Grading
Every year, Titans Netball grades our teams based on our Grading Policy. We take into consideration previous playing experience, representative experience, coaching evaluations, and practical grading.
The purpose of grading is to grade players based on their ability, to form multiple teams in each age group, ensuring all teams have a successful year with enough shooters, defence, and mid-courters. By grading players based on ability and playing positions, all players are ensured fair court time with players at the same ability, in a like-ability competition.
Why do we change our teams each year?
As a club, Titans graders are forced to change our teams each year. We are forced to change our teams based on 8 factors, which are:
1: We get many new players joining the club, which need to be placed in a suitable team
2: Unfortunately, every year we do lose a few players
3: Representative Players (not development) must play in a division than they normally would, and are capped at 3 per team. Representative players must also play in the A grade division. For example, players selected into the 13 years representative team, will need to play at minimum, in the 14/15 division
4: Changes in age groups - The divisions at SDNA are: 7/8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12/13U, 14/15U, 16/17U and Seniors (18+). If in 2024 a team is formed up of four players turning 12, and five players turning 13.. in 2015, five players will need to move up to the 14/15U division, where as the four younger players can stay in the 12/13U division
5: Changes in player ability - Players develop new skills all the time, and as a result may need to move to a higher grade. For example, in 2024 Aaliyah joins netball for the first time. She has basic netball skills so is placed in a D grade team. The following year, her skills have improved so in the 2025 season, she was placed into a B or C grade team.
6: Grading purposes - For St George's paper gradig purposes, we may need to mix up a team. If a team are non-competitive in 2024, to ensure all players have a successful season, we may split the girls up amongst 4 different teams to experience a group of new players. Keeping a team together may be detrimental to the players skill level and also enjoyment levels. For example, we have 9 girls who come last in the 2024 season (it happens - someone has to come last) in the 12/13U C grade competition. In 2025, we may split the girls up amongst other B and C grade teams.
7: Positioning - We want all of our teams to have shooters, midourters and defence. Players may recognise throughout the year, they are a stronger defence player than they are at a midcourt position. The following year, the player will trial in a different position, resulting in a shift of playing positions.
8: Late registrations - Some players join the club after grading has been completed. These players are placed in a team where there is space, rather than playing ability/age group. The following year, they will trial in their appropriate team/age group.
Playing with Friends
We understand that some players only play netball to be with friends. Although we recommend against it, we allow players to submit a playing with friends request. Players can only request to play with 1 or 2 friends. Unfortunately, no development or representative players can submit a playing with friends request. To submit a playing with friends request, players need to email the following details to the club by email (titansnetball@outlook.com) one week prior to grading day. If only one player submits the request, we will be unable to accommodate the request. Strictly no late requests will be considered.
Please email the club the following details
1. Your Name and up to 2 friends you would like to play in the same team as
2. What year you are born in, and the year your 1-2 friends are born in
3. The reason you would like to be placed in the same team
4. That you understand you will be graded as a combined group (to the ability of the less experienced player)
FAQS
Q: I thought Netball was about friendships and building team spirit?
A: Yes, Netball is a game based on team building and spirit. We create new teams and we encourage parents and players to accept their new teams. Each year, we change teams based on the above factors. We urge parents to understand that we don't remove one or two players, however, we create a whole new team each year.
Q: How do you know my child will be better off in a newly formed team?
A: Our graders have over 50 years of grading experience combined, and with Titans Netball Club entering its 11th year in the 2024 Season, we have learned a lot from previous years. We love hearing feedback from players and parents, and based off previous experience we know that your child will be better off in a different team that is appropriate to them each year.
Q: I am joining Titans Netball Club. Will I be disadvantaged when being placed in a team?
A: Of course not. When forming the teams we use a combination off previous years players evaluation forms (for returning players) and practical grading (for all players). We can ensure all players who attend grading will be placed in an appropriate team.