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THIS POLICY IS TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CJFC CODE OF CONDUCT Equal Game & Playing Time Policy These guidelines are by no means all-inclusive. They are a foundation to build on and if they are followed then every player will have a great football experience. The Camberwell Junior Football Club is a community based club which promotes participation, development and enjoyment of the game above all other factors. The Club has a very strict policy of “EQUAL GAME TIME” for all registered players from Under 9s (Tackers) to Under 13s and a modified EQUAL PLAYING TIME Policy for all registered players from Under 14s to Under 16s/17s (Colts) to take into consideration the developmental needs, ability and safety of players as they grow and mature into young men.
This Policy consists of two Parts:
PART 1 - Equal Game Time Policy for Under 9s, Under 10s, Under 11s, Under 12s & Under 13s, and
PART 2 - Equal Playing Time Policy for Under 14s, Under 15s & Under 16s/17s (Colts).
PART 1 - EQUAL GAME TIME FOR UNDER 9s, UNDER 10s, UNDER 11s, UNDER 12s & UNDER 13s All selected players will be given EQUAL GAME TIME each week – NO EXCEPTIONS. This means Coaches MUST provide a minimum of 3 quarters per game for all players. THIS POLICY ALSO APPLIES TO ALL FINALS MATCHES. (refer Note 2 below)
NOTES: 1. To assist Coaches in the implementation of this Policy. A mandatory tool for recording playing time will be provided in the Handbook under the Section Titled – “ROTATION GRID FOR EQUAL GAME TIME”. 2. Final Matches - League Rules restrict the number of interchange players to 6 during the home and away season, however where a team has more than 24 players available, the league will allow a greater number of interchange players. Where this occurs, the minimum 3 quarters cannot be guaranteed, however in finals matches, coaches are expected to ensure all players are provided with approximately equal game time.
PART 2 - EQUAL PLAYING TIME FOR UNDER 14s, UNDER 15s & UNDER 16s/17s (COLTS) It is the Club’s desire to provide an environment for players to be able to remain at the Club beyond Under 13s so that a player is able to develop his football talent and become the best player he can be. At Under 14s to Colts level, the Club provides Coaches with a small degree of discretion in applying the EQUAL PLAYING TIME Policy. The Policy states that: : "…all players will play an equal amount of time over the course of a season. This does not require equal playing time in each game; and the Coach is granted discretion as to how he/she administers the EQUAL PLAYING TIME Policy based on: - the calibre of the opposition; - the safety of the player concerned; - the status of the game; - the preparation of the player”. However, the over-riding principle is for the Coach to provide each registered player with EQUAL PLAYING TIME over the course of the home and away season. The Club’s Policy in Under 14, Under 15 & Colts therefore means that equal playing time does not necessarily mean equal playing time in each specific game. This means the Club imposes a requirement on players that when they know they are going to have to play their fair share of a game, there is little excuse for arriving at a game mentally or physically unprepared. A commitment by the Coach to play players equally requires a commitment by players to try their hardest. When players do not fulfil their commitment, the Policy provides that the Coach (under these circumstances) is no longer obligated to fulfil his commitment to provide the player with Equal Playing Time. For players, an equal playing time system is better defined as an ‘equal opportunity system’. Players can take advantage of these opportunities, and thereby increasing the likelihood of getting Equal Playing Time, by helping their team and their team mates by: - playing to the best of their ability ; and - preparing themselves (physically and mentally) to play to the best of their ability at all times - demonstrating commitment to the team by maximising attendance at training - behaving appropriately and with respect A Note to Coaches regarding the above Policy: As Coach, the most important rule to bear in mind is that every member of your team wants to play in the game. That’s why the players joined in the first place. You must never ever lose sight of this reality. You might notice that the parents come to many of the games. Don’t fool yourself — the reason why parents come to watch the games is to see their son or daughter play. As a secondary consideration, parents will tell you it’s nice the team wins, but their number one priority is to see their child participate. If you keep this simple principle of equal participation in your mind when the game begins, you’ll be on your way to a very successful season — regardless of whether the team wins or loses. That means not letting the less talented players play in the last quarter when the score is lopsided and the game already decided. Sprinkle in all of your players throughout the game. That way, every player will come out of the game knowing — win or lose — they helped contribute to the team’s effort. Now, that’s coaching!
Finally, as Coach you must be aware that almost all of your decisions and choices of actions, as well as strategic targets, have ethical implications. It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern/desire for you as the Coach, and this Policy is not intended to conflict with that. However, the Policy requires that as Coach of a junior football team, you must wherever possible disassociate yourself from a "win-at-all-costs" attitude.
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