Grading
competitive netball
KNC Grading
Our grading policy aims to be the fairest assessment of all of our club members.
Junior Grading
All players in our junior competition are required to attend grading each year.
If you can not make the specified date please contact the club asap.
Senior Grading
All players in our Senior Competition who want to play in Divisions 1 – 4 are required to attend grading each year, even if they are submitting a complete team. Players new to the club should also attend grading if possible.
What to expect at grading days
Our grading days are advertised at the opening of registration to ensure everyone has enough time to prepare to be in attendance.
The grading process has been put together to give a fair opportunity to all players.
Our process:
- Players sign on with head grader (or delegate)
- Players are given an individual number.
- When a players number is called, they will be placed in a position based on the positions nominated on their registration form.
- The graders will complete their assessment.
* Please note, sometimes we require to fill positions on court and you may be placed in a position to help the graders fill a team.
** No decisions will be announced on the day of grading.
If you or your child are unwell on the allocated grading day please contact us as soon as possible to discuss.
What you need to bring to grading:
- Netball shoes
- Drink bottle
- Comfortable clothing (showing upper arm and lower leg)
- Hand towel
Important notes
- All players are required to attend their grading day
- Times may run over but we usually work to the timeframe.
- We provide qualified internal and external graders.
If you have any questions regarding grading, contact our Grading Convenor via email secretary@kincumbernetballclub.com.au .
Kincumber Netball Grading Guidelines
Grading Outline
Grading is the physical trial players take part in before experienced selectors. It allows the selectors to assess the skill development and potential compared to other players within the same age group. Players are then ranked in order of ability and placed into teams as numbers dictate.
Grading is conducted each year and players are considered as individuals rather than in a particular team and graded into teams with players of similar ability. Grading each year is the fairest way of providing for the progression of development in each individual and ensuring that each player is provided with the environment that best suits their ability.
The previous year’s Kincumber Netball coaches report is used in conjunction with the physical grading to assist the selectors. Independent Grading undertaken in the previous season may also be used.
Grading by Ages
The Club endeavours to place each player (10 years and over) into a team that best reflects their ability so as to provide the player with an environment in which they can be both at ease and challenged. Through grading, all players have an equal opportunity to display their skills and play to their full potential.
NetSetGo players (7, 8 and 9 years teams), are not graded. They are placed into teams with a friend. The club may decide to mix these teams in subsequent years of NetSetGo. Encouraging the girls to play with a mix of different players, outside the grading system, helps to develop and prepare them for 10s when they are graded into teams on ability.
The Grading Process
Players in age groups 10 and up nominate their 2 preferred playing positions during registration.
Grading Dates are published in early January each year.
Players trial in their two nominated positions and possibly other positions as requested by the selectors.
Players are watched by a minimum of three highly experienced selectors who are from within the club or sourced externally if insufficient Kincumber selectors are available.
Attendance at Grading Day sessions is essential for the fairest assessment of the player’s ability in comparison to all others in the same age group. Not attending grading results in the player being paper graded ie. selectors past knowledge of the player and the player’s history is used for the determination.
Grading Outcomes
Teams are formed with players of similar skill levels. A balance of positions is taken into consideration when forming the teams. The number of teams graded is dependent on the number of registered players in each age group.
Players are advised of their team placement by email once all ages and grading days have been completed.
Parents and players need to be aware that players may not be in the same team or with the same players from year to year. This is to allow for each player’s differing skill progression.
Any dispute of grading placements must be submitted in writing to the Club Secretary within 48 hours of being released. Please state all reasons for the dispute.
Players will only be moved from the graded team in the event of numbers in higher teams changing.
By registering with KNC and participating in the grading process, players and parents accept that the process has been fair to all players and that the final decision of placement rests with the selectors.
The Grading Convenors can be contacted via email: secretary@kincumbernetballclub.com.au
FAQ about Netball Grading
Q: What if my child is put into a team without friends?
A: This can be daunting, but no more daunting than starting a new sport, changing schools or even starting a new year at their existing school! We ask that you have faith in the system and support your child to branch out and get to know her new teammates. By week 4 you might find your child has made a new best friend! The grading system is all about making sure your child gets the most out of their netball season by playing with people at a similar stage.
Q: What are my responsibilities as a parent for grading?
A: Grading is compulsory. You need to make sure you can bring your child to the published grading session. Players need to arrive on time and in sports gear. Bring a bag with water and a small snack just in case.
Q: Help! My child is injured and will not be fit to play at the grading day.
A: All is not lost! Your child will still have a Coaches Evaluation Report, an Independent Assessment and a Paper grading. Once you provide a medical certificate, we can use these to place your child into an appropriate team.
Q: What if my child cannot attend the grading session?
A: Grading times are published at the time of registration to give you plenty of time to block out your calendar. If, due to exceptional circumstances, your child cannot attend the allocated session, please email the grading co-ordinator as soon as possible. Your child may be asked to attend another age group session or our graders will use past season reports.