Registrations Now Open!
Please read through the below information and guidance prior to registering. If you have any further questions, please contact registrar@prahranjfc.com or head to our Contact Page.
About Prahran Junior Football Club
The Prahran Junior Football Club is based at Toorak Park and Como Park within the Stonnington area, with boys and girls joining from more than 30 local Schools.
We welcome players from Auskick (from the Prahran Auskick Centre, and other centres), and run programs for players U8-U18 seeking development, encouragement, to play with friends, and to develop new friends through well-Coached community sport.
We also provide a pathway through to Senior football for those players looking for good football post School.
We welcome returning players, and new players looking to join our strong and development focused football program.
Season Dates
Games are usually played on Sundays from April 14 to late August/early September (depending on the age group). For more information, click here for SMJFL Key Season Dates.
Pre-Season Training
Stonnington Council has advised that we will be unable to gain ground access until late January due to the poor growth of grass on most Stonnington ovals, and a need to preserve grass for cricket activities. We will advise when pre-season training is to commence once we have some ground availability. In the meantime, we encourage players to go for a jog, and keep a ball in hand whilst you enjoy summer.
Our current, planned pre-season training times are as follows (subject to change once ground allocations are confirmed):
- U8-U11 preseason on Thursday evenings from late January (one hour session for each age, scheduled between 4.30 and 6.30)
- U12-U18 preseasons on Tuesday evenings from late January (one hour session for each age, scheduled between 4.30 and 6.30)
- Sunday skills sessions for U12-U15 players from late January, typically between 9am and 12pm
Our pre-season training program across most ages is run for “year groups” in January, February, and early March. Once teams are finalised (typically mid-March for U8-U11, and late March for U12 and above), training moves to team-based training for the remainder of the pre-season.
As per SMJFL guidelines, PJFC runs an independent grading approach for year groups U12 and above if there is more than one team in a year group and gender category. Grading involves two “grading training” sessions, and one “grading game” round robin to enable our independent assessors to view each player’s ability. More information will be provided directly to parents and players of relevant age groups, but if you’ve got any questions just reach out to Ryan - registrar@prahranjfc.com or Ben - president@prahranjfc.com)
We welcome players to join our pre-season if you have not yet registered: you can come to a maximum of two sessions for new / potential club members before you’re required to register.
Registration
Registrations will open to new and returning members on Monday 15th January at 9am. We encourage players to register early to avoid disappointment.
Although registrations close in March, we will close off registrations for some age groups earlier if we have sufficient numbers to complete a squad. For members wishing to join from another club, please refer to Transfers section below.
New members will need to provide a proof of age document (eg. Birth Certificate/passport/vaccination certificate) to confirm the DOB prior to the registration being accepted. Copies of these documents can be emailed to registrar@prahranjfc.com
Please note: This is a league requirement: we cannot accept players into the Club without sighting proof of age documentation.
Some players wish to seek exemptions to play in an age group other than that which is set. Factors could include school year, size, or other things discussed with parents or the Football Department. PJFC is an inclusive Club: if you’ve got any questions or concerns about the age, size, or other things that might impact your child’s football enjoyment please reach out to our General Manager Ryan Davey at registrar@prahranjfc.com
Registration fees for 2024 will be $400, of which $345 will go to the club and $55 will be paid to the league. PJFC has a program to support players who may find meeting the costs of registration and participation difficult. If you would like a confidential discussion about support available to you, please reach out to our General Manager Ryan Davey registrar@prahranjfc.com, or Secretary Georgie McAllister secretary@prahranjfc.com
We are happy to provide a refund of the Club component to players who withdraw from the football program prior to 1st April, and may pro-rate refunds after this date to cover participation costs.
If you need to change your email address associated with your PlayHQ account please reach out to 1800 PLAY AFL or email clubhelp@afl.com.au. We unfortunately do not have access to assist with this at club level.
Other issues or questions in relation to registrations please contact Ryan Davey at registrar@prahranjfc.com
Transfers from other Clubs
If your most recent prior season registration was at another Club and you wish to join PJFC, you will need an approved transfer prior to being able to register. This will still be required even if you haven’t played for the original club for a period of time. The league opens for transfers on 1 February 2024.
Transferring members should request a transfer to be initiated by PJFC by emailing registrar@prahranjfc.com. The request will then go to the original club for approval and once approved, you will be able to register with PJFC through the links set out in the Registration section above.
Age Group Guidance
Players wishing to register with PJFC for the 2024 season must be born between 1 January 2006 and 30 April 2017.
If your child is born after 30 April 2017, we can recommend our affiliated Auskick program here.
The below table sets out the age ranges for our mixed, boys and girls teams for 2024.
- U8: Born 01/01/2016 - 30/04/2017
- U9: Born 2015
- U10: Born 2014
- U11: Born 2013
- U12: Born 2012
- U13: Born 2011
- U14: Born 2010
- U15: Born 2009
- U16: Born 2008
- U18: Born 2006 & 2007
Players wishing to play up an age group should request this as part of the registration process along with appropriate justification (eg. to play with school cohort).
Players wishing to play in the age group below will need to be granted an exemption from the league – please contact the Registrar for further information in relation to this process - registrar@prahranjfc.com.
Team Allocation
Players are allocated to teams once registrations have been closed, or as year levels approach squad group limits.
Our approach to allocating teams is based on our philosophy that players benefit from meeting children from different schools and backgrounds, and learning from experienced Coaches who change at different stages of development.
Not surprisingly, we like to mix Coaches as well as players, so that players hear from different voices and approaches through their football journey.
In U8-U10, players are asked to indicate up to three friends, at least one of which we aim to provide in our team allocation. We avoid “whole school teams” wherever possible, and mix teams to ensure that players are prepared eventually for older age groups (U12 and above) where they are placed in teams according to ability.
In U11 we typically move a couple of players up or down based on ability, to enable us to have teams in different divisions.
In U12 and above, we allocate players based on ability through an independent grading process. Players should be experiencing playing in different positions on the ground right through to U15s where our team selection approach prioritises skills, development, and pathway.
We continue to develop all players to potential, and will have transparent and fair conversations with players around expectations at that age and stage.
Uniforms
PJFC runs an “online only” uniform shop due to us not having dedicated space at Toorak Park whilst the redevelopment occurs.
**Important Note** you MUST order your uniforms online, with two windows available to you. PJFC will not be carrying surplus stock of uniform items.
Window 1: 9am Monday 15th January to 5pm Sunday 11th February to ensure delivery by season start.
Window 2: 9am Monday 25th March to 5pm Sunday 31st March for mid-season delivery.
Some important guidance:
- All players will be provided with a reversible PJFC playing jumper which needs to be returned at the conclusion of the season. PJFC reserves the right to charge a replacement fee for football jumpers not returned at the end of the season.
Players need to purchase other match apparel, with all players requiring:
- 1 pair of blue PJFC shorts that are suitable for both home and away games.
- 1 pair of blue PJFC socks.
- A fitted mouthguard (purchased separately, PJFC does provide a fitting date TBC but likely late March).
- Players may also wish to purchase other PJFC items including training tops, tracksuit pants, hoodies, and athletic apparel.
- Match apparel (shorts and socks) are delivered to the Club and will be available for collection at training in April.
- Off-field items will be delivered to the address you specify when you place your order.
Please make sure the order name is your player name so that we might easily locate orders should they be misplaced.
Any questions related to merchandise can be sent to merchandise@prahranjfc.com