AFL Yarra Ranges
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
CHARTER
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INDEX
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MISSION STATEMENT
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
ROLE OF DELEGATE
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COACHING
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ADMINISTRATION
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FINANCE
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD KEY MILESTONES
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD & INTERLEAGUE TEAM MANAGER ROLE DESCRIPTION
INTER LEAGUE / DEVELOPMENT PLAYER SELECTION GUIDELINES FOR CLUBS
NUMBER OF CLUB NOMINATIONS REQUIRED FOR EACH PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD NOMINATIONS GUIDING PRINCIPLES
SELECTION PANEL FOR SELECTING THE AFL YRJF INTERLEAGUE TEAMS
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD COACHING PHILOSOPHY
AFL TALENT PATHWAY
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10-11
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15-16
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MISSION STATEMENT
The AFL Yarra Ranges Junior Football
Development Program
will assist the future growth of
Australian Rules Football by
developing committed and
talented young footballers.
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GUIDING PRINCPLES
It is the role of the Development Squad committee to ensure that all facets of the Mission Statement
are fulfilled to the highest of standards, which will ensure the future success of these squads. The
Development Squads will run in conjunction with the TAC with regular training sessions starting in
January and culminating in the inter-league carnivals where the best team is selected from all
available players.
To achieve our mission the following guiding principles have been developed:
Establish
and maintain a junior development squad representative committee, with participation by
each club.
Give the selected players from the clubs, an opportunity to strive for personal improvement in a
professional environment.
Strive to strengthen participating clubs’ over all performance in order to attract young children to
Australian Rules football.
Provide, through representative delegates, a high level of support to participating clubs in the
development of junior players not selected in the TAC development program.
Provide professionalism in all areas of football administration, training, communication and integrity
to all stakeholders including players, parents and clubs.
Facilitate a co-operative approach between the development squad and the inter-league squad so
that the best team is selected whilst not delisting any development squad player from the
development squad program.
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ROLE OF DELEGATES
Introduction
The successful function of this organization is to have a workable structure where the tasks and
responsibilities are clearly defined and manageable. Hence to spread the workload, each club is
to have one delegate and will also include a representative from the league.
The delegates will form sub-groups to administer the Development Squad with the clear focus that is
laid out in the Mission Statement and the Guiding Principles. These sub-groups will often work
independently on their responsibilities but will always report back to the full committee for the
ratification of all decisions. The delegates will also co-ordinate all age level inter-league carnivals.
Sub-groups
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Coaching
Administration
Finance
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Coaching
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Each sub-group elects a leader who will be responsible for the group’s adherence to the yearly
timetable and be a communication point to all other parties for this group.
Appoint team coaches (and assist with selection of other support staff e.g. assistant coaches,
team managers, first aid etc.)
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Determine guidelines for coaches of each age group. (See coach’s pack for further details)
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Ongoing review/liaison with coaches and provide regular feedback.
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Provide advice on player guidelines for each age group. (See player code of conduct pack for
further details)
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Co-ordinate equipment for training/game days.
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Co-ordinate game and training venues and advising coaching staff and players.
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Assist coaches with preparation for inter-league carnivals.
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Adhere to the “Yearly Timetable”.
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Administration
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Sub-group to elect a leader who will be responsible for the group’s adherence to the yearly
timetable and be a communication point to all other parties for this group.
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Develop, maintain and update the Development Squad Charter.
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Ensure that all delegates and clubs have at all times an up to date copy of the charter.
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Provide administrative support to the coaching and finance groups.
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Record accurate minutes of all meetings, including any correspondence, and send copies to all
delegates and clubs promptly.
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Co-ordinate clubs’ player nominations.
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Co-ordinate player invitations, acceptance and player profiles.
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Adhere to the “Yearly Timetable”.
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Finance
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Sub-group to elect a leader who will be responsible for the group’s adherence to the yearly
timetable and be a communication point to all other parties for this group.
Annual budget to be itemized and costed for all development squad and inter-league
requirements.
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Work with AFL YRJF Committee of Management for funding.
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Work with all clubs for direct levies/funding.
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Work with parents of the development squad for fundraising.
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Source sponsorship for any short fall of funds
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Provide a balance sheet at each meeting.
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Purchase required items for the Development Squad and Inter League carnivals.
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Keep auditable books for accounting purposes.
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Adhere to the “Yearly Timetable”.
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DEVELOPMENT SQUAD KEY MILESTONES
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November
November
November
November/December
December/January
Dev. Squad Committee Meeting (Every 4 weeks)
Final date for 2014 ALL Squad Nominations
Development Squad AGM
Coaching Appointments
Invites to players Despatched
February
Feb/March
March
March
March
Early April
Early to Mid April
April
April
Late April
Mid May
Late May
June (Queens Birthday W/E)
July
July/August
August
August
September/October
U15 Training Begins
Rick Irwin Development Program for U15 & U16’s
U13/U14 Development Squad Camp
U13/U14/16 Training Begins
V/Line Jumper Presentation
AFL YRJF Season Starts
V/Line Team Sheet to be Finalised
V/Line Carnival – U15’s only
U11/12 Training Begins
U11/12/13 Inter League Jumper Presentation
U14/15/16 Inter League Jumper Presentation
Inter League Team Sheets to be finalised
Mornington Peninsular Inter League Carnival
AFL YRJF v F&DJFL Carnival
Development Squad Season Review
AFL YRJF Finals Series
AFL YRJF Best & Fairest Count
AFL YRJF Dinner
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DEVELOPMENT SQUAD & INTERLEAGUE
TEAM MANAGER ROLE DESCRIPTION
Team Managers have an extremely important role ensuring the successful management of the
team and welfare of the players in their care.
A generic job description for a Team Manager including a checklist of duties and responsibilities
for consideration is provided below.
Team Manager Role:
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Responsible for administration and management of the team
Responsible for the welfare of all team members at training, camp and competition
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DEVELOPMENT SQUAD & INTERLEAGUE
TEAM MANAGER ROLE DESCRIPTION
Team Manager Responsibilities shall include (but are not limited to):
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Liaise with all team members, parents, coaches and league officials, to ensure the players are
appropriately informed of all training, competition and team outings
Enforce team/league rules
Adjudicate any problems that may arise amongst the team, coaches, officials, parents and
supporters
Act as liaison between the squad/team and the Development Squad Committee
Ensure all equipment is safe and that sufficient first aid equipment/treatment is readily available
Ensure all welfare and safety requirements for the team are met and enforced
Ensure that team sheets and any other rules/regulations of the competition are observed and
carried out
Receive money for the league for team photos etc
Distribute to players and coaches all required information and updates
Attend the Development Squad camp (U13-U14’s only)
Attend the League Jumper presentation
Attend at training sessions
Attend all scheduled matches
Record relevant information for the coaching staff, e.g. training attendance, stats etc
Delegate game day volunteer duties, such as timekeeping/scoreboard as required
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DEVELOPMENT PLAYER SELECTION GUIDELINES FOR
CLUBS
The Development Squad Committee recommends that club delegates oversee the selection of the club
Development Squad and Inter League representatives. Club delegates can form selection panels or
take advice from coaches & other club officials.
Any selection panel should have the following attributes:
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good level of football knowledge
A good knowledge of the club’s playing lists
A good knowledge of the players past and present attitude.
Player selection should take place after the club has conducted its B&F count and before the club’s
Presentation Day. It is recommended that the meeting take place in the week after the AFL YRJF
Grand Final.
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DEVELOPMENT PLAYER SELECTION GUIDELINES
FOR CLUBS
When considering nominations the club should take the following into account prior to submitting
players’ names to the league:
Player’s
date of birth.
NOTE: Players can only be nominated in their correct age group.
Coach
No 3rd year U16 player is eligible
of the age group’s recommendations
Club B&F votes
League (AFL YRJF) B&F votes
Player’s current skill level & playing ability
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Hand eye coordination (skills both sides of body)
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Physical capability (strength/endurance/balance)
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Vision, game sense and decision making, concentration
Players should display the following attributes
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Courage to win their own football
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Highly motivated
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Respect for their team mates, coaches and other officials
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Leadership skills
Training attendance & commitment
Player’s attitude towards his club, team mates & officials
Yellow & red cards (on field discipline)
Games missed due to injury should be taken into consideration
Player’s support network
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DEVELOPMENT PLAYER SELECTION GUIDELINES
FOR CLUBS
The AFL YRJF want the best players possible to represent the League
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Before submitting a player’s name, the club delegate should conduct interviews (in person or by
phone) of the nominated player and their parents. The interview will gauge the level of desire to
participate in the program. The level of commitment required must be explained.
The delegate must outline what the Development Squad Program is about and the difference
between the Development Squad and the Inter League team. Upon accepting the nomination the
player’s name is submitted to the Development Squad by the Development Squad Delegate. The
player will then receive correspondence from the Development Squad Committee outlining the
upcoming program. It is important that ALL club nominations be submitted to the Development
Squad Committee via the club’s Development Squad Committee DELEGATE. If clubs want to
nominate any extra names (emergencies) then these names should also be submitted via the club
delegate.
ALL Club nominations will need to be submitted by set due date
The committee recommends that ALL correspondence including any from parents should follow a
simple but effective line of communication.
Parent to Club Delegate &/or Coach,
Delegate &/or Coach to Football Manager &/or Chairperson
Football Manager &/or Chairperson to Club Delegate &/or Parent
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NUMBER OF CLUB NOMINATIONS REQUIRED FOR
EACH PROGRAM
U11-U12 age groups
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The AFL YRJF asks for a maximum of three players to be nominated from each club.
Clubs do NOT need to include any player who finished in the top 3 at the LEAGUE B&F Count. These player are automatic inclusions.
The players will take part in a 10-12 week development program.
No players are cut or exited from the Development Squad Program.
At the conclusion of the Development Squad Program and prior to the June Inter-League Carnival a selection panel will select up to 24
players to represent the AFL YRJF at the June Interleague Carnival.
Participating in the Development Squad Program will enhance the players chance of being selected in the Inter-League team but there is
no guarantee. The Inter-League Team is selected from ALL eligible AFL YRJF Registered players.
In the U11 & U12 age groups only, coaches will be directed to select at least 1 player from each of the AFL YRJF clubs where possible.
Each player will also have an opportunity to be selected into a second AFL YRJF team for the July Carnival.
U13-U14 age groups
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The AFL YRJF asks for a maximum of three players to be nominated from each club.
Clubs do NOT need to include any player who finished in the top 3 at the LEAGUE B&F Count. These player are automatic inclusions.
The players will take part in a 10-12 week development program.
No players are cut or exited from the Development Squad Program.
At the conclusion of the Development Squad Program and prior to the June Inter-League Carnival a selection panel will select up to 24
players to represent the AFL YRJF at the June Interleague Carnival.
Participating in the Development Squad Program will enhance the players chance of being selected in the Inter-League team but there is
no guarantee. The Inter-League Team is selected from ALL eligible AFL YRJF Registered players.
Each player will also have an opportunity to be selected into a second AFL YRJF team for the July Carnival.
In the event of injury (prior to the Development Squad Programs commencing) or the clubs selected player turns down the nomination, the
club delegate must discuss any player replacements with the Development Squad Committee
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NUMBER OF CLUB NOMINATIONS REQUIRED FOR
EACH PROGRAM
U15 age group
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The AFL YRJF asks for a maximum of three players to be nominated from each club.
(This excludes any current U15 Eastern Ranges listed players as they are invited into the Program once they are released back to their
clubs)
Players will participate in the three month Development Squad Program.
No players are cut or exited from the Development Squad Program.
At the conclusion of the Development Squad Program and prior to the June Inter-League Carnival a selection panel will select up to 24
players to represent the AFL YRJF at the June Interleague Carnival.
Participating in the Development Squad Program will enhance the players chance of being selected in the Inter-League team but there is
no guarantee. The Inter-League Team is selected from ALL eligible AFL YRJF Registered players.
Each player will also have an opportunity to be selected into a second AFL YRJF team for the July Carnival.
The selection panel will also select a team of up to 24 players to represent the AFL YRJF at the V/Line Carnival.
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NOTE: The 2015 V/Line Carnival is currently being reviewed with a view to holding the carnival later in the year.
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U16 age group
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The AFL YRJF asks for a maximum of Five players to be nominated from each club.
(This excludes any current U16 Eastern Ranges listed players as they are invited into the Program once they are released back to their
clubs)
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Players will participate in the three month Development Squad Program.
No players are cut or exited from the Development Squad Program.
At the conclusion of the Development Squad Program and prior to the June Inter-League Carnival a selection panel will select up to 24
players to represent the AFL YRJF at the June Interleague Carnival.
Participating in the Development Squad Program will enhance the players chance of being selected in the Inter-League team but there is
no guarantee. The Inter-League Team is selected from ALL eligible AFL YRJF Registered players.
Each player will also have an opportunity to be selected into a second AFL YRJF team for the July Carnival.
No 3rd year Under 16 player are eligible for these carnivals.
In the event of injury (prior to the Development Squad Programs commencing) or the clubs selected player turns down the nomination, the
club delegate must discuss any player replacements with the Development Squad Committee
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DEVELOPMENT SQUAD NOMINATIONS GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
The D.R.J.F.L Development Squad Committee has agreed on the criteria set out below, which the
Committee requests all clubs note when selecting players for the Development Squads.
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Three players per club for ALL the age groups.
This excludes any Eastern Ranges player.
If any Eastern Ranges player is delisted at any time the club should notify their delegate so that
the player may be given an opportunity to join the Development Squad.
The nominated players are the most talented players of that age group.
Training may begin as early as mid-February. Training schedules are listed on league website.
A two-day camp is held for the U13 & U14 age groups. (Not compulsory dependent on your other
sporting commitments)
Training then follows on a weekly basis.
Training is compulsory. (90% attendance is required; Notifying coach is required)
Football training outfits will be supplied and must be worn at all training sessions.
Being a member of the Development Squad does not guarantee selection to any games in the
Inter-League Carnival, but it will increase your opportunities.
Once your nomination is accepted no player will be “cut” from the Development list. All players
will participate in the whole Development Squad Program but must abide by the standard player
code of conduct.
All nominated players must play during the season with their nominated club. If there is a
possibility of a potential issue please raise it with your delegate so the player is not
disadvantaged.
Any person at club level who participates in the selection process is recommended to have an
understanding of the Guiding Principles so that the most appropriate players are selected.
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SELETION PANEL FOR SELECTING THE AFL
YRJF INTER LEAGUE TEAMS
The Selection Panel
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In principle the selected coach will be given the responsibility of selecting the most suitable team
to represent the AFL YRJF. The selection panel may be used by coach’s to aid with the selecting
of a squad member or final team.
The selection panel will consist of 3 people nominated by the Development Squad Committee.
The intention is to have the selection panel, in consultation with the interleague coach, help
select the AFL YRJF Inter League teams.
The selection panel will be made up of
1. Development Squad Football Manager,
2.The Development Squad Coach/Interleague Coach,
3. A nominated Development Squad Committee delegate.
The aim is to have ALL Inter league Squads finalized at least 4 weeks before the carnivals.
Coaches will be instructed that any player invited into either a Development Squad or an Inter
League team must be done in consultation with the Development Squad Football Manager and/or
the selection panel.
Any player invited to join any squad will be coordinated via the club delegate.
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DEVELOPMENT SQUAD COACHING PHILOSOPHY
To prepare the players for the next level and help them achieve their full potential.
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emphasise individual player development rather than team success
emphasise individual contribution as an essential component in a team environment
consider the players’ long term participation in football at a variety of levels
promote a balanced approach to the players’ life styles
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A.F.L TALENT PATHWAY
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AFL Yarra Ranges Junior Football
THANK YOU
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