Carndonagh Football club utilises the following grading policy for the purposes of ensuring smooth allocation and integration of all registered players into appropriate teams at skill levels commensurate with individual player abilities.
Note this process will only be used where there is more than one team at a specific age level.
Non-Competitive (First Kicks – U10)
At the above age groups the aim of our club will be to develop players basic skill base in a noncompetitive environment. Instead of grading or team selection, these players will be sorted into groups on a blitz day and identified by colour or animal (players) e.g. Gold or Cubs.
Carndonagh FC emphasis will be focused on players having a fun element of play with their peers while developing their basic skill level and progressing those skills as they move through the age level all while in a Safe, fun learning environment.
First Kicks
Fundamentals of Movement for our 4-5 year olds, fun activities, friendships development, learning to follow coaches.
Juniors
Learn basic football skills – dribbling, passing, kicking along with movement and some basic soccer rules and introducing teamwork. 4 versus 4 games with no goalkeepers. Developing listening and communication skills while at training, learn to follow prompts and instructions.
U8
An emphasis on development of technical skills and introduce basic tactics. 5 versus 5 games, introduction of goalkeepers, no referee and 4 x 12 minutes games. Practice basic match rules, decision making on free kicks, goals, etc, due to no referee in game.
U10
Emphasised teamwork as an important key area at U10 as they prepare for competitive football at u11. Games are 7 versus 7, 2 halves of 25 minutes with a referee. Develop team communication skills, be attentive and be able to follow coach instructions as well as learn to show match officials respect and follow their instructions.
Competitive (Age 12-U18)
During competitive stage, players will be graded into teams based on the Divisions they will compete in – Division 1 or Reserve Divisions. This will be all dependent on the number of players registered at a specific age group and the number teams entered at a specific age group.
Objectives
The club has a duty of care and responsibility to ensure all members, players and parents are aware of our Club policy in regards the grading of players/team selection.
- That a clear process for the grading of new and existing players exist.
- To fill teams with players at similar skill level in positions appropriate for their individual ability.
- To grade players into an appropriate division for competitive football.
- The process is a fair and impartial method by means of trialling of player based on a set criteria such as skill, fitness, overall ability and mental awareness/readiness within a game setting.
- Any bias is minimised by the use of independent graders.
Scope
It is important for players to be given the opportunity to experience a team sport and haven fun.
Carndonagh Football club must ensure that we cater for players of all abilities and help them to grow and develop at their own pace and ability level while still enjoying the game.
- Blended learning approach will be adopted for the U6 right through to U10s with the emphasis on being given the opportunity to participate in a sport, develop friendships while being part of a club. Building relationships with coaches and parents and ensuring players are developing their skill level as per their age/ability. Emphasis on fun, basic skills learning rather than grading.
- As players progress to U12-U18, Carndonagh FC will focus on development of a players ability, grade players accordingly and ensure they are endeavour to continue to promote player development over winning.
- Selection process of grading allows players to grow and advance as footballers at their own level, gaining confidence and skill set to her them continue to develop those skills. The grouping of players of similar ability in the same team allows coaches and managers to design specific skills for that team.
- It is vital that coaching time is spread evenly throughout the squads, emphasis should not be placed on higher level players. All players to be treated equally.
- Educate the competitive players on Fair Play, having respect for their teammates, opposition and match officials. Ensure they comply with the Club’s Code of Conduct.
Grading Process
During grading days, the following steps will be adhered too:
- Player must sign in on arrival at the training venue
- All players will be split into groups to do drills and play games- these will assist the grader in the process of forming teams.
- Each player will be given a fair chance to playing time during this process.
- A minimum of 2 independent graders will be present at the trails.
- If the age groups is to be graded involves one of the graders children or coaches children, then they will be excused from that grading, as to avoid a conflict of interest.
- Coaches from previous years will be invited to report their previous assessment to the Head Coach.
- No parent canvassing is to be allowed for players during grading.
- Upon completion of the grading, the grading results will be ratified by the committees and team selections will be given to the registrar for players to be officially registered on FAI Connect.
Grading Criteria
The following Grading criteria will make up components of the grading process and can be used in conjunction with the Player Development Form as tools of grading were required:
- Technical – passing, tackling, composure, ball control, skill set
- Physical Attributes – fitness level, strength, agility, speed
- Tactical Attributes- attacking, defending, creativity and awareness
- Psychological Attributes- attitude, confidence, attendance, teamwork.
See attached club development form.
On trial days
- On grading days parents must remain away from the designated grading area
until grading is complete. Adhere to the Parents Code of conduct. - Communication must be with the designated coach / committee member on the
day who will take player details. Please do not approach the graders; - If player numbers within an age group are either under or over the number
required to form a team, the committee, in consultation with parents, will:- Attempt to recruit additional players;
- Place additional players into a lower graded team – spreading player numbers
over squads to ensure team numbers. - Give the player the option to register with another club.
- Players must be registered and grade within their correct age group. Playing up
will only be allowed if doing so does not unbalance another age group and is
purely at the clubs discretion; - Players who have not registered will not be allowed to participate in grading and
will not be placed into a team; - Players who come late or do not attend grading without advising the club will be
allocated to a team where numbers permit and skill level is appropriate at the
discretion of the grading committee; - At the end of the previous year the Head of Coaching will request the coaches of
each team to assess the players in his /her team and give feedback to the club on
the players’ skill and improvement throughout the year. This feedback will be
utilised by the graders in allocating players to teams in the current year. - Placing players into teams is at the sole discretion of the club, on the advice of
the graders.
The club acknowledges that many players would love to play with their peer group and parents would wish them to play in the same team, however we ask parents to be aware that this process is not always possible while we have multiple teams. The football club will endeavour to assess a request but it should be noted that other criteria and factors may not allow this to happen.
Playing up grades
- All movement of players between teams must be sanctioned by the Head Coach and approved by the executive committee where appropriate.
- There may be occasions where a team is short players at an age group and this will allow the movement of younger players into the upper age groups were appropriate.
- Coach collaboration is paramount when player movement is involved, ensure parents of the child is are aware of the reason for the movement and ensure detailed records of games played are kept due to regrading after 5 games played and may be cup tied if movement on a cup match day.
- Playing down at an age group is not allowed by league rules.
Grading Decisions
As a club we are setting out clearly for all members, players, parents and coaches to be aware of the Grading policy at Carndonagh FC. Due to Children developing at different ages, the club will hold grade players as a requirement each year at U12-U18, so every player has the chance to progress and be graded on their ability that year.
It should be noted that Junior players will be of different abilities and will move through the various stages of their development at different rates. We therefore, ask parents to be mindful of this, do not focus on which team you are selected for, rather on your own football development. We ask that parents support and help their child through the grading process, make no promises on team placement or put undue pressure on them as players to be in a higher division as mentally this make be more detrimental to a child that being in another team and feeling confident and able.
We ask that if a parent is in disagreement with the team selection, that you trust in our ability as a club and honesty in the selection process and allow the child time to settle, grow and adapt to team. These skills alone help build our young players as much as winning and losing.
Assessment Appeals
There will not be an appeal process and the decision of the executive committee will be final.
A friendly reminder…
Our club is run by volunteers and they give their time at no cost to the club to help in its
running. The club requests that you respect the graders decisions and do not abuse the members of our grading or coaching team.
The club will do what it can to accommodate individual requests, however it may not always be possible or practical to do so. The club understands that mistakes are sometimes made, and we are more than happy to answer any questions or alleviate any concerns you may have as long as it is done in an appropriate manner and with respect.
Review
This Policy and its implementation will be reviewed by the executive committee once a year. A record of the review and its outcomes will be made available, if requested.