Grading

Grading players in U9 – 18 Boys (including Mixed Gender Teams Under 9-12)

The grading of players will be assessed by an independent grading panel and allow individual players to show case their skill-based techniques and ability to perform in a team environment.

Grading will be managed by the Cronulla Caringbah Sharks Grading Committee, appointed by the Club Committee in conjunction with the respective team coaches, age coordinators and coaching coordinators.

The following assessments can be considered when grading takes place:

Coach’s End of Season Assessment

The coach’s assessment is not only a skill assessment but also an assessment of attitude and work ethic. Coaches have the advantage of seeing how players develop throughout the season, so they are able to assess the full season of play rather than a few end of season games or trials. Coaches will provide a graded list for each player in the team based on this assessment the Grading Committee will take the key players for each team who may need to be regraded.  

Pre-Season Training

Pre-Season training should be undertaken by all teams regardless of division as a group until grading occurs. There should no silo aged, based training unless agreed between the Age—Coordinator, Coaches and Coaching Coordinators.           It’s strongly recommended that age-based group training does occur in some stages during the training calendar year as well.

Pre-Season training should be arranged by the Age-Coordinator with the assistance of Coaching Coordinators and Coaches of that age group.

Grading Sessions

The Grading Committee along with Coaching Coordinators shall conduct the training sessions that will suitably assess the competency of the players. As a guide, training sessions will consist of:

1. Warm-up
2. Skill Based Drills (ball skill and defence drill)
3. Small sided game/s (players rotated depending on position preference) 

Assessment by Trial (If required)

After registration and before the season begins, trials for those players who wish to be graded will be organised by the Grading Committee. Trials enable selectors to see the range of technical skills and game skills across the entire age group and they allow newcomers to the club to be assessed.

Trials can be an important means of selecting a team with a range of skills not just a group of individuals. The trial process is outlined below. 

How Trials Are Conducted

Trial dates, times and selectors are organised by the Cronulla Caringbah Sharks Grading Committee along with consultation with the age coordinator & coaching coordinators for each age group. There will be at least three selectors for each age group, and no selector will have a child playing at that age.

Desirable selectors should include coaching coordinators, executive members and other coaches such as the year above the year being graded.

Consultation with current coaches of each grade will also make up part of the selection criteria. 

At the trial, each selector shall independently evaluate the players who are trialling and after each trial date, they should convene to discuss their observations. At the end of the trial period, the selectors should reconvene to determine a ranking of players for each team.

Selection of Teams

The basis of selection will consist of the coach’s assessments from the previous year, team balance with respect to player positions, the attitude of the player to grading and training and the willingness and ability of the player to receive instruction and team spirit. 

The objective of the selection of teams is to group the top-ranked players in that age group together, and to therefore form the highest-ranked team. 

Within age groups that do not have specific divisions, consultation must occur between grading committee and coaching coordinators on how best to structure the age group. If more than 1 team exists playing in a non-competitive age group the grading committee and coaching coordinators must outline the structure and ensure that fairness is provided to both teams and players.

Notification of Grade and Appointment of Coaches

As soon as possible after final selection, teams and their recommended grading shall be published. If coaches have already been assigned, they will receive player details. If a coach is to be a parent of a child playing in the same age group, coaches will not be determined for each team until the grading process has been completed.  

Appeals

If any player or parent is not satisfied with the grading the player receives, they can make a submission in writing to the Cronulla Caringbah Sharks President requesting a review of the players grading, outlining why they think the grading is not correct.

The President will consider this submission in consultation with the grading committee and coaching coordinators to make a final decision on whether or not to change the player’s grading.

If a Player does not wish to pay in a particular non development team, a letter from that parent must be sent to the Cronulla Caringbah Sharks President for consideration. This letter will be reviewed in consultation with the grading committee and coaching coordinators.

Grading Female Tackle – Under 12 – Opens

The same grading and team selection policy will apply to our Female Tackle Teams if needed.

We acknowledge that our female tackle team structure currently compromises of 2-year age gap. For example, Under: 12, 14 ,16, 18 and then opens.

If there is one team per age group, then no formal grading process is to be undertaken.

If we have multiple teams in one age group, then discussion must occur between Female Tackle Vice President and current coaches to grade or not grade.

Grading Under 8 – Opens League Tag

The Cronulla Caringbah Sharks Grading JRLFC acknowledge a number of factors in the League Tag competitions will affect a girl’s participation.

• Competitiveness V Enjoyment
• League Tag can be predominantly a second sport for the Girls
• Players are not restricted to their own age (play up a grade to play with their friends)
• Best format to increase participation. 

The Cronulla Caringbah Sharks Grading committee will consult with the Girls League Tag Coordinator and in consultation with the Coaches determine the best practice in each age taking into consideration the above factors.

If there is a need to Grade teams the same selection criteria will apply as the League however with the use of Tags.

Any questions please let me know. Thanks. 

Daryl Gleeson

President

Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks JRLFC

0430 455 431