Football Victoria (FV) competitions for U8 to U12 age groups consist of three different grades/levels (i.e. Joeys/Beginner, Wallabies/Intermediate and Kangaroos/Advanced).
FV competitions from U13s and above are graded competitions (i.e. A, B, C, D...).
MiniRoos Kick-Off program (4 to 6-years old) and U7s are introductory/beginner levels and as such players are not graded. The primary focus at this age is fun, participation, learning and development of social skills.
Grading for U8s and U9s is voluntary. Players that do not participate in grading sessions will automatically be selected in a Joeys team.
All age groups from U10s and above are graded every year.
Grading ensures that teams comprise of players of similar skills and ability and these teams will play in competitions against other teams of the same skill and ability. This environment will allow players to develop their skills, improve their level of competitiveness and ultimately enjoy their football more.
Grading sessions are normally held in February. We follow a well established, robust and transparent process. Players are assessed by a panel of independent and incumbent age group coaches to ensure assessments are accurate.
It is important for players and parents to understand grading assessment outcomes and the factors that determine team selections.
In a perfect scenario a player will receive an individual grading assessment and be selected in a team that will participate in an FV league at the same level of competition. For example, a player is individually assessed as a Wallaby and is selected in a team that will play in a Wallaby level FV league.
However this is not always an achievable outcome. Players might end up playing in a higher or lower league compared to their individual grading assessment.
This can occur for a number of reasons (list is not exhaustive):
1. Not enough players for a specific grade in an age group. For example, U12 grading assessments resulted in only 9 players assessed as Kangaroos. In this instance, 3 stronger Wallaby players would be elevated and the Club would field a team in an U12 Kangaroos FV league. Conversely if U12 grading assessments resulted in only 5 players being assessed as Kangaroos, these players would be selected in a team that will play in an U12 Wallabies FV league.
2. Excessive players for a specific grade in an age group. For example, U16 grading assessments resulted in 19 players assessed as Bs. In this instance, a squad of 15 players will be selected and the Club would field a team in an U16B FV league. The balance of players may end up playing in an A or C grade FV league.
3. Teams must comprise of the correct balance in terms of player positions. You can't have an A grade U18 team with 10 defenders or 3 goalkeepers. You will need midfielders and forwards to be competitive. In this instance, the required number of defenders and goal keeper would be selected and the remaining players will be selected in a team that will play in an U18B FV league.
4. Composite teams with mixed age groups. Sometimes the player numbers do not work and we have to combine age groups to form a composite team. For example, five U15 A grade players are combined with 10 U16 B grade players to form a composite team which will be entered into an U16B FV league.
Friendship requests will not be permitted to compromise grading assessments and team selections.
Our current grading policy is here.