Grading: What to expect

Once you hit high school the grading process is a little different from the junior competitions, here is what to expect.

For both pre-grading trials and final grading, a similar process is followed: 

  • The player must be registered in PlayHQ
  • Arrive at the designated time 
  • Register player attendance at the desk (for EVERY session) 
  • The player will be given a leg number which will be drawn on both legs using a black marker pen 
  • Players will be directed to a court number for warm up and short games 

What to Wear and Bring 

  • Players are required to wear sport shorts and top
  • Payers must have fingernails trimmed to acceptable length and wear no jewellery
  • Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated 
  • Parents are not required to stay for grading, but are most welcome to 

What do the Graders do? 

  • We use a mix of club graders to observe the players and make notes of ability and skills 
  • Players are asked to play in their two or three preferred positions and assessed on these 
  • Players may be asked to play a different position if we need to fill the court – this will be noted on the grading sheet 
  • Graders will mark the player for each game they play – these marks help us determine who is of similar ability 
  • Graders are looking for:
    • Ball handling skills – clean catches, safe passes, and confident control under pressure.
    • Agility and footwork – landing safely, quick movement, and balance in play.
    • Movement and timing – strong drives, good changes of direction, and the ability to adjust pace when needed.
    • Defensive effort – staying close to an opponent, applying pressure with hands over, and showing determination in contests.
    • Positional knowledge – understanding the responsibilities of each position and playing them effectively.
    • Teamwork – working well with a variety of players while maintaining skill and focus.
    • Attitude – staying positive, supportive, and open to playing different positions if required.
    • Decision making – choosing the right pass, reading the play, and recognising space.
    • Execution – quick two-handed takes, fast turns, and accurate passes.
    • Work rate – showing repeated efforts and persistence across the whole game.
    • Game sense – using structured plays, reading the flow, and adjusting to different situations.
    • Resilience – moving on quickly from mistakes and re-engaging in defence.
    • Respect for the game – understanding the rules and responding calmly to umpire decisions.

If you are injured and can’t participate in grading?

Contact your relevant Senior Competition Coordinator: email: Years 7-8 or Years 9-12.

If you can’t participate in pre-grading and/or grading due to an injury, we will support you and discuss options with you on a case-by-case basis.