Selection & Player Eligibility

Selection & Player Eligibility

 

Age Groups

 

All players must play in their age group. At Executive Committee discretion, and in exceptional circumstances, players may in a different age group to enable the club to field effective teams.

 

The Executive Committee will ensure parental approval before players are selected in age groups other than their own.

 

The Club recognises that some players may wish to play at an older team level for friendship and peer group reasons. However the TJFC believes that the above reasons far outweigh this consideration.

 

The club believes that players who play in the correct age are easily able to extend their peer group and develop better in football, social and intellectual aspects. With the exception of current players in the transition period, this policy should be applied without exception for the following reasons:

• Health and Safety of the players.
• In recognition that football development experts consider it is desirable.
• It is the preferred position of the controlling body – Yarra Junior Football League.
• It is non-discriminatory as it applies to all (except those players deemed to be in a transition period).
• It provides clarity and certainty for players, coaches and parents.

 

Team Selection

 

In relation to player registration, the following applies:

• The TJFC will accept any player registration application as per the controlling body’s rules and regulations.
• Team selection is the responsibility of the coach or coaches (where there are multiple teams in an age group).
• With respect to team selection within age groups the following policies apply:

 

Entering One Team in age group

Where entering one team in an age group, TJFC selection policy is as follows:

• New registrations will be automatically accepted where a team has up to 26 players.
• Where a team has 26 or more players, the club will endeavour to enter two teams in the age group subject to the two team policy below:

 

Entering Two Teams in age group

Where entering two teams in an age group, TJFC selection policy is as follows:

• There should be an even number of players in each team
• Teams will train together as a squad, however it is expected that a portion of the training session will be dedicated to game plan development which will require the squad to be separated into team groups.
• Teams are selected with the aim of maximizing player opportunity and enjoyment
• Selection of players for each team should take account family and friendship groups

 

Under 8’s to Under 14’s

In age groups Under 8s to Under 14s inclusive teams are structured to optimize competiveness.

To do this the following selection guidelines will be used:

• Team selection will be reviewed at the commencement of each season
• TJFC will submit grading requests to the controlling body taking into account the ability of the playing list in respect of:

1. The range of ability and skills amongst the group
2. Competition level and skill differential between grades and the impact this has on the ability to rotate players between teams.

 

The following guidelines are designed to balance key elements of performance, development, safety, friendship and enjoyment:

• Each team will get 5 key position players, where the higher graded team has a stronger group but the lower graded team players have the ability to be competitive
• Each team will get 3 on-ballers, where the higher graded team has a stronger group but the lower graded team players have the ability to be competitive
• The remainder of the team is selected to ensure that both teams are competitive and enjoyment is optimized.
• Where the Executive Committee & Head of Coaching deem a team to be uncompetitive the Executive Committee can approve player rotation to ensure all teams fielded by TJFC are competitive
• The Executive Committee & Head of Coaching will make a final decision when a dispute arises or a player is clearly playing in a section that does not meet his playing ability.

 

Under 15’s and Colts

In age groups Under 15 and Colts teams are structured to optimize development opportunities and competiveness.

 

To do this the following selection guidelines will be used:

• Team selection will be reviewed at the commencement of each season
• TJFC will submit grading requests to the controlling body taking into account the ability of the playing list in respect of:

1. The range of ability and skills amongst the group
2. Competition level and skill differential between grades and the impact this has on the ability to rotate players between teams.

 

The aim of the TJFC is to field competitive teams.

 

The following guidelines are designed to balance key elements of performance, development, safety, friendship and enjoyment:

• Selection is based predominantly on player skill and ability
• A player who makes a request to play in another grade for friendship or any other reason, can be granted his request unless the Executive Committee in conjunction with the Head of Coaching deems it inappropriate for any of the following reasons:

1. Safety
2. Team balance
3. Ability
4. Best interests of the TJFC

• Where the Executive Committee deems a team to be uncompetitive, the Executive Committee, in conjunction with the Head of Coaching can approve player rotation to ensure all teams fielded by TJFC are competitive
• The Executive Committee, in conjunction with the Head of Coaching will make a final decision when a dispute arises or a player is clearly playing in a section that does not meet his playing ability.

 

For further information please contact the Football Manager