Cubs FAQ

Who are the Cubs?
The Sydney University Cubs is the team entered by the Sydney University American Football Club in the Gridiron NSW Colts competition. The Cubs was one of the foundation teams of the Gridiron NSW Colts competition (then called the NSWGFL Juniors) and won the championship in the inaugural season of competition in 1994. In 17 years of competition, the Cubs have won 6 state championships – more than any other team – including the 2009 Gridiron NSW Colts championship. The Cubs won through to the 2010 Championship Game and will be looking to win it all in 2011. More information on the history of the Cubs can be found by clicking on the History link on the Cubs page. The Sydney University American Football Club is a member club of Sydney University Sport & Fitness (“SU Sport”) – the body which administers all sporting and recreational activities at Sydney University – and has been a member club since 1985. The American Football Club was awarded the John Kean Trophy as SU Sport Club of the Year for 2006. This was the third time the club had won the award. SU Sport is the most successful sporting club in Australian history, having produced more Australian representatives and won more major competitions than any other sporting club. More information on SU Sport can be found on its website at www.susport.com.
What about all the equipment?
The Club has all of the equipment needed to play – helmets, shoulder pads, accessory pads, jerseys and pants. The Club has a storage facility (called “the Den” and located in the carpark behind the grandstand to No 1 Oval at Sydney University) where the playing equipment is stored. Until the games start, players pick up their equipment from the Den prior to training and return it to the Den after training. Players must take care of their equipment and it must be returned in good order at the end of the season. All equipment, including playing jerseys, remains the property of the Club and must be returned. If equipment is lost or destroyed by a player, then the player will need to fund the purchase of a replacement. The Club equipment has identification numbers marked on the equipment. If these numbers become dislodged or damaged, please notify the Team Manager as soon as possible. Players are not permitted to alter or modify the equipment in any way, including removing or swapping cheek pads or chin straps on helmets, adding any stickers or decals to the helmet or removing the decals already on the helmets. The equipment is only to be modified or altered under the supervision of the Team Manager. The Lions paw decals on the helmets have been awarded to senior players and are not to be touched. The Club does not provide mouthguards or shoes. All players are required to wear a mouthguard. Many of our games this year will be played on Astroturf fields. Football boots with long studs are not suitable for Astroturf. Touch football boots or boots with small studs are suitable. If you have any concerns with particular boots or shoes, please show them to the Head Coach.
How much does it cost to play?
The 2012 registration fee is $220 (inc. GST). The Club requires this registration fee to be paid before a player may commence training, as the fee includes insurance coverage and no player is allowed to train without being covered by insurance. Registration involves completing a membership form which must be signed by your parent or guardian. Registration and payment will  be processed at the Arena Sports Centre on the Registration & Equipment Night on the 4th of January 2012. Payment may be made by cash or credit card (except American Express) but not by cheque. Players must retain their receipt and pink copy of the registration form and hand it in to the Cubs team manager to confirm payment before they will be permitted to train. Any late registrations must be completed at the Arena Sports Centre prior to training. Membership forms will also be available from the Cubs team manager or from the Arena Sports Centre, Sydney Uni. Payment of the 2012 registration fee covers the fees for membership of SU Sport & Fitness and Gridiron NSW registration. There is no other cost involved in playing for the Cubs.
What is the age limit?
Players must be under 18 years of age and 14 years or older as at 1 January 2012 to be eligible to play for the Cubs for the 2011 season.
Do I need any prior experience?
No. About half of the Cubs 2011 championship playing roster had never played the game before. The coaches start from the very beginner’s level and will teach you the skills needed to play the game.
How do I register to play?
To register your interest to play for the Cubs, send an email with your name, address, telephone number and date of birth to americanfootball@sport.usyd.edu.au. Formal registration involves completing a membership form which must be signed by your parent or guardian. Registration and payment will  be processed at the Arena Sports Centre on the Registration & Equipment Night on 4th January 2012. Payment may be made by cash or credit card (except American Express) but not by cheque. Players must retain the Green club copy of the membership form after registration at the Arena Sports Centre and hand the form to the Cubs team manager before they will be permitted to train. If you have missed the Registration & Equipment Night, then come to training early and the team manager will provide you with the membership forms so you may register at the Arena Sports Centre prior to training. Payment of the 2012 registration fee covers the fees for membership of SU Sport & Fitness and Gridiron NSW registration. There is no other cost involved in playing for the Cubs.
When and where are trainings?
Pre-season training will commence on Wednesday, 4th January 2012 (after the registration and trainings will be held on Sundays from 10.30am-1.00pm at the Square, Sydney University, (behind the Arena Sports Centre) and on Wednesday nights from 6.30pm-8.30pm at St Andrews Oval, Sydney University. Once the competition season starts (about mid-February), trainings will only be held on Wednesday nights.
When and where are games?
Most games will likely be played on Friday evenings either at 7pm or 8.30pm, with two “road trip” games to the Central Coast and Wollongong on Saturday afternoon at 2pm. The Cubs play most of their games at the St George Hockey Field, Mutch Ave, Kyeemagh, with other games at The Square, Sydney University (where the Cubs train on Sundays) and UWS Nepean Hockey Field, O’Connell Street, Kingswood. Maps of these fields are posted on the Contacts page. The full draw for the Gridiron NSW Colts 2012 season will soon be posted to the Gridiron NSW Table & Results link on the Cubs page and the draw for the Cubs has been posted to the Season Draw link on the Cubs page and included on the Calendar page. Gridiron NSW administers competitive gridiron in New South Wales and is a member of Gridiron Australia, the national body. There are 10 teams in the Colts (U18) Division. More information on Gridiron NSW and Gridiron Australia can be found on their websites at www.nswgfl.org.au and www.gridironaustralia.org.au.
Will I be covered by insurance?
Yes. On a player registering with the Club, he joins SU Sport and becomes covered by a Personal Accident Insurance Plan 24 hours per day, 365 days per year worldwide, provided the accident occurs while undertaking SU Sport activities, such as playing for or practicing with the Cubs. The current policy includes a maximum of $3,000 non-Medicare medical expenses per accident claim (with $250 excess per claim). The policy covers medical costs incurred within 12 months of the accident except those that are fully or partially recoverable from Medicare. The scheme also includes loss of employment income. A claimant may be eligible for weekly injury benefits to a maximum of $250 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks. To make a claim, players who are not students of Sydney Uni should complete a claim form (available from the SU Sport website at www.susport.com) and lodge it through SU Sport no later than 30 days after the date of the accident. The injured player should pay all costs, make claims against their Private Health Insurance (if any) and then forward the receipts to the SU Sport office. On registration with Gridiron NSW, a player also becomes covered under insurance provided by Gridiron Australia. Information on the coverage provided under the Gridiron Australia policy can be provided on request. A player is not able to recover under both policies but may choose to recover under the better policy. If you wish to discuss making a claim on insurance for an injury, please contact the Team Manager.