Caboolture Sports Football Club

 Grading Policy Mini Roos 

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

At the beginning of each new football season the U9s, U10s & U11s are graded into teams in different divisions based on ability level. The grading process gives all players the opportunity to demonstrate their talents to a variety of unbiased selectors thus giving all players (irrespective of the team they played with in the previous season) a chance to play in the highest division in the new season. The Club holds this as important in providing equal opportunity to all players.

Young player’s abilities can change dramatically during a 12-month period. A player who is graded into an “A” team in one season must try out again in the following years to win a position in the “A” team. This is the best format to maintain equality of opportunity.

Care must be taken to cater for those who have average ability (or less) but still love the game. It adds to their enjoyment if they are playing with and against players of similar or equal ability. This gives each child the chance to fully participate, enjoy the experience and develop to his/her full potential as a player. Past experience has shown that it is frustrating for any individual to play in a team which is clearly above or below their level of ability. Grading must help all players of all abilities.

The Committee has the care and, to some extent, control of the Club and its members/players. It is the Club (rather than individuals) that enter teams into various competitions.

The three grades in Mini Roos are as follows:

Komodos- ( 1st Division) Graded

Goannas-  ( 2nd Division) Non-Graded

Geckos-     ( Majority of team new to Football)
 

2.0 OBJECTIVE

The grading policy is designed to address a number of player and club needs, some of which invariably conflict. The fundamentals of the grading policy are designed to ensure:

• That a clear process for the grading of new and existing players is provided each year.

• The possibility of bias is minimised by using an appointed grading manager to be the arbiter of the trial process. This is the Caboolture FC Coaching Development Officer

• All players have the maximum opportunity to play in a competitive environment, appropriate to their skill and ability.

• Players learn from their peers and develop an appreciation and love of the game.

• Support of a club culture that takes priority over individual team culture.

• Players, coaches and parents alike, have FUN, enjoy the season, and return to the club year after year.

 

 

3.0 PLAYING PHILOSOPHY

3.1 SMALL-SIDED GAMES – Mini Roos

At the Mini Roos level the emphasis is clearly in favour of fun, participation, social interaction and learning. Since small children do not regard winning with quite the same fervour as older children, Mini Roos match results are never recorded. It is expected that team officials and parents will not let their own ambitions spoil the enjoyment that the children gain from playing the game of football. Although these principles dominate our approach to sub-junior sport, the club also recognises that this is the best time for football players of the future to learn the basic skills. For this reason, the club encourages Mini Roos coaches to attend recognised Grass Roots Coaching Course which is funded by the club. No charges will be placed on to any prospective coaches.

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3.2 KOMODOS (GRADED TEAMS)

As players progress through their teenage years, the game becomes more competitive and winning assumes a higher priority (relative to younger players). To accommodate these changing attitudes all Komodo graded teams are progressively allowed greater flexibility in the areas of team composition and playing time, although this does not mean that winning should be at the expense of the club’s values.

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 3.2.1 CONDUCT, PARTICIPATION and PERFORMANCE

The club believes that all Mini Roos graded teams should be competitive and we therefore endeavour to appoint only experienced, qualified coaches. However, the primary objectives are to encourage and educate players and teams rather than placing emphasis on winning individual games and producing league champions.

Although it is recognised that a player’s ability may begin to partially determine playing time, all registered and financial players who regularly attend training sessions must be given “ample and fair” playing time. “Ample and fair” playing time is defined as approximately one half of a match. With the continuation of the interchange player rule, there is no reason why players should not have ample playing time in all matches.

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 4.0 GRADING SELECTION PANEL

GRADING MANAGER – Technical Director at Caboolture FC

Responsible for co-ordination of the grading process.

AGE GRADERS

Assist the Grading Manager in assessing players’ skills. The nominated person should have a good knowledge of the game and the skills required in order to differentiate player skill levels. Persons nominated to coach in a particular age group are able to apply to be age graders. Age graders can be appointed on the day of grading by the BJFC executive. In the interests of obtaining a broad overview of player standards in a specific age group all selectors are encouraged to observe as many matches as possible of that age group over the course of the preceding season.

GRADING ASSISTANTS

Provide help with the grading session to co-ordinate players, equipment and paperwork. No experience necessary.

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5.0 COACHING/MANAGER NOMINATIONS AND ROLES

Coaches and Managers interested in volunteering for the following year are able to nominate from the completion of the current season. Coaches and Managers are welcome to coach any division, but as grading will take two- three weeks, they will not know which team their child will be selected in. Therefore a final allocation of coaches and managers will occur once grading has been confirmed. All coaching and managing appointments are at the discretion of the executive and committee when required.

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6.0 GRADING PROCESS AND PROCEDURES

Dates will be posted on the Caboolture Facebook page, Caboolture Sports FC website, and advertised in newspapers in and around surrounding districts. On the Caboolture Sports FC website, all grading times and dates are placed on the calendar TAB at the top of the Home page.

Before attending the grading session, all players must register.

The “Register for Grading Trial’s for Mini-Roos” form/document.
The form is found on the Caboolture Sports FC website: http://www.caboolturefc.com.au/mini-roos-u9-u10-u11, or Click Here for the registration form.
This grading registration form must be filled out before attending the first grading session. All applications will be accepted right up until the first grading session is completed.

No applications will be accepted after this.

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The process is as follows:

After each grading session you (the parent) will receive an email advising whether your child has been successful or unsuccessful in reaching further stages of grading. This will be emailed to you within 24 - 72 hours after the grading session is completed.
If your child does not make it to the next grading session and you have received an email stating that your child has been unsuccessful then you must wait till after the last week of sign on for more information in regards to you new Football team at Caboolture FC. This is usually in January/February.  In this time the Caboolture FC Registrar will place you in a team with players of similar ability where possible.
As stated above there are a team of experienced coaches who make the decisions as to who makes the squads. The final decision rests with the Caboolture Football FC Coaching Development Officer.

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All players are expected to be punctual, wearing football boots with shin pads and bottle of water. Registration will be available 30 minutes prior to the start of the first grading session. All players must attend all sessions to be available for the Komodo’s team.

If a new player does not attend grading, they will automatically be graded into the lowest division and provided an opportunity to re-grade prior to the season commencement if it’s determined that their skill and ability is of a higher standard than the lowest division.

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All players must be graded and play in the age group in which they are registered. The only exceptions are:

• If the age group has a surplus number of players beyond the coach’s requirements and the age group above can accommodate those players; or

• If in the previous season, a player was granted permission to play up an age group, that player may elect to do the same the following season.

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Exceptions are at the discretion of the grading committee and in consultation with the players and their parents.

The assessment of each player not only takes into account skill, but also attitude and work ethic.
At the conclusion of the grading process, the Grading Committee shall meet to review and discuss the formation and allocation of individual players to each team.

Where practicable, any members of the grading committee shall not undertake an active role in the grading of their own child. External assistance should be sought, in such cases.

At no stage will Caboolture FC provide a guarantee to any individual player or parent to place children in a team that they believe would be best for their own personal gain or based on their belief of what may be best. The club philosophy is to grade players through the club system via an experienced team. The panel will ensure all players receive fair and equal opportunity. Should players or parents be unhappy with grading decisions, they can go forward their concerns on to Caboolture FCs Secretary where a review will occur to investigate any player or parent dissatisfaction.

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No player will be guaranteed placement in a particular team. Player and parent expectations may differ with selectors and Caboolture FC will not allow players or parents to discuss an individual player’s ability or preferences with individual selectors.

Players are placed into teams, according to the likely best fit between the player’s skill and abilities determined through the grading assessment, personality/attitude and the requirements of the team.

 

SEASON END

Key elements of a players assessment are taken into consideration for the following season. Some of these assessments are as follows:

• Assess the player’s performance throughout the year, against a range of pre-defined criteria

• Where possible, core players will be placed in the same team in the following season. However this cannot be at the expense of a player from a lower grade or a new player who is of greater ability.

• Identify whether the grade the player is currently participating in is appropriate for his or her level of skill and ability, or if they would benefit from playing in a different grade.

Confidentiality is to be maintained at all times. The assessment of any individual player should not be discussed with anyone else (except that player and/or their parents/caregivers).
In summary, all players must be graded to ensure that they are placed in a team consistent with their demonstrated level of skill and ability. This ensures we maximise the fun and enjoyment of playing the game of football for every player.

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7.0 GENERAL

If you’re reselected as a coach in the non-graded teams and wish to coach your team again, then you must forward your request to technicaldirector@caboolturesportsfc.com.au  before the last day of sign on. If not then your request will be denied.

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Once assigned to a team, players will train with their respective coaches.
Ideally, all teams in an age group will train at the same time to allow interaction between teams as the coaches see fit. However, this is not always possible as training times are dependent on the schedules of each individual coach.
Coaches shall meet regularly and are encouraged to discuss their team’s and player’s capabilities. This is coordinated by the clubs CDO.
The coaches in any age group should act for the benefit of all players in that age group and not just for the members of their team.