ACE Netball Club is committed to creating teams where every player can enjoy their netball, develop their skills and confidence, and have the opportunity to play at a level that challenges and supports them.
Our team composition process is designed to create balanced teams where players can:
Play with and against players of similar ability.
Build confidence and develop their skills at the right pace.
Experience an appropriate level of challenge and competition.
Work together as a team and develop their love of netball.
U7–U9s
U7 and U8s teams are generally formed around friendships, previous teams and registration numbers, with every effort made to accommodate friendship requests.
While U9s is a non-competitive age group, players participate in a development-focused grading process. This helps us create teams suited to players' current foundational skills, supporting confidence, participation and development as they progress towards competitive netball. Previous coach feedback and pre-season skills sessions also contribute to this process.
All other players U10+
From U10s onwards, all players participate in grading each season. This ensures teams are reassessed and balanced each year based on the current skills, abilities and positions of players.
Players nominate two preferred positions and are assessed by a panel of experienced, independent graders. Players are observed in game situations and assessed on key areas including footwork, ball handling, game sense, attack and defence.
Team selection is based primarily on grading performance, supported by previous coach feedback and observations from the Grading Committee. Teams are then structured to create a balance of skills and positions across the court.
Opens & Locked Teams
The locked team option is only available to existing 2026 Opens teams. These teams can choose to remain together or enter the grading process.
All other U10–Opens players participate in grading each season.
Player-Focused Process
We understand that grading can feel daunting, particularly for younger players. Our grading sessions are closed to parents and conducted by independent graders, with players identified by number to support an impartial process.
We also recognise that every player and family is different. Where a player has specific needs or a family circumstance that may affect grading or team placement, we encourage families to contact ACE prior to grading so these can be considered appropriately.
Our grading process involves significant time, experience and volunteer commitment. We are committed to making team placement fair, considered and focused on the best interests of players, while recognising that team selection decisions cannot always meet individual preferences.
For full details of the process, please refer to the ACE Grading Policy.