Team Selection Policy

JUNIOR COACHING & TEAM SELECTION POLICY

Philosophy

Improve player enjoyment through fair and consistent coaching.

Objective

As a playing group moves from U8 through to U18’s, they collectively improve their overall ability in direct comparison to other Clubs, by giving each player the opportunity to develop equal to and not to the detriment of their peers.

1 Training

1.1 Values

The values behind the policies on training are as follows:

• Promote one squad.
• Players have a feeling of belonging to one squad regardless of the level they are asked to play.
• Players are able to judge their ability and improvement against their peers.
• Coaches are also able to judge players potential & improvement.
• Players get to know their peers style of play.
• Assist with player rotations between teams.
• Players and coaches can experience further learning and mentoring with a broader group whilst also developing a club culture.
• Parents are able to plan their activities outside football knowing when training will start and end.
• Other squad’s access needs and rights are respected.

1.2 Policy

The policies of the Essendon Doutta Stars junior Football Club in relation to training are as follows:

• All players of the same age group are to train together as a squad on the same night(s) for at least 50% of the time.
• Coaches can break up players into groups for specialized training, drills or team tactics.
• Coaches of the same age group are to work together to plan and execute training programs.
• At least twice a year each age group is to have joint training sessions with the age group directly above and below.
• Training must start and finish on time as scheduled by Football Operations.
• Changes to the training times must be approved by Football Operations.
• Training venues are to be equally shared between squads where Football Operations has scheduled each squads practice for the same time slot.

2 Team Selection from Squad

2.1 Values

The values behind the policies on dividing up the same age group into teams are as follows:

• Promote one squad.
• For U8-U12, ensure players feel comfortable and safe in their football environment.
• For U14-16, ensure players continue to feel comfortable but in an environment where they are extended.
• For U18, ensure players have regard to their own commitment and effort.
• Provide equal opportunity for players in each team to find their level of competitiveness over their respective opposition.
• For U8-U16, each team should finish in approximately the same position as the other team in their respective divisions.

2.2 Policies

The policies of the EDSFC in relation to team selection for a squad are as follows:

• For U8 selection in a particular team is to be primarily based on known friendships.
• For U10-U12 selection in a particular team is to be based on a balance of friendships and merit.
• For U14-U16 selection in a particular team is to be based on player merit.
• Consideration should also be given to:
  • Continued development of each player no matter their ability.
  • Player size, strengths, weaknesses and skills so that they can continue to enjoy their football and develop.
  • Reasonable balance can be achieved in the individual team selection and positioning.
  • The equal competitiveness of each of the individual teams in their respective divisions (this may contradict the merit selection policy for U14-U16 but still should be considered at this age level).
• Each team is to have an equal (+/-1) number of players each week (where practical).
• To assist in maintaining the above policies all Coaches need to assess and continually review each player’s stage of physical development, level of skill and understanding of the game.
• The Junior Football Committee / Football Operations will continually review the competitiveness of both teams, and performances will be discussed with Coaches if and when required.
• Merit is defined as:
  • Player’s ability
  • Player’s physical development
  • Player’s attitude
  • Player’s adherence to relative Codes of Conduct
  • Player’s adherence to team rules
  • Player’s attendance at training
• The dividing up the same age group into teams will be initially undertaken by a sub-committee consisting of the Junior Coaching Coordinator and each of the coaches involved in that specific age group, and will be overseen by the Junior Co-ordinator.
• The selection thereafter will be primarily the responsibility of the respective coaches having regard to the policies outlined in this section and, where requested, in consultation with the Junior Co-ordinator.

3 Team Selections – Single Team

3.1 Values

The values behind the policies of selecting a team to participate in a game are as follows:

• Each player should be give equal opportunity to experience all the highs and lows of participating in a game in a meaningful manner.
• Each player is to be treated with equal respect.

3.2 Policies

The policies of the EDSFC in relation to team selection for each game are as follows:

• The maximum number of players to play in each game is 24 (unless exemption received from the Junior Football Committee).
• If a team has more than 24 players registered then a rostering system is to be introduced at the commencement of the season.
• The roster will nominate which home and away round each player is to be rostered off.
• If a player is called up to play when rostered off due to shortage of players that player is still deemed to have taken their turn of being rostered unless a swap sanctioned by the Coach/Team Manager is agreed between the players.
• Any player who is unavailable for a game in which they are not rostered off will not be deemed to have taken their turn of being rostered off unless a swap sanctioned by the Coach/Team Manager is agreed between the players. A swap is preferred.
• Players rostered off will be offered a game in a higher age group, where spots are available.
• Coaches must consult with each other as soon as they become aware of the shortfall in player numbers.
• The Junior Co-ordinator must be informed by the Coach/Team Manager of decisions to play younger aged players up age groups. This can be after the event.
• At all times the club, coaches and its representatives must abide by EDFL By-Laws in relation to top up and rotation of players.
• Where players who have already played in another game for the round top up:
  • The top up player must not have more playing time than any non-top up player.
  • The top up player must not start the game on the field in place of any non-top up player.

4 Position Selections

4.1 Values

The values behind the policies of selecting a team into positions for a game are as follows:

• Each player is to have an equal chance of meeting their own personal expectations from each game of football they participate in.
• Each player is to be given the opportunity to experience and learn the different positions of the game.

4.2 Policies

The policies of the EDSFC in relation to position selection for each game are as follows:

• All players are to play as close to three quarters per game.
• For U8-U14 the same player(s) must not to start on the interchange bench each week. This must be equally shared.
• For U8-U14, during the course of the home and away season the players will be rotated throughout different positions on the field where possible.
• For U16-U18 player rotations are up to the discretion of the Coach

5 Captain Selections

• For U8 -U12 the captain(s) should be rotated each week. The Coach may choose specific team leaders for finals games.
• For U14-U18 the captain(s) and/or leadership groups may be selected at the Coaches discretion.

6 Finals

• Every player participating in a finals game must play a minimum of half the game.
• U16-U18 Game time and rotations are at the discretion of the coach.
• Where there are more than 24 players in a team and the team plays in more than one finals game (including the grand final), each player must be selected for at least one finals game.

7 Player Conduct

• The Coach will not tolerate any of the following from his players:
  • Abuse or disrespect towards an umpire.
  • Bad sportsmanship towards the opposition before, during or after games.
  • Bumping or wrestling opposition players more than 40 meters from the ball.
  • Racial vilification, abusive language or bullying aimed at team mates, opposition players or spectators.
  • Violent behaviour towards team mates or opposition players (not within the spirit of the game).
• Where the Coach views or is made aware of unacceptable player behaviour, the Coach must address the issue immediately with an appropriate response. In the case of serious breaches of player conduct the Coach must instigate the appropriate action in accordance with the policies of the Club.
• See also our Code of Conduct

8 Coaches

• The Coach is the senior official of the age group to which they are appointed. Where there are two Coaches appointed for the same age group they have equal jurisdiction over the age group and need to work together.
• Each Coaching appointment is for one season.
• The Coach must attend all Coaching meetings when called by the Junior Co-ordinator.
• The Coach must welcome and encourage the participation of representative football.

9 Director of Coaching / Coaching Coordinator (Juniors)

• The EDSFC committee make all Coaching appointments.
• The Junior Coordinator is there to support the Coaches in their role, from development, to resolving issues with players and/or parents, team dynamics, etc.
• The Junior Coordinator is to ensure Coaches adhere to the Coaching policies.

10 Playing Jumper 

To resolve any issues regarding the allocation of jumper number within each junior side, each season, numbers will be assigned as follows:

•   All junior coaches are to coordinate the allocation of jumper numbers for their respective teams.
•  All players are to advise their coach of their preferred jumper number.
•  If 2 or more players request the same number, the number will be allocated as follows:
– If 2 or more players had the requested number in the previous season, the number will be allocated to the player who has been at the EDSFC for the longest consecutive period. The consecutive period will be taken from the date the player commenced playing at the club and will be reset to O if the player subsequently returns after a period of absence (played for another club, didn’t play for a season etc).
– If only one of the players had the requested number in the previous season, the number will be allocated to that player.
– If none of the players had the requested number in the previous season, the number will be allocated to the player who has been at the EDSFC for the longest consecutive period. The consecutive period will be taken from the date the player commenced playing at the club and will be reset to O if the player subsequently returns after a period of absence (played for another club, didn’t play for a season etc).
– In situations where both players have the same ‘consecutive service’ (and the issue can’t be resolved by the above policies) or both players are new to the EDSFC (first time players, U8, U10 etc) the number will be allocated to the player who is older in age.’

• In the cases were the policy needs to be activated for resolution the case must be handed over to the Junior Coordinator for investigation and records on playing history, this imformation then will be transparent for both players to get a amicable resolution.

11 Parents

Parent inquires/complaints regarding any of the above policies should be, in the first instance directed to and addressed by the age group co coordinator, Parents and guardians are not to approach coaches and or assistant coaches with grievances on match days before, during or after matches. Age group coordinates will make all efforts to resolve issues, in the case were this is not achieved the coaching’s of the age group will contact the parents for resolution.