WDNA 2016 POLICIES & PROCEDURES FOR
COACHES & UMPIRES

This handbook contains competition policies and procedures for coachingat WDNA,which we hope you will find useful.

Should you have any further queries, questions or require assistance throughout the season, please don’t hesitate to ask your club contact.

For more information about WDNA Policies and Procedures please go to or email

A couple of things to help ALL players, Coaches, Umpires and Spectators:

- Respect all opposition players, coaches, umpires and
spectators.

- Respect all WDNA players, coaches, umpires, spectators and
committee.

- Remember that players participate for pleasure and
winning is only part of the fun.

- Operate within the rules and spirit of the sport.

- Make the experience for all players, coaches, umpires and
spectators a positive experience.

- Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved
in the sport.

- Any physical contact with a young player should be
appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s
skill development.

- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person
regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or
beliefs.

- Show concern and caution towards sick and injured players,
follow the advice of a physician when determining whether
an injured player is ready to commence training or matches.

A couple of things to help our umpires:

- Particularly in the younger grades, it is essential that players
learn to listen to the umpire for directions during the course
of the match, not the coach (or parents/spectators)

- All players benefit from learning the skill of adapting their
game to the umpires they have. At times it seems bad calls
are made by the umpires. Being a good sport means taking
the bad decisions with the good.

- Remember to use the correct protocol to address concerns
about umpiring

Our umpires are out there to help you play your best game. If we don’t have umpires, you can’t play your game. Please remember to be respectful to all umpires; perhaps even thank them after your game.

COMPETITION

ALCOHOL/ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES

No Alcohol is permitted within the Netball Complex, with the exception of the clubrooms when an Occasional Liquor License hasbeenobtained.

AVO (Restraining Order) or any Other as determined by a Court

Clubs need to be aware if such an order exists. It is the responsibility of the concerned parties to remove themselves from any situations that may arise. WDNA holds no responsibility for any breaches. Those involved are required to contact the appropriate authorities when applicable.

BYE GAMES

Teams with a Bye game in their division shall be awarded 1 point when playing a bye game against another division. No percentage points shall be awarded to either team. The team list shall be submitted by the scheduled starting time of the fixtured game and only players listed will be recorded as having played. THE TEAM LIST MUST BE RECORDED BY the scheduled starting time of the fixtured game. Teams with a bye game (no game) in their division shall be awarded 0 points for this game and no game will be recorded.

If a Bye game is forfeited, the non-forfeiting team shall receive 1 point and the forfeiting team receives 0 points.

CLUB CONTACTS

WDNA will request each club to nominate up to two (2) contact persons preferably one contact to be the President. These people will be the ONLY people that are authorised to make enquiries or changes with regard to any matters to do with your club, so one (1) must remain as a contact for the 12-month period.

The Club contact people are the liaison between the Club and WDNA and must be contactable, either by phone, fax or email. It is the club contacts responsibility to pass on all information relating to the competition, courses, meetings, development and netball related matters to all Club members.

COACHING ACCREDITATION

All NSG SET, 10 & under, 11 & under and 12 & under coaches
who wish to coach at WDNA MUST produce evidence of current coaching Netball Australia coaching accreditation prior to the commencement of the winter season. Date to be specified by ADO. Coaches who are unable to provide this must complete the WDNA Beginner Coaching Course appropriate to the age level theyare coaching. This course is provided free of charge by the Association. Further information will be provided by the ADO prior to the season commencing. Failure to comply with this requirement means the coach may not coach at WDNA.

COMPLAINT HANDLING PROCEDURES

A complaint may be lodged by the club contact onlyon the appropriate form with the Association within 72 hours of the match. The offence may have occurred before, during or after the competition, program or event, but must have occurred on WDNA premises. The car park does not form part of WDNA premises.

The Board will refuse to accept complaints that have not been submitted by the club contact and any complaints that are deemed to be frivolous, vexatious or otherwise mischievous in their nature. The final decision will rest with the Director of Competitions in conjunction with the Board.

A decision shall be made by the Director of Competitions, in conjunction with the Board, in a reasonable time upon receipt of the complaint as to whether further action shall be required.

If required, the Director of Competitions shall arrange via the Association Manager, for a suitable date, time and place for a Meeting to occur for all involved parties.

Suspension may include being barred from coaching or playing for any team within defendant’s club. Suspension may also include being barred from entering the netball complex.

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
It is the club’s responsibility to ensure that their members and
spectators are aware of and abide by the WDNA code of behaviour :

There is zero tolerance to any misconduct.

CONCUSSION POLICY

This policy is designed to use the world’s best practice to ensure optimum player safety regarding the management and prevention of head injuries. It is specifically tailored to volunteer based teams in WDNA without specialised medical staff.

Its intention is to provide a streamlined process to help clubs provide a safe playing environment and take the pressure off non-medical personnel to make decisions regarding safety to play.

Its priority is NOT to act as an enforcement or punishment tool.

Any player suspected of having suffered a head injury/concussion or is knocked unconscious shall:
1. Be assessed by a WDNA First Aid Officer using the 1st
Responder assessment tool, preferably within 10
minutes of the incident. Use of the 1st Responder
requires NO medical training.

Any player who FAILS the 1st Responder assessment should:

1. NOT be returned to the field of play.

2. Have their names notified to the WDNA office, who will
record the player’s name in the day book.

A player whose name is submitted to the WDNA office as having FAILED the 1st Responder:

  1. Will NOT be permitted to play at WDNA until the WDNA receives a Medical Certificate clearing her/him to play.

(Concussion Policy continues on Page 8)

A player who suffers a concussion should on the day of the game:

  1. NOT consume alcohol and keep well hydrated.
  2. NOT drive a motor vehicle.
  3. NOT be left alone, and be woken every 2-3 hours during the night to ensure they are well.
  4. Seek IMMEDIATE medical attention if they:

a)Are unconscious for more than 5 minutes

b)Develop visual disturbance

c)Are confused

d)Develop nausea/vomiting

e)Have a headache and are not responding to paracetamol or ibuprofen

CYBER SAFETY POLICY

This policy is available on the WDNA website

ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

15.1An eligible player is one who has met all of the registration requirements of WDNA.

15.2 Playing an ineligible player during any match for
Premiership points will result in a fine. (Penalty #10)

15.3 In the event of proven false recording of a name on a
scorecard, the player who plays under the name, and the
player, if any, under whose name they have played, shall
be deemed not to have played on that day at all for the
purpose of qualifying for finals matches. (Penalty #8)

If a team suspects the opposition is playing an ineligible player, the team official should make the matter known to the match office immediately whilst the game is in progress in accordance with the complaint handling procedure.

(Eligible Players continues on Page 9)

AGE GROUP RULINGS

15.4 NET SET GO (SET)

15.4.1Net Set Go (SET) will be divided into two
competitions, one for players aged 7 and 8 (Note
– players must turn 7 prior to 31st December that
playing year) and one for 8 and 9-year-old players
as at the 31st December of that year.

15.2

15.3

15.4

15.4.1

15.4.2Clubs who have teams which consist of 7, 8 and 9-year-old players must play in the 8 and 9-year-old competition, 9 year olds will not be allowed to play down.

15.4.3Boys and girls are both eligible to play in the Net Set Go (SET) competition.

15.4.4In accordance with the Australian Junior Sport
Policy) (
content/uploads/2013/09/JuniorPolicy_2015_Final_ForWeb.pdf) there are no restrictions regarding the number of boys in a team or the positions that they may play.

15.4.5An eight (8) year old may only play in the Net Set
Go (SET) competition.

15.4.6A nine (9) year old may only play up one year
e.g. 10 & under competition.

15.4.7Players are not to play more than two (2)
quarters in one position during a match. Players
must be rotated evenly through ALL playing
positions during the course of the season.
Penalty # 21

15.5 10 & UNDER, 11 & UNDER, 12 & UNDER ELIGIBILITY

15.5.1Players may only play up one age group.

15.5.210 and under players are required to be rotated
through ALL positions during the season. No
player may play more than two (2) quarters in
any position in any one game.

15.5.3Should a 12 & under team be deemed too strong
for the 12 & under competition, the DOC reserves
the right to move them into the 13 & under
competition. Alternatively, WDNA may refuse to
accept their registration as a 12 & under team.

15.613 & Under

15.6.1 Only female players aged between (twelve) 12
and (thirteen) 13 as of the 31st of December of
that playing year may play in the 13 and under
competition. Only players turning 13 before 31st
December of that playing year may play up in the
15 and Under competition.

15.6.2 Should a 13 & under team be deemed too
strong for the 13 & under competition, the
DOC reserves the right to move them into the
15 & under competition. Alternatively, WDNA
may refuse to accept their registration as a 13 &
under team.

15.815 & UNDER

15.8.1Only female players aged between thirteen (13)
and fifteen (15) as at the 31st Decemberof that
playing year may play in the 15 & under
competition. Players turning 15 before the 31st
December of that playing year may play up into
the 18 & under competition, but may not play in
the Open competition.

15.8.2Should a 15 & under team be deemed too
strong for the 15 & under competition, the
DOC reserves the right to move them into the 18
& under competition. Alternatively, WDNA may
refuse to accept their registration as a 15 &
under team.

15.918 & UNDER

15.9.1Only female players aged between sixteen (15)
and eighteen (18) as at 31st December of that
playing year may play in the 18 & under
competition.

15.9.2Should an 18 & under team be deemed to be too
strong for the 18 & under competition, the DOC
reserves the right to move them into the Open
competition. Alternatively, WDNA may refuse to
accept their registration as an 18 & under team.

15.10OPEN

15.10.1Female players who are a minimum of sixteen
(16) years as at 31st December of that playing
year are eligible to play in the Open
competition.

15.10.2Female players turning fifteen (15) by the 31st
December of that playing year may not play
up into the Open Division unless a Permit to
play up has been granted. This permit will
only be granted in exceptional circumstances
and only after assessment by an association
representative.

ETHICS CLAUSE & MEMBER TRANSFERS (POACHING)

Players and coaches are regarded as being registered from the time the club submits their team lists on Winter Registration Day to the conclusion of their winter season.
During this period: -

No club member, coach or other official, including TACT coaches/officials, may approach any player or coach from another club to discuss transferring or offer inducements to transfer. (Penalty #17)

Approaches may be made to any player/coach the day after the WDNA Grand Final of the winter season when every player/coach is deemed to be a free agent.

FINALS

All teams are responsible for confirming their participation in the Finals series –

Upon confirmation, teams are required to submit their team playing list each week no later than 9am on the Wednesday prior to each finals game. Teams may submit further names for the scorecard on the day of the game providing the total of players on the scorecard does not exceed 12.

On Grand Final Day Division 1 teams are to submit starting positions no later than 30 minutes prior to commencement of the game to the DOC. (Penalty #19)

All players must have played at least five (5) matches with their own club, on separate dates, before they may participate in finals matches. Clubs may check player eligibility via Mynetball –Competition Participation – Tools – Reports – Matches Played.

SGV’s are not included towards qualifying matches. (Penalty #11)
No out of uniform permits will be issued for finals.

All finals must be played on the day, date and time specified
by the Association.

Any team who forfeits a finals match will be eliminated from the finals series. If Team 1 or 2 (2nd Semi-final) forfeits a Semi-finals match on the scheduled day, there shall be no Preliminary final. The winner of the 1st Semi-final match shall automatically go through to the Grand Final. A team forfeiting a finals match must show just cause to the Board by the Wednesday prior to the match. (Penalty #14)

The Board reserves the right to replace a forfeiting team in a final.
(Finals continues on Page 13)

All teams in the finals will be advised by email, and the WDNA website, of the time and court for the following finals:
Order of Play - Divisions of 6 Teams
Semi Finals – 2nd Semi-final – 1 v 2, 1st Semi-final – 3 v 4
Preliminary Final – Winner of 1st Semi-final Final V Loser
of 2nd Semi-final
Grand Final – Winner of Preliminary Final V Winner of 2nd
Semi-final.

Order of play - Divisions of 8 Teams
Divisionsof 8 will have a top 5 for finals. This means that
teams 1, 2and 3 have a double chance.

Week 1

Team 1 has the bye

Qualifying Final

Team 2 v Team 3

Elimination Final

Team 4 v Team 5 (loser eliminated)

Week 2

Semi Final 2

Team 1 v Winner of Qualifying Final (Winner to Grand
Final)

Semi Final 1

Loser Qualifying Final V Winner Elimination Final (Loser
eliminated)

Week 3

Preliminary Final

Loser Semi Final 2 v Winner Semi Final 1

Week 4

Grand Final

Winner Semi Final 2 v Winner Preliminary Final.

Where teams finish the season with an equal number of
premiership points, the relative positions on
the premiership table are arrived at by dividing the goals
scored for by the goals scored against.
(Finals continues on Page 14)
During a finals match where a draw is imminent (or likely), a team representative must come to thematch office for an official. In the event of a draw at full time, two WDNA officials shall become the scorer and timer at the court and the order of play is as follows:
There shall be a two (2) minute interval at the end of full
time;
Extra time shall consist of two (2) halves of seven (7)
minutes each, with an interval of one (1)minute at half
time. Teams shall change ends at half time. The centre
pass is taken by the teamentitled to the next centre pass.

During both of these intervals, substitutions and/or team
changes may be made as per the official rule book –
9.1 SUBSTITUTIONS AND TEAM CHANGES

(i) Both teams have the right to make substitutions
and/or team changes:

(a) During an interval

(b) When play is stopped for injury/illness or
blood.

(ii) The number of substitutions is not limited
provided the players used are those named for
the match.

During extra time, normal injury or illness procedures shall
apply (refer Rule 9.3.1 Official Rules of Netball). However,
during the entire extra time:
The first stoppage for each team shall be up to 30
seconds.

Each subsequent stoppage for each team shall not
exceed thirty (30) seconds

Coaching is allowed by anybody on the team bench and at
any time from a stationary position.

In the event of a draw remaining at the end of the extra time, a visual signal shall be to indicate that play shall continue until one team has a two (2) goal advantage.

All finals times will be provided to clubs prior to the first playing date.

(Finals continues on Page 15)

All clubs will be allocated finals umpire and/or volunteer timeslots by 9am Wednesday prior to the finals match. It is the responsibility of the club to provide a suitable umpire for the level of game allocated. (Penalty #3 & Penalty #16)

Clubs who have a significant number of teams in finals, but whose umpires are not used, will be required to supply volunteer for various roles as determined by the Association Manager.

No umpire is guaranteed allocation of a Finals match.

WDNA recommends that all clubs pay umpires who have been allocated as reserves for finals matches as the umpire is required to remain in the allocated areain full umpiring uniform, for the duration of the allocated match

FINES

All fines will be monetary and must be received before the next playing date.

Reason for Fine / Penalty / Fine / Penalty
1 / Failure to hand in a score-card. / $50 / Fine
2 / Failure to complete a score-card correctly. / $5 / Fine
3 / Failure to provide a volunteer. / $250 per volunteer / Fine
4 / Failure to attend compulsory meetings. / $50 per person / Fine
5 / Offensive, disrespectful, abusive language and/or behaviour to another player, umpire and/or WDNA official. / $200 / Fine and/or 1-3 weeks’ suspension.
6 / Physically harming or attacking another player, umpire, official or spectator. / $350 / Fine and/or 1-6 weeks’ suspension.
7 / Unruly behaviour by a club official, player or spectator associated with that club. / $200 / Fine and/or 1-6 weeks’ suspension or termination of membership of the association where applicable.
8 / Any person proven to have provided false information. / Up to $250 / Penalty at the discretion of the Board.
9 / Intentionally playing players under other registered names. / $250 per player / Fine and Forfeiture of the match.
10 / Playing an ineligible player. / $50 per player / Fine and Forfeiture of the match.
11 / Playing an ineligible player during a Finals match. / $100 per player / Fine and Forfeiture of the match. No further part in Finals series.
12 / Playing a player out of uniform without a permit. / $20 / Fine
13 / Forfeiting a match without giving the office the required notice, including once the game has commenced. / $100 / Fine and loss of 2 points. Forfeiture of the match.
14 / Forfeiting a Finals match. / $250 / Fine and No further part in Finals series.
15 / Failure to supply a suitable umpire, scorer or timer for the duration of the match. / $50 / Fine and Forfeiture of the match.
16 / Failure to provide an umpire for finals. / $250 per umpire / Fine
17 / Violation of WDNA ethics and poaching clause. / up to $250 per player approached. Club charged up to $250 / Suspension at the discretion of the Board.
18 / Inappropriate uniform. / $50 per player / Fine
19 / Failure to return forms or supply information as requested by the Association. / $50 / Fine and further penalty at the discretion of the Board
20 / Failure to attend a match during grading / $250 / Fine
21 / Failure to rotate players where deemed appropriate / $20.00 / Fine

FIRST AID