Policies, Terms and Conditions

By becoming a member of Floreat Force Netball Club, you will be agreeing to the following Terms, Conditions and Policies. You will confirm your agreement upon completing any form of registration, pre-registration or expression of interest.

Refund Policy

The intent of this refunds policy is to provide clarity on how refunds will be granted.  It ensures that our members are aware that they will be treated fairly if they need to withdraw from FFNC and ensures that FFNC is not financially disadvantaged by a member having to withdraw.  

Floreat Force Netball Club (FFNC) players who register with FFNC for the coming season but do not play part or all of the season, may be entitled to a full or partial refund of their registration fees, depending on the reason for not playing out the season.

Refunds may be given in the following circumstances:

  • FFNC cannot place the player into a suitable team;
  • The players personal circumstances change eg moving away from the Perth metro area
  • The player becomes injured or ill and it’s predicted he/she will not play.

Refunds may not be given in the following circumstances:

  • A player chooses to leave and play for another club;
  • A player decides not to play;
  • A player is unhappy with the team they have been allocated to, or the coach that has been allocated to their team.

FFNC will generally not exercise its discretion to refund a fee where a player trials or grades at numerous clubs. We put a lot of effort into grading (including incurring expenses) and selecting teams based on the players we grade.  Withdrawing after this process is unfair to the other players, volunteers and members.

In the unlikely event that FFNC cannot place the player into a suitable team then a full refund of the registration fees will be given at the date of team announcement.  Otherwise, the following cut-off dates apply.

The cut-off date for full refunds is before Closing date of Registration.

The cut-off date for partial refunds is 7 days before date of Team announcement.

The decision to refund is determined by members of the FFNC Committee, exercising their discretion and having regard to this Policy.  Applications for a full or partial refund need to be made in writing to the Registrar.

FFNC reserves the right to ask for proof to support changes of circumstances that result in a refund request.

FFNC can only refund monies paid to FFNC and not monies paid to Perth Netball Association, Netball WA or Netball Australia.

If a player has utilised the KidSport rebate as part of their registration, the rebate may be able to be transferred to another club if the player registers and plays there.  In accordance with the KidSport Policy, FFNC cannot provide a monetary refund of a KidSport voucher to the child, parent or guardian.

Partial Refund Amount

The partial refund amount is the total registration fee payable to FFNC paid less:

$100 to cover FFNC administration expenses.

Partial Refund = FFNC Registration Fee – FFNC administration expenses.

Other Circumstances

Other circumstances that are not listed above will be assessed by the members of the FFNC Committee on a case by case basis, taking into consideration the reason for the refund request and the expenses incurred by FFNC.

Pre-Grading Deposit

FFNC will generally ask proposed players to pay a deposit when they complete their expressions of interest for Year7/8 players prior to pre-grading. FFNC will then ask the player to pay the balance of the fee on formal registration.

The deposit is generally non-refundable.

FFNC may, at its discretion and depending on circumstances, determine to refund a deposit.

top

Code of Behaviour

  • The PNA publishes a Competition Handbook which includes a code of behavior 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. 
top

Training Policy

  • The time and venue for team training will be communicated to players as soon as practicable.
  • Netball is a team game and it is expected that players will attend one team training session per week (in addition to pre-game warm up).
  • From time to time, a player will not be able to attend training. In particular, a player may be unwell and should not attend. A player may have competing commitments for a particular training session. COVID quarantining requirements may also prevent a player from attending training from time to time.
  • We also appreciate that our senior school student players may have greater difficulty in attending training during particular times, such as exam times or during periods of heavy study workload.
  • Players should notify their coach as soon as practicable when they know they cannot attend a particular training session.
  • If a player is unable to attend a series of training sessions, that player should speak with the coach and discuss the reasons for not being able to attend.
  • Unexplained absences from training may result in less time on the court on game day.
top

Team Selection and Division Placement Policy - Junior Competitions

  • It is a requirement of PNA that FFNC ranks our teams in order of ability within each competition, from Junior Year 5 upwards, for example Year 6 Team 1, Year 6 Team 2 etc.
  • This ranking is carried out via a grading process. The aim is to ensure that a player plays with, and against, players of similar ability to ensure greatest enjoyment and development of skills.
  • Grading for teams will generally be conducted over one or more grading sessions. All players from Year 5 upwards are expected to participate in grading unless otherwise advised by a club official.
  • Wherever practicable, FFNC will engage independent graders to conduct grading. If this is not possible, FFNC will ensure experienced graders or coaches are asked to assist with the grading process.
  • The grading process involves a series of short games over a number of sessions where the player has the opportunity to play in at least 2 of their 3 preferred positions, as nominated during pre-registration or expression of interest.
  • Results are compiled by the Grading Committee and are used in the team selection process. The Grading Committee may also take into account the comments from coaches of players who have previously played for FFNC.
  • The Grading Committee will create teams based on ability and a balance of positions in the team. We need to create teams with the right balance of defenders, shooters and centre court players. Requests to play with friends are generally not taken into account during the team selection process for this age group.
  • The minimum team size is 7 players and the maximum is 10 players (7 players are required on court during the game). Wherever possible, we aim for 9 players per team. During COVID uncertainty, we will generally increase the team size to maximum capacity, to accommodate absences.
  • The process of grading and team selection takes many hours of volunteers’ time and, once teams are selected and communicated, it is very difficult to make changes  without a knock-on effect to other players and teams within the same age group. Therefore, FFNC cannot accommodate requests to change teams.
  • If players withdraw after the teams have been selected, or more players join the club, the Grading Committee may need to make changes to the published teams at their discretion.
  • The FFNC Grading Committee will nominate the PNA divisions in which they believe our teams would be best suited to play in. However, the PNA grading sub-committee will ultimately determine the division each team are placed in, taking into account the club request but not necessarily granting that request. This may result in teams being placed in higher or lower divisions than expected. PNA’s decision is final and cannot be disputed.
  • PNA generally re-grade after the first 3 games are played, taking into account game results as well as club requests to change divisions. Again, these requests are taken into account but not necessarily granted. PNA’s decision is final and cannot be disputed.
  • Changing divisions may result in a different playing time on game day. FFNC cannot dispute this decision, even if it results in inconvenience for the players.
top

Team Selection and Category Placement Policy - NSG Competitions

  • Within the NSG teams (years 2, 3 and 4), the emphasis is on giving the children the opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of netball.
  • For this reason, playing within friendship groups is an important factor when putting teams together in this age group.
  • FFNC will, to the best of our ability, place players with at least one friend, as nominated during the pre-registration or expression of interest process.
  • Preferred positions are of less importance, although can be taken into account for the older teams with more experienced players. The aim is to allow the players to try all positions so that they can find a pathway to the position they enjoy and perform the best in as they move into the Junior Competition.
  • Team selection for the NSG players is generally managed by the NSG Coordinator. The NSG Coordinator will generally collaborate with other parents within this group of players to put the teams together.
  • FFNC do not rank teams in the NSG year groups based on ability, however PNA require us to name our teams this way (ie Year 2/3 Team 1, Year 2/3 Team 2 etc).
  • If players withdraw after the teams have been selected, or more players join the club, the NSG Coordinator may need to make changes to the published teams at his/her discretion.
  • The minimum team size is 7 players and the maximum is 10 players (7 players are required on court during the game). Wherever possible, we aim for 9 players per team. During COVID uncertainty, we will generally increase the team size to maximum capacity, to accommodate absences.
  • PNA will place each NSG team in a ‘Category’ – similar to a division.
  • After the first 3 games, PNA may change the category that a given team is playing in. This is typically based on results, with the objective of trying to match similar ability teams within the same category.
  • Changing categories may result in a different playing time on game day. FFNC cannot dispute this decision, even if it results in inconvenience for the players. 
top

General Terms and Conditions

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.

top

Official partners of Floreat Force Netball Club