TOPIC:

The WAAFL have proposed introducing an F Grade competition for 2018.

Broadly, the concept is:

9-12 Rounds, running May - August, with ladder and finals.
4 x 15 minute quarters.
16 a side with a bench of up to 6.
No Boundary umpires - 'last touch' rule.
Players not to play more than 3 games at a higher grade.
No Colts age players.
Coach, runner and trainer required.
Club field and goal umpires required.

Club's must indicate interest to the WAAFL by 1 October.

A decision as to whether or not to establish the competition will be made by 1 December.

At that point, Clubs would then need to make a commitment as to whether or not to participate.

Listened to the WAAFL President on this at the A Grade GF.
He alluded this was to keep older guys at their clubs and a pathway into the AFL masters WA vets comp.

Could be a good thing but on the flip side may affect the supers section of masters with guys staying on in F Grade?

I guess ultimately if older guys want to play full rules this is the grade for them?

Would also be more open game with only sixteen usually less collisions and packs.

Has merit

Good concept.
Should it include an even up rule.
Is the runner really a necessity? Coach (likely player/coach), trainer, field and goal umpires absolutely. The runner has no power or influence in a game.
The 3 games in a higher grade should be 5, which would then align with finals qualification, and junior football play up by-laws.

How old are these older guys they are trying to keep at their clubs?

What a great idea
But what is the age for this Comp because like always clubs looking for a cheap flag will load up their F grade side should it be a 32 and older comp ? I agree with the the qualification side for finals the mid season fall away will hurt and guys will have too go up too the 2s

Great to see some chat here about the new F Grade concept, thanks for starting the thread Birdman

While I'm happy to hear that Disco Knight was tuning into my speech at the Grand Final luncheon, just wanted to clarify that the intention of this new grade is not so much to keep older guys at their clubs longer, moreso to provides clubs (and players) with the flexibility to keep players engaged and grow their club. If one of the knock-on effects of that is it helps build the link from Senior Community ranks into the Masters comp then that would be a great result.

In terms of how this concept applies to clubs (and how I hope clubs' committees are currently looking at it), I think it's worth highlighting that the concept stemmed from feedback by a lower-grade club president about the challenges of growing from a 1-team to a 2-team club (and further growth from there) in sustainable fashion which doesn't (a) force teams to play up at a level which may be beyond their current ability; and (b) impose too high a burden on clubs resources, in particular volunteers, as they try to support their club's growth.

It is my hope that this concept will help clubs (particularly smaller and lower-grade clubs) to retain and attract new players, and give them a bit more flexibility when it comes to making the leap from 1 team to 2 team... from 3 senior teams to 4 teams - and so on.

Looking forward to more feedback on the concept!

We actually tried this at Whitfords this year, we fielded 6 senior sides which was a bit of stretch, one of those teams was basically and older team, our idea was to keep the older guys who still want to play around the club.

The proposal from the WAAFL is a brilliant idea that I hope gets plenty of support. Many players do not wish to leave a club they have been at for 20 years and start fresh at veterans. 12 rounds is a good number of games for a bit of social footy.

Firstly to Sam thanks for clarifying the F Grade model for us.
I will admit between listening to you speak, feeding me face and trying to keep an eye on the game outside I didn't get all the info.
As I said above this could be a good concept and especially like the 16 a side option.
Great to see you guys looking at more ways to enhance community footy.

Sounds good for a small club that is new/struggling or has follded.

WAAFL have today confirmed F Grade will go ahead.

A minimum age of 28 has been added.

No coach or runner requirements mentioned, however I assume a runner will still have to escort umpires at half and full time, although I assume it could also be a Club representative of some sort.

Why is there a necessity to have a minimum age?
I'm 45 and still playing ammo's, so this argument isn't for me.

From sambirmingham
"just wanted to clarify that the intention of this new grade is not so much to keep older guys at their clubs longer, moreso to provides clubs (and players) with the flexibility to keep players engaged and grow their club."

If you have 50 blokes at your club and 13 of them are over 28, you can't add this additional side, and you won't have enough to fill a league and ressies around the middle of the season. It is counter-productive to the premise of clubs being able to grow through this concept. There are many under 28 year old's who would benefit greatly from being able to play in this type of competition. First or second year players, kids just out of colts but lacking confidence to play at reserves or league level. It would grow the game if they were able to learn skills from the older guys, understand what football is all about, and have the time to develop before making the step up to the the next grade.

If you're stacking your F-troop, you shouldn't be involved in football.