Feedback from our members illustrated that there were a lot of unanswered questions. Katy Rutter has provide answers to many of our members questions...

If you have a question that needs to be answered, please don’t hesitate to forward it to Katy.

Q. Where are the toilets?

A. At the Nedlands Yacht Club. There are toilets attached to the old white building past the main club house as well as on the car park side of the clubhouse.

 Q. Where are the change rooms?

A. On the Nedlands Yacht Club Grounds. The old white building past the clubhouse.  There are chnage rooms within the main building if they are open.  

Q. What happens if one of my players gets a red card?

A. The player is generally suspended from playing for one week unless it was a more serious offence and it goes to a hearing. 

Q. What happens if a player gets a yellow card?

A. Yellow card is generally a less serious offence, and is just a warning. If a player gets two yellow cards in the 1 match, this is equivalent to a red card and the player will be suspended for one week unless it is a serious offence and goes into a hearing. 

Q. Are there different rules in the finals?

A. Depending on which competition your team is in, the finals rules can be quite different. It is very important that you read the appropriate rules for your specific competition very carefully and thoroughly. If you have any questions about these, please ask the technical committee to clarify. 

Q. How do I know when training is?

A. Age group training commences after the trials. Your coach/manager will be contacting you, or you can check the website.

Q. How do I know what team I’m in?

A. The coach/manager will call you to let you know. For 10 year olds and above there is grading on February 21st and 28th. This will determine what team you are in. 9s and under is established largely according to friendship groups ensuring that they are balanced.

 Q. What is the trials process?

A. Trials are held in February by the technical committee and the coaches involved with that age group. Children will be numbered with a marker pen on their arm so that they can be rated by a number of assessors (including coaches and neutral tech committee members). A number of small sided games will be played with children divided into equal teams by the previous year’s coaches. Children are rated according to their abilities (technique, movement, insight, personality and speed). This information is collated and combined with the player evaluations completed by their previous season coach. Dominant foot and positions played are also considered in order to balance teams. The technical committee and the coaches involved with the age group may then be involved with the team placements.

 Q. If there are two teams in an age group how are they categorized?

A. The club attempts to achieve an A team and a B team according to the children’s abilities and the positions they are able to play. 

Q. If there are three teams in an age group, how are the teams developed?

A. The club attempts to achieve one A team and 2 B teams of equal strength, according to the children’s abilities and the positions they are able to play. 

Q. If there are 4 teams in an age group, how are the teams categorized?

A. The club attempts to achieve one A, and 3 B teams of equal strength, according to the children’s abilities and the positions they are able to play. 

Q. I want to be in the same team as a friend, but how does that work with grading?

A. We grade teams from 9 year olds and above. If it is REALLY important for some people to be in the same team (i.e. lifts, Siamese twins) then they will have to play in the team the weaker player is graded into. Please state this on the registration form, and at grading, but remember that kids almost always make new “best” friends by the first training session, and there are always people who you can share lifts with. – not sure if we need to put this;  

Q. I would like to coach but have no soccer experience?

A. There are coaching courses available and support from our head coach. Please refer your interest to the Head Coach, Jan Jungstedtrefer to Committee for contact details.

Q. I am struggling with coaching. How do I get help?

A. The technical committee is available to help you plan/run sessions. Just ask! There are also resources available such as books and dvds, as well as drills from the club administrator. 

Q. I need (more) equipment/balls/kit/etc?

A. Contact the equipment manager who will be able to help you with your requirements. 

Q. How do we know if we are going to get an official referee?

A. You never know for sure until 15 minutes before the game. They are usually allocated but sometimes just don’t show up. Allocations can now be checked on the FW website. There are a number of our own players who can referee. Please contact Malcolm Reed if you know you will not have a referee and he will do his best to allocate you one of these. (could we try:  Referees are usually allocated by Football West.  These allocations can be found listed on <web URL> up to <time frame> before any scheduled match. Should you not have a referee allocated, please contact the Technical Committee’s Malcolm Reed on <number> and we will try and organise a stand-in for the affected game.) 

Q. What do we do if we get an official referee?

A. Only official referees must be paid. They will have a referee number which you need to record on the “referee fee reimbursement form” with their name, and signature as well as the amount (which is standard for your age group – see coaches and manager’s manual). 

Q. What if we don’t get an official referee?

A. It is the home team’s responsibility to provide a referee should the official referee not turn up (or for rooball). This person should know the rules and be as fair and neutral as possible. They are not paid or reimbursed by the club, however players/teams may contribute a couple of dollars each to pay the referee but this should be agreed on before the game starts. 

Q. We don’t have enough players this weekend. What do we do?

A. You can postpone games. They must be played within 14 days of the fixture date, and the make-up game time must be made in agreement with the other team. You must contact the fixtures person to organise this before the Wednesday before the game. If no postponement can be made, then you will have to forfeit the match. This also has to be communicated to the fixtures coordinator the Wednesday before the match. You can also borrow players from other teams in your age group or from teams in the age groups below you. 

Q. Why are we in a completely different division this year?

A. As the age groups progress there is a different grouping of teams, which means we play locally at the younger age groups and then travel throughout the metropolitan area in the older age groups. This may also mean that you were in Division 2 last year but suddenly find yourself in Division 5 this year, as a number of regions are amalgamated. Each year the top two teams are promoted and the bottom two teams are relegated so this may also effect where your team ends up.

Q. There was an accident at training/game?

A. This should be reported to the club immediately and insurance can be sought through SportsCover Australia Pty Ltd. This covers our members for personal accident and injury as well as professional indemnity insurance. Claims forms can be downloaded from www.sportscover.com or queries can be made at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively Les Beattie can be contacted on 1300 306 383.

Q. My child can’t train on Saturday. Does that mean he can’t play?

A. There are a number of teams now not training on Saturdays, so it depends generally on the coach of the team liaising with all of his players. If you can’t do a particular training day please let your coach know, and if there is a problem contact the age group manager who will be able to tell you when other teams in your age group train. It is most likely that there will be a team that you will be able to train with. 

Q. Do I have to phone in my results?

A. Premier division teams and all men’s and women’s teams have to phone in results to football west. Other teams can phone or email results to the club fixtures coordinator. The appropriate numbers are available on the FW website.  This is the responsibly of the Team Manager. 

Q. Can we pay the coach?

A. Generally coaching is a voluntary position, however in some circumstances (such as the coach not being related to any of the players) the club may pay an honorarium to thank the coach for their time and effort during the season. This is established according to the level of the team they train, and the experience and qualifications the coach has. The team may negotiate with any coach to pay them more, but it must be agreed by all team members, and will not be contributed to by the club. 

Q. Can a parent coach claim the coaching reimbursement?

A. No. The parent coaches and managers receive a discounted ($100) registration for their child. This will be reimbursed at the end of the season. 

Q. Can children take their strip (tops) home?

A. It is up to each team to decide how to organise their strip. Some teams allocate every child one shirt and they keep it and wash it throughout the season. Other teams like to have every child wash a shirt each week and then bring it back to training so that the children get different numbers each week. Other teams (such as the women’s) do not allow the strip to go home with individual team members. The whole strip is collected after each game and washed according to a roster. This roster can also include who pays the referee fees and who brings the oranges for half time. Some teams will ask for a deposit ($40) which is returned at the end of season when the player returns their strip. The full strip/kit must be returned to the equipment manager at the end of season. This is the team manager’s responsibility. 

Q. The other team has the same colour strip as us. What do we do?

A. If you know in advance that you will be playing a team that has the same colour tops as you (yellow), you can arrange with the equipment manager to use an alternate strip (green). If you only find out on game day that their tops are the same, you can usually wear bibs at the junior levels. It is the home team that must change their strip in juniors, and the away team that must change their strip in seniors if there is a clash. 

Q. What do I need to play soccer?

A. Soccer boots, shin pads, long black socks. It is also essential to wear a hat at training and sun cream for training and games. Some children chose to wear mouth guards as well. A water bottle is very important as there are no taps at the pitches. 

Q. What to do about glasses and jewellery that can’t be removed?

A. All depends on the referee you get, but in general Glasses for medical reasons (ie short-sightedness) is ok. They have to be allowed to play. Medical sunnies have even been permitted. Often the worry is just damage to the child if a ball were to hit her in the face, but obviously if they don't have contacts this is the only way they can play and the referee should be told this if they have a problem. ALL jewellery msut be removed. It is an automatic yellow card if the referee sees it. 

Q. Are there holiday clinics?

A. The club receives information about various clinics. If they are assessed to be suitable for our members, this information is forwarded to the members via email and often in the newsletters. In house clinics are run XXX. 

Q. Can my team use the facilities at the yacht club after games?

A. Absolutely! The BBQ facilities can be used by arrangement with the club administrator who has the key. 

Q. What if there are not enough or too many players in my child’s age group.

A. A list is kept of all players who have registered until there are enough players to form a team. If there are not enough players to form one team, then you should recruit players – word of mouth is the best way, and the club can send people out to the local schools. If more than one team of players come in, players’ names are again kept on a list until there are enough players to make the second team. 

Q. I have a problem/issue/want to feedback to the club

A. There are club evaluation forms available on the website if you would like to provide written feedback. Alternatively you can contact your AGM or the person responsible for the area of your concern. You can also contact the club administrator and she can forward your concern onto the appropriate person. 

Q. I have a problem with the coach

A. You can provide feedback to the club at anytime about the coach, there is a feedback form on the website. You can also go to your age group manager (AGM) or the technical committee if it is a coaching specific issue. 

Q. How many kids are there on a team?

A. For the 2009 season FW has changed some of the younger age groups:

• 6s will be playing 4-a-side (maximum of 7 players per team).

• 7s will be playing 5-a-side (maximum of 8 players per team).

• 8s will be playing 5-a-side (maximum of 8 players per team).

• 9s will be playing 7-a-side (maximum of 10 players per team).

• 10s will be playing 9-a-side (maximum of 12 players per team).

• 11s+ play 11-a-side (maximum of 14 for boys teams and 16 for girls teams)

This can be altered by the coach and manager with the team’s agreement. Some cases where this is necessary is if a child can only play every second week, or if they are going away part way through the season. 

Q. How far do we have to travel?

A. For the 2009 season FW has changed some of the younger age groups:

• 6-8 year olds will be playing in hubs for the 2009 season. There will be 4 weeks at our home club, and then 4 weeks at three other clubs.

• 9-12 year olds play the traditional home and away games at local clubs such as Subiaco, Wembley, Perth, sometimes reaching a little further away to Inglewood, Heathridge and Sorrento (north of the river)

• 13+ year olds play all over the metropolitan area depending on who else is in that division. 

Q. How long are games?

A. For the 2009 season FW has changed some of the younger age groups:

• 6s play 3 x 15 minute games

• 7s play 3 x 20 minute games

• 8s play 3 x 20 minute games

• 9-12s play 2 x 25 minute halves

• 13-14s play 2 30 minute halves

• 15s play 2 x 35 minute halves

• 16s play 2 x 40 minute halves

• 17+ play 2 x 45 minute halves 

Q. How long is the season?

A. 6-8 year olds play 16 weeks of games. Training starts February 7th and finishes mid-September. 

Q. Where do the fees go to?

A. XXX I believe there is a nice pie chart that could be inserted here XXX

• FW Component

• Insurance

• Photo

• Club Component – which is allocated….. 

Q. Is there club clothing available?

A. Yes! There is a club tracksuit top, a club jumper and a club hat available. Contact the club administrator to place your order. 

Q. Are there games in the school holidays?

A. FW determine the game dates. Younger age groups have been designed to avoid school holidays this year. If there are issues with games scheduled in the school holidays, these can be rearranged or postponed. 

Q. Are there any social events during the season?

A. Yes! There is a social evenings which will be annouced during the season and regular sausage sizzles.  

Q. What happens with team photos?

A. Team photos are paid for as a part of the registration fee. Photos are held on  one of two Sundays as close to your home game as possible. You will be notified when your team’s date and time is. The photo is laminated and will be presented to you at the club wind-up at the end of season. 

Q. My coach/manager/team is SO fantastic, how do I let everyone else know?

A. At the end of each season nominations are called for, for the Coach of the Year, the Manager of the Year and the Team of the year. You can also write an article for the newsletter.