Junior age group profile: Under 13

In this second edition of the Junior age group profiles we take a look at our most competitive age with the most teams – Under 13.

How is 2021 shaping up?

The Under 13 age group will have ten teams set to take to the field, making it the biggest age group within the Junior Competition. These really strong numbers reflect the great retention work that clubs have undertaken to transition players through from their entry into competitive footy via Under 11.

This is the first age group where players get the chance to put their names forward for representative footy with the North Coast Force, which is often a big draw card for players.

The teams

• Bellingen Bulldogs
• Coffs Harbour Breakers
• Grafton Tigers
• Nambucca Valley Lions
• Northern Beaches Blues
• Port Macquarie Flyers
• Port Macquarie Bombers
• Port Macquarie Swoopers
• Sawtell Toormina Saints
• South West Rocks Dockers

Team changes in 2021

With a strong contingent of former Camden Haven Bombers joining the ranks at Port Macquarie, the Magpies are in the position where they can enter three teams in the Under 13 competition. This represents an increase of one extra team on last season.

Port Macquarie are keen to see the Bombers club re-formed as soon as possible and are retaining the name to keep the identity going in the hope that this helps Camden Haven get off the ground again soon. This means that the Port Bombers will join the Flyers and Swoopers within the Under 13 ranks.

Rule changes in 2021

Where matches are played on a full sized field, the location of the mark at a kick-in will be 15 metres from the top of the goal square (rule 2.10.5). Where matches are played on a reduced size field, the mark for the kick-in will be at 10 metres from the top of the goal square (as it was in 2020).

All Junior age groups, including Under 13, will play the last disposal rule when the ball goes out of bounds. This means that the opposing team will be awarded a free kick to return the ball to play after the ball goes out of bounds from a kick or handball but not a smother or spoil (rule 2.10.14).

Finals format will see the top four teams play two elimination semi finals (1 v 4, and 2 v 3) with the two winners progressing straight to the Grand Final (rule 10.1).

For more details see the 2021 version of the AFL North Coast Rules.

Key dates

• Sunday 18 April – round 1
• Sunday 25 April – general bye (ANZAC Day)
• Saturday 1 May – North Coast Force rep trial
• Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June – North Coast Force at Hunter Carnival
• Sunday 13 June – general bye (Queen’s Birthday long weekend)
• Sunday 4 July – general bye (school holidays)
• Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 July – North Coast Force at Coffs Carnival
• Sunday 1 August – round 13 (last round of home and away)
• Sunday 8 August – Semi Finals
• Sunday 15 August – Grand Final