Mangers
(a) Field Managers for all matches shall be appointed by the Competition Manager.
(b) Field Managers shall be responsible for keeping time.
(c) Teams must take the field and be ready to commence play when instructed to do so by the Field Manager.
7.5 Breach of Timing Requirements
Where a Team contravenes or fails to comply with Regulation 7.3, the umpires will commence play.
7.6 Points for Matches
For all Matches played (apart from Finals):
(a) four (4) points shall be awarded to the winner;
(b) two (2) points shall be awarded for a draw, and
(c) a percentage shall be calculated for each Team based on the proportion of points scored for and against each Team.
7.7 Winner of Each Division
The teams with the two best records in each Division – based on wins, losses and percentage – will progress into the Grand Final.
7.8 No Drawn Matches in Grand Finals
Should scores be level at the end of scheduled match playing time, the Field Managers shall be instructed not to sound the siren until another score is registered.
8.1 Team Numbers
(a) Each Team must have a minimum of 13 Players and a maximum of 15 Players in their squad.
(b) Players cannot play for more than one Team during the Competition.
8.2 Squad
Each Team participating in the Darwin 9s shall provide to AFI no later than one week before the Event, the “Darwin 9s Team List” listing players, coaches and officials, and providing:
(a) the name of each Player;
(b) the Jumper number allocated to each Player;
(c) the names of the Coach and Team Manager;
(d) the names of the Captain and Vice-Captain, and
(e) certification that all selected Players meet the eligibility requirements and have signed the Player Code of Conduct.
8.3 Eligibility
(a) A Player is eligible for selection by a Team if:
(i) the Player was born in the country of the Team they are representing;
(ii) the Player is a citizen of the country of the Team they are representing;
(iii) the Player has a parent or grandparent born in the country of the Team they are representing, or
(iv) the Player can demonstrate a significant link to the country e.g. marriage or significant partner.
9.1 Coach & Team Manager
All Teams participating in the Darwin 9s shall appoint both a Coach and a Team Manager.
9.2 Deemed Acceptance of Regulations
By participating in the Darwin 9s, the Coach and Team Manager are deemed to have agreed to observe the requirements of these Match Arrangements and Regulations and any directions of the Competition Manager.
9.3 Communication of Information
The Team Manager shall forward all information regarding the Darwin 9s to their Players, so they are aware of all the details regarding the venue, playing rules, schedule, match times etc.
9.4 Captains
Captains will be provided with a wristband, which they will wear on their wrist. Only the captain may approach the umpires regarding questions or rule clarifications.
9.5 No Runners
Due to the small size of the rectangular playing fields, no Runners (conveyors of messages from the Coach) are permitted at the Darwin 9s.
9.6 Water Carriers
Due to the small size of the rectangular playing fields, each Team may appoint a maximum of one Water Carrier.
(a) AFI shall ensure qualified and professional first aid personnel are in attendance at the Darwin 9s.
(b) Each team shall be encouraged to have in attendance their own Sports Trainer accredited to Sports Medicine Australia Level 2, or equivalent. The attendance of a Sports Trainer is not compulsory.
(c) The provision of strappers, strapping tape and ice is the responsibility of each Team.
11.1 Laws to Apply
(a) Unless otherwise provided in these Match Arrangements and Regulations, matches will be played in accordance with the Laws of Footy 9s.
(b) These Laws can be found on the AFI website.
11.2 Interchange Players
Each Team shall be allowed to use a maximum of six (6) interchange Players.
11.3 Order-Off
The Order Off law shall apply as follows:
(a) Red Card
A Player shown a Red Card will be ordered from the for the remainder of the match.
(b) Yellow Card
(i) A Player shown a Yellow Card will be ordered from the field for a ten (10) minute period of match playing time.
(ii) The Field Manager shall be responsible for administering the 10 minute period.
(c) Players ordered off the field may be replaced.
12. TEAM SHEETS AND MATCH RESULTS
(a) On match day, each Team will be provided with an official Team Sheet.
(b) The official Team Sheet will contain the following information:
(i) the names of all players of the Team;
(ii) the names of the Coach and Team Manager, and
(iii) the match times, field number and opponents for each Team.
(c) All players must sign the Team Sheet before the commencement of the first match.
(d) Each Team Manager must complete and hand to the Field Manager their completed Team Sheet immediately after the conclusion of their final match.
13.1 Player Jumpers
Each Team shall:
(a) provide to AFI for its approval the design and colour of the Jumper, shorts and socks that its Team proposes to wear;
(b) make any modifications or adjustments to the Jumper as may be required by AFI;
(c) ensure that:
(i) the AFI logo is in the usual position on the front of the Jumper;
(ii) the AFI logo is in the usual position on the front of the shorts;
(iii) its Team only wears the Jumper approved by AFI;
(iv) the Jumper displays the number allocated to each Player of the Team, and
(v) the number displayed on each Jumper is of the type, size and at the position determined and directed by AFI.
13.2 Same Uniform
(a) In order to take the playing field, each Player must be wearing the official Team uniform i.e. exactly the same jumper, shorts and socks.
(b) Any Player who breaches 13.2(a) shall not be permitted to participate in the Competition.
14.1 Selection and Instruction of Umpires
The selection and instruction of all umpires for the Darwin 9s shall be made at the direction of an Umpire’s Manager appointed by the Competition Manager.
14.2 Field Umpires
(a) The Umpire’s Manager, in consultation with the Competition Manager, shall appoint a panel of field umpires from available domestic leagues, accredited to Level 2.
(b) Unless otherwise determined by AFI or the Competition Manager, a minimum of two field umpires shall officiate at each match.
14.3 Goal Umpires
(a) The Umpire’s Manager shall appoint goal umpires to officiate at the competition.
(b) Two goal umpires shall officiate at each match.
(a) AFI shall supply the footballs to be used in the Competition.
(b) Size 5 footballs shall be used in all Men’s Divisions matches.
(c) Size 4 footballs shall be used in all Women’s Division matches.
16.1 Public Liability Insurance
AFI shall include the Darwin 9s in its Public Liability insurance policies.
16.2 Players Accident Insurance
Player Accident or Injury Insurance is the responsibility of each individual player.
17.1 Event Costs
AFI will pay for the costs of running the Competition, which include:
(a) Venue Hire;
(b) Field Marking;
(c) Public Liability insurance;
(d) First Aid personnel;
(e) Footballs;
(f) Event Staff;
(g) Umpires;
(h) Trophies and Medals;
(i) Photographers;
(j) Filming;
(k) Music and Audio, and
(l) Printing.
17.2 Player Registration Fee
(a) Players are required to pay an individual Player Registration Fee of $95 per player, which will be directed towards these costs.
(b) The Player Registration Fee must be paid by 15 July, 2027.
(c) If any Player Registration Fee is not received by 15 July, 2027, it will automatically increase to $105. There will be no exceptions.
(d) Teams must collect each Player’s Registration Fee of $95 and transfer to AFI in one single payment.
18.1 New Uniforms
(a) For Teams that require new uniforms, AFI has developed Team Sponsorship packages to help cover the cost of their participation in the Darwin 9s.
(b) These packages have been used very successfully by AFI Teams at previous tournaments.
(c) All Teams will be provided with the following:
(i) 15 x National Team Jumpers;
(ii) 15 x National Team shorts;
(iii) 15 x National Team socks, and
(iv) National Team Jumpers for the Team’s sponsors.
18.2 Sponsorship Proposals
(a) AFI is delighted to be able to assist Teams by creating and providing them with professional sponsorship proposals.
(b) These proposals have proven to be very successful, with the result that many Teams have had their tournament fees substantially covered by sponsorship.
(c) An example can be found online here.
(d) If your Team requires assistance with a sponsorship proposal, please contact AFI.
Each Team and Team Member shall:
(a) participate in the spirit of true sportsmanship so that the Darwin 9s will be a credit to the game of Australian Football and those who participate in it;
(b) not engage in conduct which is unbecoming or prejudicial to the interests of the AFI or the Darwin 9s, and
(c) sign the relevant document that commits to meeting a Code of Conduct, including:
(i) Coaches Code of Conduct, or
(ii) Players and Officials Code of Conduct.
20.1 Trophies
The following trophies shall be awarded:
(i) Division 1 Men
(ii) Division 2 Men
(iii) Women’s Division
20.2 Winners Medals
The winners of the Grand Final in each Division will receive 17 individual medals, including one for each Player, Coach and Team Manager.
20.3 Individual Award Medals
The following medals will be awarded for each Division in each Format: Best on Ground – Grand Final.
21.1 Administration of Competition
The Competition Manager shall be responsible for administering the Competition.
21.2 Duties
Without limitation, the Competition Manager shall:
(a) investigate and determine any protests, disputes or complaints made in relation to the interpretation or application of these Match Arrangements and Regulations or the general conduct of the Competition;
(b) perform any other function or duty as prescribed in these Match Arrangements and Regulations;
(c) perform any function or duty as directed from time to time by AFI;
(d) interpret any provision contained in these Match Arrangements or Regulations, and
(e) interpret and provide any rulings with respect to the Laws of Australian Football.
