THE BOMBER WAY
APPROACH THROUGH THE GRADES
Mini Bombers - Under 7s to Under 9s
The focus for our U7 to U9s is for the children to actively participate, have fun and learn the basics of football.
The key principles for the coaching and development of these age groups are:
• Focus on participation in all activities, and having fun!
• Basic skill development and understanding of rules.
• All children will get equal game time irrespective of ability.
• Children will be rotated through forwards, midfield and backs on a quarter by quarter basis.
• Scores can be kept informally but will not be used as a key motivator.
• Best player awards will not be provided. Awards will be shared evenly across the team.
• Respecting umpires, team mates and the opposition.
Junior Bombers - Under 10s & Under 11s
The focus of the U10 & U11s remains on fun and participation, with further development of their skills and understanding of the game.
The three-zone oval rule no longer applies to these age groups and there are no official scores or ladders.
The following principles apply to the coaching and development of the U10s and U11s:
• Focus on participation in all activities, and having fun!
• Continued skill development and introduction of game sense drills.
• Children will get equal game time irrespective of ability.
• Increased awareness and understanding of positions with the expectation children will spend no longer than a half in one position.
• Scores can be kept and advised but not emphasized.
• Best player awards are not generally provided although outstanding efforts at this level may be recognised. Rewards will be shared evenly across the team.
• Respecting umpires, team mates and the opposition.
Junior Bombers - Under 12s & Under 13s
The focus for our U12s and U13s is to ensure they are enjoying football while further developing their skills and understanding of the game. Teams begin to play for premiership points from Under 12.
The following principles apply to our U12 and U13 teams:
• Children will get equal game time irrespective of ability.
• Further skills development and understanding of the game, including general ball movement and team structures.
• Increased awareness and understanding of positions with the expectation they will spend no longer than a half in one position.
• Where there are sufficient numbers to field two teams in an age group, the initial expectation is that the teams will be selected to be equal in strength and play in the same division. This approach may be adapted to implement an ‘A’ and ‘B’ grade model if it is deemed in the best interests of the age group, as determined by the Junior Football Coordinator(s), in consultation with the coaches and in accordance with SANFL guidelines.
• Each age group will conduct warm up and warm down drills together at training.
• Scores are kept and can be used as a motivation.
• Best player awards are provided at the end of the season and outstanding results and improvements are recognised during the season.
• Respecting umpires, team mates and the opposition.
Senior Development - Under 14s to Under 17.5s
The focus for our Senior Development Bombers is to give them the tools to be the best they can be both as a footballer and as a young adult.
Once players reach this age group the emphasis shifts from rotation policies to gaining levels of competencies in certain positions. Coaches will emphasize the importance of leadership and commitment to themselves and their team.
The following principles apply to the U14 to U17.5 age groups:
• Advanced skills development and understanding of the game, including specific game sense drills based on A grade.
• All players will be on field for at least half a game.
• Players will have the opportunity to play in a number of different positions over the course of the year.
• When the opportunity arises (eg. when games are lopsided), players will be moved around to provide opportunities for everyone to get involved in the game.
• Where we have enough players to form two teams at a certain age group, these teams may, following discussion with coaches and the Junior Football Coordinator(s), be divided into a stronger ‘A’ team to play in a higher division, and a second ‘B’ team.
• If this is the case, the aim will be for the full age squad to warm up and warm down together at training and the teams to BOTH be picked with good chances of being competitive and having a rewarding season.
• Both teams will be given the same resources and levels of coaching.
• Some players may shift between the A and B teams subject to form and team requirements.
• We will NOT contrive to have outside players qualify for a squad at the expense of regular players, including in the Finals.
• Best player awards are provided at the end of the season and outstanding results and improvements are recognised during the season.
• Respecting umpires, team mates and the opposition.
Finals – U12s to U17.5s
Brighton Bombers junior squads will be formed with the aim of giving most players a game each week, ideally below the maximum allowed by the SANFL of 22/28/32 players a team. However, when teams qualify for finals, tough decisions will inevitably need to be made. Players who miss out, and their parents, will be disappointed and need to understand how selections are made.
The following guidelines attempt to balance our commitment to giving all boys/girls the thrill of playing a finals game with the aim of also remaining competitive and trying to win. Selection decisions will be left in hands of team coaches and managers, in discussion where necessary with the Junior Football Coordinator(s). Where a dispute exists, the club will have the final say and take responsibility for that decision.
Different teams and different circumstances mean rules need to be flexible but the following guidelines should be followed. These also need to be considered alongside the SANFL Juniors rules.
• Regular members of a team during the season have priority over players that may have been brought in for a few games - even if they have played enough games to qualify. A 'regular member' includes a player who has missed games due to injury, SANFL or State commitments.
• Coaches should adopt a finals selection strategy that enables as many players as possible in their squad the chance to experience finals football. A coach should endeavour to make at least 2 changes from final to final if the team progresses beyond one final.
• In a Grand Final, the coach can name the strongest possible team provided regular members (as defined above) are given priority.
• Barring injury, all selected players in a final should be given at least half the game on the ground.