Our 2023/24 Summer Season commences next week. Here’s some important notes and updates:
1. Team Lists
All Coaches (and/or Team Managers) now have the team lists with parent contact details. If you haven’t heard from the Coach or Team Manager let me know and I will send you the coach’s contact.
2. Team Coaches
We require just 1 more coach – for a girls 16C2 team. This team plays on Monday at 5.20pm. An ideal time for one of our 18A players who might aspire to coaching! If you know of a potential coach please let me know. Thanks to all those who have volunteered. Coaches who don’t yet have their Coaches Polo top can send a private message via the Coaches WhatsApp group to our Property Manager – Uniforms, Nicole Rowan, to arrage collection.
3. Player Vacancies
We have very few vacancies. If you know or think of anyone who might be interested in the available places below please let me know. We have 630 egistered players for 79 teams = 7.97 av. per team. Excellent outcome as our preferred number of players per team is 8!
- Girl vacancies only – 10s (A, B and C), 16s (experience required), 18s (experience required)
4. Fixtures
You are reminded to check fixtures each week as game times and venues can sometimes change at short notice.
5. Coaching from side-lines
All coaches are volunteers. Only they are permitted to ‘coach’. Parents and supporters are not to ‘coach’ from the side-lines, nor approach the players bench, score table or officials. To clarify – here are some examples of side-line coaching:
- ‘All the way’
- ‘Shoot’
- ‘Dribble’
- ‘Pick up your player’
- ‘Pass’
It is the Coach’s role to issue these instructions. As a spectator cheer the good plays and ignore the mistakes. Refrain also from ‘refereeing’ and calling out ‘foul’, ‘travel’, etc. This is the role of the referee. Referees are young and still learning so show respect and understanding.
All game day issues must be directed through coaches. Coaches (or their appointed delegates) are the only people permitted to approach Referee Supervisors. A reminder for everyone to respect all officials and participants and to behave in a manner the majority would expect. This season will see the introduction of a new behavioural monitoring system as part of the ‘Willetton Way’. Don’t be one of those ejected from the Stadium or reported by, or spoken to, by an official because of inappropriate behaviour.
6. Uniforms
All teams should have playing tops and shorts sorted before the first game. Willetton Stadium shorts are compulsory for all players. Penalties apply for incorrect uniform. The Team Manager is responsible for distributing and collecting the tops. It is a team decision whether tops are distributed to each player for the entire season or distributed and returned each game. Be aware – No Top – No Play!
7. Game Delays
Team Managers and Coaches – please ensure that team details are correct on the scoring laptops prior to the commencement of each game and that teams are in correct uniform, without jewellery and adornments. Penalties apply for game delays. Only those playing should be listed for that game.
8. Safety and Respect
Drive slowly and carefully when using all car parks and observe the ‘No Parking’ signs. Our children’s safety is everyone’s responsibility! Show respect for the venues we use for games and training. Don’t allow children to enter non-permitted areas, such as school grounds, and use bins provided for rubbish.
9. By-laws
The WBA urges everyone to read the rules and Junior By-laws which govern the Junior Competition. NOTE: Coaches are to be aware of the rules relating to new players, players filling-in, and special rules for 8s and 10s.
10. Your Involvement
All parents are expected to ‘share the load’ by scoring when rostered. Also, player training is beneficial to skill development and team building so the club urges all players to attend training if their team trains.