Player Grading &
Team Appointment Policy

Members and parents/carers of members of Hazelbrook Soccer Club should have an understanding of the Club’s Player Grading and Team Appointment policy.

Hazelbrook Soccer Club is an equal opportunity sporting organisation, and as such will avoid parochialism, will provide equity and transparency with selection processes and will ensure equal opportunity to all players.

Hazelbrook Soccer Club endeavours to develop its players (in conjunction with club policies) with best practice methods possible being implemented.  The club also endeavours to provide talented players the opportunity of being identified for Representative Squads or Programs.

All players are to register in their own age group based on the age they turn that year of competition.  Players are encouraged to register on one of the designated Registration Days and are expected to attend Muster Days. Muster Days are held as soon as possible after Registration Days and prior to season commencement.  Any player who is unable to attend their scheduled Muster Day and time is required to notify their Age Coordinator.

Muster Days are the primary forum the club uses to grade players and appoint coaches to teams. 

For Under 6, 7 and 8 players, this session provides an opportunity for players to meet their team members and their appointed coach and cover off any administrative matters such as outstanding registration photos, advice of team training day/s and time/s, trial matches etc, soccer gear needed etc.

Players in Age Groups Under 6, 7 and 8 are not graded, however are still expected to attend Muster Days to enable appointment to teams and to meet their coach.

Players in Age Groups 9 and above are graded according to their ability and skill level.  Grading only occurs where there are two or more teams in an age group.

At Muster Days, the Club’s Grading Committee will view all eligible players, through the approved grading and team selection policies and processes of the club. The Grading Committee will usually consist of five (5) and always no less than three (3) suitably qualified and experienced club members. Grading Committee membership is determined by Hazelbrook Soccer Club’s Executive Committee. 

The Grading Committee is the governing selectors for grading and appointing players to teams.  Should any issues arise in the appointment of players to teams, then the Grading Committee will seek the guidance of Hazelbrook Soccer Club’s Executive Committee.

Requests by players to play in a higher age group or a mixed age group must first apply in writing on the stipulated form to Hazelbrook Soccer Club’s Executive Committee requesting such action. 
The requesting player’s skills and ability will be assessed by the Grading Committee at the allotted Muster Day session and must be deemed appropriate to the requested age group.

Requests will only be considered if the two age groups concerned (current and requested age groups) can accommodate such requests. 

Player Grading Process ~ All Under 9 to All Age Players:

1. All players will register in their own age group and gender.

2. All players will be graded in their own age group and gender according to their ability and skill level.  This only occurs where there are two or more teams in an age group.

3. If there is enough Registrations in ‘one’ age group/division to have multiple teams, this age group/ division may have two (2) Muster Day sessions allocated for grading purposes.

4. If a player is unable to make their allotted ‘age group’ grading session time, they need to promptly contact their Age Coordinator.  The Age Coordinator will consult with the Grading Committee in an effort to schedule an alternate grading date/ time, e.g. for the player to be graded during another age group or on another date.  If this is not possible or the revised time is not suitable, the player will be graded on the advice of the coach or club that player had in a previous year.  If a player is new to Soccer, the club without the benefit of a grading session will place the player in the lowest division in their age group and re-assess with their team coach after the first trial game.

5. The Grading Committee shall hold a meeting as soon as possible after both Muster days have been completed to compare assessments and appoint players to teams. 

6. All players will be notified of their team appointment and their Coach at the scheduled “Team and Coach Appointment Evening” which will be held as soon as possible following Muster Days. 

Grading of All Age Men Players (including Premier Division Players)

1. All players who register as an All Age Mens player will be graded by the Grading Committee.  The Grading Committee will be responsible for player appointments to All Age divisional teams and Premier division teams.

Inquiries regarding Player Grading and Team Appointments

1. Any inquiries regarding any grading or team appointment decisions made by the club should be made to the Age Coordinator in writing for discussion with the Grading Committee and/or Hazelbrook Soccer Club Executive Committee.

2. The author of any correspondence shall be notified by the Age Coordinator of any decision made regarding their inquiry, as soon as possible.

Players requesting to play in a higher age group

1. When grading an age group the first priority is to grade all players within that age and gender group at the appropriate level. 

2. If because of this process, teams can be filled with a sufficient number of players within the age group and divisional level then the teams will be deemed to be filled and no age upgrades will be required or entertained.

3. If because of this process, teams cannot be filled with a sufficient number of players within the age group and divisional level then the Executive Committee in consultation with the Grading Committee may consider a player request to upgrade to that age group.

4. The Age Coordinator will advise all players (parents/carers if the player is under 18 years of age) as to the fate of their age upgrade request as soon as possible following completion of the Grading process.