Winston Hills Netball Club Mission Statement: Winston Hills Netball Club is to provide a fun, supportive environment for netball players to reach their full potential in playing, umpiring and coaching whilst establishing friendships, improving fitness and developing a strong sense of community. Grading policy 1. Aim Winston Hills Netball Club is committed to ensuring team grading is conducted fairly and effectively. The aim of this policy is to ensure grading of teams is undertaken in this manner, and in the best interests of the Club and players. 2. Purpose In meeting this objective, this policy sets out the Club s grading process for all registered players aged 7-21 inclusive, and for Senior Grades, if required. The policy will ensure that: 1. For grading purposes, every child is treated as an individual club member, irrespective of previous team or grade. 2. Every child has an equal opportunity 3. What Is Grading? Grading is the process of establishing the composition of our teams to compete in the Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Association (BHSNA) competition. The aim of grading is to form teams that have a balanced group of players of similar ability across all playing positions. Grading will also be influenced by the number and ages of players registered with the Club each year. E.g. 16 registered players in a particular age group will form two (2) teams of 8 players each, whereas 18 registered players would mean two (2) teams of 9 players each. 4. Why Do We Grade Our Teams? Netball is a graded, competitive sport from the age of 10 with representative opportunities. To ensure the best chance of success for all our teams and the greatest level of enjoyment and development for our players, it is necessary to grade players into teams with players of similar ability. Stronger players always enjoy the challenge of harder, faster competition and do not develop to their potential if graded to a lower team to be kept with a friend. Similarly, players who are placed in teams above their ability will also not develop to their potential when being constantly overshadowed by more talented players around them. In such situations, these players can quickly become disheartened and lose self-esteem. 1
Netball teams also provide a valuable opportunity to broaden children s friendship groups and to develop the skills of making new friends and working alongside a variety of different personalities. Players and parents should also be aware that success for a team one year does not always ensure they will remain together the following year. Whilst the club does support teams staying together, due to the nature of change, new registrations and differing development rates of all players from season to season, player movement in and out of such teams may still occur. Players and parents are urged to be objective and reasonable in their expectations, and to encourage their children to be happy in their chosen sport no matter what team they are ultimately placed in. 5. Playing With Friends (Junior Graded Teams Only) Requests from both players need to be in writing at the time of registration (ie written on their registration form). Please be aware, however, that such requests will only be considered by the Grading Panel provided both players are of a similar ability. For the reasons outlined under Why Do We Grade Our Teams?, grading of players based on their playing abilities is important to ensure their appropriate placement in teams for the ultimate benefit of those players. Should it not be possible to grade two friends in the same team we encourage those players to accept their new team and make new friends. Once the season starts children usually settle in quickly and enjoy their netball and the support of parents is greatly encouraged to ensure this occurs smoothly. Parents and players alike are encouraged to enjoy the experience of meeting new friends where team changes occur. Full junior teams can register (as the senior teams do) subject to grading and application to the committee. Applications would be considered along the lines of the effect on current member registrations and team numbers, the availability of any new team having an umpire, coach and/or volunteer for committee member duties, etc; as considered and deemed appropriate on a case by case basis by the committee for each application 6. Players Playing Out Of Their Age Group The general policy of the Club is that all players play within teams of their own age group. However, on occasion, there may be exceptions to this rule. During grading, should the Grading Panel identify a player of exceptional talent for whom a team of similar ability does not exist within their own age group, then that player may be offered the opportunity to play in a higher age group. In addition, should the Club have insufficient player registrations in adjacent age groups to form full teams, players may be requested to play up an age group in order to form a team of composite age. In such instances, the players asked to play up an age group will be selected based on them being of similar ability to the other players in the team in which they will be placed. 2
7. Grading Committee The Grading Committee shall be a sub-committee of the Club, reporting to the Executive. 7.1 Membership A Grading Coordinator will chair this committee. The grading committee will have at minimum (1) committee member on this subcommittee. The appointed will be following nomination at the Club s Annual General Meeting, or at subsequent Club meetings if not all positions are filled. The Club may invite independent graders from within and beyond the Club to become members of the Grading Committee with grading only of ages 9-21 inclusive, if required. 7.2. Desirable qualifications and backgrounds of the graders Graders will have a minimum of development level coaching award, an umpiring level 1 and have been involved in coaching at club level in the last 3 years. Where possible graders who have children in the respective grade, will not grade that age group. Similarly, where possible graders who have coached a team in the previous year will not take part in the process for that age group. Where possible outside graders from another club will be invited to participate. 7.3 Term of office The term of the Grading Committee shall commence on the first competition round of the Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Association (BHSNA) Winter Competition, and terminate on the day before the commencement of the following year s BHSNA competition. 7.4. Responsibilities The Grading Coordinator shall oversee the Club s grading process during the season and on grading days, with the assistance of the Committee, prepare all the necessary paperwork for the grading days. The Grading Coordinator shall ensure that all necessary paperwork for grading of players is posted on the Club s website and that members are informed. 8.0 Grading Process (a) NetSetGO 7-8 years These teams will be formed based on friendship groups. (b) NetSetGO 9 Years Old 9 year old players will be graded as, according to BHSNA Competition Rules. Grading of this age group enables players to be placed in appropriate teams in readiness for full competition at the age of 10.BHSNA does have a 9 year graded division where if BHSNA deems the team of a suitable skill level they will be placed in the graded division. In the graded division they play to full competition rules. If the team is deemed not of the appropriate skill level the team will be placed in a non-competitive division where modified rules will still apply. 3
All 9 year old players must attend at least one (1) Practical Grading day. The number of Practical Grading sessions required for this age group will be determined on an annual basis. (c) 10 Years- 15 years Old All junior players aged 10 to 15 must attend at least one (1) Practical Grading day. The number of Practical Grading sessions required for each age group will be determined on an annual basis (d) 17 & Under and 21 & Under Players aged 17 to 21 are given the opportunity to grade or form a friendship team. Graded Teams Players who wish to grade for team placement will register when all junior players register. These players will grade on one of the club grading days. All players will also be informed that based on a review of team POLICIES from other clubs and recommendations from BHSNA, coaches will no longer be provided by the club. On registering their child in a 17-21 aged team, PARENTS will take on the responsibility of assisting in finding their daughter's team a coach or coaching the team. Friendship teams Players that wish to form a friendship team must register AS A TEAM at senior registration in late January. The team must follow the senior registration process (eg, rego forms, payments, photos FOR ALL TEAM MEMBERS etc. must be presented together along with the team list at the senior rego night). No team will be accepted that doesn t have 7 players, an umpire and Coach (e) Seniors Senior players will be advised if Practical Grading is necessary. 8.1 Aspects of the Grading Process 8.1.1. Coach's Evaluation Mid-season and at the end of the season, each coach provides a report of each player's positions played, ability, attendance at training and games, attitude etc. 8.1.2. Individual Player Assessments During the second half of the season, selectors may observe player's skill levels during 1-2 games 8.1.3. Paper Grading Prior to practical grading, selectors assess the above reports and place players into teams for the practical grading session. 8.1.4. Practical Grading In forming teams, the selectors take into consideration the Coaches' reports, independent assessment reports, paper grading and play observed at practical grading, while keeping in mind that a netball team requires a balance of height, agility and ball skills, as well as defences, centre court and shooters. 8.1.4.1 Practical Grading Process At registration players are asked to nominate their preferred three (3) playing positions Under the supervision of the Grading Coordinator, players presenting for grading shall 4
be formed into teams. Players shall trial in two (2) of the positions they nominate, but may be asked to trial in other positions, either to make up a team, or because the graders would like to see how they perform in those positions. Where players are asked to fill other positions during grading, they must still have an opportunity to play in their preferred/nominated position/s. For a number of reasons, it may not be necessary for all players to play an identical number of quarters during the game session. Graders will assess the players basic skills throwing, catching, Footwork shooting accuracy & style defending action and stability Position awareness on the court Knowledge of the game on the court Exceptional talent potential sportsmanship If a player does not play well at grading the Coaches reports from the previous year will have major input into the whole process to ensure that those who are injured, ill or just too nervous are not disadvantaged. 8.1.4.2. Failure To Attend Practical Grading If a player is unable to attend practical grading, the player or parent/guardian must notify the Registrar prior to grading. Placement into a team for this player will be based upon Paper Grading and, where applicable, Coach s Evaluations and Independent Player Assessments. All players are strongly encouraged to attend Practical Grading as Paper Grading may result in disappointment. 9. Nomination of Teams to BHSNA Following the formation of teams, the Grading Panel will determine an appropriate grade under which to submit the team for registration with BHSNA (E.g. A Grade or B Grade). Whilst the Grading Panel determines these grades based on their assessment of the team during the grading process and with the team s best interests and abilities in mind, these are only recommended grades for BHSNA nomination purposes. Ultimately, BHSNA will determine the final grading of a team and will make this decision by assessing the merits and ability of teams from our Club versus those submitted by all other clubs where necessary. 5
10. Team Formation Graders shall be guided by the individual assessment each player received from the Grading Committee. Graders may also take into account coaches mid-year and end-ofseason reports on player performance and any observations made by the Grading Committee during competition games in the previous season. When forming teams, the aim shall be to achieve strength and balance in each team. Where there are players with equal ratings in a particular position, their ability to play skilfully in other positions shall be the determining factor. Note: Under the Club s and BHSNA Playing Rules, a player graded into any team who declines to be a player in that team cannot apply for registration for another BHSNA team. Any changes to team formations after teams have been graded, due to the departure of a player or for any other reason, must be ratified by the Grading Committee. No player or parent shall approach any member of the Grading Committee and must not attempt to influence the grading and team formation process. 11. Coaching Appointments Where possible all junior teams (7-15) ONLY will have coaches appointed by the Club. Each coach (or their manager) will contact players/parents to organise training sessions. Coaching appointments will be determined by the recommendation of the Coaching Coordinator based on qualifications, suitability, availability and commitment to continue with Coach Education and development. All Coaches will be encouraged to complete at least the Beginning Coaching General Principles On-Line Course prior to taking up a position and the Foundation Coaching Course during their first year of coaching. All coaching appointments must also be ratified by the Club s Executive. On the occasion no coach is secured for a team the parents of the team will be notified and one of the parents will be encouraged to fill the position. 12. Announcement of Teams Once the grading process has concluded and the Grading Panel has formed teams, these teams will be announced on the Club s website (www.winstonhillsnetball.com.au). Ideally this will occur the first week of February. 13. APPEALS Members may appeal against any departure from: the Club s Grading Policy; the Club Rules (Constitution); and/or, or the Club Playing Rules A written letter must be sent to the Club secretary and viewed by the grading panel. 6