3 Minimum Game Time
Greythorn Football Club promotes participation, development and enjoyment. With these considerations in mind, the Committee has developed the following minimum game policy.
Tackers: |
3 Quarters. |
Under 10s: |
3 Quarters. |
Under 11s: |
3 Quarters. |
Under 12s: |
3 Quarters. |
Under 13s: |
3 Quarters. |
Under 14s: |
Equal Playing Time* |
Under 15s: |
Equal Playing Time* |
Colts: |
Equal Playing Time* |
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* Equal Playing Time – all players should play an equal amount of time over the course of the season. This does not require equal playing time in each game. The coach is also granted discretion on how this is administered based on:
The calibre of the opposition
The safety of the player concerned
The status of the game
The preparation of the player
A commitment from the coach to play players equally also requires a commitment from the players to try their hardest in games and at training. When players do not fulfil this commitment, the Policy provides that the coach is no longer obliged to fulfil his commitment to equal playing time.
Note to Coaches:
The most important thing to remember regarding the above policy, is that every member of your teams wants to play in the game. That is why they have joined your team. Parents attend and watch games to see their child play. A secondary consideration will be that it’s nice to see the team win, but their number 1 priority is to see their child participate. If a coach keeps these principles in mind when a game begins, he/she will be on the way to a successful season regardless of wins or losses.
This means that if a game is well won or lost in the last quarter, that this is an opportunity to fulfil your commitment to equal playing time.
As coach, you must be aware that your decisions have implications. It is natural that winning is a basic desire of coaches and players and this policy is not designed to conflict with this. However, the policy requires that as a coach of a junior team, you must wherever possible disassociate yourself from a “win at all costs” attitude.
Finals:
Coaches are to be given discretion on the implementation of this policy in finals. While we all understand the more competitive nature of finals football, an attitude of fairness should still override an attitude of “win at all costs”. Coaches are to communicate clearly with players and parents any changes to the implementation of this policy before the finals series begins. |
