GRADING POLICY FOR ALL UNDER 13 TEAMS & ABOVE
From Under 13 onwards, the EMJFC will grade its teams where it has the ability to field more than one team. . This means that if there are sufficient player numbers for two or more teams then each team will play in different grades and usually the grades will represent different standards of play.
From Under 14 onwards this is more evident as the competition is made up of different Divisions.
From Under 14 onwards Division 1 as one would expect field the strongest teams, Division 2 the next strongest and Division 3 the least strongest.
Grading inevitably involves two decisions.
WHAT DIVISION?
The first is which grade should each team play in?
In this regard close attention must be made to whether a team should play in Division 1 or the like equivalent in under13. There is nothing to be achieved by placing a team in the top Division for the prestige when they simply are not up to it.
Alternatively, there is little merit in having a team play down a Division and winning by 20 goals each week as this does not challenge the boys.
The MSJFL have a general policy of reassessing the grades after 6 weeks so that teams may be moved up or down a Division depending on their results at that time. MSJFL’s current policy is that a team that moves does so with all of their points but with nil percentage.
Generally speaking it is the Club’s experience that the difference between the top team in one Division and the top team in the Division below can be upwards of 10 goals, if not more and that generally the boys in the higher Divisions are bigger, more physically mature, fitter and more skilled.
WHAT TEAM?
The second decision is which boys play in which team?
Grading the boys will result in the teams that existed at under12 being different in personal to that which exits at under 13.
It must be remembered that the boys are still young, maturing at different levels and stages and more fundamentally hopefully have many years of sport (not just football) in front of them. The decision to grade must be looked at in terms of that year and what is important to that boy’s individual development as a footballer.
Selection of the two or three teams will be done based on a number of considerations which, without any priority are as follows:
- The height and overall size of the boy;
- The age of the boy (some boys play up an age);
- The playing ability of the boy. This is not just a consideration of skill alone but whether they are a ball getter or strong mark etc;
- What position(s) they play;
- Whether, they may be better served playing down a grade or level to;
- Improve their skills;
- Enable them to play in a position that they would not play in at the higher team;
- Enable them to excel at a lower level which will enable them to enjoy their football more and gain greater confidence for years to come.
- Be of greater overall value to a team in a lower grade.
Consideration will not be given to boys or parents friendship groups as occurs in more junior levels. Consideration will also not be given to parental support roles either. Nominated coach should not establish their support team (assistants, managers etc) to the detriment of this grading policy. They must work within the parameters set and then use the available parents from the selected player group for each team.
HOW IS GRADING DONE?
It is important that the coaches of the under 13 team, if different from under 12’s speak to the coaches of the under 12 teams before grading is done. A club template will be completed to assess each player from the previous season to assist with the grading process.
Prior playing history while important should not be an overriding factor.
We all know that in 6 months during Summer, boys can change significantly and so too can their playing ability as bigger size sometimes leads to more confidence.
Practice matches are important and all players should be given an opportunity to show what they can do in a variety of positions.
The MSJFL allows player movement for the first three rounds of the season (so if you have a bye in this time you may only have two games). The first three rounds must be used to have a look at all players that are vying for the various teams. This will not mean that every boy will play in the top or bottom teams during these three rounds.
Each player during this three week period ought were possible be given 3 quarters in each game and played in a variety of positions.
Assuming there are 2 teams, the best 22 may not necessarily be selected for the higher graded team. For instance there is little point in selecting 22 players who are all midfield players. Each side needs a Ruck, backs, forwards and ball getters. It is essential that each side have sufficient tall players to fill the Goal to Goal line and also to Ruck.
It is also essential that the second or third rated teams have sufficient good players to make them competitive within their grade. Grading will not see the players rated from 1 to 44 or 66 and the top 22 being in the 1st team. We have graded teams, not graded players. As mentioned above we are selecting a team to play in the highest division it possibly can. This does not always align to the best 22 being in that team.
If there are to be 3 graded teams a first team will be selected. The remaining two teams will be of an equivalent standard. It is also important to remember that a player who coaches believe is a first team player for a variety of reasons may not wish to play first grade football. In this situation a player is permitted to play in a lower graded team. Consideration must also be given ton players who may wish to move to a lower side during the grading process in the first 3 weeks.
TRAINING
During the season every endeavour will be made to have all teams in the same age group train on the same night at the same venue and at the same time.
The boys from all teams will warm up together, which shall include the warm up drills and shall finish training together, including the warm down drills.
The teams may brake off into their own teams during the middle of training. This is to be worked out between the appointed coaches at each age group.
RE-GRADING
At the beginning of each season teams will be regraded. The decision to regrade is consistent with the policy that recognizes that players will, grow, change and develop over the summer. Different coaches with different game plans will also have requirements for different player types. All of this is to be considered when confronting regarding players.
It is endorsed by the committee that the Best and Fairest and Runner Up from the 2nd team of the previous season are given every opportunity to play in the 1st team during the following year. They must be given the 3 grading games in the first team and must be played for a minimum of 3 quarters. 2 of these quarters must be in their best position to enable them to be given every opportunity to play in the 1st team, in the following season.
All new players to the club must also play at least one game in the 2nd team during the grading period regardless of reputation or perceived ability. This ensures that all players are given an opportunity to try out for the 1st team. This also ensures that new players to the club are not perceived to receive preferential treatment regardless of reputation.
All players who express an interest in trying out for the first team should be given an opportunity to do so by playing 1 of the 3 grading games in this team. Players trying out should be given 3 quarters to enable the coaches to make an informed decision. If a player nominates for the first team and this is not in the best interest of the player or the team this discussion should be had with the payer and his parents before the season commences.
The decision on team make up will rest with the coaches of the respective sides. Proposed sides will be reviewed by the football operations manager or his delegate.
Executive Committee | East Malvern Junior Football Club