Junior Netball Policy
Brett Wignall
Junior Netball Policy
Overview
One of the aims for netball is to field teams in each junior age group. Games are played on Friday nights, at the Kardinia Park netball courts in Geelong, except for under 11’s, who play on Tuesday evenings at the same venue.
All players and coaches must have a current Victoria Netball Association (VNA) registration and club membership before you will be allowed to play. Registrations will be open in February in the year of the season.
Age Groups
The following sets out the minimum and maximum ages for each level. While it is preferred that all players will play in their appropriate age group, from time to time there will be exceptions. This will be done in consultation with players, parents, coaches and the President or Junior Netball Coordinator and only if balancing out team numbers is required. Permission from a parent or carer must be given before any child can play up an age group. No player will play up more than one age group.
- U11 - must turn 9 by the 30th April in the year of competition. Must not turn 12 until the year following the year of competition.
- U13 - must turn 12 or 13 in the year of competition. Must not turn 14 until the year following the year of competition.
- U15 - must turn 14 or 15 in the year of competition. Must not turn 16 until the year following the year of competition.
- U17 - Must turn 16 or 17 in the year of competition. Must not turn 18 until the year following the year of competition.
Team Placement
We will endeavour to meet all requests for team placement where possible, however teams will be formed with the preferences given to the following:
Siblings, cousins and other family members
Balance of numbers and skill level across teams
Peer requests
Under 11’s
At this level, the focus of the Surf Coast Suns FNC is on having fun and developing fundamental skills in Netball.
Performance of players is measured by the improvement in developing skills and their commitment to training and listening in a team environment.
To this extent, every effort will be made by our coaches and team manager’s to:
Ensure that each player is given equal playing time, regardless of ability
Ensure each player is given every opportunity to be involved in the game to the best of their ability
Develop an inclusive team culture
Under 13’s, 15’s & 17’s
The focus in these age groups is still to have fun. There will be an increased focus on fine tuning skills and teams will endeavour to be competitive against opposition teams.
Performance of players is measured by the improvement in developing skills and their commitment to training and listening in a team environment.
To this extent, every effort will be made by our coaches and team manager’s to:
• Ensure that each player is given equal playing time, provided that every effort has been made to attend training sessions
• Ensure that each player is given every opportunity to be involved in the game to the best of their ability
• Develop an inclusive team culture
Training
The focus of both pre-season and regular-season training will be on skill development and creating bonds of friendship and a culture of inclusiveness, regardless of a player’s ability.
Players are encouraged to listen to their coaches during training and respect that they are volunteers doing the best job they can.
Training sessions are held at the Banyul-Warri Fields netball courts in North Torquay. Each player must wear appropriate training gear, including sports runners. If a Surf Coast Suns training top has been provided, then it is preferred that these will be worn at training sessions.
Capping Team Numbers
To help achieve the objectives of this policy, team numbers will be capped in accordance with the following:
All age groups will have a maximum of 11 players registered to each team
If 11 players are available to play games, each player must play a minimum of half a game playing time, provided that, they have shown a commitment to training sessions
If there is an excess of players above the cap in each team and we are unable to form an additional team in that age group, at the Coaches discretion, they may introduce a rostering system, whereby players may be rostered off for one week
No player will be rostered off more than once in a season
Games
Players are requested to arrive at the Kardinia Park netball courts no later than 20 minutes prior to scheduled game times. Each week, the team manager will advise players of the game time and court number they will be playing on. This can be done via text message, in person or email. Information can also be found on the MyNetball App.
From time to time, when the Geelong Cats Football Club has a Friday night game scheduled at Kardinia Park, netball games will be cancelled. While not compulsory, it is very much appreciated in this situation that 5-6 netball players assist with developing our young players at NetSetGo sessions. NetSetGo sessions are run on Friday nights, between 5-600pm at the Banyul-Warri Fields Netball courts or if raining, indoors at the high school hall.
Please be aware that all players, coaches, parents, volunteers and supporters must abide by the Surf Coast Suns Code of Conduct.