At ACE Netball Club, we are committed to creating a supportive environment where players can develop a love for netball.
The following information explains the rigorous process ACE follows for each Winter season to create teams in the U7 through the Cadets age group (up to U20). For more detailed information on the grading process, refer to the ACE Grading Policy [new link available soon].
Club grading is an extensive process and involves many volunteer accredited coaches, coordinated by the Player Development Officer, the ACE Grading Committee and many volunteers over a number of months. ACE provides at least one grading session per age group and further grading times are only offered if they are needed. Players are encouraged to attend grading for the best opportunity for fair team placement.
Grading is a key process each Winter season, designed to:
Create balanced teams where players can compete with and against others of similar ability, making games more enjoyable and motivating.
Help players develop quicker, as coaches can tailor training to meet the team’s needs.
Build confidence by providing the right level of challenge and ensuring players can grow at their own pace.
Encourage teamwork, as teams with similar skill levels can develop strategies that play to their strengths.
Players U7-U9s
The Under 7 to Under 9s age groups at Pine Rivers Netball Association (PRNA) are non-competitive. Our U7 and U8s teams are generally put together based on friendship groups and registration numbers. At registration, players may nominate a friend with whom they would like to be placed in a team and ACE will do their best to place friends together.
We do our best to advocate for the placement of the U7 and U8s teams in the PRNA competition based on the team’s playing history.
U9s are non-competitive, however, ACE grades players based on their current foundational skill level to promote the individual players progression towards competitive netball. Coach feedback from previous years is used as one input to assist in this process as well as a compulsory pre-season skills session, specific to this age group.
Players U10 to Cadets (up to U20)
ACE Netball Club grades players from U10 to U20s and allocates them to teams based on ability, skill and age through a structured and fair grading process. Grading is essential for team composition and determining in which division teams should be placed for the upcoming season.
Opens Divisions and Pre-formed Teams
Physical grading is not required for Opens Teams, or players who played in an Opens Team in the previous season. Players will be placed in teams based on continuity for the team, position and/ or availability. Players U16-U18 can opt to join a pre-formed team by completing the Expression of Interest process for that season by the specified date (in the prior season). Where we do not receive registrations from at least 8 of the players registered in pre-formed teams by the registration cut off date, then the players registered in that team must attend the grading session applicable to their age group and their pre-formed team request will unfortunately have to be cancelled for that season.
Grading Process
On registration, players are given the opportunity to nominate their two preferred positions from which their grading will be based on. When choosing positions for grading, players should choose the positions where they can best showcase their skills.
If unsure of which position/s to nominate, we recommend contacting the player’s coach from the season prior for feedback or contact ACE via player.acenetball@gmail.com.
Grading sessions involve a warmup followed by match-play (approx 10 min games) over a 2-3 hour period
During grading our players are observed on court in these positions and then are ranked on a points system across the cohort.
Players play at least two games in their nominated positions during grading
For fairness during the grading process the 4-5 independent graders only know the players by the number they’re assigned on the day.
The selectors sometimes ask to see players in different positions and combinations.
Teams are put together based on skill and position based on all three court areas - shooting, midcourt, defence based on the player’s nominated positions.
Whilst every endeavour is made to place all players on the court for the same amount of time, this isn't always possible or practical. It should be noted that the number of quarters that players are allocated is directly related to the number of players who have selected the same trial positions (for example, mid court is always popular, and mid court players often receive less game time than defenders). So, while it may appear that others are allocated more trial games, it may simply be because there are less players that have nominated in those positions.
Selection of Teams
Teams are selected by the panel of graders for each age group/ session, based primarily on the player’s performance during the grading session in conjunction with:
Recommendations and general feedback from selectors on grading day
Coach feedback from the previous season
Observations of games through the previous Winter season by the Grading Committee.
The grader’s findings are discussed at length during and after the grading sessions. These assessments in conjunction with the feedback from the player’s coach from the previous season contribute to the formation of teams for the upcoming season.
It may be necessary to test some players in a different age group to extend or develop their abilities at the discretion of the Grading Committee and in line with PRNA requirements.
If a player is unable to attend grading sessions, the player will be best placed in a team according to previous knowledge of the player by the committee, Player Development Officer and feedback from the previous season’s coach and the playing position of the player.
Players new to ACE Netball Club who are unable to attend the grading session, will be placed in a team based on the information the player has provided on registration. This will include the player’s previous club and the division played. If the information is not available and cannot be obtained from their caregiver, the player will be simply placed in a team with an available space.
We understand that physical grading can be stressful for players and we do our best to make players feel at ease on the day. Where players have specific needs we should consider to help them be more comfortable to play their best netball consider, please request in writing at least 7 days before the grading session to the Player Development Officer for consideration. These requests will be considered when it will not affect other players directly. For example, adding players to a full team or leaving another team short of players will not be considered.
Players will only be able to trial at grading if they have registered and paid a portion of their Netball fees for the season. This covers the costs of injury insurance – a stipulation by Netball Queensland before players take to the court.
The Grading Committee and Team Selection panel retains the right to hold an additional grading session if required.
Team Size
Generally, ACE teams comprise of around 8-10 players to cover all positions and maximise court time for all players. However, where player availability is more variable such as teams comprising of high school and university students, teams may include up to 12 players.