EQUITY OF OPPORTUNITY
At the very core of our club is a fair go for all players. Every child should have the same opportunity for game time and development throughout the season.
AFL Goldfields – Junior Coaching Philosophy states:
A focus on development of all participants as players and balanced contributors to their team in general, rather than victory should be a primary goal of all who Coach and manage teams in the junior competitions across the Goldfields Region.
We acknowledge that players develop at a different rate across all age groups, and that implementation of a policy that covers all aspects of a player’s growth and development is difficult. To this end, the following has been developed in accordance with the application of playing rules to the various age groups. Implementation is mandatory for all age groups.
This policy should be read in conjunction with the RCJFNC By-laws.
HOME AND AWAY GAMES
Up to and including Under 13’s:
Every effort will be made to make certain that all players have the opportunity to play as much effective football as possible. To guarantee this occurs, coaches are expected to:
1. Endeavour to give all players a minimum of three quarters of football per game.
2. Endeavour to get all players on the field by the start of the second quarter.
3. All players, where possible, will have the same number of byes per season, if team numbers exceed 24 players.
4. Select players into the different positions, throughout the course of the season.
5. Endeavour to get all players effectively involved in the game while on the field. This is particularly important in one-sided games and may require coaches to move players to different positions to ensure players are given every opportunity to be involved in that game.
Under 15’s & Youth Girls:
Every effort will be made to make certain that all players have the opportunity to play as much effective football as possible, however more emphasis is placed on development of players abilities in “Areas” of the ground. “Areas” are referred to as Backs, Midfields (including on-ballers), and Forwards. For this to occur, coaches are expected to:
1. Endeavour to give all players a minimum of three quarters of football per game.
2. Endeavour to get all players on the field by the start of the second quarter.
3. All players, where possible, have the same number of byes per season, if team numbers exceed 24 players.
4. Endeavour to give every player the opportunity for effective involvement in the game. This is particularly important in one-sided games and may require coaches to move players to different positions or areas to ensure players are given every opportunity to be involved in that game.
5. Select players into different positions within a playing area on a consistent basis.We recognise that increased playing time in each area provides better opportunity for players to develop the skills required for that area. All players must have the opportunity to experience effective participation in each area.
Under 17’s:
1. Endeavour to give all players an average of at least three quarters of football per game over the course of the home and away season, and ensure that players have a minimum of the equivalent of two quarters of football in any one match. (Average 42 quarters per home and away season, for a 14 week season.) This may result in players having less game time during one match and more game time in another match to achieve the 3⁄4 average for the season. Coaches may adjust playing time to compensate for injury or illness during the season, to achieve equity in total playing time for as many players as possible.
2. Endeavour to give every player the opportunity for effective involvement in the game during the course of the game. This is particularly important in one-sided games and may require coaches to move players to different positions or areas to ensure players are given every opportunity to be involved in that game.
3. All players, where possible, have the same number of byes per season, if team numbers exceed 24 players.
4. Select players into the different playing areas at least twice during the season. We recognise that increased playing time in each area provides better opportunity for players to develop the skills required for that area. We also recognise that players in this age group will be developing specific positional strengths and therefore coaches will have the flexibility to allow players extended time in specific positions.
FINALS
1. Endeavour to give all players a minimum of one quarters during a finals game of football
2. Ensure the same players are not dropped for consecutive finals if the team has over 24 players.
3. Endeavour to give all players some court time during a final of Netball
Finals games and advancement in finals series are for the betterment of team and club, therefore at coaches discretion.
COACHES & TEAM MANAGERS DISCRETION
The Team Manager and Head Coach can exercise their discretion with the above rules if:
- A player has shown a lack of respect to teammates, and the coaching staff during training, or on game day.
- Poor attendance at training that has not been explained by their parent/guardian,
- Close game. Example: In a close game, near the end of the session, a player move may mean the difference between qualifying for finals, progressing to the next final or winning a grand final. In this case, the coach has the flexibility to make adjustments to his/her team, as winning will benefit all players, by providing another opportunity for the team to compete.
- Parents have not completed their rostered duties during the course of the year.
- Parents and or players have breached the club's code of conduct during the course of the year.
The extent to which the Team and Manager and Head Coach may exercise their discretion includes the following possible consequences:
- Players may lose game time.
- Players may not be allowed to play that game or a future game (including finals).
IMPLEMENTATION
1. Team Managers and Head Coaches must keep sufficient records to support the expectations of the above rules.
2. Team managers and Head Coaches must, in conjunction with the Committee, communicate the development process to all parents/guardians before the start of the season.
3. A meeting of Committee representatives and all Head Coaches and Team Managers will be held at the start of the season and half way through the season to discuss the Player Development Policy, its implementation and any issues.
4. The Football Coordinator (or other Club representative) is available at all times to assist the Coaching Team with the implementation of the Player Development Policy.
5. It is recognised that implementation of this policy process increases the responsibilities and workload for the Coaching Team. The Head Coach will, therefore, be encouraged to appoint a parent to assist with record keeping.
Coaches and Team managers will also be encouraged to ask for parent support on training nights to assist with developing individual's skills.
GRIEVANCE POLICY
Any grievances in relation to the implementation of the Player Development Policy should be addressed in accordance with the Grievance process outlined in the By-laws. These are repeated below:
- Players, parents/guardians, the coaching team and all RCJFNC team officials are encouraged to raise any issue or concerns they may have in relation to the operations of the RCJFNC.
- Any issues relating to player development or game time are not to be raised with the Coaching Team during the game or whilst they are fulfilling pre and post game duties.
- When grievances exist, the aggrieved party should identify the particular issue with their Team Manager or Head Coach either in writing or by a phone call, prior to meeting with them.
- If a particular issue cannot be resolved amicably then the aggrieved party should contact the relevant Football or Netball Coordinator who will attempt to resolve the issue.
- If the issue still remains unresolved then the grievance can be referred to the Standards Sub-Committee.
- Any other issue relating to the By-laws or Code of Conduct should be directed to the Standards Sub-Committee, who will consider the issue and make a recommendation to the Committee.
All grievances in relation to the Player Development Policy will be documented with the complaint and the outcome. This documentation may be used, with names and identifying information retracted, for the purposes of reviewing and improving this Policy.
REVIEW
1. This policy will be reviewed at the end of each season with input gathered from the Coaching Team, other Officials, players and parents/guardians.
2. A panel consisting of the Football Coordinator, any Junior Development Officer, and at least one of the Head Coaches, (who will act as a coach’s representative) will discuss any possible changes and make recommendations to the committee.