Cubs FAQ - Sydney Uni Gridiron

Who are the Cubs?: The Sydney University Cubs is the team entered by the Sydney University American Football Club in the Gridiron NSW Colts competition. The Cubs was one of the foundation teams of the Gridiron NSW Colts competition (then called the NSWGFL Juniors) and won the championship in the inaugural season of competition in 1994. In 17 years of competition, the Cubs have won 6 state championships – more than any other team – including the 2009 Gridiron NSW Colts championship. More information on the history of the Cubs can be found by clicking on the History link on the Cubs page. The Sydney University American Football Club is a member club of Sydney University Sport & Fitness (“SU Sport”) – 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 SU Sport Club of the Year for 2006. This was the third time the club had won the award. SU Sport 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 SU Sport can be found on its website at www.susport.com.

What about all the equipment?: The Club has all of the equipment needed to play – helmets, shoulder pads, accessory pads, jerseys and pants.

Players may purchase their own equipment or hire equipment from the Club. The hire fees are $75 for a helmet and shoulder pads for the season. 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.

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.

How much does it cost to play?: Registration includes a number of components. The 2026 fees are to be confirmed, however the 2025 registration fees are noted below as a guide:

The Club membership – $215

Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness – Under 18 $30 / Over 18 $60

Gridiron NSW League Fee – $135

American Football Australia Fee – $80

What is the age limit?: In order to play for the Cubs, a player must turn at least 16 in the year of the competition and must not turn 19 in the year of the competition.

Do I have to be a student at Sydney Uni to play for the Lions?: No – Anyone may play for the Cubs on becoming a community member of Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness.

Do I need any prior experience?: No. Each year about half of the Cubs playing roster have never played the game before. The coaches start from the very beginner’s level and will teach you the skills needed to play the game.

How do I register to play?

To register your interest in playing for the Cubs, fill in a contact form.

When and where will training be held?: Training starts in the offseason and is essential to grasp the concepts of the game. Dates and activities for 2026 are being finalised.; Training is held on Wednesday nights at St Andrews Oval and Sunday mornings at St Johns Oval during pre-season.

Please fill in a contact form to register your interest and be added to our TeamApp mailing list.

When and where are games?: The GNSW draw has not yet been released. The season generally runs from September to mid-December, with games played on Saturdays, at venues across the greater Sydney region.

Will I be covered by insurance?: Yes. On a player registering with the Club, he joins SU Sport and becomes covered by a Personal Accident Insurance Plan 24 hours per day, 365 days per year worldwide, provided the accident occurs while undertaking SU Sport activities, such as playing for or practicing with the Cubs. The current policy covers limited medical and income protection and is available on request. To make a claim, players who are not students of Sydney Uni should complete a claim form (available from the SU Sport website at www.susf.com) and lodge it through SU Sport 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 SU Sport office. Gridiron NSW no longer provides insurance as part of the league registration.