Competitions Dispensation Policy & Request Form

Football Victoria (FV) wish to advise the release of the Competitions Dispensation Policy & Request Form. The purpose of the policy is to provide all stakeholders with a clear and concise process for dispensation requests amongst the FV Competitions.

The Dispensation Policy & Request Form allows Clubs to submit a request for a player(s) to be granted exemption by FV to participate in competitions that they would otherwise not be eligble to.

To determine what dispensation requests can be submitted, please click here to view the FV Dispensation Policy.

The following Competitions Dispensation Request Form is the formal process by which Clubs can submit dispensation requests for the relevant player(s). Only Club representatives can submit this Jotform, not individual players/parents.

Please ensure that prior to submitting a dispensation request you are equipped with the following:

• FA ID Number - to progress through the process the player must have an FA ID number. Please contact the registrations department via registrations@footballvictoria.com.au for any queries regarding a player's FA ID number.
• all relevant information required to be submitted; and
• any relevant documentation, as per the Dispensation Policy

To be considered to participate in an upcoming fixture the application must be submitted seven (7) days prior to the scheduled fixture date. Any application submitted less than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled fixture may not be considered for that specific round.

Once a Club representative has submitted a dispensation request, the FV dispensation committee will review the request and provide an outcome to the Club representative. FV will aim to provide the Club with communication regarding the request within seven (7) working days of submission.

It is important to note that Clubs submit dispensation application requests in accordance with the Dispensation Policy and via this form, however approval is not guaranteed, nor should Clubs anticipate approval prior to the dispensation request being considered and determined by FV through the formal process.

Please note any Club that requests to submit further supporting documentation or information after the outcome of the request has been determined will incur a 're-review' administrative fee of $75 charged to the Club's account.

MEDICAL DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

FV recognises that it may be necessary in some circumstances to provide dispensation for an individual to play in an FV competition a maximum of one (1) year below their age due to a physical disability, mental disorder or physical size development consideration as identified and diagnosed by a certified medical practitioner.

A certified medical practitioner is a medical specialist who has attained the appropriate qualifications and accreditations to practise and includes both sports physicians and paediatricians.

The Club must provide FV with the following documentation in support of their application for medical dispensation.

• A supporting letter from the players parent (s) or guardian
• Current (within 12 months of the application unless evidencing a chronic condition) medical evidence to support the application from the players medical specialist detailing the need for dispensation ; and
• Any other information the club wishes to submit in support of the application.

FIRST YEAR DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

A first-year dispensation may be granted to a player who has not previously been registered with FA or FV. This form of dispensation is to allow an individual to play in an FV competition for which the usual eligible age is a maximum of one (1) year below the player’s age and is only valid for one competition season. Dispensation is only granted for players to play down one age group. Requests to play down two or more age groups are not permitted. This dispensation cannot be reapplied for the following competition season or any other season following the player’s first season participating in an FA or FV competition.

FV may in its sole discretion refuse to grant a dispensation request under this regulation in circumstances where the player in question has played football in school or other competitions not administered by FV or FA. FV may seek further information from the Club in question before deciding under this regulation and the Club must submit that information as part of the dispensation request.

A first-year dispensation may be refused or revoked by FV acting in its sole discretion if FV later discovers that the Club did not provide relevant and/or requested information without a reasonable excuse.

Ineligible Dispensation Request!

Due to the request to play down two or more age groups, the player is ineligible to apply for this dispensation and will not be granted by FV for this competition season.

Ineligible Dispensation Request!

Due to the respective player being previously registered with Football Australia (FA) or Football Victoria (FV) or having had a first year dispensation last year, the player is ineligible to apply for this dispensation and will not be granted by FV for this competition season or any other season following.

PLAY FOOTBALL DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

A play football dispensation may only be granted in exceptional circumstances where there are no reasonable alternatives available to the player and in the opinion of FV, it benefits the interests of one or more of the following to allow the dispensation:

1. the Player;
2. the Team;
3. the Club;
4. the League in which the Team participates;
5. football in Victoria in general.

Play football dispensation is only granted for players to play down one age group. Requests to play down two or more age groups are not permitted.

If granted, the play football dispensation is a one year ‘bridging dispensation’ to allow the Club to take reasonable steps to prepare the player to play in their rightful age group the following season. It is envisaged that this dispensation will not be required for the following year.

Ineligible Dispensation Request!

Due to the request to play down two or more age groups, the player is ineligible to apply for this dispensation and will not be granted by FV for this competition season.

ABOVE AGE DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

An above age dispensation may be granted to allow a player to play in a competition more than four (4) years above their age group.

The Club must provide FV with the following documentation in support of their application for an above age dispensation.

• A signed letter from the player’s Club President supporting the application
• A signed letter from the player’s Club Technical Director supporting the application
• A signed letter of consent from the players parent (s) or guardian supporting the application
• A document listing general medical details of the player by a medical professional including height and weight; and
• Any further information requested by FV.

GENDER DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

Under the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act, it is unlawful to discriminate on the ground of sex or gender identity up until the age of 12 years. Players over 12 years old may be treated differently in certain circumstances, including in relation to aspects of strength, stamina or physique, to maintain elite pathways and to foster participation. Football Victoria allows players to play in gendered competition of their choosing under the following guidelines:

• Players who identify as non-binary, transgender or intersex are permitted to participate in the competition of their choice, up to the age of U16.
• Players who identify as male are permitted to play in female competitions up until Under 12 girls. The player must turn 12 or below during the 2025 calendar year and may play in their equivalent age group of female competitions without the prior approval of FV.
• Players who identify as female are permitted to participate in male competitions up until Under 16. The player must turn 16 or below during the 2025 calendar year and may play in their equivalent age group of male competitions without the prior approval of FV.
• Players who identify as female are not permitted to participate in male competitions in Under 17 and above with the exception of the player falling into the below category:
  • the player is currently registered to a regional club without any reasonable female pathway available to the player. To be clear a regional club is classified as a Club that has received prior written approval by FV to participate in FV metropolitan community competitions excluding Geelong based clubs.

Players who have affirmed their gender identity by transitioning to a gender that is different to their sex assigned at birth or are in the act of transitioning/affirming via gender affirming practices; or are non-binary people, are eligible to nominate to play in a competition of their choosing conducted for their affirmed gender and not sex assigned at birth, unless it is gives cause to a risk to themselves or others as determined by FV/FA.

Note: FV may request supporting documentation as part of any application under these guidelines.

All decisions in relation to the gender rules are final and at the discretion of the FA & FV diversity and inclusion team, technical team and FV competitions team. These decisions are not appealable. 

Ineligible Dispensation Request!

Due to the respective player not currently being registered to a regional Club without any reasonable female pathway available nor having recevied written approval from the Football Australia (FA) Technical Department, the player is ineligible to apply for this dispensation and therefore dispensation will not be granted by FV for this competition season.

TEAM TIED DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

A Club may apply for a dispensation to allow a player that is team tied back in their original team in exceptional circumstances.

This dispensation is given on a case-by-case basis. The Club must provide to FV the following information:

• Reason why the player must be moved into their original team.
• If reason is squad injuries in the player’s original team, resulting in the team having below the number required to play fixtures, the club must provide evidence of injuries sustained by the squad members.
• Provide any further information requested by FV.

Ineligible Dispensation Request!

FV will only grant a Finals/Playoff/Cup eligibility exemption dispensation where a Club/Team is unable to field a team for a final due to insufficient player numbers as a result of unavailability (including injury)

SENIOR WOMENS AGE DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

A senior women’s age dispensation may be granted in relation to a player who is under the age of 14 years old as of 1 January in the year of that relevant competition season and is requesting to play in a Senior Women’s Competition.

The Club must provide FV with the following documentation in support of their application for senior women’s age dispensation.

• a signed letter from the player’s Club president supporting the application
• a signed letter from the player’s Club Technical Director supporting the application
• a signed letter of consent from the players parent or guardian supporting the application
• a document listing general medical details of the player by a medical professional including height and weight; and
• any further information requested by FV.

SENIOR ADVANCED COMPETITIONS AGE DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

A senior advanced competition age dispensation may be granted in relation to a player who is under the age of 15 years old as of 1 January in the year of that relevant competition season and is requesting to play in a Senior Advanced Competitions.

The Club must provide FV with the following documentation in support of their application.

• a signed letter from the player’s Club president supporting the application
• a signed letter from the player’s Club Technical Director supporting the application
• a signed letter of consent from the players parent or guardian supporting the application
• a document listing general medical details of the player by a medical professional including height and weight; and
• any further information requested by FV.

GENDER DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

Players who have affirmed their gender identity by transitioning to a gender that is different to their sex assigned at birth; are in the act of transitioning via gender affirming practices; or are non-binary people, are eligible to nominate to play in a competition of their choosing conducted for their affirmed gender and not sex assigned at birth, unless it is gives cause to a risk to themselves or others.

Note: FV may request supporting documentation as part of any application under these guidelines and applicants may be referred to FA’s policy.

SIX (6) MATCH DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

A six-match dispensation may be granted to enable a player to play more than six (6) Competition Fixtures for a team in a lower division in the State League Women's (SLW) due to another players long-term injury or illness.

The Club must provide supporting documentation from a medical practitioner indicating a player’s long-term injury or illness as part of this application.  

Ineligible Dispensation Request!

FV will only grant a Six (6) Match Dispensation if one or more players in a lower division SLW team at the Club have sustained a long-term injury or illness

SENIOR MEN'S AGE DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

A senior men’s age dispensation may be granted in relation to a player who is under the age of 15 years old as of 1 January in the year of that relevant competition season and is requesting to play in a Senior Men’s Competition.

The Club must provide FV with the following documentation in support of their application for a senior men’s age dispensation:

• a signed letter from the player’s Club president supporting the application;
• a signed letter from the player’s Club Technical Director supporting the application;
• a signed letter of consent from the player’s parent or guardian supporting the application;
• a document listing general medical details of the player by a medical professional including height and weight; and
• any further information requested by FV.

AGE DISPENSATION OVERVIEW

An age dispensation may be granted in relation to a Mens player who turns the age of 35 within the calendar year for that relevant competition season and is requesting to play in Mens Metropolitan Masters Competitions.

Ineligible Dispensation Request!

Due to the respective player not turning the correct age within the calendar year for that relevant competition season, the player is ineligible to apply for this dispensation and therefore, will not be granted by FV for this competition season.

Ineligible Dispensation Request!

Due to the Club already having the maximum of three (3) accepted dispensations for this particular team in the particular age group for that relevant competition season, the player is ineligible to apply for this dispensation and therefore, will not be granted by FV for this competition season.

Football Victoria (FV) Inc

Privacy Collection Notice

In this form, you are asked to provide Football Victoria (FV) Inc ABN 97 592 993 965 (‘FV’) with personal information (which may include sensitive information).  FV regards the management of personal information in an open and transparent way as a priority.  FV collects personal information (including through Football Australia’s (‘FA’s’) Play Football National Registration System (‘Play Football’)) for various reasons, including:

·  for the organisation, conduct and promotion of football competitions, matches, programs and products and related objects set out in FV’s constitution;

·  to process registration of individuals to participate in football competitions, matches, programs and products, as a player, official or otherwise;

·  to identify, create and provide services and benefits, some of which may be provided by or in conjunction with FA, government agencies or other FV partners or affiliated or associated entities, or through FV’s Football Fives website;

·  to communicate with you and other stake-holders to provide football related information and offers from football administrators or other FV partners (both commercial and not-for-profit);

·  to maintain participation and service/benefit records, data and statistics, including for archive and historical purposes;

·  to identify, create and provide services to registered participants, officials, clubs, club members, zones, supporters, students, and members of the public, which may occasionally warrant direct marketing of these services (unless you opt out of any such direct marketing);

·  to satisfy its obligations and comply with applicable statutes, regulations and policies as a Member Federation of FA and the international governing body FIFA;

·  in relevant cases, and with your consent where the information is sensitive information, for research and/or review, including for the purposes of assessing performance, health or injury including in FV and FA’s (Victorian) talented player programs, to research participation in football or target funding; and

·  to satisfy its obligations under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Vic) and otherwise at law.

Further information about accessing and correcting your details or making a complaint are available in FV’s Privacy Policy.  By completing and submitting his form, you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information as described above and as set out in FV’s Privacy Policy.

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