Our site holds documents in both word, excel and PDF format. If you are unable to view the latest version of documents in Word, Excel or PDF format, you can download free viewer’s by clicking on the icons above. Note: a PDF document is always smaller in size than a Word document and takes a shorter time to load and view. If possible always choose the PDF document to view.
Grading & Policies
Playing With Friends
In ungraded teams (in particular in Under 6s to Under 8s, or 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
In the under 6s (in the age range 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 of family hardship, 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 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.
Grading: An introduction for parents of Under 9s and Under 10s players
Background
Strikers has a comprehensive Grading policy covering how we grade teams, but parents of players coming from Under 8s teams may wonder why we grade teams.
While football in ages Under 6s to Under 8s is ungraded and essentially uncompetitive, as of Under 10s, divisions run by the Manly Warringah Football Association (MWFA) have teams competing for trophies based on results through the season which are compiled as league tables.
Under 9s is a transitional year in which teams and divisions are graded but do not compete in tables and for trophies.
Grading at Under 9s and Under 10s enables children to progress as players by playing with others of broadly similar skill and potential.
Grading also ensures that (as far as is reasonably possible) teams are nominated for an MWFA Division within their age group that has them playing against teams of a similar ability.
The MWFA sets the rules as to how Under 9s teams are distributed among the available divisions. All nominated Under 9 teams will be assigned by the MWFA to one of at least four divisions - with the 'Red' and 'Blue' divisions being graded (Red being the top division, Blue the second division), with the remaining teams being assigned equally to other divisions (Green, Light Blue, Orange etc). These latter divisions may be considered as 'social' divisions.
Because of the size of the Club, Strikers are expected to have two teams in both the Red and Blue Divisions, with other teams in the other divisions. As of 2005, Strikers teams in the Red and Blue Divisions will be graded equally - for example, rather than have a '9/1s' and '9/2s', both teams in the Red Division will be graded to be, as far as is possible, of similar skill and potential.
In competitions for ages Under 10 and above, the divisions are given numbers (the top division in Under 10 is referred to as Under 10 Division 1, or the '10/1s'). Due to the lack of previous recorded playing history for Under 10's, the MWFA relies largely upon information provided by the Clubs to place the nominated teams into the most appropriate divisions. (In 2004 there were six Under10 divisions). While some may consider that the lowest of the Under 10 divisions are 'social', the Club believes that it is not in the interests of any player to be playing below his/her assessed skill level and all players will be selected for teams accordingly.
The Grading Process
Over recent years, Strikers Grading Committee has put considerable effort into developing a fair and equitable grading process.
Grading is conducted by Club members who are accredited as coaches under the Football Federation Australia Licensing Scheme and/or experienced players.
Players are graded according to the input several graders with grading seeking to identify levels of player ability consistent with divisions in which Strikers teams play.
Where a grader is a parent of a child being graded, that grader does not grade his/her own child.
Initial allocations for initial teams in the grading of Under 9s are based on alphabetical order of surnames. Initial allocations for Under 10s and older teams are based upon team allocations from the previous season.
Grading is based on the assessment of players in small and/or full sided games and a series of individual skills tests.
The measures for game play are athleticism, strength and attitude, skill/technique and game awareness including passing and positional play. Measures in skills tests are based on time, accuracy, direction, distance, technique and confidence. Overall, ability that the Grading process seeks to identify is not only individual skill but also team play, character and sportsmanship.
The priority input to grading decisions is performance on the grading days. However if selection between a few players is difficult, the grading team will refer to the reports submitted by coaches in the previous year. The grading team may also consult with the team coaches.
Team Allocations
Teams are announced either by individual contact with parents or specific age group musters.
Inevitably after team announcements some parents may be dissatisfied that grading does not identify their child as the next Harry Kewell. However, we ask parents to consider that being in a team above his/her assessed skill level will not result in a positive football experience for the player. It is important that no matter what team the player is selected for, parents make him/her feel good about the allocation and keep it all in perspective. The parents should support the Club by accepting the process and the decisions of a number of volunteers, who have invested significant time in the planning and execution of the Grading and team allocation.
If you still have questions or concerns pre or post the grading process please direct emails to Grading Committee Coordinator Graeme Powell - Email:
Please do not call or abuse volunteers involved in the grading process.
Thank you and we look forward to an exciting season.
