Fill-in Rules
Fill-In Players
Use this guide when your team is short on registered players and may need to forfeit a regular season match. Fill-in players allow you to field a full team without forfeiting.
Regular season only. Fill-ins are not permitted during finals. Speak to your age group coordinator if you have questions about finals eligibility.
5 or Fewer Players Available
Your team must have 5 or fewer registered players available on game day to be eligible to use a fill-in.
Regular Season Only
Fill-ins are permitted during regular season matches only. Finals are not played in Miniball, Under 8s, Under 10s, or Under 12s.
The replacement player must meet ALL of these criteria:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Same club | Must play for CCBC |
| Same or lower age group | Must be the same or lower age group as the team they are filling in for |
| Lower division | Must come from a lower division than the team needing cover |
| Exception | Divisions that do not play finals may use a fill-in from the same division |
| Points limit | The team must not exceed the WABL Points limit after adding the fill-in |
Maximum 6 players total on the team including fill-ins. As many fill-ins as needed are permitted as long as the total does not exceed 6.
More than 6 players = ILLEGAL PLAYER. This will result in a game forfeit and a $25 fine as per PLHBA rules. Please count carefully before confirming your lineup.
Game Day Process
Can a fill-in also play for their own team on the same day? Yes. A fill-in player may play for their regular team on the same game day.
Watch this carefully across the season. If a player fills in for a higher division or age group more than 4 times in a season, they must continue playing in that higher division or age group for the rest of the season. They are no longer eligible to return to their original lower division or age group.
A player is deemed ILLEGAL if they are playing under another player's name, added as a regular team member instead of using the Fill-in feature, or part of a team that exceeds 6 players total. Using an illegal player results in a game forfeit and a $25 fine. PLHBA checks games and PlayHQ regularly.
Quick Reference Summary
| Max fill-ins allowed | As many as needed up to 6 players total (registered + fill-ins) |
| Registered players available | 5 or fewer to qualify for fill-ins |
| Fill-in eligibility | Same club, same or lower age group, lower division |
| Scoring device | Always use the Fill-in feature, not the team roster |
| Player details | Must match PlayHQ registration exactly |
| Same-day play | Fill-in can also play for their own team |
| Regular season only | Fill-ins are not permitted during finals |
| 4-game threshold | Playing up more than 4 times = must stay in higher division |
| 7+ players | Illegal player, forfeit and $25 fine |
Questions? Contact your Age Group Coordinator. Their details are on the Committee page.