Hello to all our players, parents and caregivers and welcome to the Melbourne East Netball Association (MENA) Representative M-League 14 & Under Program for 2024.
We aim to give our players the opportunity to play netball at a higher level and develop to their highest potential. Representative netball provides an opportunity to further develop and hone players’ netball skills and provides a pathway where players can aspire to play at elite levels. Playing a higher level of sport also develops strong personal and team discipline. Playing representative netball for MENA is an honour and comes with certain expectations. The following information is to remind you of those expectations and as a guide to the program and to answer common questions.
We hope you have a great season in 2024 and look forward to seeing you grow as a player and people within our program.
Player Expectations
We want all our teams and players to be successful in a competitive but harmonious environment. We encourage all our players to bring a positive attitude to the program and strive to be their best selves.
We would encourage all our players to:
- Have and display respect and support for your coach and team manager.
- Respect and support your fellow team members.
- Respect the umpires and their decisions.
- Commit to attending every training session.
- Commit to maintaining fitness.
- Support our relevant fundraising activities.
- Wear your correct uniform.
- Attend all MENA functions including Presentation Night
We need our players to be aware of and adhere to the Netball Victoria Codes of Behaviour – Click here to view and complete the agreement.
Parent Expectations
We expect parents of players to behave in a fair and reasonable manner in line with the following expectations:
- Total respect and support of your child’s coach and team manager
- Respect for your fellow parents
- Respect for umpiring decisions, regardless of your opinion
- Respect for all the players in your child’s team and their opposition
- Support of relevant fundraising activities
- Positive support for players
- Under no circumstances can parents coach from sidelines – or call out
We expect parents to be aware of and adhere to the Netball Victoria Code of Behaviour
Eligibility
- 14&U males: Individuals turning 11 to 14 years old in 2024.
Key Dates & Times:
Games: Wednesday nights
August 14th – Round 1 (14 rounds with a one-week break during school holidays and three week of finals) December 11th – Grand Final
Games from 6.10pm
Location: State Netball Centre, Parkville.
Training: Sunday 10am to 11.30am Fortnightly from 25th August
Uniform
Our uniform consists of:
- MENA Game Day singlet
- MENA Game Day Shorts
- MENA socks
- MENA Hoodie
Once the team is finalised we will ask you to order your uniform online by 30th June. These can be ordered through our webstore https://menanetball.com.au/shop. Orders will close 30th June 2024. If you miss this date, there is no guarantee your player will get their uniform in time.
It is important that players are in full uniform for games and tournaments to foster Melbourne East Netball Association values of team identity, unity, equality and teamwork.
Injuries/illness
Any player who sustains an injury or becomes ill must notify their coach immediately. Injured players are expected to attend Parkville. A letter from the primary care giver/doctor stating that they are able to resume playing may be required. Where a player has a long-term injury the coach should be notified of the management requirements of this injury and the effect on the players ability to play. In the event of a player being unavailable for the remainder of the season – a player from the list of reserves will be bought up into the team.
Court time
Court time and the allocation of player positions is up to the discretion of the coach apart from the following guidelines.
Parkville competition
Regular season : All players will be given at least 2 quarters at each match, if they have met training criteria.
Finals : In finals court time is decided entirely by the coach. There is no minimum requirement.
Fees
$100 deposit upon accepting place in Rep Program
Total Fees: $400 for the season (not including Netball Victoria Membership or uniform)
All fees are inclusive of GST.
Failure to pay fees by due dates will result in your suspension from playing until they are paid, unless alternate arrangements have been made. Please contact admin@menanetball.com.au to make alternative arrangements.
Refunds
Your deposit is refundable up until the Parkville team and reserves are be announced. The balance of your fees are generally not refundable unless there are exceptional circumstances which will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the MENA Board based on recommendations from the Head Coach.
Netball Victoria Membership
Netball Victoria Membership is to be paid online as part of your fees by each player by the first game in 2024. This is to ensure that you are covered by Netball Victoria’s insurance for any injuries.
MISCONDUCT
Cases of misconduct by players or parents/caregivers are treated very seriously by MENA and will be dealt with in accordance with MENA’s by-laws and the MENA Constitution listed on : https://menanetball.com.au/rules-regulations/
COMMUNICATION
Regularly refer to the MENA website, Facebook page and Instagram account for news, advice and links.
- MENA Facebook page at Facebook.com/MENARep
- MENA web site at https://menanetball.com.au/
- Instagram @menaneball
QUERIES AND CONCERNS
- Any queries should be first directed to the coach of your team at an agreed time.
- Any queries or concerns should be discussed with your coach at training away from the playing group.
- Please do not approach coaches with a query or concern at or after a game or at a tournament.
- Any urgent matters can be brought to the attention of the Head Coach.
REP SUBCOMMITTEE & HEAD COACH
The Head Coach is responsible for the day to day running of the Rep Program with support from the Rep Subcommittee. Key focus areas include both Coach and Player development, mentorship for our Representative Team Coaches.
Our Head Coach is responsible for overall assessment of coaches and players within the program, works with Netball Victoria Talent Identification Pathway staff, Chisholm Region State Title personnel and all Victorian Netball League (VNL) clubs to promote and talent identify MENA Representative Players. Our Rep Sub Committee is made up of volunteers from our community including a MENA Board Member.
Please feel free to contact them with queries or concerns.
- Head Coach: Lindy Dowell headcoach@menanetball.com.au
- MENA Administration: Merryn Brien admin@menanetball.com.au – admin, fees, uniform queries