Lions FAQ

Who are the Lions?
The Sydney University Lions is the team entered by the Sydney University American Football Club in the Gridiron NSW Division One competition. The Lions was one of the foundation teams of Gridiron NSW (then known as the NSWGFL), playing its first game on 29 April 1984. The Lions is the only team to have competed in every season of the Gridiron NSW competition. The Lions have established an enviable winning tradition, playing in 21 championship games in 27 years and winning 12 Gridiron NSW titles, the most by any club. The Lions have won the last eight Waratah Bowls played for the Gridiron NSW championship in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. More information on the history of the Lions can be found by clicking the History link on the Lions page. The Sydney University American Football Club is a member club of Sydney University Sport & Fitness – 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 the Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness Club of the Year for 2006. This was the third time the club had won the award. Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness 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 Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness can be found on its website at www.susf.com.au.
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. Players may purchase their own equipment or hire equipment from the Club. The hire fees are $50 for a helmet and $50 for shoulder pads for the season. A $100 deposit is payable on hiring and repaid on returning the equipment. For first year players, the Club provides accessory pads, game and training jerseys and pants for the season on payment of the Club membership fee. All of this equipment must be returned by first year players at the end of the season. Returning players must purchase their own accessory pads. Returning players are provided with a training jersey and pants for the season on payment of the Club membership fee. This equipment must be returned at the end of the season. Returning players own their playing jersey at the end of their second season. Players must take care of the Club equipment and it must be returned in good order at the end of the season. If equipment is lost or destroyed, 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 Equipment 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 Equipment Manager. The Lions paw and Champs decals on the helmets are awarded to Lions players and are not to be touched. Once a first year player makes the team and is assigned a helmet, then any old Lions paw or Champs decals on his helmet will be removed before the start of the season. 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 2011 Club membership fees are $253 (inc. GST) for Sydney Uni students and $308 (inc. GST) for non-Sydney Uni students. Players must also pay the $55 (inc. GST) fee to join Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness. These fees are payable immediately on commencing to train with the team, as the registration fee includes insurance coverage and no player will be allowed to train without being covered by insurance. Payment of membership fees is to be made on the Club registration night on Wednesday, 29 June 2011 at the Arena Sports Centre. Payment of the 2011 registration fees covers the cost of Gridiron NSW registration. For players wanting to join after the start of the season (1 September), they will be given a trial and, if they make the roster, they are to pay the Gridiron NSW player registration fee ($125) on line and then pay the balance of the membership fee ($183 for non-SU student) to the club.
Do I have to be a student at Sydney Uni to play for the Lions?
No – Anyone may play for the Lions on becoming a member of Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness.
How do I register to play for the Lions?
To register your interest in playing for the Lions, send an email with your name, address, telephone number and a brief description of your sporting background to americanfootball@sport.usyd.edu.au. New players must attend the Freshmen Trials & Information Night on Wednesday, 8 June 2011 at 7pm at St Andrews Oval, Sydney Uni, and then join Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness on or prior to the Club Registration night on Wednesday, 29 June 2011 at the Arena Sports Centre.
When and where will trainings be held?
Team activities for the 2011 season are as follows: Flag Football Day on Sunday, 5 June 2011 @ 10am at St Johns Oval, Sydney Uni. Freshmen Trials & Information Night on Wednesday, 8 June 2011, @ 7pm at St Andrews Oval, Sydney Uni. Optional conditioning work-outs on Sundays @ 10.30am at St Johns Oval, Sydney Uni, (commencing on 12 June 2011) and on Wednesday nights @ 6.30pm at St Andrew’s Oval, Sydney Uni, (commencing on 15 June 2011). Team Combine on Wednesday, 22 June 2011 @ 7pm at St Johns Oval, Sydney Uni. Registration & Equipment Night on Wednesday, 29 June 2011, @ 7pm at the Arena Sports Centre. Pre-Season Training for the full squad on Sundays @ 10.30am at St Johns Oval, Sydney Uni, (commencing on 3 July 2011) and on Wednesday nights @ 7pm at St Andrews Oval, Sydney Uni, (commencing on 6 July 2011). During the season (from September to early December), film sessions are held on Tuesday nights @ 7pm at the Arena Sports Centre and training is held on Wednesday nights @ 7pm at St Andrew’s Oval, Sydney Uni. Check the Calendar from the Home page for the latest information on pre-season training dates and the start of the season
When and where will the games be played?
The draw for the Gridiron NSW 2011 season has been released, with the full draw posted to the “Gridiron NSW Table & Results” link on the Lions page and the Lions’ draw posted to the “Season Draw” link on the Lions page.
Will I be covered by insurance?
On a player registering with the Club, he joins Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness and becomes covered by a Personal Accident Insurance Plan 24 hours per day, 365 days per year worldwide, provided the accident occurs while undertaking Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness activities, such as playing for or practicing with the Lions. 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. Foreign students or players who are not eligible for Medicare are not covered by the Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness policy. The club recommends that these players check the details of their travel insurance and take out appropriate insurance if not covered. To make a claim, players who are not students of Sydney Uni should complete a claim form (available from the Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness website at www.susport.com) and lodge it through Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness 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 Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness 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 see the Team Manager.