Which age groups and players are eligible for a JDL team?

Age groups (2026): Mixed JDL covers Under 9, 10, 11 and 12. Girls' JDL covers Under 10, 11, 12 and 13.

Registration: all players must be registered on the National Registration System.

Player boundaries: a licensee may only register players from the Football NSW JDL Player Boundary in which its home ground is located (North, East, West, South, Riverina, Southern or Western). Clubs may be required to show evidence of a player's residential address. A child can still play for a licensee from outside its boundary if they are the child of a person who is a Life Member of the licensee (or has been for at least 10 years a combination of registered player, director or management committee member), or if they were registered with that GJDL/MJDL club in 2025 (a returning player). Football NSW may also grant out-of-area exemptions. Breaches of the eligibility criteria carry a $2,000 fine per breach to the licensee.

Relative Age Effect (RAE): each applicable age grade is limited to two RAE players unless Football NSW grants a special exemption. RAE players count within the permitted squad totals. Clubs must ask Football NSW to assess any player seeking RAE status.

Source: Football NSW Competitions Regulations 2026, Schedules 1 and 2 and the RAE article.