Welcome to the 2026 UNSW South Sydney Rabbitohs Junior Touch Football Competition! Our community competition brings together kids from across the region in a fun, inclusive, and professionally managed program. We’re proud to partner with Touch Football Australia and deliver a competition that encourages skill development, teamwork and a love for the game. Touch Football plays a vital role in developing well-rounded athletes. Offering a fast-paced, non-contact environment, it enhances key skills such as evasion, agility, spatial awareness, and decision-making, all of which translate directly to many other team sports. Beyond skill development, Touch Football fosters teamwork, camaraderie, and inclusivity, making it a valuable part of any young athlete’s sporting journey. We are proud to provide this opportunity for young players through our Junior Competition.

Competition Duration: 8 weeks (including 2 weeks of finals in which all teams play)

Start Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026

Game Format: 25-minute games with turnarounds upon try scoring

Location: Heffron Park, corner of Fitzgerald Avenue and Bunnerong Road

Divisions: Divisions will be split by age groups, based on number of registrations. Last year divisions were as follows:

• Mini Bunnies (2020-2018)

• Rookies (2017-2016)

• Bouncers (2015-2012)

• Rabbits (2011-2008)

Timeslots: 5pm, 5:30pm, 6.00pm, younger age groups to play in the early timeslot (subject to change depending on registration)

Note: all players registered in the Junior Competition and playing at least 5 games will be eligible to represent UNSW South Sydney Rabbitohs at the 2027 Junior State Cup in February (Wagga Wagga). Representative trials will be held in November 2026.

8-10 players per team with max 6 UNSW South Sydney Rabbitohs representative players per team.

Fixtures and results will be available through MySideline and posted weekly on our social media. Some divisions may have byes, and therefore it is vital that team managers are aware of any scheduled byes and informs their team accordingly. The draw may be subject to change. If the draw does change, team managers will be notified via WhatsApp.

Team Registration Process: All registrations must be completed online via MySideline (link on our website)

Individual Registration Process: Please complete the individual registration link on our website.

Opens: Monday 12 May 2026, 12pm

Fee: $800 per team or $110 per person

Note: the Bunnies Academy $250 fee includes registration into this competition. No additional payment is required, except for the TFA & NSWTA annual membership fee (see below).

Closes: Friday 25 September 2026, 5pm (must be paid and all players registered by then)

• No refunds will be issued for withdrawals

• Please nominate your correct age group/division.

• We do our best to accommodate teams, but re-grading is not guaranteed once the season begins

• Team Payment Online only via MySideline with no part payments accepted

• Individual Player Payment: All players must register via MySideline once their team is entered

• If this is your first registration with NSW Touch, you will need to create a MySideline account. This can be completed when registering for either Bunnies Academy or Junior Competition

Mandatory TFA & NSWTA Membership Fee

• From 1 September 2025, NSWTA and TFA have introduced a new annual individual membership model. Under this model, players will pay a once-per-year membership fee of $60.00 (including GST and transaction fees) directly via MySideline when they register for their first competition after July 1.

This $60.00 annual membership includes:

• $30.00 – TFA National Membership

• $30.00 – NSWTA Membership

How much are membership fees and who pays them?

All participants will pay $60.00 a year for membership. This fee includes GST, transaction fees and the cost of insurance.

How do I pay my membership?

The payment process is completely online via the MySideline system and is payable the first time a participant registers into a competition after 1 July each year.

I’ve never registered online before; how do I do that?

You will need to create an NRL account and a profile to create your unique ID in MySideline. Instructions on how to do this can be found here. MySideline Resources and Support - Touch Football Australia.

For more information, please click here.

All participants in a team must be in a matching playing shirt with a number. We will be selling 10x shirts at $200 per team if required.

Football boots are recommended, however only plastic moulded studs will be allowed. If not wearing football boots, other appropriate footwear should be worn. Players will not be allowed to play in bare feet.

Players may wear any shorts they choose.

Referees will check uniforms, shoes, nails, and jewellery before each game.

The competition is governed by the Touch Football Australia 8th Edition Rules, with the following modifications for junior divisions:

• 2021-2018 receive six chances per set regardless of infringement

• 2021-2018 will have their coaches on the field refereeing behind their own team

• 2021-2018 is the only mixed category

• 2021-2018 play on half-sized fields with 5 players per side

• 2021-2015 Use junior-sized touch footballs

Game Points System:

• Win / Bye: 3 pts

• Loss: 1 pt

• Notified Forfeit: 0 pts

• Unnotified Forfeit: -3 pts

• Bye counts as a match played

• Scoring 3 pts for first try 2 pts for each subsequent try

Team managers can manage their teams and view registered players via MySideline Manager. Log in to MySideline, click the menu, and select 'My Players' to check who is registered and eligible to play.

Minimum age for referees: 12 years (by 31 December 2026)

Referees will: Identify coaches and captains pre-match, check equipment and players, facilitate the games & oversee scorecards, match records and Best and Fairest

In the event of wet weather, a decision on whether the competition will proceed will be made by 3pm. Updates will be sent to team managers via WhatsApp.

If no notice is received, please assume that games are going ahead as scheduled. We kindly ask that you do not email the competition organiser regarding this matter. Games may be cancelled due to field closures, heavy rain, lightning, hail, or extreme heat.

We follow

TFA Electrical Storm and Wet Weather

TFA Extreme Weather Policy

Notified Forfeit: Teams must notify the Competition Manager via WhatsApp at least 24 hours before the scheduled game. No competition points are awarded, but no penalties apply.

Unnotified Forfeit: If a team fails to show up or forfeits without appropriate notice, they will receive -3 points and the opposing team will be awarded a win.

Teams forfeiting two or more matches (notified or unnotified) may be removed from the competition at the club’s discretion, without any compensation.

All participants registered in our Term 4 Junior Competition are covered under our injury insurance policy for any injuries sustained while participating in competition games. Click here to access all details and make a claim.

All players, coaches, and spectators are expected to uphold the values of sportsmanship, respect, and community. UNSW South Sydney Rabbitohs Touch Football does not tolerate abuse toward anyone, notably referees or officials. Junior Competition participants agree to the following

Code of Conduct (adapted from our club rules):

• Uphold the club’s core principles of integrity, safety, enjoyment, and development

• Always respect referees, officials, players, coaches, and spectators, supporting a safe and enjoyable participation.

• No negative or abusive behaviour will be tolerated

• Treat all club facilities and equipment with care

• Only team captains may respectfully speak to referees, Spectators must remain outside the interchange areas and at least 5 meters away from any lines (sidelines and dead-ball lines)

• Play by the rules and encourage teammates to do the same

• Embrace the spirit of community, promoting inclusion, teamwork and fairness on and off the field

• Understand that breaches may lead to disciplinary action, including removal from games or suspension from the competition. Any breaches will be addressed by the Referee and/or the Ground Manager, and may be escalated to a dispute following the process below.

Dispute Resolution Process:

All disputes regarding matches, referee decisions, or team conduct must be reported to the Ground Manager on the day of the match.

For escalation, they need to be followed up with a written statement emailed to technical@unswtouchfootball.com.au within 24 hours of the incident

Disputes will be reviewed by the Executive Committee, who will make a final decision within 72 hours of receipt.