Statement of Purpose and Values

The Surrey Park Junior Football Club aims to provide an opportunity for the youth of our area to participate in Australian Rules Football and enhance their health and well-being through organized sport. The Club, will at all times, endeavour to provide for the health, welfare and well being of its players, supporters and spectators. This aim will be achieved by promoting and developing the following values and objectives:

• A sense of social and community values
• An environment to nurture the physical and mental development of our youth
• Respect for officials, opposition players and supporters
• The virtues of fair and disciplined play
• Equal opportunities for everyone

They will be realised by providing as far as reasonable:

• Competent coaches and assistants
• Adequate facilities, amenities and equipment
• Supervised social functions encouraging family participation
• Regular communication and consultation with players and parents
• Active leadership and management of the Club

All players, Coaches and Officials, parents, supporters and Committee members have a responsibility at all times when representing the Surrey Park Junior Football Club to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner consistent with these values and or Codes of Conduct.

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Team Selection Policy and Guidelines

This document has been produced to clarify the team selection process. It is Club policy to support our Coaches in any reasonable decisions they make. The Club requires our Coaches to adhere to the following guidelines as far as practicable:

Age Groups U/13 and below
In these age groups the emphasis is placed on participation and enjoyment. Additional goals are the acquisition of football skills and the nurturing of physical and emotional development and well-being. Where registrations provide for two teams in the same age group, it is the policy of the Club that the two team lists will be developed based on the following criteria: If at the completion of the season, the Club does not believe the outcome of the teams have met the Club's aim, the Club reserves the right to change teams the following season.

TACKERS CRITERIA

1. Each player is to chose 3 friends that they would like to play with.
2. Siblings are to be placed together, unless parental agreement to do otherwise.
3. If there are 2 or 3 girls enrolled, they are to be placed in the same team.
4. If there are 4 or more girls, they may be split between teams.
5. The Club will aim for each player to have 2 friends in their team however 1 friend is guaranteed as a minimum.
6. U8 tackers are to be evenly spread between the teams.
7. 2nd year tackers are to be spread evenly between the teams.

U10 - U13 CRITERIA

1. Each player is to chose 3 friends that they would like to play with.
2. Siblings are to be placed together, unless parental agreement to do otherwise.
3. If there are 2 or 3 girls enrolled, they are to be placed in the same team.
4. If there are 4 or more girls, they may be split between teams with a minimum of 2 in each team.
5. Each player is guaranteed a minimum of 1 friend.
6. Players are then categorised by the Coach and teams divisions.

The League policy allows for 24 players to play in an under-age match in these age groups. The Club requires that all players will play a minimum of three quarters of a game as far as is practicable. Should any team in these age groups participate in finals the League policy allows for all qualified players to play, regardless of the numbers. The Club requires that during finals all players will play a minimum of half a game as far as practicable.

Age Groups U/14 through to Colts
The Club aspires to provide players in these age groups the opportunity to play in the highest level within the league. The Club’s standing is determined by the performance of these age group teams in matches over the season. A greater emphasis is placed upon individual and team performances, however individual and team development is still the primary aim of the coaches.

Where two sides are formed in the same age group it is Club policy to grade/stream team lists and to enter teams in different divisions. The 2 coaches are empowered to select teams - this is to be based on the coaches’ judgment and perception of the players abilities, potential, development, attitude, commitment and the need for team balance. The Coaching Director will assist the coaches with the selection of the sides if required.

The League policy allows for 24 players to play in a match in these age groups. The Club expects that all players be permitted to play a minimum of a half game as far as is practicable. Coaches must endeavour to provide the maximum number of players an opportunity to participate.

Appropriate Age Group
For safety & developmental reasons, it is the club's policy that each player plays in the correct team for their age. If a player requests to play in a higher age team to play with friends, and team numbers permit this move, permission must be sought from the Football Sub-Committee, through the Coaching Director. Where team numbers require it, there may arise a need for players to be invited to play up a year level. Only those players who can cope with the move would be offered the opportunity, and it would not be compulsory. All out-of-age arrangements are for the immediate season ONLY - and players will revert back to the correct age team for the following season.

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Codes of Conduct

MANDATORY & ENFORCEABLE CODES OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES,
PLAYERS, PARENTS, SUPPORTERS AND OFFICIALS
The Surrey Park Junior Football Club fully supports the codes of conduct as introduced by the AFL and Football Victoria.

Player's Code of Conduct

• Play by the rules – the rules of your club and the laws of the game
• Never argue with an umpire or other official – without these people, you can’t play football
• Control your temper – verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players doesn’t help you enjoy or win any games
• Be a team player – it’s a team game, treat it that way
• Treat all players as you would like to be treated – fairly
• Co-operate with your coach, the umpires and team-mates
• Play for your own enjoyment & to improve your skills
• Don’t use ugly remarks based on race, religion, gender or ability – you’ll let down your coach, team-mates and family if you do – and many such comments are now illegal

Parents & Supporters Code of Conduct

• Remember that you are there for the participants to enjoy the game
• Encourage participation, but don’t force it
• Teach that enjoyment is more important than winning
• Never ridicule mistakes or losses – supporters are there to support not downgrade
• Lead by example and respect all players, coaches, umpires and spectators – physical or verbal abuse will not be tolerated
• Recognize all volunteers who are giving up their valuable time
• Never publicly criticize umpires – raise personal concerns with club officials in private
• Don’t use ugly remarks based on race, religion, gender or ability – you’ll let down your family and yourself if you do – and many such comments are now illegal

By registering your child with the Surrey Park Junior Football Club you are agreeing to abide by these principles. You are also agreeing to support the Club in its undertakings and encourage the Club to take and necessary disciplinary actions including suspension and banning (where warranted) of any players, parents and or spectators for repeated serious breaches of these Codes of Conduct.

Coaches Code of Conduct

To become an Accredited Level 1 coach, which is the minimum requirement of all junior coaches, your coach will have signed and submitted the AFL Coaches Code of Conduct in which they have outlined their commitment to uphold the following values to the best of their ability:

1. To respect the rights, dignity and worth of all individuals within the context of my involvement in Australian Football, including refraining from any discriminatory practices on the basis of race, religion, ethnic background, or special disability/ability.
2. To abide by and teach the AFL Laws of the Game and the Rules of the Club and League.
3. To be reasonable in the demands made on the time commitments of the players in my care, having due consideration for their health and well-being.
4. To refrain from any form of personal abuse or unnecessary physical contact with players in my care
5. To have due consideration for the varying maturity and ability levels of my players when designing practice schedules, practice activities and involvement in competition.
6. To avoid overplaying the talented players aiming to maximize participation and enjoyment for all players regardless of ability. Where I am responsible for players in the 5-12 year old age group, I will ensure that all players gain equal playing time.
7. To stress and monitor safety always.
8. In recognizing the significance of injury and sickness, to seek and follow the physician’s advice concerning the return of injured or ill players to training.
9. To endeavour to keep informed regarding sound principles of coaching and skill development, and of factors relating to the welfare of my players.
10. To at all times display and teach appropriate sporting behavior, ensuring that players understand and practice fair play.
11. To display and foster respect for umpires, opponents, coaches, administrators, other officials, parents and spectators.
12. To 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.
13. To reject the use of performance enhancing substances in sport and abide by the guidelines set forth in the AFL DRUG POLICY.

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