Grading Policies
Playing with Friends
In ungraded teams (eg. some lower division Mens and Ladies teams) players may wish to play with particular friends. If this is the case please contact the appropriate year coordinator as early as possible - preferably at registration and certainly prior to grading/team allocation. Please take note of the section below in regards to the grading of competition teams.
Note For Parents of U6's (ages 4 to 6) At the end of the year some children will progress to the under 7s while some of the team will remain in the under 6s.Since 2000, Strikers have had a policy that, other than in exceptional circumstances, new players to the Club must play in their proper age groups. The policy is based upon experience in administering sub-junior teams and also takes account of differing levels of physical and emotional development in young players.
Unfortunately, when only one or two of an under 6s team remain in their age group, parents often want their child to move up an age group with the rest of their team. The Club appreciates that such a split is difficult, but we believe that such a change is easier to make at a younger age than when a player has been in a team for two, three or even more years. It is also our experience that at this age, children adjust rapidly into their new teams making (along with their parents) new friendships.
Strikers appreciates that this policy may cause frustation for parents, and asks for your understanding.
WHY WE HAVE TO GRADE
Information For Parents of U/6 to U/11 players
To explain why Strikers start grading parents need to understand the guidelines for player development that Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the Manly Warringah Football Association (MWFA) have asked every Football Club to follow.
U/6 & U/7 teams play 4 per team (4x4) on mini fields without goalkeepers. Teams are not graded. The aim is fun, learning and skill development.
U/8 teams play 7x7 with goalkeepers. Teams (but not the players) are graded into 3 divisions.
The grading is to prevent the very strong teams playing the not so strong teams.
· 10% (approximately) of our U/8 teams go into the strong division
· 80% of our teams in the middle divisions
· 10% of our teams go in a weaker division.
All MWFA clubs follow these guidelines to minimise the number of ‘one sided’ high scoring games.
Under 9 teams play 9x9 on a bigger field and take another step towards being full graded.
Every MWFA club must allocate all their U/9 teams in the following (approximate) ratios.
· 20% of teams in the strongest division (Red)
· 20% of teams in the strong division (Blue)
· 60% of teams in the remaining Yellow or Green divisions (both are the same standard)
The only way to effectively achieve this ratio is to grade the players.
Under 10 teams play 9x9 and all teams are graded into 12 team competitions. (Div1, Div2, etc)
To keep the emphasis on developing skills there is still no competition table. Each team (NOT the players in the team) is later re-graded into a 6 team competition just for the last 5 games of the season. There is no “grand final” in the U/10s. Whilst some parents think of the lower U/10 divisions as mainly ‘social’, Strikers believes that it is not in the interests of any player to be playing below his/her assessed skill level.
Under 11 team’s change to 11x11 on a full size field and are graded into 10 team competitions. There is a competition table, but this is currently under review. The FFA is endeavouring to steer the focus from just wining games toward further developing the player’s ball skills and field awareness.
The Grading Process
Over recent years, the Strikers Grading Committee has put considerable effort into developing a fair and equitable grading process.
Grading is conducted by Club members who are coaches or experienced players. Graders do not grade age groups where their own child is playing.
Players are graded by several graders and assessed on their ability in small and/or full sided games as well as, where practical, in a series of individual skills tests. Graders look for athleticism, strength and attitude, skill/technique and game awareness including passing and positional play.
If selection between some players is difficult, the grading committee will also consult with the team coach from the previous year.
On grading day/s, the initial allocations or grouping of Under 9 players is based on alphabetical order. For Under 10s (and older teams) it is based upon the previous season.
Team Allocations
Teams are announced either by individual contact with parents or specific age group musters.
Inevitably some parents may be dissatisfied that grading has not identified their child as the next Harry Kewell. However, we ask parents to consider that children playing in a team above his/her assessed skill level, does not always result in a positive football experience. It is important that regardless of the team selected in, parents offer encouragement and endeavour to keep it all in perspective.
Strikers also ask parents to please remember that the grading is done by volunteers, who give up a significant amount of time to plan and run the grading sessions.
If you have any concerns with the grading of your child or questions about the grading process please direct emails to your age coordinator or the club President pres@ccstrikers.com.au.
Questions or queries should be in writing in order that the Club and the Grading Committee are able to fully address any issues or concerns.