COMPETITION WORKSHOP Sunday 28th July 2013 Greengate Hotel, Killara 1pm-4pm

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1 MINUTES OF MEETING Attendees: KNA Officials: Jo-Anne Perry (Chair) President, Berwyn Collings (Secretary), Kathryn Williams (Grading Secretary) Steve Cary (Umpires Convenor), Stuart Moore (Fixtures Convenor),Lynne Pinker (Snr. Registrar) Margo Davies (Jnr. Registrar and KP rep), Dave Funk (Grounds Convenor) Clubs represented: Berowra, EL, HH, KP, Lindem, NT, STI, WP, CC, Gordon, NM, SH, WAH, Warr, WST Apologies: Brig The concept of this workshop was to openly discuss ways and means of improving our competition and processes and if changes are required from the outcomes of this meeting to our Constitution and By-Laws, to ensure suitable changes are made and submitted at the AGM 2013 for approval for 2014 implementation. Should further workshop discussions be required from this meeting a new date will be set. GRADING - INCLUDING FIXTURES AS APPROPRIATE: (Kat) 1. Registration process: Snr. Registrar sends out Proforma of requirements for Registration of teams, including details of requirements for Grading etc. There was a view that this information had not been supplied to some clubs, but was confirmed as done. Clubs are requested to ensure the appropriate contact is available so communication is distributed at club level so all parties are well informed. 2. Day 1 Grading WINTER DAY COMP: WP enquired of Grading procedure and issue to clubs for Day 1 Grading and Re-grade - Kat explained the process for grading. Kat advised the information received from clubs varies and in some cases inadequate. Player grade/team/dob/rep/time requests/ information is provided. Grading is done in order of merit this year vs. last yr Grading confirmed as per bylaws 5 players constitute a team and is taken into account by Grading together with all information supplied by clubs and cross referenced to the KNA IT system, and prior year season team regos. Preliminary grading is then sent to Umpires for feedback of issues, Fixtures, then Clubs for feedback A disputes process is in place. Upon completion of that process Grading will send final copy to Exec seeking ratification of due process Final grading issued to clubs. Resolved for Pre-season grading only that Grading will set up a disputes resolution evening for clubs to submit their issues and seek clarification etc. with Grading advising final resolution in writing to each club. Verbal communications for Regrade is only option due to short timeframe. 1 P a g e

2 Resolved: Clubs must ensure that information received is accurate and complete including requests and notations in regard to team changes and player levels 3. Regrade is based on requests from clubs and goal average percentage 30% down and 300% up. Resolved: Agreed this should be retained Regrade takes place on Sat. Day 5,over 2/3 days Sat/Sun/Mon to send to clubs, Fixtures shut down system at Day 5 results and then after regrade final Fixtures are published after consultation with clubs noting changes of timeslots, grades etc. Resolved: Agreed this process to be retained Resolved that Grading send their requirements to Club Grading /Club Secretaries together with KNA Snr/Jnr. Registrar to distribute to club registrars. Club must ensure they complete comments down bottom of grading sheets accurately showing Grading clarity on skill level Grading to ensure Clubs are educated on due process 6/8/10 team grades to be retained and teams to be graded in order of merit to ascertain team configurations A Notice of Motion to be put to AGM by Grading to update breakdown to include 10 team grades as currently outside By-Laws GENERAL BUSINESS GRADING: Grading advised there are multiple Issues with players who are wishing to play outside the bylaws. It is essential that clubs are well informed as to the Bylaws and should there be reasons for change then a Notice of Motion must be placed at the AGM/SGM for variation. Grading/Executive have the ability to approve limited requests which are considered reasonable and appropriate but also in line with the Bylaw recommendations of Council. Two tiered final in "As: This was discussed at length as to why should not all grades have two tier. It was resolved that this would only be available should the grade be imbalanced as a general rule. Lin advised they would prefer grades that are competitive and facility to be available for 6 or 8/10 grades and not 6 team only grades as requested by KP. General consensus agreed as Grading should do their job based on balanced grading. Resolved No compulsory 8 team grades in "A"s Lin requested a compulsory elevation for better teams. Lengthy discussions in regard to players staying in grade vs club decision/parent/ability etc.took place. It was considered that clubs place their requests and Grading have to make decisions based on whole picture but where possible and within the Bylaws this will take place. Resolved: Borrowing: Bylaws vs. borrowing guidelines to be consistent with each other. Grading committee to assess current Bylaws vs. Borrowing guidelines for accuracy. If any adjustment need to be made to By-Laws this is to be submitted to AGM. 2 P a g e

3 Fixtures timeslots to be tiered timewise..which could assist having timeslots staggered for borrowing purposes. Bottom grades borrow across line with Buddy club considered. This will be looked at by Grading committee for submission to clubs to assist small clubs. Priority is small clubs but view to all pending issues of borrowing issues to be considered. More work to be done in this area and requires further discussion at another meeting REGISTRATION/ADMIN Resolved: Admin to allocate name of late rego on billing as per HH request. All clubs agreed. Club Officials list - Berwyn asked Officials list to be completed appropriately and current. Secretary to ensure accuracy, Berwyn to follow up directly with clubs direct. Secretary/Delegates: February Clubs to update daily. Delegates need to be registered with NNSW and must be valid to attend all meetings. Rego stickers: My netball process will be online Lynne will discuss with committee and advise new formula. Resolved: Rego are looking at No rego stickers for 2014 My Netball: New program will definitely in by Data base/financial rego separate until logged in/registration online GROUNDS DUTY: Rosters to be issued pre season. This year 1.5 hrs. clubs are very happy with that. As soon as teams come into rego then timeslots will be addressed. (Rego/Grounds to liaise Any ideas to make earlier please let Dave know, he will Grounds convenors to get input to make job as easy as possible. More sopers to be purchased for wet weather days (Dave to follow-up) UMPIRES: Various matters in regard to umpiring was raised by HH. Steve addressed meeting 1. Concern of the Loss of B & C Badges (HH). HH felt that girls were intimated by Snrs. when they were moved to afternoon time slots after attaining higher badges. This matter to be reviewed by Umpires committee. Steve to speak with HH further on this issue. 2. Steve advised there are concerns of the attrition of these areas and they are currently looking at means of retaining this knowledge We loose children from young age when they get their badging and move to different timeslot. Some of this is compounded due to part time work and more money available. This is an ongoing issue. 3. Poor courtside behaviour (HH) - was also addressed and it was determined that clubs need to support Umpires in this process. Players need to adjust to the umpire and this will assist poor courtside behaviour 4. Level of Allocation of umpires "A" grade games (HH) - concerns again were discussed about level of umpires in all "A" grade matches hence request for Umpire Your Own. General consensus was that this process is not appropriate and further discussion about the level of umpires to be considered 5. No running around court sideline for warm up to be enunciated to members and coaches. Too dangerous. Clubs must communicate this to their teams. 6. Steve advised we need common courtesy of rules and duty of care to ensure that players work in respect of the rules - e.g. Nails/Piercing 3 P a g e

4 7. Steve advised with new rules there is a probability SL will have NatB rather than NatC 8. Smiley program introduced - most clubs aren't following to any great extent but there is a younger committee at present and Steve advised they are working hard to build up the existing program to a higher level as in the past with experienced Umpires now retiring, working or elsewhere. 9. Clubs need to build a rapport with their umpires to develop them. KNA Ump officials cannot do the clubs job. Zero tolerance will be administered. Clubs are not working hard enough to develop their own club programs. 10. Clubs are not communicating information to their members 11. Facebook now has information out there for members to see 12. There were concerns on the allocation of umpires: Steve confirmed this is manually allocated via program, then via coaching sheets and then go through Smiley sheets and assess that which has been produced and then consider requests. KNA need more support on development and training from within their clubs should adopt a regimented training program. 13. Cross modelling of buddying through Smiley system plus through clubs should be considered. 14. Overall standard to be lifted and facilitate better umpiring and training and development. 15. Buddy system of 4 best clubs with convenors assisting clubs in training (BER/HH/WP) Further review to take place in this area. to assist with Education of clubs and their members 16. Warrawee suggested a Grounds marshall in other sports be considered in netball to assist eliminate poor behaviour (fluro top) Some considered there was merit for this to be looked into. Steve advised more discussion on merit of this for future use should take place FIXTURES: Whole committee 1. Wet weather matches replay (Katrina Stokes). This request in concept was rejected by the room as unworkable but the Fixtures committee will consider and suggest possible options. 2. WST: requested Regrade points: goal average to be reviewed per age group per average of that age group. Fixtures Average of each grade. This will be looked into but general consensus was that this has been discussed over many years and the current option after many years of analysis was considered the fairest at this point with the current process in place most suitable 4 P a g e

5 CLUB SUBMISSIONS Katrina Stokes : Grading 1. Katrina Stokes from the Grading Committee has an idea, which the grading committee would like to offer as a discussion point at the next club forum. We appreciate the difficulties small clubs (15 and under) have providing available and suitable players options for borrowing. When small clubs can not field teams into over 40 different grades at KNA, they have to play short or approach KNA for borrowing approval - which is not always granted. We proposed the small clubs consider establishing a documented partnership or Sistership with another small club. The partnership could be based on uniform colour, or on the alternative grades to each other - or arranged by KNA. As an example in the event that small club A can not field a full team in grade X they can for that day borrow an appropriate and suitable player within KNA borrowing guidelines from their sister club. it noted on score sheet etc just like normal borrowing. 2. In the event of a wash out - on the next play day could 2 quarters of the rained out day and 2 quarters of the scheduled days play be played - this would ensure a full round is played. Submission from WP Club Topics we would like to cover are: 1. Grading Discuss process Process should be documented Clubs need to educated about the process Standard submission form Clarity on skill level of each grade How are decisions made for 'difficult' cases Feedback to clubs- more scope for interaction 2 6v8 team grades Merits of both Maybe expanded based on 12C/12D model WP would like to see some analysis on this model to see if it has potential 3. Regrade Clubs need to understand the process Process needs to be documented 4. Borrowing Possibility of expanding rules for small clubs and lower grades Submission from KP Club 1. 6 team grades vs 8 team grades 2. Two tier finals for all junior grades if the grade has 8 teams. Submission from WAH Club: Small club borrowing Submission from WST Club * Borrowing - suggestion to stagger the same age group across different time slots ie a and d grade play at 9am and b and c grade at 10am for next years's competition. As a small club, the issues that we have had are with borrowing, now that all grades are within the same age group and play at the same time, it often makes it difficult to borrow players especially when most of our teams are 7 or 8 players. Grading - impact to team positions on ladder for those teams who are left in existing grade after regrading. We know that teams who are regraded into a lower grade are compensated in terms of points but what about teams who stay in their existing grade and are left at the bottom of that grade. Some of these teams do not get the opportunity to play the teams that have been regraded and so are only left to play teams above them on the ladder. In the 10As grade this year, several teams missed out on the opportunity to play the teams that were regraded so have been disadvantaged compared to other teams. Could we consider reviewing regrading policy? 5 P a g e

6 HH Discussion re Competition Workshop Small clubs partnering with big clubs for purposes of borrowing players: Hornsby Heights is ok with this in principle, provided the borrowing rights are extended both ways. KNA invoices issued to clubs for registered players during the season: Is KNA able to include the names of the players included on each invoice so the club can cross reference the payment details. This obviously only refers to registrations during the season, not before we begin! Grounds duty roster: Good feedback this year, as the allocated time slots don't overlap game times as we had last year in the afternoon slots, so well done! Given the issues with getting nominations to fill these slots, can the duty roster be issued to the clubs on or by the first playing weekend of the season to allow maximum time to drum up responses. Umpiring: There are a number of concerns we have had with umpiring over the last few years, and things do not seem to be improving. The concerns we have include; 1. the number of C and High D badged umpires who leave umpiring soon after receiving their badges The system seems to be at the moment that umpires work hard on junior games to improve their skills, usually enjoying themselves immensely. They then get put on a cadet 1 game or higher with the aim to achieve their National C. Once they achieve that, they seem to then get put straight onto the afternoon timeslots, umpiring us oldies, more often than not on a pretty low grade, with intimidation and abuse quite common. Gone are the fun games when they got to umpire juniors, usually of a pretty good level. Not surprisingly, the joy of umpiring disappears pretty quickly, as do the umpires. We then proceed to do the same thing to the next bunch of 15/16 year olds..and the cycle continues. 2. the increase in poor treatment of umpires, particularly in the afternoon timeslots Despite many attempts at kerbing the behaviour of our Open players, as an Association we continue to have issues with umpire intimidation and abuse in the afternoon timeslots. I m not talking about every team here, but we all know things go on nearly every week. 3. the low standard of umpires placed on junior A grade games. I can only talk from experience of the 9A and 10A grades, but through discussion with others believe it is common to all A grades. I have found it increasingly frustrating this year coaching the little kids in the basics like stepping, when we can go 4 weeks on a Saturday with stepping not ever being pulled up. Balls can be held for 10 seconds routinely, players cannot pass 6 P a g e

7 the ball because the opposition is standing one foot away, and we can go through entire games where all centre passes are caught in the goal third. (My team is as guilty as others in these regards by the way!!). Having spoken with umpiring personnel, I understand that games are ranked and umpires are allocated to suit that ranking which may mean one great umpire and one relatively new umpire on a game to reach the ranking. I understand the desire to give umpires the opportunity to improve on better games. However, if you are a player for instance, you have to prove you are up to playing A grade before you play in A grade. We don t just let you have a run to see how you go because it s your turn. I would think the same system should be possible for umpires. You prove you can ace the umpiring of B grade, then you get put in the pool that umpires A grade to see how you go. You may only start with 6 umpires in the A grade pool, with 10 in the B grade pool, 6 in the C grade etc. By the end of the season there may be 14 umpires rotating in the A grade pool, meaning that the better umpires are then rotated between A and B grade which then filters down. My argument is also borne on my experience coaching the 9E grade. I have had umpires on 9E that were brilliant, which meant that the ball essentially never left the centre third because of stepping and poor skills. Meanwhile on 9A there is an umpire who doesn t pull up any stepping. Discussion starter: We were wanting to open up discussion regarding the use of an umpire your own system. This would mean that each club would supply an umpire for their own team at each timelsot. Clubs would be responsible for ensuring that their umpire was capable of umpiring that grade, and could rotate them as they see fit. Clubs could organize to swap or borrow umpires from other clubs as needed, which happens now. Northern Suburbs has used this system for decades and have had no reason to change it. Benefits of this system: you would keep a lot of the better umpires who at present choose to leave. The high D and C badged umpires would stay umpiring if they got the chance to umpire the younger age groups again at a high level. Imagine the improvement in our junior players if they had a High D or C badge umpiring them each week..and I know there are plenty out there who would love to do it. These same umpires who had previously chosen to leave due to intimidation and abuse during open games, would actually be attached to a club open team, and thus feel a level of connectedness with them. It would be up to the club opens to ensure that their umpires were treated with respect. The umpires would have better mentoring opportunities if attached to their own club teams. As well as (hopefully) a buddy, there would be a club coach, manager and parents on the sideline that would play a role in ensuring the umpires were capable and nurturing their development. There would be plenty of people monitoring their performance who would be able to provide feedback to the club umpires convenor regarding their progress. Issues of sideline abuse from spectators, coaches, managers etc would decrease as the umpire is part of your own club. If you don t think they are doing a good job, then work hard at a club level to improve their skills. Organisation of umpires on a Saturday would be greatly simplified. A1, A2 and perhaps Cadet 1 could be allocated umpires by KNA if they wanted to use it to develop the National Umpires and for testing purposes. When talking to other people, the main reason for people dismissing the concept of umpiring your own is because the umpires would be biased towards their own teams. Firstly, I think that it is a shame that our first instinct is often to think the worst of others. Secondly, nothing would change in regards to being able to request assistance for an umpire on a court who you think is not performing. You could still go up to the umpires window if you feel this is a problem. 7 P a g e