Philosophy
Our vision is to provide all local children and adults the opportunity to participate in the sport of netball.
Our mission is to promote, encourage and foster unity in our community netball club that allows its members to play netball and develop their netball skills in a fun, safe and fair environment, with the necessary equipment, facilities and personnel.
Our future is a club that embraces diversity and equality. A club which encourages and welcomes all children and adults in the community to participate in the sport of netball. A club that creates an environment where players feel they belong to the greater community, to play with familiar friends and meet new friends. A safe environment to have fun!
Aims and objectives
The aim of the grading policy is to ensure that team grading is conducted fairly and effectively and in the best interest of the players and club.
Grading will occur at near the end of the netball Spring season (usually late November) for the following Autumn season (commencing late February the following year).
The objective of this grading system is to:
- Create teams of similar skill and ability
- Allow teams to play in a suitable competitive environment
- Allow Ferntree Gully netball club to be represented in different sections of the MDNA competition
- Allow opportunities for players to be eligible to play in a Representative competition
During the grading process:
- Every child is treated as an individual member irrespective of previous team, grade or club
- Every child has an equal opportunity
- Feedback from coaches will be considered during the grading process
Grading Criteria
During the assessment process the following will be taken into consideration
- Footwork
- Speed and agility
- Ball handling skills
- Attacking skills
- Defending skills
- Fitness
- Versatility
- Perception and cognition skills
- Sportsmanship and attitude
Players will have the opportunity to trial in their preferred position and they may be asked to play in position that is not their preferred position. This will help the assessment process. For a number of reasons, it may not be necessary for players to play an equal number of quarters during the session.
Parents, players and non-coaches are not to approach assessors at any time during the assessment process in an attempt to influence grading and team formation.
New players will be invited to attend the training sessions for their age group so they can be assessed on their experience and skill level if they cannot attend grading day.
Modified
Players in modified are not skills assessed.
Teams will be loosely ranked by the coaching committee based on age and previous experience.
11 & Under
Players will be graded via the process described in this grading policy as well as;
- Skills assessment
- Age
- Team balance (team positions)
- Friendships
13 & Under-23 & Under
Players in this age group will be graded via the grading process described in this grading policy as well as:
- Skill set
- Age
- Team balance (team positions)
After teams are selected they cannot be altered without good reason. Alterations may only be done by the head coach and the Ferntree Gully Netball Club Executive Committee.
Open
Players in this age group will be graded via the grading process described in this grading policy as well as:
- Skill set
- Age
- Team balance (team positions)
Friendship Requests
Ferntree Gully Netball Club acknowledges that players enjoy playing with friends therefore we envisage that most players should be placed with 1 friend of similar ability. However, this is not always possible and the Ferntree Gully Netball Club recognises that playing outside these friendship groups is a good opportunity to meet new friends.
Players have the opportunity to make 1 Friendship request. If there is a skill difference between players they will be ranked in a team suited to the less skilled player.
Friend requests must be made via email to [email protected].
Friendship teams
Requests for friendship teams will be considered for the open age group. All players in a friendship team must be registered on or before registration day.
If you would like to register as a friendship team you will need a minimum of 8 players.
All players need to be over the age of 15.
The club reserves the right to add players to a friendship team if necessary.
A list of the friendship team needs to be submitted to the club on or before registration day.
Teams will be placed in the section of the local competition based on the less skilled player.
Players playing out of age Groups
It is a general policy of the club that all players play within their age group.
There are however some circumstances when a player may be selected for a higher age group. These are:
- Extra players are required in a higher age group to meet minimum team numbers
- A player’s DOB is close to qualifying for the higher age group, they possess the necessary skills and experience to play in the higher age group, and there are other supporting reasons (e.g. the player has a history of playing with peers who will be moving to the higher age group).
- A player is performing at the same skill level as an older age bracket team and is the right fit for the older age bracket team. This decision is at the discretion of the Executive Committee and must be supported by the parent/guardian. The player and parent/guardian have the right to refuse, in which case they will remain in their natural age group.
- In some circumstances the club may choose not to fill teams by moving players up. For example, if there are no suitable players to move up or it will not be beneficial for players and teams to do so. In this situation, the club may try to source players externally.
Grading Process
Following registration, all players are required to attend the Grading day(s) allocated to their age group, where the Grading Committee will assess the players’ ability, skills, fitness, attitude, commitment etc. Attendance at this Grading Day is in the best interests of all players and the Club. Players will have the opportunity to play at least once in their two preferred positions.
A team of objective independent experienced graders will be assisting in the assessment process.
Parents who are coaches or a part of the committee will not be assessing their own children.
There will be consultation between team selectors and existing team coaches when assessing playing ability.
The objective of the grading process is to assess players in an unbiased, fair manner.
We also accept players at the end of the Autumn season for the following Spring season but do not hold a club wide grading at this time as we do our best to keep teams consistent throughout the year. Please note though that players are required to register for the spring season and paying fees does not ensure a place in a team.
Please Note: To trial with Ferntree Gully Netball Club you are required to register with the Club ahead of grading.
Team Formation
Teams will ideally consist of 9 players, a coach and team manager.
When assessing players and forming teams, mid-court, attack and defence positions will be taken into consideration to ensure a fair spread of positions, as well as:
- Grading performance
- Coaches’ assessment
- Court position (preferred and non-preferred)
- Friendships
- Sportsmanship and attitude
- Age
Parental support and communication with coaches is required to ensure a smooth transition of players into new teams by encouraging children to make new friends.
When forming teams, the aim is to achieve strength and balance in a team.
Team selectors aim for balance across all teams and take into account the potential impact of individual changes across multiple teams.
The registration form that families submit implies that families accept the selection decisions and children/adults will play in the teams that they have been placed in.
Final Announcement of teams
Teams for Autumn season will be announced early February each year.
All information pertaining to team formation and grading assessment is confidential and will not be discussed outside of the committee.
Once teams are allocated no changes are permitted except for the following circumstances:
- Player leaving the club
- Player unable to play due to injury
- Special considerations agreed upon by the netball committee
Concerns
Whilst it is hoped that players and parents appreciate the difficulty of the grading and team allocation process and accept the final decision made by the team selection committee, an appeal may be made.
- If a player is not happy with the decision of the Grading Committee, based on their playing skills, they may appeal, requesting a review of the Grading decision. Appeals based on a particular player being placed into a team with friends, will not be considered as the grading committee has worked hard to balance the teams and believes that playing outside these friendship groups is a good opportunity to meet new friends.
- If a family considers that their child has been treated unfairly during the assessment process and team allocation
To download a .pfd verson of this policy, click here.