Junior Football
In our Junior Competitive Teams, the club aims to provide an environment where player development is the key motivator for players and coaches. Essentially this translates to providing the option for players to play and train as much as possible for football under a positive coaching and playing environment. As part of the membership and sign on fee, all players receive either one of two training sessions per week plus a weekend match. In addition the club offers a number of other user-pays development programs that complement the weekly activities and look to utilize coaches to lead our players. These initiatives include:
- Coaching Clinics
- Off-Season 5 A Side Competition
- Special Development Squads
- Soccer Carnivals
All Players looking to develop their soccer skills and playing abilities are encouraged to participate in as many of these programs as possible.
Teams are graded on the basis of each player’s skills and commitment to training and playing. ACE Policy on grading competition teams into divisions is to endeavor to place teams in the highest division possible, according to the abilities of players in the team. Our mission for junior football is to develop our players into fine athletes, with an emphasis on enjoying the game of Football through self-development, whilst preparing for their senior playing years.
Under 11-12
At this age players should still be required to play different positions and not specialise in one position, apart from goalkeepers. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Players in these age groups should receive an equal amount of ‘on field’ time over the season.
Under 13 -17
As the players progress through each age group, they begin to specialise in a position.
This does not mean that they will play in the same position all year, though they may play in one position more than other positions. At some stage in these age groups, coaches may choose not to give players equal amounts of “on field’ time. This can be for disciplinary reasons, e.g. not attending training, misbehavior at training, not following game instructions, unsportsmanlike behavior etc.
Goalkeepers
ACE provides a specialist goalkeeper coach. The goalkeeper will be assessed and or graded as per the age group program. Past experience has shown considerable confidence and skills improvement of players through concentrated individual goalkeeper coaching. Goalkeeper sessions will be conducted once a week. If the session conflicts with regular training we recommend, in the interest of team development, the keeper alternate between sessions. The goalkeeper coaching is available for Under 10 – Under 16 players.
Grading Guidelines
The word ‘grading’ is used in reference to:
• Placement of players in “liked skilled” groups where they are comfortable to play.
• Registering ACE teams into divisions with Football Brisbane Inc.
Grading takes place over a period of approximately four weeks. It is important to attend all grading sessions and give the player the best possible chance of making the right team. Please help by encouraging players and their friends to register during Sign-On weekend.
The following guidelines have been developed for players, parents and coaches to inform them of the grading policies of the Club.
Guidelines:
- What the player does when they have the ball.
- What the player does when their team mates have the ball.
- What the player does when the opposition have the ball.
- How the player behaves and responds to coaching instructions
- Skill level
- Players Attitude and willingness to learn and participate.
Grading Decisions
It is club policy to grade players every year to ensure that all Junior Players have the opportunity to progress. The club encourages players and parents not to focus on which team a player is selected into, but rather, on the players own development during the season. It is important that parents are supportive of their children during the grading process.
Once ACE grading is complete, all players will be allocated a team. Football Brisbane intends to run 4 weeks of Grading Games at the start of the season. This will be used to fine tune which Division each team will play in. The Director of Junior Development in consultation with the team coach has the authority to change players during these Grading Games and up to a further 2 weeks into the season if necessary. The Director of Junior Development in consultation with the team coach also has the authority to drop players into a lower division team anytime during the season where a player is deemed to be disruptive to the coach and the team.
Grading is done by a panel of experienced coaches under the guidance of the Director of Junior Development.
NO DISCUSSION WILL BE ENTERED INTO BY THE CLUB WITH RESPECT TO DECISIONS MADE BY THE GRADING PANEL.