Bill Turner Cup and Trophy – Information for Coaches and Managers
Welcome to the 47th year of the Bill Turner Cup and 35th year of the Bill Turner Trophy. Thanks very much for being part of something big.
This website includes the draws, rules and other information needed.
Please be aware that competition manager Mr Lindsay Hewison is no longer well and his contribution will be greatly missed. Please direct any questions to your area manager or Lloyd Turner at billturnercup@gmail.com or use the contact us form.
Draws will be finalised at the end of February and matches may commence from March. Managers do their best to make the draws interesting and varied. Draws have the Play-by dates that must be followed.
Squad sheets are available under Downloads. Check players dates of birth from school records. Do not rely on the student’s word. Players must not turn 16 or older any time this year. There are no exceptions. It can be helpful for coaches to have a copy of the squad sheets at matches in case any dispute arises over a player’s age.
Team Sheets are also found under the Downloads tab, and we encourage you to use this customised form. You must have a team sheet filled in for your match, with a maximum of 16 players. Away teams should take a copy to be sure.
The competition rules are found on the website to read or download. It is worth familiarising yourself with them – including the determination of home and away games, and the extra time rules. The rules are easy reading.
Some schools play their early round matches as part of a gala day, organised by the area manager. It can be worth checking with your area manager regarding this. Gala days can be good fun and costs are shared by the competing schools.
Most schools play their early round matches by organising a time with the other school, as per the draw, and as per the rules. Coaches of home teams must offer the away coach a choice of three dates. Away teams are asked to co-operate with these dates. We strongly recommend agreeing on a back up date at the same time. This is essential as many schools need weeks for approval of any variation of routine. Matches can be played on school grounds or at other appropriate fields (wet weather suitable fields are ideal).
It is strongly recommended that you utilise referees that are not associated with either school. Call your local area referee association. Please avoid using students.
Make sure referees are aware of the extra time rules as these are unique to our competition – a summary is on the team sheet. We recommend that referees follow the lightning, jewellery, and weather policies of their football association.
If you hosting at your home school, please try to be a considerate host and show your school in a great light. Make sure the other team knows where to go/park/warm up etc. Please make sure student spectators are supervised. All spectators should provide encouragement and enthusiasm and must not be disparaging or abusive.
Please plan match dates as early as you can – preferably well before the Play-by dates in the draw. NAPLAN is 11–23 March, 2026. Three weeks are allowed for both Round 2 and 3, so all schools should be up to date by the end of Round 3.
Occasionally matches need to be postponed. There are a few acceptable reasons, including ground washed out or referee not turning up. There are many unacceptable reasons, including your best player being unavailable, forgotten school events, coach not working that day, dog ate the teamsheet etc.
When the home ground chosen is not a school ground and its use incurs a charge ie council, club or federation, this cost is to be covered by the home school. The home team covers the costs of referees.
It is the responsibility of all players and teachers to have insurance cover. We suggest that schools rework the sample permission slip found under Downloads with the insurance section on page 2. The Bill Turner comps do not have insurance that covers participants.
Should a serious injury occur during a match, your State Manager is to be contacted within 24 hours with details of the injury. The State Manager is also to be informed of the progress of the student’s recovery.
The Bill Turner Cup is generally played only by boys, but there are no gender restrictions. The Bill Turner Trophy is for girls only. Players can only play for one school during the year. There are no exceptions to the age rule – players must not turn 16 anytime this year.
The Team Sheet for each match is to be sent to your Area Manager within 24 hours by the winning Coach, so that draws can be updated promptly. If several days pass and the results are not updated on the website, then please contact us with the score.
Schools must be prepared to travel as their draw dictates, especially from the area finals and beyond, which can include significant distances and strict play-by dates. Queensland finals, Northern NSW finals, Victoria/Southern NSW finals are all 2 day commitments.
Keep in contact with your Area Manager. Let them know of any problems, so that solutions can be worked out as early as possible. If there are any problems, the State Manager or the Executive will be consulted. Managers and Coaches must accept the rulings made by members of the Executive.
Bill Turner was a school teacher who worked hard to give students opportunities with sport. He believed in fun, fitness and fair play. Thanks for carrying forward this great tradition.