Backyard Footy Australia

Backyard Footy is about fun, team mates but is also competitive. To play you need to fit three main criteria

1. Are not playing regular Country A or B Grade Footy in the previous three years.
2. Have not played in an A or B Grade premiership.
(A Wildcard can be sought from the League Executive of Michael Butterick, Paul McInerney and Mick Redden if you had played in a premiership a long time ago or other grounds)
3. Player should be as a guide between 17-39 years of age - and each team should strive to have 10 players aged 17-27 and 10 players 28-39 this ensuring a good balance of age groups and comraderie.

Games and umpiring.

The games are played over 4 x 15 minute quarters (with no time on) 5 minute break between quarters. The umpiring rules are amended slightly in that no soccering off the ground (to protect players from head/hand injuries) and regular Saturday panel umpires are in charge of each game and particularly attention is paid to anything remotely shoulders and above to protect player safety. Umpires have the right to adjuduciate on the field and while we hope no cause is ever given to send a player off for a misdemeanor - the umpire in charge has this right.

Interchange is banned

Backyard Footy can play on the field 21 players. There is no interchange or reserves. Three additional positions created are Wing Clip, Free Tagger and Loose Man if required. (a player who is tired is allowed to leave the ground if he can find an opposition player who will accompany him to the bench.)

Risk Management

All players involved with Backyard Footy must be aware that they play at their own risk of injury as with any physical activity. Backyard Footy do take all steps to make the playing surface safe and check this and sign off prior to each game day. We do organize for an ambulance and trained attendant to be on standby throughout the day. As well we have three Football Club official trainers to be on hand to assist with strapping and any injury that might occur throughout play.
We are grateful to volunteer ambulance staff and trainers for their commitment to safety and risk management with Backyard Football League Australia.

Backyard Reciprocal Rule
If you have played and are scratching yourself, you must call on a mate to fill in for you.