Grading
Grading is the process of establishing the composition of our teams to compete in the upcoming season.
Netball is a graded, competitive sport. 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. The aim of grading is to form teams that have a balanced group of players of similar ability levels across all playing positions. Grading will also be influenced by the number and ages of players registered with the Club each year.
Yanchep Netball Club endeavours to place every player into a team that best reflects their ability in an effort to provide the player with an environment in which they can be both at ease and challenged.
Through grading, all Junior players 12U to 18U are given an equal opportunity to display their skills and play to their full potential. Attendance at grading sessions is compulsory for all players and non-attendance may impact on team selection.
Grading is conducted before experienced and independent selectors, sourced externally by the Club, to ensure assessments and team allocations remain unbiased. The grading process allows the selectors to assess player skill development and potential compared to other players within the same age group. Players are then ranked in order of ability and placed into teams as numbers dictate.
Grading is conducted each year and players are considered as individuals, rather than in a particular team. Grading each year is the fairest way of providing for the progression and development of each individual and ensuring that each player is provided with the environment that best suits their ability.
Attendance at Grading sessions is essential for the fairest assessment of the player’s ability in comparison to all others in the same age group. Not attending grading results in the player being paper graded ie. selectors past knowledge of the player and the player’s history is used for the determination.
Parents and players need to be aware that players may not be in the same team from year to year. Due to new registrations, differing player development, and the nature of change, player movement is unavoidable. 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.
By registering with Yanchep Netball Club and participating in grading, players and parents accept that the process has been fair to all players and that the final decision of placement rests with the selectors and grading committee. Players will only be moved from the graded team in the event of numbers in higher teams changing. Any dispute of grading placements must be submitted in writing to the Club Secretary within 48 hours of team lists being released. Please state clearly all the reasons for the dispute. If you have a placement request this must be submitted in writing to the club PRIOR to Grading sessions taking place. Late requests will not be considered.
PLAYERS PLAYING OUT OF AGE GROUP
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. In this instance players of similar ability will be chosen.
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 Grading 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.
During grading, should the selectors identify a player of exceptional talent, then that player may be offered the opportunity to play above their age group.
FINAL TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Players will be notified via email of team allocations. Please be aware this process is lengthy and may take up to 2 weeks to be completed. Once teams are formed and coaches are allocated to each team, coaches will contact teams to confirm arrangements for training and provide other important information.
GRADING CONCERNS AND FEEDBACK
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 Grading Committee, an appeal may be made if the player/parent truly believes their child has been placed into the incorrect team. No member of the Grading Committee or Club Committee, including the President, shall be contacted directly in relation to grading. Any appeal must be delivered to the club in writing and will be discussed by the Grading Committee as a whole. The decision of the Grading Committee is final.
Appeals based on a particular player being placed into a team with friends will not be considered as grounds for an appeal. 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.
Before lodging an appeal we urge you to consider the following:
The committee are all volunteers.
A great deal of time and effort goes into forming teams.
All teams must consist of all playing positions and must be well balanced.
Please consider your player’s skills. Will they be challenged and improve in this team?
Have you talked to your player and explained the positive aspects of being a part of this team?
Is this an opportunity to make new friendships and connections?