CLUB INFORMATION
NZAFF Affiliated Clubs can find information and links to information on this page.
Player Safety Game Day Reporting
Clubs can use the link opposite to record their game day player safety reports.
Concussion information and protocols
For more detailed information on concussion symptoms follow this link
Concussion Refresher
To take the Concussion refresher test follow this link
Immediate visual indicators of concussion include:
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Loss of consciousness or responsiveness
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Lying motionless on the ground/slow to get up
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A dazed, blank or vacant expression
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Appearing unsteady on feet, balance problems or falling over
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Grabbing or clutching of the head or
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Impact seizure or convulsion
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Visible injury to face or head (especially in combination with any other signs)
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Loss of balance/co-ordination
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Red Flags - What requires hospitalisation:
If no qualified medical professional is available, consider transporting by ambulance for urgent medical assessment.
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Player complains of neck pain
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Increasing confusion or irritability
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Repeated vomiting
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Seizure or convulsion
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Double vision
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Weakness or tingling/burning in arms or legs
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Deteriorating conscious state
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Severe or increasing headache
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Unusual behavior change
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Concussion protocols for return to play
The following steps can be found in the Protocols Summary document. The steps
that must be followed with the help of a medical professional are:
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Recognise the signs of a suspected or potential concussion.
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Remove from play if a concussion is suspected and if in doubt ensure you sit them out.
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Refer all suspected / potential concussion to a medical doctor for diagnosis and return to play guidelines.
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Rest & Recover - All players must have; full, physical & cognitive rest to ensure best recovery can take place if a concussion is diagnosed.
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Return to Play - Players should undertake a graduated return to training and play.
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For more detailed information on the concussion protocols regarding the return to play
stages follow this link. The return to play should be supervised by a medical professional
- ideally with specialised concussion training.
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Player Safety Responsibilities
Health & Safety Document Library
The library has reference documents including Health and Safety guidelines and policies, event organisation check lists and risk identification and mitigation templates.
Equipment Subsidies
The 2024/2025 NZAFF Equipment Subsidy is available to all active NZAFF Clubs & Members.
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The subsidy offers a 30% discount off the $NZ landed price for purchases of American Football Helmets & Shoulder Pads up until the 31st July 2025.
To take advantage of the subsidy, there are 2 ways you can get access to it.
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From NZAFF through your club.
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NZAFF’s preferred supplier is currently Sports Unlimited.
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Visit Sports Unlimited Website: https://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/
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Provide your order details to your Club eg. Product Number, Item, Size, Color.
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Your Club will make the order on your behalf via email to admin@nzaff.co.nz.
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When the equipment arrives, NZAFF invoices the club and payment is expected on delivery unless another arrangement is agreed.
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All pricing supplied by NZAFF is subject to inclusion of GST, exchange rate and shipping cost variation.
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Order direct from any supplier
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You order, and pay, directly from any supplier, presumably in the USA but could be elsewhere, and get the item(s) shipped directly to you.
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When it arrives you provide to NZAFF the following:
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proof of the order - invoice or quote
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delivery - delivery docket.
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proof of payment - payment receipt/bank or credit card transaction.
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The club President or Chairperson must confirm that they have sighted the equipment.
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Once NZAFF has all the information then a rebate of 30% of the $NZ landed price of the item(s) will be deposited directly into your bank account.
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Notes:
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The NZAFF Equipment Subsidy is subject to annual review. NZAFF reserves the right to adjust/remove this offer at any time.
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The NZAFF Equipment Subsidy discount applies to purchases of American Football Helmets and Shoulder Pads only. Please note the subsidy only applies to standard equipment, not special editions or customized items.
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The NZAFF Equipment Subsidy is designed to support clubs & players to access quality safety equipment at an affordable price. Any equipment purchased through the subsidy, should not be done with intent to resell for a profit.
For further information, please contact Shernice Henry admin@nzaff.co.nz | 0211974664.
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Equipment Fitting Guide
These fitting guides can be found on equipment manufacturers we sites and are referenced here for ease of use.
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NZAFF Club Grants Program 2024/2025
The NZAFF Club Grants Program is our annually reviewed club funding initiative that incentivises positive practice around; Player Safety, Coach & Officials Development, Youth & Women engagement and Social Media.
To be eligible for Club Grants clubs must be actively using the Sporty registration system.
Player Safety Reporting
The prerequisites have not changed.
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Appointment of a Player Safety Liaison person within the club.
This person will be responsible for reporting and organizing player safety requirements (see below) and will be the contact person for NZAFF.
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MUST BE CONFIRMED BY THE START OF THE SEASON
Fill out this form: Player Safety Liaison Form
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2. Having a published draw and publishing results. NZAFF must be able to easily find these.
Player Safety Liaison is responsible for the following:
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Having a report for each team for each game. The on-line form link is at the top of the NZAFF Web site.
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Having the reporting done by the Monday following the game(s).
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Having Follow-up reporting done before the next game where practical. Even if it is a pending report – there can be multiple follow ups on an injury.
Flag Teams in local competition (regular weekly scheduled games - not tournaments) will earn $200 per team for the season.
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All forms of Tackle Football in competition will earn $400 per team.
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Coach Qualification | Tackle Football Only
The Coach Qualification portion of the Club Grant program has been re-included for the 2024/2025 season.
We are now using the NFHSLearn.com resources.
Courses must be completed by 31st December 2024.
The course cost of NZ$90 will be paid by NZAFF, coaches need to register with NZAFF to have access to the program.
Coaches must be registered as Coaches on the Sporty registration system.
Please sign up here:NZAFF Coach Qualification Sign Up Form.
For each Tackle Football Coach that successfully completes the NFHSLearn.com courses packaged by NZAFF - their club will receive $100.
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All Coaches are eligible to earn under this portion of the grant even if they hold a current USA Football qualification.
Course content covers:
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Coaching American Football
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Teaching Safe Tackle
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Concussion in Sports
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Officials Development
AFOA will schedule and host both a Flag and Tackle Officiating workshop during the new season.
Clubs will receive $20 per member (capped at 20 members) who successfully complete the AFOA Basic qualification program.
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The AFOA Basic qualification is made up of four components.
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Introduction session on Zoom
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Practical session on field
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Review session on Zoom
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Basic Qualification Exam
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AFOA will advertise when these workshops are on.
If Clubs would like to host their own workshops - please contact afoaofficials@gmail.com
Social Media Activity
Increasing the exposure and awareness of American Football in NZ, remains a top priority. This year NZAFF are rewarding clubs who demonstrate an active online presence through social media. Completing this portion of the program will earn your club $400.
Metrics are:
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Upload a minimum of 2 original digital content items on social media per week.
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Club grants qualification period 1st November 2024- 31st March 2025 (approximately 18 weeks)
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Content activity measured on posts per week, not in total.
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Content refers to all original club digital creations - posts, posters and reels (not reshares or stories)
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Content must be suitable for a family audience, and portray American Football in a positive light.
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NZAFF must be tagged for measuring purposes
Youth Women’s Initiative
To encourage the participation of Youth Women in competition - clubs who enter 18U Youth Women Flag Football teams into the 2025 NZAFF Club Flag Football National Championship will earn $500 under this portion of the club grants program.
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Women’s Initiative
This is a new portion of the club grants program designed to inspire leadership and development amongst our existing female membership base. Clubs who host an NZAFF Women in American Football workshop - will earn their club $500.
NZAFF will facilitate the workshop. Clubs host responsibilities are:
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Set the date
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Provide Venue
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Ensure attendance (minimum 10 attendees)
Workshops be held between 1st November 2024 & 28th February 2025.
Please contact admin@nzaff.co.nz to arrange.
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Notes:
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The NZAFF Club Grants Program is subject to annual review. NZAFF reserves the right to adjust/remove this offer at any time.
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Tasks must be completed/applied for by 31st March 2025 to allow time for the payments to be distributed.
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If you have questions or want more information, please contact Shernice Henry | NZAFF Admin | admin@nzaff.co.nz or 0211974664.
The New Zealand American Football Federation (NZAFF) is here to support the growth of our sport and the following documents (follow the links) covers aspects of setting up and running a successful club. But please check out our website for a range of other resources, and also get in touch if we can be of any help.
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American Football is an incredible sport that has been played by a small group in New Zealander’s for over 40 years, and for those of us involved we know that the sport will appeal to many more Kiwis both young and old if they give it a try.
1. Start a new club
How to start a club in 3 easy steps:
2. Being an effective Committee
Once you are a Club you will want to do the best you can as a committee. Everyone is busy so following some simple guidelines will help the processes go smoother.
3. Being an effective Club
Running an effective club consists of juggling various parts to make sure the day to day things get done while keeping an eye on the things that need to be done for the future of the club.
Below you will find links to all the codes of conduct for all NZAFF members, players, coaches, administrators (managers), officials and parents.
When Members register they agree to abide by the appropriate code of conduct for their role or roles. It is important to have these so that we are all protected from the kind of behavior that could bring the sport into disrepute.
If we are going to encourage more officials to help then their treatment needs to be better than it has been.
The neutral referees are registered as members of NZAFF and so have recourse to use the disciplinary processes in the NZAFF Rules & Regulations.
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If they, or anyone else, feels that the treatment of the referees has gone too far and is abusive then the person and the team responsible for the abuse can be cited. A hearing would then be held under the NZAFF Rules & Regulations and if upheld the minimum fine on the club will be $300 per instance with the option to increase depending on the severity of the offense. If the citing is on an individual then other sanctions may apply however the club will still be liable for a fine.
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The citing can proceed irrespective of any on-field penalty awarded for such behaviour during the game.
We understand that Clubs may not want to pay a fine for a member’s actions however the club will be held responsible for members behaviour. The fine can be deducted from Club Grants.
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For each citing for bad sideline behaviour the club will be fined a minimum of $300.
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The fine may be more depending on the severity and may added sanctions as per the NZAFF Rules & Regulations.
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Citing can happen irrelevant of any on field penalty.
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Citing can be initiated by NZAFF, an Official or from another person/club.
The process is in the NZAFF Rules & Regulations