PLAYER PARTICIPATION & SKILL DEVELOPMENT POLICY

PREFACE

This Policy is to be read in conjunction with:

  • The AFL Junior Football Rules Program Handbook which recommends that every player must play a minimum of 50-75% game.

  • The AFL Coaches’ Code of Conduct which each coach signs and states “I will use best endeavours to ensure that players gain equal playing time” and that “I will ensure that players are involved in a positive environment where skill learning and development are priorities and are not overshadowed by a desire to win.”

  • The YJFL Code of Conduct for Coaches which states coaches must “avoid overplaying talented players” and “maximise fun: place winning in perspective.”

1. INTRODUCTION

The Ivanhoe Junior Football Club (IJFC) is committed to the values that underpin the acronym FRED – fun, respect, equality and development for all players.  To ensure that our coaches act consistently with these values, we have established this Player Participation and Development Policy ("Policy").

2. PURPOSE

This Policy aims to:

a. Promote equal playing time for all players, irrespective of their skill level or experience;

b. Promote opportunities for players to develop their skills by playing in a range of positions;

c. Ensure that all participants have a positive and enjoyable experience with IJFC; and

d. Strengthen the sense of teamwork, inclusiveness and community among players.

3. AGE CATEGORIES

This Policy applies to all age groups with some variation between these two groups:

  • Teams not playing for Premiership Points [Under 8s – Under 10s]: Each player should have a minimum of equivalent 3 quarters of playing time per match and reasonably equal playing time across the season. No exceptions.

  • Teams playing for Premiership Points & Finals [Under 11s and above]: Please refer to Player Participation Guidelines in Item 4.

4. PLAYER PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

4.1. Home & Away Matches

The AFL Coaches’ Code of Conduct handbook states that as a coach “I will strive to ensure that all players gain equal playing time. I will avoid overplaying the talented players, aiming to maximise participation, learning and enjoyment for all players regardless of ability.”

Every reasonable effort must be undertaken by coaches to ensure that the amount of game time enjoyed by players over the course of a season is equal. This does not require that each player must enjoy equal playing time in each match.  However, the presumption is that every reasonable measure should be taken to ensure that each player enjoys at least 3 quarters of playing time per match. This presumption can be displaced by factors such as:

  • The number of players on the bench;

  • The level of development of the player;

  • The ability to actually facilitate the rotation of players given the state of a game;

  • The preparation of the player; and

  • Injury, fatigue or the poor attitude of a player.

4.2. Finals Matches

It is recognised that the stakes are higher during finals. As such, the player participation guideline is adjusted so that every reasonable measure should be taken by a coach to ensure that each player receives at least 2 quarters of playing time.  This presumption can be displaced by the factors outlined in Item 4.1 above.

In those circumstances where the YJFL allows for an extended bench of more than 6 players, a coach has greater discretion to manage playing time for each player.  As a minimum however, coaches must take all reasonable measures to ensure that all players enjoy the equivalent of at least 1 quarter of playing time per finals match.

4.3. Player Commitment

Players are encouraged to attend training, be physically and mentally prepared for games and to behave appropriately at all times in terms of showing respect to their teammates, opposition players, coaching staff, spectators, equipment and facilities. When players do not fulfil this commitment and there is no reasonable explanation given by a player or their parents/carers, the coach is able to take this into account when determining playing time.

4.4. Player Rotation

Sometimes a team may have more available players than allowable selections in a particular week. In these cases, a player(s) will be rostered-off for that week. The Team Manager is to keep a record of players rostered-off during the season and ensure the rostering-off of players is equitable throughout the season. A player rostered-off is not eligible to be rostered-off for a second time until all other players have been rostered-off at least once.

5. SKILL DEVELOPMENT

5.1. Coaches are encouraged to focus on player development and team participation, rather than solely winning.

5.2. Coaches are required to take all reasonable efforts to give all players the opportunity to play in a variety of positions around the ground throughout the season consistent with their physical and skill development.

5.2. Where reasonable and in light of available resources and the level of assistance available to coaches, special measures should be taken to support the development of players who require additional support or coaching to reach their potential.

6. COMMUNICATION

6.1. The IJFC Committee will place this Policy on the IJFC website and communicate its key principles to members of the IJFC at the start of each season.  Coaches and Team Managers are also required to remind players, parents and guardians of this Policy in their correspondence with each team at the start of each season.

6.2. Any concerns or questions regarding playing time that arise during a season should, in the first instance be raised with the coach or team manager.  If a parent or player is reluctant to have this conversation, they should contact the Director of Coaching or President who will take appropriate measures (including maintaining the confidentiality of a parent or player) to ensure compliance with the Policy.

6.3 Coaches who fail to meet the guidelines outlined in this Policy will be required to justify their actions to the IJFC committee which will take appropriate action to ensure compliance with the Policy.

7. REVIEW & AMENDMENTS

7.1. This Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains effective and aligned with the club's values that guide our actions, decisions, and interactions within the club community. 

7.2. Amendments may be made to this Policy with the approval of the IJFC committee.