Boys Player Placement Policy

Boys Player Placement Policy

1. Purpose

Fitzroy Junior Football Club (FJFC) acknowledges that players join our club for a variety of reasons, and our goal is to provide a pathway for them regardless of their motivation. As a club we want to develop and encourage each player’s football journey, starting with team placement.

2. Policy Statement

As defined in the YJFL By-Laws, age groups shall commence on the 1st of January of the current year. There are some qualifications for Under 8s and Youth Boys, which are addressed below.

Where there is more than one team in an age group it is beholden on clubs to provide players, parents and coaches with clear player placement guidelines. FJFC is a large club with multiple teams in nearly every age group.

3. Implementation

Under 8s

The Under 8 competition is the introductory phase, with a unique age group definition. Players must, at a minimum, turn 7 years old by 30 April in the year they commence playing. Hence a small proportion of the cohort will play two seasons of Under 8s.

Under 8s – Under 12s

The club does not allocate players to teams according to perceived playing ability at this age. We encourage them to play with their friends, make new ones, have fun playing football, learn and develop football skills and enjoy being part of a team.

Players are placed in teams:

• with a friendship and/or peer connection. This often translates as a school connection, although efforts are made to ensure one school does not dominate a team due to the likelihood of school commitment clashes (e.g. camps).  
• with a variety of players with varying degrees of skill, ability and confidence
• to achieve similar numbers so as to minimise the risk of one team having a shortfall of players on match days.

When there is a request from a parent/player for the player to move to another team in the same age group, that request will be considered in line with these guidelines.

Players are given the opportunity to play in different positions around the ground throughout the season. The primary focus is on player enjoyment and development, and team spirit. We will endeavour to give all players a minimum of three quarters of football for home and away games.

All players should be given a chance to lead, whether as a team captain for a match, in training activities, or in other leadership roles.

Under 13s – Under 16s

From Under 13s to Under 16s, players are selected for a team that will compete at a level commensurate with their physical size, development and football skills if it is safe and reasonable to do so.

We recognise that children grow, develop and mature at very different rates. At this age, there can be significant differences in physical development and emotional maturity between players. At the same time, there is also a significant increase in the physical intensity of the competition, particularly in the top divisions of the Yarra Junior Football League.

Some players may choose to opt out of the selection process and nominate for the lower-graded team.

Players are placed in teams:

• to maximise their opportunities to develop and enjoy their playing experience, and minimise undue risks of injury
• along with players that have similar skills, ability and confidence 
• to achieve similar numbers so as to minimise the risk of one team having a shortfall of players on match days.

Where necessary, the coaches will conduct an assessment of players in each age group during the pre-season period that considers the skills, experience and physical size and strength of each player. The selection process may continue during grading games and is managed by the Coach Development representative for the age group.

Generally, the teams will be different from the preceding season, particularly for Under 13s. The coaches will communicate the guidelines for, and process of, team selection to parents and players throughout the selection period. Once teams are selected there is minimal movement between the teams, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Players will have the opportunity to play in a variety of positions around the ground throughout the season.

We will endeavour to give all players a minimum of three quarters of football for home and away games, and a minimum of two quarters of football for any finals’ games.

Youth Boys

Youth Boys teams consist of boys turning 17 and 18 in the current year and the players will train as a squad. Selection in each team will be decided by the chair of selectors on an ongoing basis. Teams usually consist of both top and bottom age players.

The selection criteria for the highest graded teams in this age group are similar to the U13s to U16s but there is an increased emphasis on overall team competitiveness as well as commitment to training and team rules.

We acknowledge that at this age, players have competing priorities (study, work) and differing attitudes to competitive sport. The lower graded team(s) will accommodate players wishing to develop and improve their football as well as those who wish to continue playing football at a more social level.

Coaches will still endeavour to work with players to promote development and expose them to various positions throughout the season, however there is greater consistency of positional placement in these years.

We will endeavour to give all players a minimum of three quarters of football for home and away games, and a minimum of two quarters of football for any finals’ games.

Playing out of Age Group

Players will be required to play in their age group unless an exemption is granted. This can take two forms: playing down an age group or playing up an age group.

Playing down is known as an age dispensation request and must be approved by the YJFL according to strict national guidelines. There is a formal process involved and if successful, will apply for one season only. To initiate a request parents will need to contact the football department, and then the Committee will determine whether a request should proceed.

Playing up is managed at club level. An application for an exemption must be submitted by parents in writing and should set out the reasons why the exemption is sought. Exemptions will be granted only in special circumstances, and will be assessed taking into account factors including the following:

• League By-Laws
• Whether there is a shortfall of players in the player’s true age group or in the age group in which they wish to play
• Player safety and wellbeing
• Advanced skill level
• Whether a player has previously been granted an exemption to play out of their age group.

The Committee will consider playing up requests and if accepted, will approve for the current season only. If a playing up request is approved the following year, the player will be considered a permanent member of the older age group, and they will not need to apply for a third season. Note that they may return to their true age group upon request.

4. Evaluation & Review

This policy was updated and approved in November 2025 and is scheduled for review in October 2027.

5. References

YJFL Statement of Rules and By Laws (current season)

6. Related Policies

Girls Player Placement Policy

Updated 16 December 2025