Grading and Selection Overview
LFC have no official Grading Process for Senior and Junior Social teams. Most remain similar year on year and Age Coordinators will liaise with managers to facilitate correct Division placement. Some teams run trials/kickarounds in February, get in touch with your Age Coordinator to find out more.
Grading Trials for Men and Women PREMS + Div 2, Super League (SL), Diamond League (DL) and Junior Development League (JDL) and Development teams are usually held in October/November. The exception is U6 and U7 which are held in February. Occasionally some teams may spill over into February depending on coach availability and if needing to fill any remaining Development Squad positions.
Grading Trial sessions are held at various times and locations across our district so keep an eye out for this information. Once dates are published (timings are reliant on field allocations from NSFA) you will be able to find your session here where you will also SIGN UP to attend!
Teams are selected by the grading and selection committee using the results of the Grading Trials assessment, and the previous year's coaching reports. Please read our Grading Policy for more specifics.
After the Grading and Selection process is finalised, you will find the team you have been allocated to on the Team Grader App.
You will then start getting emails from your Team Manager with all the details you need for the season. If your team does not yet have a manager, please consider volunteering for the role. It is an essential comms role and should be shared around by team members over the years.
Grading FAQ’s
Q. Do I need to attend Grading?
A. Yes, if you are keen to join one of our Development Teams! All players are encouraged to attend at least one grading session (preferable both) regardless of whether you are a new or existing LFC player.
B. No, if you are a social team player - but please see below notes if you wish to submit a Friendship Team.
Q. What are the Selection Criteria?
A. There are many elements to be considered when selecting players, please scroll down to the below section for a full explanation.
Q. How do I sign up in Team Grader?
A. Go to the Team Grader Website. Find the appropriate Event or Program and click on it. Next click the Register for Event Button. This will then allow you to fill in your details to Register your interest in attending.
FAST CHECK IN for returning LFC players: Fill in your FFA number and the form will self-populate with all your details. Check they are correct and SUBMIT.
Q. I’ve forgotten my FFA number, how can I find it?
A. Either contact the Play Football Support Desk 02 8880 7983 for assistance or follow these easy steps
Q. Why do I need to Sign Up in Team Grader?
A. Knowing the number of players attending each event ensures we will have enough Coaching Staff allocated meaning everyone gets the most out of the session plus it allows Graders to make accurate notes on each player. (That is why you’ll see them on their phones - they aren’t checking Tick Tok)
Q. There are no Events showing in Team Grader, is the link working?
A. If no events are showing, it is most likely we are still awaiting confirmation of ground access before we can give you a time and date.
If we have communicated to you that it is now time to sign up to a grading event, get in touch with admin to clarify what the issue is.
Q. How do I know where my Grading session/event will be?
A. ALL Grading times and locations for your age group can be found in Team Grader. Grading time slots are automatically allocated.
Q. What if I can't make that session?
A. Get in touch with your Age Coordinator - you may be able to join another age group session so you don’t miss out.
Q. What if there is no room in the 2nd session or I can't make that date either?
A. Please advise your Age Coordinator that you cannot make either session or that the session is full. To find your age co-ordinator please visit our contacts page.
Q. Why do we need to arrive 30 mins before the session begins
A. Firstly players need to sign-in with the AC or head coach, they need to be properly warmed up and there will be a short briefing as to how the session will run including the grouping of players. Our sessions run back-to-back with other age groups, therefore there is no time to extend a session due to tardy players.
Playing with Friends FAQ’s
Q. I want to play with friends, do I still need to come to grading?
A. No, but thanks for checking!
Q. How do I let LFC know I want to 'Play in a team with Friends'?
A. You can submit a request via the online form also found on Team Grader.
Q. I have more questions about this process, who can help me?
A. More details can be found on our Play with Friends page.
Still got questions, please get in touch with your Age Coordinator .
Selection Criteria: Super League, Diamond League, JDL, LFC Development Teams and Social Teams
Teams are selected by the grading and selection committee, guided by our selection policy and using the results of the Grading Trial assessment and the previous year's coaching reports.
All new and existing players are assessed at the LFC Grading Trials - if you cannot make both dates, please get in touch with the Age Coordinator.
Teams are not finalised until closer to the season start date as movement of players between provisional groups can often occur. This is particularly relevant for JDL where players are selected into a Squad to be split into 2 teams usually in March.
Note: The actual number of selected teams is flexible from year to year. It depends on the depth of quality of the player base in that age group.
Players not selected in a Super League, Diamond League, JDL or Development Squad will be placed in a team with other players of similar ability or they can request to play with their friends by completing the online Request to play with Friends form. The choice to play in a requested team is not guaranteed, and placement in any team is at the discretion of the Grading and Selection committee. You can read more on our Grading and Selection Policy for Social Teams here.
The club recommends the appropriate division for each team to NSFA.
Registrations received, via the FNSW registration system, after the end of grading for an age group will be placed onto a waiting list. Players will be placed into a team, when there is a position available.
The club sets a minimum and maximum number of players allowed in each squad. These have been set to ensure that teams are mostly able to field a full team each week and also ensure that all players get sufficient playing time. Age coordinators are unable to submit teams that have less than or more than, the recommended number of players.