BALGOWNIE JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB GRADING POLICY

1.0 INTRODUCTION

At the beginning of each new football season, junior players (if required) are graded into teams in different divisions based on ability level.   The grading process gives all players the opportunity to demonstrate their talents to a variety of unbiased selectors thus giving all players (irrespective of the team they played with in the previous season) a chance to play in the highest division in the new season. The Club holds this as important in providing equal opportunity to all players. 

 

Young players can change dramatically during a 12 month period. A player who is graded into an “A” team in one season must try out again in the following years to win a position in the “A” team. This is the best format to maintain the equality of opportunity. 

 

Care must be taken to cater for those who have average ability (or less) but still love the game. It adds to their enjoyment if they are playing with and against players of similar or equal ability. This gives each child the chance to fully participate, enjoy the experience and develop to his/her full potential as a player. Past experience  has  shown  that it  is frustrating for any  individual  to play in a  team which  is  clearly above or  below their  level  of  ability. Grading must help all players of all abilities. 

The Committee has the care and, to some extent, control of the Club and its’ Members/players. It is the Club (rather than individuals) that enter teams into various competitions.   

 

2.0 OBJECTIVE

The grading policy is designed to address a number of player and club needs, some of which invariably conflict. The fundamentals of the grading policy are designed to ensure: 

That a clear process for the grading of new and existing players is provided each year.

The possibility of bias is minimised by using an appointed grading manager to be the arbiter of the trial process.

All players have the maximum opportunity to play in a competitive environment, appropriate to their skill and ability.

Players learn from their peers and develop an appreciation and love of the game.

The club can field competitive or 1st teams in each age group. 

There is a clear pathway for players to progress within the club from under 6 to over 40’s.

Support of a club culture that takes priority over individual team culture.

Players, coaches and parents alike, have FUN, enjoy the season, and return to the club year after year.

3.0 PLAYING PHILOSOPHY

3.1 SMALL SIDED GAMES (SSG)

At the SSG level the emphasis is clearly in favour of fun, participation, social interaction and learning. Since small children do not regard winning with quite the same favour as older children, SSG match results are never recorded. It is expected that team officials and parents will not let their own ambitions spoil the enjoyment that the children gain from playing the game of football. Although these principles dominate our approach to sub-junior sport, the club also recognises that this is the best time for football players of the future to learn the basic skills.  For this reason, the club encourages SSG coaches to attend recognised FNSW coaching courses.

 

3.2 JUNIOR TEAMS (GRADED TEAMS)

As players progress through their teenage years, the game becomes more competitive and winning assumes a higher priority (relative to younger players).  To  accommodate  these  changing attitudes  all junior  graded teams  are progressively  allowed  greater  flexibility  in the  areas  of  team  composition  &  playing time,  although  this  does  not  mean  that winning  should  be at the expense of the  club’s  values. 

 

CONDUCT, PARTICIPATION, and PERFORMANCE

The club believes  that  all junior graded  teams  should be  competitive  and  we  therefore endeavour  to appoint  only  experienced,  qualified coaches. However, the primary objectives are to encourage and educate players and teams rather than placing emphasis on winning individual games and producing league champions.   

 

Although it is recognised that, a player’s ability may begin to partially determine  playing  time,  all registered  and  financial  players  who regularly  attend  training  sessions  must be  given  “ample  and  fair”  playing  time. “Ample and fair” playing time is defined as approximately one half of a match. With the continuation of the interchange player  rule,  there  is  no  reason  why players  should  not  have  ample  playing time in all matches.

 

4.0 GRADING SELECTION PANEL

GRADING MANAGER

Responsible for co-ordination of the grading process. 

 

AGE GRADERS

Assist the Grading Manager in assessing players’ skills. The nominated person should have a good knowledge of the game and the skills required in order to differentiate player skill levels. Persons nominated to coach in a particular age group are able to apply to be age graders. Age graders can be appointed on the day of grading by the BJFC executive. In the interests of obtaining a broad overview of player standards in a specific age group all selectors are encouraged to observe as many matches as possible of that age group over the course of the preceding season.

 

GRADING ASSISTANTS

Provide help with the grading session to co-ordinate players, equipment and paperwork. No experience necessary.  

 

THE GRADING COMMITTEE 

Shall be determined by the BJFC executive committee. The grading coordinator will invite returning coaches to assist.

 

5.0 COACHING/MANAGER NOMINATIONS AND ROLES

Coaches and Managers interested in volunteering for the following year are able to nominate from the completion of the current season. Coaches and Managers are welcome to coach any division, but as  grading  will  take  three  weeks,  they  will  not  know  which  team  their  child  will  be selected  in.  Therefore  a  final  allocation  of  coaches  and  managers  will  occur  once grading has been confirmed. All coaching and managing appointments are at the discretion of the executive and committee when required.

 

6.0 GRADING PROCESS AND TIMETABLE

Grading is compulsory for all players (U10 or older) and is held according to age group, over three sessions. The grading process shall commence as soon as the Committee has completed registrations and the likely number of teams in each age group has been determined. Grading dates and times will be given out during the registration process.

If a new player does not attend grading, they will automatically be graded into the lowest division. 

All players must be graded and play in the age group in which they are registered. The only exception is: 

o If the age group has a surplus number of players beyond the coach's requirements and the age group above can accommodate those players; 

o If in the previous season, a player was granted permission to play up an age group, that player may elect to do the same the following season.  

Exceptions are at the discretion of the grading committee, in consultation with the players and their parents. 

 

Each player being graded is to be individually assessed in accordance with the Grading Criteria. All grading is to be based on the Football NSW curriculum where possible and can be found at www.footballnsw.com.au The assessment does not only take into account skill, but also attitude and work ethic. 

At the conclusion of the grading process, the Grading Committee shall meet to review and discuss the formation and allocation of individual players to each team.  

Where practicable, any members of the grading committee shall not undertake an active role in the grading of their own child. External assistance should be sought, in such cases. 

At no stage will BJFC provide a guarantee to any individual player or parent to place children in a team that they believe would be best for their own personal gain or based on their belief of what may be best. The club philosophy is to grade players through the club system via an experienced team. The panel will ensure all players receive fair and equal opportunity. Should players or parents be unhappy with grading decisions, they can go through the BJFC dispute resolution process where a review will occur to investigate any player or parent dissatisfaction.

No player will be guaranteed placement in a particular team. Player and parent expectations may differ with selectors and BJFC will not allow players or parents to discuss an individual player’s ability or preferences with individual selectors. Upon confirmation of teams from our selection panel players or parents have 24hrs notice to lodge a complaint should there be any disputes. A written letter addressed to the BJFC executive committee is required, which will be reviewed and responded to within 7 working days. 

Players are placed into teams, according to the likely best fit between the player’s skill and abilities determined through the grading assessment, personality/attitude and the requirements of the team.

 

SEASON END

The grading process begins at the completion of each season. All coaches will be required to complete a confidential team analysis to evaluate the individual skills and abilities of all players within their team. Coach’s have the advantage of seeing how players develop throughout the season so they are able to assess 16 weeks of play rather than a few end of season games or trials. Coaches also provide the best assessment of a player’s reliability, work ethic and attitude.

Key elements of the assessment are:  

Assess the player’s performance throughout the year, against a range of pre- defined criteria

Where possible, core players will be placed in the same team in the following season. However this cannot be at the expense of a player from a lower grade or a new player who is of greater ability. 

Identify whether the grade the player is currently participating in, is appropriate for his or her level of skill and ability, or if they would benefit from playing in a different grade. 

Confidentiality is to be recognised at all times. The assessment of any individual player should not be discussed with anyone else (except that player and or their parents/caregivers). 

All completed assessments are to be forwarded to the grading manager for use in the grading process the following year. A central database is to be compiled of the completed assessments for each age group; this is to be used to commence the grading process at the start of the following year. 

 

In summary, all players must be graded to ensure that they are placed in a team consistent with their demonstrated level of skill and ability. This ensures we maximise the fun and enjoyment of playing the game of football for every player.

 

 

7.0 GENERAL

Once assigned to a team, players will train with their respective coaches.

Ideally, all teams  in  an  age  group  will train  at  the  same  time  to  allow interaction  between  teams  as  the coaches  deem  fit.  However,  this  is  not always  possible  as  training  times  are dependent  on  the  schedules  of  each individual coach.  

Coaches shall meet regularly and are encouraged discuss their teams and players capabilities. 

During  the  season,  players  may  move between  teams  but  only as  allowed  for by  the  South Coast Football  “Rules  of Competition”  and as felt necessary by their coaches. 

The  coaches  in  any  age  group  should act  for  the  benefit  of  all  players  in  that age group and not just for the members of their team.

 

If in the best interest of the players and the club, the BJFC committee may act outside of this policy in the forming of teams. This may occur in special circumstances and will be at the discretion of the BJFC committee.

 

 

8.0 QUESTIONS AND QUERIES

Should you have any questions or queries regarding the grading process, please place in writing and email grading@balgowniejuniors.com.au.