To register as a Game Leader, contact your LOCAL CLUB (click here to find your club) and they will guide you on how to sign up as a Game Leader with them. You will need to register as a Volunteer (if not a player) with the Club through PlayFootball.
Small-Side Games (SSG) Rules: See bottom of page (updated rules for 2026).
How will it work?
Step One: Promoting and explanation
- FC Clubs will nominate GL Hub Administrators and send through to FC.
Step Two: Preparation of the program
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FC will run and coordinate with Club support/assistance and build a group of GL & instructors/Mentors approved by the FC / FA.
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Hub coordinator are decided by each Club and they are appointed officially in Dribl.
Step Three: Delivering the program
- GL register through their club (preferable) and on DRIBL as a GL, and nominate which hub they would wish to work out of.
- GL must do the Introductory Course/onboarding session before they can do any games on the field.
- Appointments will be managed by Hubs/ DRIBL management system / pending on location and coordinators of venues. GL payments from the clubs (as currently operating, with clubs deciding on best practice for them EFT vs Cash). Only accredited GL should be receiving a payment (but that is at the discretion of each Hub). Hub team pays 100% of the GL fee.
Step Four: Ongoing
- GL monitored by Coordinators / mentors and feedback supplied to GL’s and FC, on a weekly game basis or as required via Dribl.
What do we need now?
Club Requirements:
- GL‘s, GL mentors at hubs, HUB Supervisor/Trainers, payment structure. Game day supervisor (currently orange Vest official).
- Mentors and Field Officials are seen as volunteers, but again this is an individual club decision, as some pay honorariums etc to these individuals.
- Hub Placements ex HUB Supervisor.
Allocation of Game Leaders:
- GL’s availability will be assumed “available” on any given weekend.
- Should a GL be unavailable they are to contact the Hub Coordinator prior to the weekly roster being issued. “On the day“ issues dealt with Hub supervisor.
- Allocated via hubs pending on club requirement.
Overview and Specifics
Roles:
- GL Presenter/Instructor
- GL Hub Administrator (Appointment Coordinator)
- GL Mentor (Field Supervisor)
- GL Assessor (Club appointed person that can certify/qualify a Game Leader. Can be a Mentor.)
- Game Leader (Fully qualified)
- GL Trainee (Not qualified)
How Do I Become a Game Leader?:
Acceptable Age: 11 years and above (inclusive of adults) Candidates under 11 may be acceptable if they demonstrate aptitude and confidence.
- Register your interest with your club/HUB
- Read and learn the rules (see updated Rules down at the bottom).
- Attend an Introductory Course/onboarding session at your (or any) Hub and start the process of becoming a Game Leader. (approximately an hour).
- Participate with Guidance by a mentor in shared SSG (U8-U12) until deemed competant by a Hub Assessor. (Potentially over several weeks or 2-5 games).
- Complete a solo game (full game by yourself) until an assessor passes you as a GAME LEADER.
- Recieve your FREE Pink GL vest and start to be rostered onto games at your Hub (and charge for your game time to your Hub).
GL Presenter/Instructor Responsibilities:
- Will conduct all internal HUB GL Courses/Onboarding sessions
- Coordinate any internal HUB GL training
- Liaise with Assessors and Mentors to determine when a GL can do a solo game and be certified.
Please note: a Presenter/Instructor automatically qualifies as a HUB Assessor
GL Assessor:
- Will be an approved person, appointed internally by HUB, that can certify a GL.
- Will liaise with GL Mentor while in GL in training.
- A mentor can also be an Assessor, but they are not allowed to certify their own child (if applicable).
- Along with Presenter/Instructor and Mentor will determine when a GL can do a solo game and be certified.
GL Mentor Responsibilities:
- Gentle oversight of GL's
- Continued Q&A at half time or at end of games, building a rapport and understanding. Mentor must be prepared to give good and negative feedback and be comfortable the GL is ready to become qualified. If GL needs to be component at all levels before we give them a solo game.
- Being contactable/accessible should any issues arise.
Hubs in 2026
Clubs decided that they are now in a position to be there own hubs and so below are the hubs for 2025.
Abbotsford
Ashfield Pirates
Balmain
Belmore Eagles
Burwood
Canterbury Lions
Concord / Russell Lea
Cooks River Titans
Earlwood
Enfield
Five Dock
Future Leaders
Hurlstone Park
Inter Lions
Leichhardt Saints / Leichhardt Tigers
LFC Sports / National Sports
Marrickville
Punchbowl / Roselands
Strathfield
