FAQs

Registration:

Q. How and when do I register?

A. Online via My Netball 

Q. What is the Active Child Rebate?

A. A new Government initiative to encourage parents to enrol their Children in active sports and recreation. Head to the website via this link for further details:

  https://sport.nsw.gov.au/sectordevelopment/activekids

Q. When do registrations close?

A. We accept registrations until half way through the season however those players who don’t attend trials will be automatically placed in the lowest team of their age group.

Q. Do I need to pay in full at the time of registration?

A. Yes.

Q. What is the $40 Maccabi fee for?

A. This is paid to Maccabi Australia who supports all clubs with insurance, database management, websites, legal and administration matters. All Maccabi clubs pay this fee.

Trials

Q. Can my daughter trial in their year group?

A. Any player under 15 will need to trial in their age group, not year group, as this is how the associations take in registrations. Should teams be unbalanced in terms of numbers, selectors will choose a player appropriate for the team that requires extras. Parent/child requests will not be considered.

Q. When are trials?

A. Trial dates and times are posted online in January/February each year dependent on registration numbers.

Q. Why doesn't the club run trials at the end of the season?

A. Each season we have a number of players new to the Club – they must be able to compete for a place in a team at their level of skill.

Q. What if my child can’t trial?

A. Your child will be placed in the lowest team in that age group. Should the child be a returning player with a significant injury or illness and has a Drs certificate we may ask the selectors to review Coaching notes from the prior season.

Q. What if I join after teams are announced?

A. Your child will be placed in the lowest team in that age group.

Q. How are trials run?

A. Firstly you must be registered to trial. Players are placed into random teams in their nominated positions. Players are selected according to the level of skill or ability relevant to their age group and in the position they nominate at time of registration. Please note that fitness for trials is imperative in order for the selectors to make the appropriate decisions. They will take preparedness into account when selecting and will only head to the Coaching notes if undecided.  If your child is unfit and cannot keep up with play, their selection may be affected.

Q. How many games will they play at trials?

A. Usually the girls are seen over two days, and will play a minimum of two games per day (if there are large numbers of players trialling for the same position this may be less). If needed there will be a call back for certain age groups, if the selectors are undecided, or if the age group has many registrations.

Q. Why must players nominate positions when the Coach changes the positions anyway?

A. Selectors need to make teams where they can see players against strong and weaker opponents and this assists with getting games on court quickly. Girls are asked to select the positions they would like to trial in relevant to the team they wish to play in, HOWEVER, the selectors may ask them to trial elsewhere if they see certain skills or attributes (e.g. height, athleticism).

Coaches also have a responsibility to ensure players in younger groups play in a range of positions. Those playing shooting roles will be expected to practice during the week.

Q. Why do some players have more time on court than others?

A. Selectors are trained to look for competence, athleticism, and game play ability. Once they have seen what they need to in order to rank a player, they may not recall that player for any more games.

Q. What if I put the wrong position down on the registration form?

A. All players are asked at check in whether they agree with your nominated positions. If they disagree with your selection they have the opportunity to change it on the day.

Q. Who are the selectors?

A. Two external selectors, and/or one or two committee members, or past members. All selectors are accredited and follow the Netball Australia guidelines.

Q. If I have a query about trials, whom do I contact?

A. Email maccabinetball@gmail.com to enquire about your child (and only your child). This will be passed on to the selectors who will provide a response.

Q. How do you identify the players when so many are on court (and are unknown to some selectors)?

A. A committee member or executive of the Club attend trials to ensure the selectors identify the correct player. Players will also have a number marked in non-toxic marker on one arm and one leg. This is standard practice in all trials with associations. Should you wish for your child to be marked with surgical markers, you will need to send one with your child.

Q. When will we know what team my child is in?

A. Teams will be published on the website. We encourage you to assist your child in managing any disappointment regarding team placement in a constructive manner.

Q. If we do not like the team we are placed in, can we get a refund?

A. No.

Teams

Q. From what age can my daughter play netball?

A. 7 years where they will begin the three-year program of Net Set Go as recommended by Netball Australia. Most of our members start at 8. They then trial for teams when they turn 10 in the year of the season played.

Q. Can my daughter play with her friends?

A. In Net Set Go players are grouped by age – however we do ask that parents in this group nominate ONE friend. Where possible the Club will place these players together. In all other teams, the selectors will place players.

Q. How many players are in a team?

A. Ideally 9; however in the instance of large numbers in an age group we will make teams of 10.

Q. How are teams named?

A. At RNA, Maccabi teams are named by colour – Blue, White, Green, Jade, and Purple.  

Q.  My child has other commitments on Saturdays and may not make all matches. Can she still play?

A. We encourage a wide range of physical activities for children and will accommodate all players as much as possible however:

Players in teams NSG to under 12’s must attend training each week ordinarily
Players who will miss two or more competition games during the season will not be selected for first or second teams out of fairness to the other team members and the Coach

Q. Why does the Coach not play the strongest team each week?

A. Netball is a team sport and all young players should feel part of the squad. It is Club policy that Coaches rotate all players during the competition evenly (unless they regularly miss training) in positions and in time on court. Parents often have an unqualified or biased view of their child’s ability – we recommend speaking with your Team Manager if you feel your child is not getting equal court time.

Training

Q. Where and when is training?

A.  Training is held on:

Monday at Waverley Park from 4pm-5:30pm & 5:30pm-7pm.

Wednesdays at Moore Park from 4pm-5:30pm

Q. Where do I drop my child off?

A. Parents of Net Set Go and young children must walk their players over from Robertson Road and collect them from the courts and walk them back across the field to Robertson Road. This serves as a “warm up” and “cool down”.

Q. What happens if it rains?

A. You will be notified via WhatsApp.  Please DO NOT call the school(s). We also have wet weather line (Details on our website). Training will be called off when playing is considered dangerous.

Competition Games

Q. How do I know where and who we are playing?

A. Fixtures are posted online on the associations’ websites. Team Managers will also communicate this information each week via Team App.

Q. What time does my child need to be at the Game?

A. At least 30 minutes prior – the Coach has the right to sideline a player for the first quarter if they turn up late due to injury concerns.

Q. When do we forfeit a game?

A. When you have less than five players available to play. As much notice as possible should be given to the opposition.

Q. What happens when we forfeit?

A. The opposition will get 1 point.

Q. Can my daughter play up an age group on game day?

A. Yes, HOWEVER they cannot play in a lower division

E.g. If your team is in DIVISION B they cannot play for division C even if its in the older group.

Check the association’s guidelines and with your Team Manager before you ask for players to play up. You can also only ever play 2 games for any team higher. After that you are no longer permitted to play for your team.

Q. How many games can one player play per day?

A. At Randwick a player can play 2 games in 1 day. 

Q. What are divisions?

A.  Randwick have divisions by numbers 1, 2, 3 etc.

Q. How are we placed in a division?

A. The committee send through the divisions they feel are appropriate for each team to the Randwick and Willoughby Associations.

The Randwick  association decides, based on how many teams are entered and the previous years’ results where they feel our teams should be placed.

We can appeal their decision if we don’t agree; however the FINAL decision is up to the association.

Mid way through the season the associations look at the ladders and THEY decide if a team should be moved up or down a division however there has to be a team available to move up or down too, for this to occur.

Q. How do I find out about the rules?

A. Go online, as the rules have changed in the past few years.  https://netball.com.au/inf-release-updated-rules-of-netball/

Q. If the Umpiring appears to be poor, what do we do?

A. Head to the tower/office at the association, and let them know your concerns. Hopefully they will come over and watch the umpire. In the event intervention is required, they will do so. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES abuse the umpire or correct their decisions. They are a game official and deserve respect.

Q. What is the uniform? How do I order one?

A. A navy and green dress, with navy bike shorts. Please contact the uniform officer as per our website. Full uniforms must be worn – earrings or piercings are not permitted in any game (including those that are taped).

Q. What happens if the umpire doesn’t arrive at the game?

A. If it is our Umpire, a team member or parent will need to begin umpiring. It cannot be the Coach as once they begin the match; they must umpire until the end (and Coaching by Umpires is not permitted). If it is their Umpire and they cannot replace them, they forfeit the game. Make sure the Control Tower are informed and give them the ability to source another Umpire prior to this action.

Coaches

Q. Why are there so many young Coaches, why can’t we have professionals?

A. Professional netball coaches are scarce and generally coach representative teams as well as play in competitions. ALL clubs would ideally like professional coaches however our fees limit the budget each year.

We advertise for coaches on many websites and through Universities, however we rely on parent volunteers and our netball community to coach. All clubs have young girls coaching and it must be remembered that age does not dictate the level of the coach’s ability nor their ability to impart their knowledge.

Q. Are the Coaches given training?

A. Yes, at the beginning of the season they are invited to Maccabi run training sessions. As some coaches are volunteers, they may choose not to attend.  Randwick and Willoughby associations offer ongoing courses, which the Coaching Coordinator will recommend to all in the Coaching squad.

Q. Do the Coaches need to be qualified?

A. Yes – all Coaches must be certified in Community Coaching (AIS) and a minimum of Foundation level (2018 forward).

Q. If we wanted to secure a professional Coach for our team, could we?

A. Absolutely! The Club will need to see their credentials first and they must have a current Working With Children Check as well as being trained in Maccabi’s Member Protection Policy. The team will need to self fund the Coach.

Q. Our Coach seems to focus on fitness and not skills. Why is this?

A. If your Coach is spending time on fitness its so that your children can participate with minimum risk of injury on game day. Skill and strategy will not win games alone – netball requires a high level of fitness in order to last for 15 minute blocks. In training Coaches will allow drink breaks after 15 minutes of high intensity to prepare players for Competition games. We highly recommend at least 3 extra fitness sessions during the weeks of Competition.

Team Managers

Q. What is their role?

A. They are the point of contact for your team and will communicate fixtures and team events.

Q. What happens if we need a player from another team?

A. Your Manager will contact the Manager of that team.

Q. If we have feedback about the Coach, do we talk to our Manager first?

A. Yes – do not approach the Coach directly (and definitely not in front of players). Should the matter require escalation, your Manager will contact the Coaching Co-ordinator for next steps.

Q. Who decides the Team Manager?

A. It's the first person that puts their hand up!

Venues

Q. How do I get information about training, games, contacts etc.?

A. Maccabi has a website- maccabinetball.com.au and we also post updates on Facebook

Q. Do I play in Randwick or Willoughby?

A. Net Set Go, 10’s, 11’s, 12’s and 13’s play in Randwick.  14’s plus play in Willoughby. This is due to the younger matches at Willoughby being played on Friday night. The competition for the seniors is much stronger at Willoughby, which is why we play there from 14 years onwards.

Q. When will I know what time we play matches?

A. Only when the associations post the times. Again this is based on how many teams have entered the competition and does change year to year.

Complaints

Q. If I have a complaint, whom do I contact?

A. If it's a minor complaint, please approach your Manager. Otherwise please email our Compliance Officer, Ricky Roth at rickyroth74@gmail.com