An interesting read regarding jerseys. This relates to the NRL Victoria competition from 2017.
1. Policy Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this policy is to maintain standards within NRL VIC competitions regarding the uniforms worn on field by participating clubs, including the use of only approved and licensed suppliers, the regulation of colours to avoid clashes, and the manner in which changes in design b y clubs are managed.
Note: This policy relates only to the design and colour of on field playing uniforms (shirts, shorts and socks) and not other on field apparel and equipment which may be subject to the Laws of the game or other policies su ch as, but not limited to, the N RL Com pres sion Garment Policy or NRL On - Field Policy , and also does not apply to any off field club apparel and merchandise .
2. Breaches of Policy, Penalties and Costs
2.1 Clubs are not permitted to wear or use On Field Uniforms that have not had their design and colours approved by NRL VIC as per rules and processed defined with in this policy.
2.2 Breach of this policy may be subject to penalty which may include fines, loss of points by team, loss of points by club, suspension of team and/or suspension of club.
2.3 Clubs should not commence production or commit to production of any On Field Uniforms until written approval has been provided of the design and colours of these Uniforms by NRL VIC as per rules and processes defined within this policy. Any costs resulting from not conforming to the requirements of this policy or any costs to make changes to conform to the requirements of this policy are solely the club’s responsibility and the claim shall have no claim on NRL VIC .
3. NRL VIC Logo and U s e Only by Approved and Licensed Suppliers
3.1 All Club On Field Jerseys and c lub On Field Shorts must bear the NRL VIC Logo.
3.2 The size of the NRL VIC Logo shall not be of smaller size than the club logo.
3.3 The placement of the NRL VIC Logo must be on right hand breast of jersey.
3.4 Any club, manufacturer or sponsor logo should not be placed within reasonable vicinity of the NRL VIC Logo (opposite breast, sternum or across midriff are acceptable).
3.5 Only NRL VIC approved and licensed suppliers are permitted to use the NRL VIC Logo for club On Field Jerseys and club On Field Shorts.
3.6 No club shall be permitted to place an order for On Field Jerseys, Shorts or Socks with a supplier who does not have an NRL VIC License.
3.7 Clubs who have placed an order prior to 14 October 2016 shall be permitted to continue with their order and use their On Field Uniform subject to providing proof of order/purchase being prior to this date to NRL VIC no later than 28 October 2016.
3.8 Clubs shall be permitted to wear previously approved and purchased On Field U n iforms in 2017 and 2018 seasons . However, for season 2019 no c lub shall be permitted to wear any On Field Uniform that is n ot supplied by a NR L VIC approved and licensed supplier.
4. On Field Uniform Design
Main Design
4.1 A club must maintain its Main Jersey design for the entirety of one whole sea son before it may submit to NRL VIC to change it.
4.2 Changes to design eleme nts (eg. panels, piping, contrasting colour of sleeves or collars, or colour of numbers, etc.) or sponsor logos are considered changes to the design and are subject to 4.1.
4.3 Main Shorts and Socks are not subject to any conditions other than that the en tire team must be uniform (ie. wearing the same) when participating.
Alternate Designs
4.4 A club is permitted to have an Alternate Jersey to its Main Jersey subject to the design being of different colour or significantly contrasting colour (ie. one lig ht, one dark).
4.5 An Alternate Jersey may be changed at any time subject to approval of the NRL VIC before production.
4.6 A club is permitted to have more than one Alternate Jersey subject to each design being of different colour or significantly contrasting colour.
5. Design Approval
5.1 All applications for approval must be submitted in writing using the form under this policy and when required accompanying designs provided in full colour.
5.2 No design shall be considered approved by NRL VIC without written confirmation AND full colour designs have been signed by NRL VIC General Manager.
5.3 Approval of any designs and colours will be given preference to clubs over other clubs based on the following in order:
5.3.1 Incumbent design and colour of clubs .
5.3.2 Predominant colour (irrespective of design or design elements) is not that of another approved predominant colour used by another club. See 6.
5.3.3 Colours of On Field Uniform are as per club colours designated annually on form prescribed by NRL VIC .
5.3.4 Club traditional or historical colours or where significant heritage to design or clubs can be reasonably proven
5.3.5 Registered application date of design and colour by clubs.
Note: Priority will not be given to club sponsor requirements to ensure sponsorship based on guaranteeing particular design and/or colour of club On Field Jersey over any of the above. Clubs should not make any guarantee to any sponsor or potential sponsor without first obtaining approval of design under this policy and are not permitted to make claim against NRL VIC should any sponsorship not be realised as a result of non - approval.
5.4 Submissions may be submitted to NRL VIC at any time (please note 5.3 and in particular 5.3.4). However, approval must be received by NRL VIC no later than 31 March for design and colours to be used in that year’s season. Any submission or approval finalised after this date may not be used until the following year’s season.
5.5 It shall be the club’s responsibility to ensure that sufficient and reasonable time is considered for approval process to be completed. No club shall make any claim on NRL VIC for any approval not provided or not provided in time for use in any season due to delays.
6. Jersey Clashes
6.1 A Jersey Clash is defined where design of a Jersey is of a similar colour of another team.
6.2 The following are NOT considered to avoid a Jersey being determined to have a Jersey Clash with another team:
6.2.1 Variance in colour shade (except significant contra st of light and dark)
6.2.2 Differing design elements (such patterns, panels, piping, contrasting sleeve colour, collar colour, number colour, sponsor logos, etc.)
6.2.3 Different colour and/or design of club Shorts and Socks.
6.3 The NRL VIC General Manager shall have sole responsibility to determine a Jersey Clash in their opinion and shall be final arbiter of a Jersey Clash.
6.4 Clubs shall not be permitted to play another team within NRL VIC controlled matches where a Jersey Clash exists with the o ther team, subject to 7.
6.5 When two Clubs are scheduled to play each other the Home Team will be entitled to wear the playing Jersey of their choice.
6.6 Where there is a Jersey Clash the Away Team must wear a Jersey approved by NRL VIC that does no t clash with the Home team, subject to 7.
6.7 Where a match is played at a “neutral” venue or is played during the Finals Series of any NRL VIC competition, the NRL VIC General Manager shall determine and advise the clubs in writing the playing Jersey the participating teams must wear.
6.8 Where two teams from same club play against each other the club must have one of the teams wear an Alternate Jersey, subject to 7.
7. Embargo
7.1 There is an embargo for club Jerseys designs that are in use by NRL VIC clubs prior to the commencement of the 2012 NRL VIC (VRL) season. The Jerseys are permitted to be used by clubs until the club next elects to change Jersey design.
7.2 Where a club at the commencement of the 2012 NRL VIC (VRL) season has an Alternate Jersey a nd has a Jersey Clash with another club for their Main Design they shall be subject to the requirements of 6. Home clubs are encouraged to use, if available, an Alternate Jersey if visiting club does not have an Alternate Jersey.
