Grading

When players move into U10’s they go through a grading process to determine which team they will play in for the season.

The process

1. When you register your child in January for the winter competition you will be asked to nominate their 2 preferred playing positions.  It is highly recommended that you speak to your prior years coach to help determine which positions your child is best suited too as these are the positions your child will play during the grading sessions.
2. A round robin style competition held at Curly will be ran in the last weekend of January (exact date TBC) to help get the kids back into the swing of playing netball after the summer holidays.
3. A number of practical grading sessions (normally 2-3) will be ran in early February at the Curly netball courts.  It is compulsory that your child attend all sessions.
4. During the grading sessions your child will play a series of short games across a number of different courts in the positions that were nominated during registration.
5. Attending the grading sessions will be a number of ‘Graders’ the grading panel is comprised of experienced coaches and or players all with an extensive knowledge of Netball.
6. Each Grader will watch independently and will be grading based on – Footwork/movement, throwing and catching technique, ball control, court awareness, shooting skills (if relevant), defensive skill (one on one defence), athletic ability
7. Graders feedback along with coaches reports submitted at the end of each season are used as the basis for forming teams.
8. Teams are formed with players of similar ability while also ensuring the team has a balance of height, mid court players, defence and shooters.
9. Once the teams are formed the grading convenor will email you the names and contact details of all the players in your child’s team.
10. As a team you are required to provide a coach and team manager
11. The coach will organise some training sessions prior to the start of the season so everyone can get to know one another.
12. A few weeks before the season starts your newly formed team will compete in a compulsory grading day (organised MWNA).  This is a round robin style day where the team will play a number of matches.  From this day the association determines which grade each team will be placed in A, B C etc.. for the season.

Common Questions

What happens if my child cannot attend the grading sessions?

You will need to contact the grading convenor to advise that your child cannot attend.  Feedback from your 2020 team coach will be used as the basis to place your child in an appropriate team

Does the team they are graded in for U10’s mean they will always play in that grade?

Whatever team and grade you play for one year does not determine future years.  Factors such as new registrations and differing development rates of all players means that player movement in and out of teams will occur from season to season. 

Can I request that my child play with their friends?

Unfortunately we are not able to commit to keeping friends together.  From experience it does not take long for everyone to get to know each other and love playing together.

What does it mean if my child plays in positions during the grading sessions that we did not nominate?

Your child may be asked to trial in other positions either to make up a team or because the Graders would like to see how they perform in those positions.

If I am not happy with the team my child has been placed in what can I do?

There is an official appeals process.  Appeals must be emailed to the grading convenor within 2 working days of the announcement of teams.  Appeals will be discussed by a committee made up of the Seaforth President, Secretary, Coaching Convenor and Grading Convenor.  All decisions of the appeals committee will be final.

If I am not happy with the grade that MWNA have placed the team in what can I do?

The decision of MWNA is final and there is no avenue available to dispute the grading decision.