Administrators - What to do now

As an administrator you are responsible for ensuring young people are provided with positive sporting experiences and that team selection criteria are appropriate to the age and developmental stage of children in your club.

If  a parent complains about team selection:

• listen to the parent's (or child’s) concerns and explain your club’s selection policy which should emphasise the importance of balancing competition and participation.
• If there is favouritism or bias (e.g., a parent who is a coach favours their own child) or a win it all costs mentality (e.g., where weaker players are reserves) be prepared to talk with the (coach).  
• encourage coaches to:
  • record playing times for juniors to help them ensure children have equal playing time
  • rotate children through positions, although caution is required where there is a disparity between the strength and physique (e.g., be careful about matching up big children against smaller children).
• consider exemptions to your current procedures early in the season that would provide a better balance between participation and competition needs. For example:
  • regrade teams in the same age group so there’s a better skill balance
  • move a team up or down a division rather than splitting them.
• communicate the reasons for selection changes to parents, coaches and players.
• If there is favouritism or bias (e.g., a parent who is a coach favours their own child) or a win at all costs mentality (e.g., where weaker players are reserves) be prepared to talk with the coach.