Football: NTJFA boss backs new rules, including tackling ban

The overhaul of junior football’s rules, including a tackling ban for the youngest age groups, has been fully backed by one of Tasmania’s major leagues as “appropriate for junior footy”.

Safety rules for junior football have been giPicture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The head of one of the state’s major junior football associations has backed significant changes to player safety and inclusivity rules, including the banning of tackling in the youngest age groups.

Community football has just a few weeks to implement the changes before the start of the season. They are headlined by an overhaul of junior guidelines, and the introduction of a 21-day stand-down policy for players concussed in any league below AFL and AFLW level.

Juniors under the age of ten will be unable to fully tackle an opponent while zones, minimum game time for players and number of players on field for each age group have also been updated.

Northern Tasmanian Junior Football Association (NTJFA) boss Josh Nast, previously East Launceston JFC president, is adamant the rules are necessary to ensure youngsters enjoy and remain in the game.

“Making sure the game is as safe as possible for our kids is really important,” he said.

“All the kids want to do is just have a run out there, pick up a ball and be with their mates.

“Making sure they can enjoy themselves in absolutely paramount. Tackling at that level - we’re talking the under eights who’ve just come from Auskick - there’s a lot more they need to be focusing on around their development than tackling in the first instance.

“They want to emulate stars on TV, and they can do that without tackling.”

Nast is director, chair and president of the NTJFA, a role he began this year.

He believes children quitting the game early because it’s too rough isn’t common, but the rules will help retain players.

“I wouldn’t say it’s common. But it’s certainly one of those things we do need to address so attrition doesn’t happen, so kids are sticking with junior footy,” he said.

“If we introduce them in a safe environment, they’re more than likely to stay with the game.

“As president of a club (East Launceston) previously, one of the many questions I got from parents was ‘Josh, is this safe?’ I can categorically say in juniors it is.”

Nast said the NTJFA had already taken an assertive approach to ensuring clubs have the necessary trainers on hand to ensure children are removed from play if they suffer a suspected concussion.

Hobart Junior Football Club players at last year’s Christmas pageant. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

He hopes developing that mindset when players are young will help remove the pressure to play on when they reach senior football.

“I grew up playing rugby league in NSW, so I totally understand it,” he said.

“Back in the day you’d get a knock and it’d be like ‘you’re all right, get back out there’, and we’ve seen the impact of that.

“It’s something we instilled at East Launceston, we have zero tolerance of that. There might be expectations perhaps from someone close to the child who think they can go back on, but it’s really up to those trained to make an assessment.

“We’re driving the culture through clubs to make sure trainers are registered, and they’re fully on board with making sure trainers are there and making sure kids are safe.

“From our perspective it’s just reinforcing what we’ve been doing, we don’t mess around with that stuff.

“I can’t speak for junior football, but from the conversations I’ve had there’s no question this is appropriate for junior football.”

In a statement to The Mercury, AFL Tasmania Head Damian Gill said the specifics of the new guidelines will be distributed soon.

“The AFL has made it clear that the number one priority is the health and safety of players involved at all levels of the game,” Gill said.

“Clubs and leagues across the state generally share this as the top priority for the game.”

“The full details of the new community football guidelines will be released in the coming weeks ahead of the community football seasons.”