7,8 & 9 YEAR OLD PLAYERS (NET SET GO COMPETITION PROGRAM)

You must be turning 7, 8 or 9 in 2020 to play in the 8 and 9 years Net Set Go Competition (7 yr olds play in the 8Yrs teams). These teams are non-competitive and play modified matches as an introduction to netball, so therefore are NOT graded, however playing experience/school year may be considered when grouping players into teams. Teams are formed depending on the number of players that register in each age. Requests to play with friends will be accommodated where possible, depending on overall registrations in that age group. Requests relating to team placement of players need to be made on your registration form and will be considered by the committee. We are an inclusive club, so if necessary we will add players to existing "friend" groups to ensure an even, fair allocation of players.

Players turning 9 in 2021 who have experience playing in the Net Set Go Competition may request to play in the Junior 10 year competition with older friends or to be placed in the lowest division within that age group with other experienced 9 year olds. Requests need to be made on your registration form when registering. Your request will be considered by the Grading Committee, and you will need to attend the 10 years grading session for assessment. Note that some 9 years may not be ready to play in the older competition for a variety of reasons – confidence, physical development etc - and our selectors will judge if any 9 year old is suitable for the 10 Yrs grade.

JUNIOR PLAYERS 10 to 15 years

Note: Age group is the age turning in 2021; example: 10 years = born in 2011. All junior players must register in their correct age group with the exception of anyone that previously played in Intermediates may register as an Intermediate if wishing to stay at that level.

Due the number of friendship requests and players/parents happy to stay in existing teams we have implemented the following structure for our grading process. Practical Grading Days are when players will be put through some drills and have match play so they can be assessed by the selectors.

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE AT PRACTICAL GRADING DAYS:

• ALL 10 & 11 YEARS PLAYERS
• ALL NEW PLAYERS TO RRNC
• ALL PLAYERS TRAILING FOR TOP COMPETITIVE TEAMS - AGE GROUP DIVISION 1 & 2 TEAMS, INTERMEDIATES DIV 1, SENIORS A1, A2, B1
• ALL PLAYERS WISHING TO BE GRADED ON ABILITY AND SKILLS (NOT REQUESTING TO STAY WITH FRIENDS)

POSSIBLY PAPER GRADED AND NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND PRACTICAL GRADING DAYS:

• EXISTING PLAYERS 12 YRS AND OVER THAT ARE HAPPY TO STAY IN EXISTING TEAMS
• WHERE POSSIBLE WE WILL ASSESS THESE PLAYERS/TEAMS BASED ON PREVIOUS RESULTS & COACHES REPORTS. IF REQUIRED TO ATTEND GRADING YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED.

PLAYING WITH FRIENDS REQUESTS - JUNIORS

Requests from players wanting to play together will be considered by the grading committee but decisions will still be based on playing ability and the need for our cub to form balanced teams. Each player must make the request on their registration form - parents cannot make requests on behalf of others. The grading committee will consider practical grading as well as coach reports and past performance to determine whether the players are of similar ability and able to be play in the same team.

Please bear in mind that netball is a graded, competitive sport after the age of 10 with representative opportunities. Stronger players always enjoy the challenge of harder, faster competition and do not develop to their potential if graded lower to be kept with a friend. Therefore to be fair, any players ranked highly will be offered a place in a more competitive team than their friend.

We encourage our players to accept their team and make new friends, and once the season starts children usually settle in and enjoy playing netball. The support of parents is greatly encouraged for this to occur smoothly.

PLAYING HIGHER AGE GROUP - JUNIORS

Make sure you note the request on your regsitration. The selectors will need to assess the player at their correct age grading first and then may ask the player to attend the higher age grading day. The exception to this policy is any junior player that already played up in Intermediates or Seniors in 2020 can attend Intermediates or Senior grading.

INTERMEDIATE & SENIOR PLAYERS

Intermediates is generally for 16 and 18 year old players. Any 14/15 years players wanting to play in this level must be approved by the Grading Committee at their correct age group grading (unless they previously played in Intermediates). Teams are mixed age groups from Intermediates to Seniors

Full teams and individuals may be registered within these groups. Practical Grading is held for new players as well as players trailing for the top competitive teams - Inters Div 1 and Seniors A1, A2, B1. If grading is required for any other players or grades, notification will be sent to the relevant players. Intermediate and Senior players are encouraged to get involved at the club with coaching, umpiring etc so please consider volunteering for a role with the club when registering. 

2021 GRADING DAY DATES

VENUE FOR ALL IS HEFFRON COURTS 

Note: Age group is the age turning in 2021; example: 10 years = born in 2011.

UNABLE TO ATTEND?

If a player is unable to attend the scheduled grading day, the player’s parent/guardian must advise the RRNC Secretary by email : or text on 0438 774 654.

The player may be asked to attend another grading day or be paper graded based on the RRNC grading policy and process, feedback from previous coach/manager, historical performance, player numbers and positions.

If requesting to play in a higher age group, the selectors will first consider this at your own age grading and you may then be asked to attend the higher grading day. The exception to this policy is any junior player that already played up in Intermediates or Seniors in 2019 can attend Intermediates or Senior grading.

GRADING PROCESS

In forming teams, the selectors take into consideration the Coaches' reports, independent assessment reports, paper grading and play observed at practical grading, while keeping in mind that a netball team requires a balance of height, agility and ball skills, as well as defences, centre court and shooters.

• Coach's Evaluation - At the end of each season, coaches provide a report of each player's positions played, ability, attendance at training and games, attitude etc.
• Individual Player Assessments - During the season, selectors may observe player's skill levels during games or receive reports from other sources e.g. Representative coaches
• Practical Grading - Due to the large numbers attending practical grading it is not always possible for players to play much time in their preferred position. Players will be observed doing drills and match play and assessed on their overall skill level, agility, ball handling, passing and footwork as well as potential and physical development.

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