Information for Players
Members and prospective members can find information and links to information below.
Player Safety Game Day Reporting
Clubs can use the link opposite to record their game day player safety reports.
Concussion information and protocols
For more detailed information on concussion symptoms follow this link
Immediate visual indicators of concussion include:
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Loss of consciousness or responsiveness
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Lying motionless on the ground/slow to get up
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A dazed, blank or vacant expression
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Appearing unsteady on feet, balance problems or falling over
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Grabbing or clutching of the head or
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Impact seizure or convulsion
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Visible injury to face or head (especially in combination with any other signs)
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Loss of balance/co-ordination
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Red Flags - What requires hospitalisation:
If no qualified medical professional is available, consider transporting by ambulance for urgent medical assessment.
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Player complains of neck pain
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Increasing confusion or irritability
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Repeated vomiting
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Seizure or convulsion
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Double vision
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Weakness or tingling/burning in arms or legs
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Deteriorating conscious state
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Severe or increasing headache
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Unusual behavior change
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Concussion protocols for return to play
The following steps can be found in the Protocols Summary document. The steps
that must be followed with the help of a medical professional are:
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Recognise the signs of a suspected or potential concussion.
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Remove from play if a concussion is suspected and if in doubt ensure you sit them out.
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Refer all suspected / potential concussion to a medical doctor for diagnosis and return to play guidelines.
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Rest & Recover - All players must have; full, physical & cognitive rest to ensure best recovery can take place if a concussion is diagnosed.
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Return to Play - Players should undertake a graduated return to training and play.
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For more detailed information on the concussion protocols regarding the return to play
stages follow this link. The return to play should be supervised by a medical professional
- ideally with specialised concussion training.
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Player Safety Responsibilities
The 2023/2024 NZAFF Equipment Subsidy is available to all active NZAFF Clubs & Members.
The subsidy offers a 40% discount off the $NZ landed price for purchases of American Football Helmets, Shoulder Pads & Padded Pants up until the 31st July 2024.
To take advantage of the subsidy, there are 2 ways you can get access to it.
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From NZAFF through your club.
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NZAFF’s preferred supplier is currently Sports Unlimited.
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Visit Sports Unlimited Website: https://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/
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Provide your order details to your Club eg. Product Number, Item, Size, Color.
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Your Club will make the order on your behalf via email to gm@nzaff.co.nz
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When the equipment arrives, NZAFF invoices the club and delivery is on payment.
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Order direct from any supplier
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You order, and pay, directly from any supplier, presumably in the USA but could be elsewhere, and get the item(s) shipped directly to you.
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When it arrives, you provide proof of the order, delivery and payment to NZAFF and NZAFF will rebate 40% of the $NZ landed price of the item(s) directly into your bank account.
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The club President or Chairperson must confirm that they have sighted the equipment.
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Notes:
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The NZAFF Equipment Subsidy is subject to annual review. NZAFF reserves the right to adjust/remove this offer at any time.
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The NZAFF Equipment Subsidy discount applies to purchases of American Football Helmets, Shoulder Pads & Padded Pants only. Please note the subsidy only applies to standard equipment, not special editions or customized items.
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The NZAFF Equipment Subsidy is designed to support clubs & players to access quality safety equipment at an affordable price. Any equipment purchased through the subsidy, should not be done with intent to resell for a profit.
If you have questions or want more information,please contact Russell McConnochie, NZAFF GM | gm@nzaff.co.nz
Requests for Transfers
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In general requests for a transfer from one club to another is initiated by the player who fills out the transfer request form which will then be sent to the clubs, and region, concerned.
The approval must be given by:
• The existing club attesting that the member is of good standing with the club.
• The new Club in that they are prepared to accept the member.
• The Regional Body (if applicable) in that the member is of good standing with the Regional Body.
• The National Federation in that the member is of good standing.
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Requests for a Loan
Loans require the same approvals as a transfer but are for a fixed time period and are generally for an event after which the player returns to their club.
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Currently the only national teams program is for Flag Football for the men and the women. The National Flag Football teams are call the Mako. There will be a tackle Football program developed but this will some time in the future. The National Football team is called the SteelBlacks.
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Mako Men's Flag Football
The current campaign is aimed at competing at the 2024 Flag World Championship to be held in Finland in 2024. Any players interested in being part of the team should watch the news items for opportunities to register interest in being part of the program.
Head Coach - Shiraz Soysa; makocoach@nzaff.co.nz
Manager - Brendan McGurk; makomanager@nzaff.co.nz
Mako sponsors and supporters
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Women's Flag Football
2022 is the first year that a Mako women' s campaign has been formed. Like the men the aim is the World Championship in Finland in 2024. Any Players interested in being part of the team should watch the news items for opportunities to register interest in being part of the campaign.
Head Coach - Ethan Ward; coach.ethan@nzaff.co.nz
Manager - Alex Hatwell; manager.alex@nzaff.co.nz
Team Leader - Shernice Henry; admin@nzaff.co.nz
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SteelBlacks
The the national 11 man tackle football team is the SteelBlacks. The last game they played was against an American Samoan team in 2016. Since then there has not been a lot of activity for the national tackle team but this may change in the future.
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National Teams Process
NZ American Football teams, like many other amateur sports in NZ, require the players to pay their own way and contribute to the managements travel costs.
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NZAFF may provide some funding but do not have the resources to fully fund national teams. The commitment involved in participating in a national team process requires players to make time available and to plan their financial resources.
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A more detailed explanation can be found in this document - The Process for a National Team Campaign here.
Pathways refer to opportunities for players to go overseas and play and are generally for players that will not qualify for college scholarships. There are various opportunities but all require that the player has experience playing Football and has shown the desire and determination to excel at their chosen position.
The information below is a guide and is not an exhaustive list of what is available. Often the opportunities arise through club or personal contacts
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Development Camps
From time to time NZAFF will run camps for players that want to learn and develop further skills in the game. Some of these camps will be by registration and others will be by invitation and lead to further opportunities with Player Pathway camps. To be aware of these 's opportunities players should watch the news and "What's On" this site and follow NZAFF on social media.
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Combines
A combine is a series of tests and measurements for players. These may be run as part of a development camp or separately. Players who want to pursue pathway opportunities should develop their skills for the combine so that they present their best efforts. The combine exercises including the 5-10-5 shuttle run, the 40 yard sprint and the 3 one drill are well covered on YouTube. Do not turn up and expect to do well - these take practice and preparation.
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International Player Pathways
The International Player Pathways (IPP) is a program that looks for players around the world that could enter the NFL. You would need to be an exceptional athlete to get through the selection pathway but there have been several NZ players that have done well. The opportunities are not just with the NFL. There is also interest in the program from the European Football League (EFL) and The Canadian Football League ( CFL).
Below you will find links to all the codes of conduct for all NZAFF members, players, coaches, administrators (managers), officials and parents.
When Members register they agree to abide by the appropriate code of conduct for their role or roles. It is important to have these so that we are all protected from the kind of behavior that could bring the sport into disrepute.