Eastern Goldfields Netball Association Inc

Eastern Goldfields Netball Association Inc EGNA POLICY DOCUMENT POLICY #8.0 DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS/COACHES/UMPIRES This document sets out the policy of EGNA in relation to the Development of Players/Coaches/Umpires as it applies to the Focus Areas of Management, On-Court Performance and People Development with the provision of development pathways designed for players/coaches/umpires to move progressively through netball whilst providing opportunities for broad participation within Netball WA s State Development pathways followed by Netball Australia s National pathways. A. INTENT OF THE POLICY This policy has been designed to: Identify and provide development to all members with emphasis on the stages of netball progression (broad experiences to specialization). Encourage and support long term involvement by providing progressive opportunities to all members in all three development areas - playing / coaching / umpiring. Support all development programmes and practical sessions as presented by accredited personnel respecting framework of Netball Australia B. POLICY BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE To ensure that all affiliated clubs and their members are provided the information, support and opportunity, to be delivered development pathways. C. OUR RESPECTIVE ROLES IN MAKING THE POLICY WORK The Junior Netball Policy produced by Netball Australia is adopted by EGNA. The Association Development Officer and the Association Umpires Development Officer in continued consultation with EGNA Management Committee, Region Development Officers, and Netball WA Development Unit will continually strive to ensure that all members are advised, supported and guided to participate in development programmes. D. STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT Netball Development Netball is a late specialisation sport requiring a more generalised approach to early training, with the emphasis of, fundamental motor skills and technical/tactical skills. Participants should begin to specialise when they are developmentally ready and not when they reach a certain age. Progression Aspiring elite athletes should have access to programs that develop the three core athlete development components: Technical and tactical skill development Physical preparation emphasis on core competencies Athlete wellbeing Advanced Progression Athletes enter the high performance pathway when they are identified and selected from the Participation pathway. Athletes are developed through programs which provide intensive, high quality training, support services and competition opportunities. 1 Page EGNA - Policy #8.0 Development Players/Coaches/Umpires

Stages of Development Early Years approx. 5-7yrs Mastery of basic movement skills and learn to build sequences of two or more skills. Respond to simple rules and games with limited decision-making skills. Middle Primary approx. 8-10yrs Modified games of NETSETGO, able to apply skills in play, with a more structured basic technique. Rotation of playing positions for equality of opportunities for participants. Early adolescence 11-14yrs Refine skills and understanding of game strategies with safety remaining important. Rotation of playing positions for equality of opportunities for participants. Middle adolescence 15-16yrs Consolidation, refinement and specialisation of skills. Evaluate strengths and weakness in own play May demonstrate due to puberty, increased muscle mass and endurance power. Late Adolescence 17+yrs Continue skill specialisation and refinement, ability to meet increased demands on performance, speed, strength and awareness of how their body movies in skill execution. E. CLUBS Each Club is to ensure that all athletes are provided with the experience of skilled and sensitive leadership through their coaches, officials and administrators. Provide an inclusive, positive and caring environment where their members are not exposed to physical or verbal abuse from other young people, their parents/guardians or sport providers. Sub junior (7-10 years) It is the Club s responsibility to provide each athlete a development opportunity to rotate on court areas with no more than 50% in one playing position during each game. Junior (11-17 years) Athletes would be expected to be at the different stages of development in court specific areas. That is, individual athletes may show signs of competence in attacking, centre court, or defensive positioning. It is the Club s responsibility to provide each athlete a development opportunity to rotate in court specific areas with no more than 50% in one playing position during each game. 10 year olds cannot fill in for a Junior Club. Players turning 11 years of age during the current Season calendar year (to 31st December), must be registered to play in the Junior competition. Players turning 18 years of age during the current Season calendar year (to 31st December), must be registered to play in the Senior Competition. Junior players where possible are registered in an appropriate age division, that is: 11 year olds, to be registered to 12/Under Division (Transition from NetSetGo to Juniors) 12 and 13 year olds, to be registered to 13/Under Division 14 and 15 year olds, to be registered to 15/Under Division 16 and 17 year olds, to be registered to 17/Under Division Clubs are encouraged that when grading junior athletes for age divisions, as provided for competition by EGNA Management Committee, each individual s skill ability is taken into consideration. It is asked that where possible each athlete is graded within their age appropriate division. Players may not play below their age divisions. In the circumstance that an athlete is to be graded in a higher age division, due consideration and mutual consultation is to be had with the individual s parent/guardian and coach. Whilst the Management Committee remains supportive of each club taking responsibility for grading athletes deemed appropriate, it reserves the right to raise concern in any acknowledged instance that this may not 2 Page EGNA - Policy #8.0 Development Players/Coaches/Umpires

achieve the intent of a positive playing experience for the junior athlete. The Management Committee must be notified in writing of any players being registered above their age division. Junior players may only play up 3 times within the Junior Competition during the Season. Penalties will apply for any breach. Refer to Policy 14.0 Match Procedures Club Junior Development is considered playing juniors in a higher division/team in the EGNA junior competition Quality coaching is an important element in creating a positive experience for young people in netball. Coaches should promote and encourage in young people a sound understanding of the skills, tactics, strategies, rules, sportsmanship and behaviour standards of netball. Clubs must have qualified coaches who plan programmes, training and competition schedules according to individual needs. These should be designed around the holistic needs of members with consideration of their level of social, emotional and psychological maturation. Coaches should at all times be aware, considerate, and take into account all physical activities undertaken by members and make adjustments on an ongoing basis so training expectations is progressive and matched to each individual s developmental stage. Coaches should have appropriate knowledge and skills gained through attending courses or workshops and should be accredited, and regularly update their coaching accreditation. Umpiring is an important, and yet often undervalued contribution in the game of netball. Clubs are to ensure that all members have basic, but sound, knowledge of the rules of netball. It is appropriate that all members are exposed to the task of umpiring, if not through the allocation of umpiring duties via structured game fixtures then certainly to be utilized at club s training sessions in order that the application of rules is applied. F. ASSOCIATON The EGNA will maintain its commitment to the development of players / coaches / umpires by either initiation, or assistance, in the provision of appropriate development pathways in order that each individual strives to achieve the highest potential available to them. In order to achieve this, the Management Committee will work with the Region and Netball WA to ensure that programmes are available and deliverable to all members. G. JUNIOR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT WITHIN EGNA In order to ensure that accomplished junior netballers are offered opportunities to achieve higher development, Any Junior member turning 15+ by the 31st December of the current playing season, who is registered in the Junior competition may participate (unlimited) in either of the top three Senior Divisions i.e. Premier League, Division 1 and Division 2 provided that the registered coach of both the junior member s registered division and the nominated senior division has current netball coaching accreditation* and is an affiliated member of that Club. The Club is to nominate one only of these senior Divisions for the athlete to be developed within, with the opportunity of unlimited court time within that chosen Division. The Club can amend athletes development path provided it is given in writing to the Management Committee. Junior members who are turning 14 by the 31st of December of the current playing season, who are currently participating in the EGNA development program (Smarter than Smoking) may be eligible for development within the Senior Divisions. The responsibility will be on the clubs to ensure that developing players have enough skills and the ability to cope with the more physical nature of the game i.e. (10years olds) cannot play in the (U12-U17) competition Playing a player that does not meet the requirements of the development policy is considered an ineligible player; therefore a fine and penalties will be incurred. Refer to Policy 14.0 Match Procedures 3 Page EGNA - Policy #8.0 Development Players/Coaches/Umpires

Any exceptions MUST be put into writing, stating their evidence on their decision making for that player (this will be reviewed by the EGNA Management Committee and Development panel) It is always the intent of the Management Committee to ensure that all accomplished junior players are provided with equal opportunity to be developed both within their Club structure, and within the EGNA development pathway. From this, it is an expectation that all accomplished junior players being rewarded with Club development to senior playing divisions, MUST make themselves available to attend all opportunities for EGNA development through STSAC and/or NWA player pathways. Junior athletes being identified by Clubs for development to Senior Divisions must be noted, in writing, to the Management Committee, prior to participation in Senior Divisions. Please take into consideration that members (juniors and seniors) of EGNA may only be affiliated to play for one Club. It is to be acknowledged that no more than two junior players may be on a senior court at any one time. This is to ensure that the definition of senior team is adhered too - minimum of five on court players must be seniors. Finals: Junior Development (11-14 years) Coaches should still be ensuring players are getting as close to equal court time as possible and that this is consistent through the regular season and finals. (15-17 years) Players would be in their specialised positions and competing in a high level of competition. Whilst fair game time is encouraged there is also an emphasis on winning the competition so coaches may choose certain line ups to enable teams to win. In this case players would not necessarily get equal court time, particularly during final series. Juniors playing in Senior Divisions: To ensure that the definition of senior team is adhered too - minimum of five players on court must be original registered senior players for the team. Junior players that have been developed with a senior team during the season MAY play in finals with no more than two junior players on court at any one time. H. PLAYER DEVELOPMENT/PATHWAYS The Management Committee will make every effort to ensure that athletes are talent identified and be eligible for selection in representative competitions. Examples of these competitions and primary providers are: Smarter than Smoking Association Championships Region Netball WA Netball Australia And other player development programmes as/when introduced by Netball Australia. I. REPRESENTATIVE SQUAD/TEAM IDENTIFICATION/SELECTION EGNA Management Committee advises that it will ensure that talent identified athletes/coaches/umpires receive optimal development opportunities and exposure for further selection. At all times, the Management Committee will endeavour to ensure representation at competitions provided that there is adequate competitors, and management personnel, as required in order to achieve the highest possible standards. All athletes to be considered for selection must have current season affiliation and be age appropriate as mandated by governing body of representative competition. 4 Page EGNA - Policy #8.0 Development Players/Coaches/Umpires

Selections will commence as soon as is practical within each Season (or pre-season if deemed necessary to ensure trials/selections and training sessions are adequately provided) as agreed upon, by the Management Committee in full consultation with both the Association Development Officer and Association Umpire Development Officer. Notices will be advertised providing details of training sessions to be held for any interested affiliated members. No less than four training sessions to be scheduled with initial two training sessions to be utilized as full squad sessions with athletes participating in skill/drill sessions within age appropriate divisions. Selection may be based on but not limited to the following selection criteria: o Skill level o Ability to handle pressure on and off the court o Attitude and behaviour o Ability to learn from feedback and apply to training/game o State of physical fitness, health and wellbeing o Current or potential injury or condition which may impair, inhibit or prevent the athlete s performance o Team composition and playing position o Attendance at all sessions as required for the selection process o Financial with Club/Association and Netball WA Registration of interest for Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Team Managers, Umpires, etc to be advertised in order to ensure personnel framework is in place so that positive decisions may be implemented in order for the best outcome for athlete participation. Coaches must have current coaching accreditation as recognized by Netball Australia. Assistant Coaches will be identified through their enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to learn and support coaches with the future intention of participating in coach accreditation courses. Umpires are an integral part of any representative squad and must also have current umpire accreditation as recognized by Netball Australia. Umpires will also be identified through their enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to learn and support umpires with the future intention of participating in umpire accreditation courses. Selection of athletes from squad to team will be made after no less than three completed squad training sessions. Selectors, whom have current coaching accreditation, will be invited to participate.the Management Committee, together with the Association Development Officer, will maintain accurate records of all training attendance, details of non attendance, relevant to each individual s trial session for team selection. Each parent/guardian is to be afforded the opportunity to question and/or seek validation as to their child s inclusion, or exclusion, to final teams. Once teams are selected, each athlete will be provided with details of team training sessions and the expected attendance structure. Each team will consist of a minimum of 9 athletes 3 attacks, 3 centre courts, 3 defensive with the Management Committee reserving the right to increase these numbers should this be deemed appropriate at any time. In the event of withdrawal from a selected team athlete, the Association Development Officer will ensure that a replacement is made as soon as is practical, with the consultation and support of that team s coach. All athletes at representative competitions are to be given not less than 35% court time over the duration of the competition. This is to be applied as positively as possible, taking into consideration the availability of each athlete during scheduled competition, as well as application during competition, any injuries within team. 5 Page EGNA - Policy #8.0 Development Players/Coaches/Umpires

The Management Committee in consultation with the Association Development Officer, and each Team s coaching unit, will be accountable in ensuring that this is adhered to. J. EGNA ATHLETE EXPECTATIONS The Management Committee conducts fair and just trials for athletes to be selected in the STSAC representative teams. It is an expectation of the Association that its members represent EGNA at the STSAC. DATED: 15th July 2017 Please be advised that this Policy Document will be continually, and consistently, revised under proper authority of the EGNA Management Committee in order to ensure that all areas of development are updated to maintain compliance with Netball WA through to Netball Australia DATED: First Revision 1st May 2009 Second Revision 15th April 2013 Third Revision 11th April 2014 Fourth Revision 26th February 2015 Fifth Revision 15 th July 2017 6 Page EGNA - Policy #8.0 Development Players/Coaches/Umpires