Grading &
Selection
Purpose
Updated: October 2026
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on grading and selection for West Pymble FC selective, competitive teams (e.g. JDL, Diamond League , Super League and development squads) in the JDL and youth programs.
Who oversees grading & selection and makes decisions?
Club coaches are responsible for grading & selection. They are overseen and led by our Technical Director (TD) and Performance Director (PD), who are the accountable roles for final selection decisions. Our coaches have the greatest amount of football knowledge and experience and, where they have worked with the players in previous seasons, the greatest amount of knowledge about them as people.
What do the coaches look for?
In JDL, the primary criteria considered are technical ability and attitude. In youth, additional criteria considered are decision-making, positional understanding, work rate (both in and out of possession) and teamwork. We also look at how players respond to instruction and mistakes. A growth mindset is highly valued. Selection is about what a player contributes to a team, as well as what they can do with the ball.
In the youth program, especially as players get older in their teenage years, squad balance becomes a consideration, and this may influence selection decisions. Squad balance is not a consideration in JDL selection.
Does everyone need to trial, including existing WPFC players?
Our current approach is that all youth (U13 and above) players seeking a selective team place need to trial to gain a place in a team (exception given by TD and PD as appropriate). Existing players and newcomers will have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability, attitude and readiness for the coming season. We are conscious, too, that players who played at a lower level and may wish to play at a higher level may not have been seen by our competitive team coaches. We are also conscious that a player may have just moved into the local area, and they deserve an opportunity.
For 2027, we have taken a retention offer approach to our 2026 JDL players. We would still like them to participate in trials, however. And there are places available for new players in our 2027 JDL teams.
My child played in a WPFC selective team last season. Why isn’t their place guaranteed?
We value existing players and want them to stay at the club. Having played for the club is helpful to the player’s selection as we have knowledge of their performance. Where selectors are not sure about choosing an existing or new player, the incumbent will be chosen. Where players move into the older age groups, in particular, the pace, physical demands and tactical expectations increase. Trials provide an opportunity for us to assess each player’s readiness for that next step.
Will bigger, stronger players have an advantage in the selection process?
Physical readiness is one consideration, but size alone does not determine selection. Players mature at different rates. We will also consider skill, awareness, movement and potential, alongside their ability to cope with the competition. Technical capability, work rate and attitude will, in most cases, take priority over physical size when making selection decisions. Physical conditioning also takes priority over size. A player’s size will have negligible impact on JDL selection.
My child’s team had strong results last year. Why change it?
That achievement deserves recognition and gives us a good foundation. Trials help us assess how the group can progress, where it needs strengthening and where each player is in the context of their age group. Previous team results are relevant, but they don’t necessarily provide insights into the capabilities of each individual player.
When grading players, we consider the context of the team we are grading for. This has two aspects. Will the player help uplift the performance of their teammates, or will it possibly hinder their teammates’ development? We also consider if the context of a player’s future potential team will help them develop – this has two dimensions – is the team going to be too strong for the individual and potentially hinder their development, or will the team be too weak, and in this case should we place the player in a stronger team (e.g. in an older age group)?
Can a player play in an older age group?
In most cases we recommend a player plays in their default age group. It is rare for a player to gain any benefit from playing up a year and it may, in fact, disadvantage their development by placing too much pressure on them. It can also prove difficult from a social perspective for both player and team. It may also disadvantage the team they are playing with. However, this is considered on a case-by-case basis as a player’s individual development is a priority for us.
Surely an experienced coach can improve the existing players?
Absolutely. Developing players is central to each coach’s role. But that isn’t relevant to a player’s current capabilities in the context of factors previously noted.
Will friendships and keeping the group together be considered?
For competitive teams, friendships are not a criteria for selection. We, do however, consider team culture and how individuals fit into the group. In our experience, player satisfaction is likely to come more from being with teammates of a comparable standard, rather than teammates being friends, particularly as they get older and play at a higher level. In almost all cases, players quickly develop friendships and social cohesion when they are introduced to a new cohort; this is one of the social benefits of team sport.
What happens if my child is not offered a place in a selective, competitive team?
We want players to continue playing at WPFC wherever possible. We would discuss the available options, including an appropriate social team where numbers allow. We cannot guarantee a particular division or a second team before we know player numbers and coaching availability.
Can the club create a social team to fit in players not selected in selective, competitive teams?
Establishing teams requires enough players, and ideally a coach, so this will be addressed on a case-by-case approach and will be considered from a coordinated whole-of-club perspective.
Will players receive feedback if they miss out?
Players are unlikely to receive any coaching feedback based purely on participation in grading trials. This is because the coaches have as their priority selecting teams, which entails evaluating multiple players in a small space of time. There is a lot of pressure on coaches to get it right – it is not an easy task! Players who have been with the club prior to the grading trials should have received constructive development feedback from their coaches during the season.
What if my child is injured or cannot attend a trial?
Please contact the club beforehand so the coaches can discuss the circumstances and any assessment options. An injury or unavoidable absence should be communicated to the club as early as possible.
What should my child do to give themself the best chance at trials?
Arrive prepared and early, listen, work hard and play positively. Hunt for the ball. Show leadership and resilience. The only player not making a mistake is the player not trying hard enough. Be brave on and off the ball. Show how you can help the team. Make sure the coaches are playing you in your favoured position or positions most of the time. Players do not need to be perfect; they need to give the coaches clear evidence of what they can offer.
What are the training and match day expectations on players in selective teams?
Players are expected to participate in two training sessions and at least one match day per week. Sickness or injury are acceptable reasons for non-attendance. The selective team players are highly competitive and expect their teammates to have a dedicated approach to improvement.
How will school commitments and exams be handled?
We recognise the academic and school sport demands on players, particularly senior students. Players should communicate significant clashes early. We expect commitment and reliable attendance, while working sensibly around genuine school obligations.
It is likely that teams with players in years 11 and 12 will have modified training expectations, which each coach can discuss with the team. This is particularly applicable to teams with significant numbers of private school students, who have mandatory school sport commitments.
Can a player play private school football and club football?
Yes, absolutely! The school season is much shorter than the NSFA club season, and for those youth teams with multiple private school players, the club will request a special time request to play outside of school commitments (e.g. Friday evening, Sunday etc).
Our family is expecting to be absent for an extended period during the season. What are the ramifications on this for our child’s section?
In situations like this the family should advise the club prior to or at grading trials. It is unlikely this absence will impact on a player being selected, but it may impact on our decision to select an additional player in the squad to cover for another’s extended absence.
What is the club’s policy on playing time per player?
We ask our coaches to ensure that for JDL players and youth teams up to U15, over the course of the season, players should get broadly equal playing time. For U16 and above, to help prepare them for all age football and its increased expectations and competitiveness (part of growing up), every player can expect to play for at least half a game, on average, over the course of the season. Coaches are still encouraged, however, to share game time and playing opportunities within the cohort as much as possible.
Coaches will sometimes prioritise game time for players in key positions, such as striker, centre back, defensive midfield and creative attacking midfielder.
What does the pathway into adult football actually mean?
The club is devising ways for how youth players can progress into a suitable senior environment. That includes identifying readiness, preparing players for adult football and coordinating opportunities (such as training with all age teams when in an U18 team). The appropriate destination will depend on each player’s ability, development and ambitions.
Does an U18 Super League place guarantee a future Premier League place?
No. It provides an opportunity to develop towards adult football. Some players may progress towards Premier League, while others will be better suited to another adult team. The aim is to help each player reach the level at which he or she can contribute and continue enjoying the game.
How do I guarantee my child’s place if offered a selective team placement?
A player’s place is guaranteed once they accept the offer through our offer acceptance process which includes the paying of a $350 first payment by the due date as per the invoice, which will be soon after the offer is made. Without that payment by the due date the place is not locked in and may be offered to another player.
What happens if I decide to withdraw my child from playing after payments including a deposit has been paid?
There are no refunds for any player payments that have been made. The place has been reserved for your child and other children almost certainly have been deprived of that place (also, they may not still be at the club). The selection of your child may have, including because of their position, affected other selection decisions. The ramifications of a player withdrawing after accepting their selection are significant.
This approach is standard across the football environment. The only exceptions to this are if the child moved, for instance, interstate or suffered a long-term injury. Our committee will adjudicate in situations such as this.
What do the club fees cover?
The club fees primarily cover coaching and venue hire fees and equipment costs. A small percentage of the fee goes to sundries such as administration fees for IT etc the club pays for.
West Pymble is a community not-for-profit organisation. Most of the people who invest time into our club and community are volunteers, including the club committee and team managers.
Can my child pay less if they train less or are absent over an extended period?
A player will not be charged a reduced fee if they train less. The costs the fees cover are over a whole season, so must be shared amongst all selected players (e.g. a field does not cost less to hire for 12 players as opposed to 16 players).
Complaints and concerns
If a parent or player wishes to raise a selection-related issue with the club, then it will be addressed by the club president, technical director and/or performance director. Queries related to matters such as these should be emailed to secretary@wpfc.com.au
Refunds during the season
Refunds during the season will be in line with the refunds policy and are at the discretion of the committee. The refunds policy is available here.