Policies, Terms and Conditions

Players who register with Floreat Force Netball Club (FFNC) but do not play part or all of the season may be eligible for a full or partial refund of their FFNC registration fees, depending on the circumstances.

Refunds may be considered where:

• FFNC is unable to place the player in a suitable team.
• The player’s personal circumstances change, such as moving away from the Perth metropolitan area.
• The player becomes injured or unwell and is not expected to be able to play.

Refunds will generally not be provided where:

• The player chooses to leave FFNC to play for another club.
• The player decides not to play.
• The player is unhappy with their allocated team or coach.

FFNC will generally not approve a refund where a player has trialled or graded at multiple clubs. Team grading and selection requires significant volunteer time and expense and is based on the players who participate in FFNC’s grading process. Withdrawing after this process may have a significant impact on other players, teams and volunteers.

Refund Timeframes

If FFNC is unable to place a player in a suitable team, a full refund of FFNC registration fees will be provided when teams are announced.

Otherwise, the following deadlines apply:

• Full refund: Request received before the registration closing date.
• Partial refund: Request received at least 7 days before the team announcement date.

Refunds are not automatic. The FFNC Committee will consider each request and exercise its discretion in accordance with this Policy.

All refund applications must be made in writing to the Registrar. FFNC may request supporting documentation to verify circumstances relating to a refund request.

Partial Refund Amount

Where a partial refund is approved, the refund will be calculated as follows:

Partial Refund = FFNC Registration Fee Paid – $100 FFNC Administration Expenses

The $100 deduction covers administration and other costs incurred by FFNC in processing the registration and refund.

Deposit

FFNC will generally require players to pay a deposit when completing their registration. The remaining balance will generally be payable when registration closes.

The deposit is generally non-refundable. However, FFNC may, at its discretion and depending on the circumstances, approve a refund of the deposit.

Other Circumstances

Circumstances not specifically covered by this Policy will be considered by the FFNC Committee on a case-by-case basis.

In making its decision, the Committee will consider the reason for the refund request, the timing of the request and any costs or expenses already incurred by FFNC.

Fees Not Refundable by FFNC

FFNC can only refund fees paid directly to FFNC. Fees paid to Perth Netball Association (PNA), Netball WA or Netball Australia cannot be refunded by FFNC.

KidSport Rebates

Where a player has used a KidSport rebate as part of their registration, the rebate may be transferable to another club if the player registers and plays there.

In accordance with the KidSport Policy, FFNC cannot provide a cash refund of a KidSport voucher to the player, parent or guardian.

• The PNA publishes a Competition Handbook which includes a code of behaviour or code of conduct as well as various policies and rules to ensure appropriate conduct on and off the Court.

• FFNC requires all players and its members to adhere to those codes, rules and policies. Failure to do so may result in the termination of membership. 

• Training details: Training times and venues will be communicated to players as soon as practicable.

• Weekly attendance: Netball is a team sport, and players are expected to attend one team training session each week, in addition to the pre-game warm-up.

• When players cannot attend: We understand that players may occasionally be unable to attend training due to illness, competing commitments or other circumstances. Players should not attend training when unwell or when required to comply with COVID-19 quarantine or isolation requirements.

• Senior school commitments: FFNC recognises that senior school students may have difficulty attending training at certain times, particularly during exams or periods of heavy study.

• Notification: Players should notify their coach as soon as practicable if they are unable to attend a training session.

• Ongoing absences: If a player expects to miss a number of training sessions, they should discuss this with their coach and explain the circumstances.

• Impact on game time: Unexplained or ongoing absences from training may result in reduced court time on game day.

• Team ranking: From Junior Year 5 onwards, PNA requires FFNC to rank teams within each age group based on ability (e.g. Year 6 Team 1, Year 6 Team 2). Team numbers therefore reflect the relative ability of the teams.
• Purpose of grading: Grading is designed to place players with, and against, others of a similar ability level, supporting player development and enjoyment of the game.
• Grading sessions: Grading will generally take place over one or more sessions. All players from Year 5 onwards are expected to participate unless otherwise advised by a club official.
• Graders: Wherever practicable, FFNC will engage independent graders. Where this is not possible, experienced graders or coaches will assist with the process.
• Grading process: Players participate in a series of short games across the grading sessions. Wherever possible, players will have the opportunity to play in at least two of their three preferred positions, as nominated during pre-registration or the expression of interest process.
• Assessment: Grading results are compiled by the Grading Committee and used to inform team selection. The Committee may also consider feedback from coaches of players who have previously played for FFNC.
• Team selection: Teams are selected based primarily on player ability, while also ensuring an appropriate balance of positions. Teams need a suitable mix of defenders, shooters and centre-court players. Requests to play with friends are generally not considered for this age group.
• Team size: Teams must have a minimum of 7 players and a maximum of 10 players, with 7 players required on court during a game. Wherever possible, FFNC aims for 9-10 players per team.
• Team changes: Grading and team selection require significant volunteer time. Once teams have been selected and communicated, changes can have a flow-on effect across the entire age group. For this reason, FFNC generally cannot accommodate requests to change teams.
• Changes after selection: If players withdraw after teams are selected, or additional players join the club, the Grading Committee may make changes to the published teams at its discretion.
• PNA divisions: The FFNC Grading Committee will nominate the PNA division it believes is most appropriate for each team. PNA’s Grading Sub-Committee makes the final decision and may place teams in a higher or lower division than requested. PNA’s decision is final and cannot be disputed.
• Re-grading: PNA generally reviews team divisions after the first three games, considering game results and any club requests for a change of division. Requests are considered but are not necessarily approved. PNA’s decision is final and cannot be disputed.
• Playing times: A change in division may result in a change to game-day playing times. FFNC must follow PNA’s decision and cannot dispute any resulting change, even where this causes inconvenience for players or families.

• Focus: For NSG teams (Years 2, 3 and 4), the priority is to provide children with an enjoyable and positive introduction to netball, while developing their skills and confidence.
• Friendship groups: Friendships are an important consideration when forming teams. FFNC will, where possible, place each player with at least one nominated friend identified during the pre-registration or expression of interest process.
• Positions: Preferred positions are not a primary consideration. For older or more experienced NSG players, preferences may be considered where practical. Players are encouraged to experience different positions to help them identify the positions they enjoy and perform well in as they progress to Junior Competition.
• Team selection: NSG team selection is generally managed by the Primary School Coordinator, who may consult with other parents involved with this age group when forming teams.
• Team grading: FFNC does not grade or rank NSG teams based on ability. However, PNA requires teams to be numbered (e.g. Year 2/3 Team 1, Year 2/3 Team 2). These numbers do not indicate a ranking of ability.
• Changes to teams: If players withdraw after teams are selected, or additional players join the club, the Primary School Coordinator may make changes to the published teams at their discretion.
• Team size: Teams must have a minimum of 7 players and a maximum of 10 players, with 7 players on court during a game. Wherever possible, FFNC aims to have 9-10 players per team.
• Game-day playing time: PNA may make changes to playing time on game day. FFNC is required to follow these decisions and cannot dispute them, even where this may cause inconvenience for players or families.

1. Terms used:

In these Terms and Conditions:

Claim means and includes any action, suit, proceeding, claim, demand, damage, penalty, cost or expense however arising including but not limited to negligence BUT does NOT include a claim against FFNC by any person entitled to make a claim under a relevant FFNC insurance policy or under the FFNC Constitution or a Netball Organisation By-laws or Regulations.

FFNC means Floreat Force Netball Club Incorporated.

Member means player, guardian, official, coach, umpire and any other membership class recognised by FFNC.

Netball Activities means performing or participating in any capacity in any activity authorised or recognised by FFNC.

Netball Organisations means and includes FFNC, Perth Netball Association, Netball WA and Netball Australia and their respective directors, officers, members, servants or agents.

Netball Rules or Rules means the relevant constitutions, by-laws, regulations, code(s) of conduct and policies of the Netball Organisations.

2. Membership/Agreement:

If the Member’s registration is accepted, the Member (including a player’s guardian, if applicable) will be a Member of FFNC in the appropriate membership class under the FFNC Constitution. The registration application will be considered and may be accepted or rejected in accordance with the FFNC Constitution.

If accepted it is acknowledged that:

(a) the Member will be bound by and agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions and the Rules; and

(b) the said Terms and Conditions and Rules are necessary and reasonable for promoting FFNC; and

(c) neither membership nor the Rules gives rise to any:

(i) proprietary right in, to, or over any Netball Organisation or its property or assets; and

(ii) automatic right of renewal of membership; and

(iii) subject to any relevant law, any right to natural justice, unless expressly provided for in the relevant Rules.

(d) the appropriate membership fees and charges will be paid to the relevant Netball Organisations by the date(s) they are due. If these fees are not paid, players will not be eligible to participate.

4. COVID 19:

In the event that a Netball Organisation requires proof of COVID vaccination to participate in any Netball activities or attend at any Netball venue(s), it is acknowledged that either proof of vaccination or a medical exemption (where applicable) will be supplied. Failure to provide proof of vaccination or a medical exemption means the Member will be unable to participate in any Netball activities and will not be entitled to any refund of fees.

5. Warning:

Netball activities can be inherently dangerous. It is acknowledged that Members are exposed to certain risks during Netball activities including but not limited to physical exertion, contact with Netball equipment and body contact. Accidents can and often do happen which may result in a Member being injured, or a Member’s property or equipment being damaged. The Member has voluntarily read and understood this warning and accepts and assumes the inherent risks of participating in Netball Activities.

6. Release & Indemnity:

Where the Member has committed a criminal offence, been negligent and/or otherwise deliberately failed or refused to comply with the Netball Rules as a Member and/or whilst participating in any Netball activities and in consideration of FFNC accepting the Membership registration, the Member;

(a) releases and will release the Netball Organisations from all Claims that the Member may have or may have had but for this release arising from or in connection with membership and/or participation in any Netball activities; and

(b) indemnifies and will keep indemnified the Netball Organisations to the extent permitted by law in respect of any Claim by any person arising as a result of or in connection with the membership and/or participation in any Netball activities.

6. Fitness to Participate:

The Member declares that the Member is medically, mentally and physically fit and able to participate in any Netball activities and is not and must not be a danger to themselves or to the health and safety of others. The Member will immediately notify FFNC in writing, of any change to the Member’s medical condition, fitness and ability to participate.

The Member authorises any official from FFNC or Perth Netball Association Inc. in the event of any injury or illness, to obtain on behalf of the Member or the Member’s child/children, and at the Member’s expense, any medical assistance, treatment and transportation as deemed necessary.

7. Intellectual Property (IP):

The Member acknowledges and understands that FFNC owns significant Netball IP including but not only all IP rights in and to the FFNC logo. The Member will not infringe any FFNC IP rights and will seek permission from FFNC before any use of FFNC IP.

8. Force Majeure:

FFNC will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing any obligation under it’s agreement with a Member that is due to any of the following causes, to the extent beyond its reasonable control: acts of God, accident, riots, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic (including the COVID-19 pandemic), quarantine, civil commotion, breakdown of communication facilities, breakdown of web host, breakdown of internet service provider, natural catastrophes, governmental acts or omissions, changes in laws or regulations, national strikes, fire, explosion, or generalized lack of availability of raw materials or energy.

9. Severance:

If any provision of these terms and conditions is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the phrase or clause is to be read down for the purpose of that jurisdiction, if possible, so as to be valid and enforceable. If the phrase or clause cannot be so read down it will be severed to the extent of the invalidity or unenforceability of it in any jurisdiction. Such severance does not affect the remaining provisions of these terms and conditions or affect the validity or enforceability of them in any jurisdiction.