Grading

2025 Harbord FC Grading Days


Season 2025 Competition Commencement Date:  5th April 2025

Grading Day Location: Passmore Reserve (Next to Calabria Club)

Sunday 9th February – Passmore Reserve
2:00pm – Mixed U9 Saturday comp
3:15pm – Girls U9 & Girls U11 Sunday comp
4:30pm – Mixed U13 Saturday comp
5:30pm – Mixed U11 Saturday comp

Sunday 16th February – Passmore Reserve
3:00pm – Mixed U10 & Mixed U12 Saturday comp
4:00pm – Girls U10 & Girls U13 Sunday comp
5:00pm – Girls U14 Sunday comp
5:30pm – Girls U16 Sunday comp

Sunday 23rd February – Passmore Reserve
4:00pm – Mixed U8 (Saturday comp) & Girls U8 (Sunday comp)

Whether your team is staying together, or you are looking for a new team please come along – all players and teams will be graded to ensure they are playing in the correct division.

Players should be registered prior to attending the grading days.

See you there!

Grading and Team Information

At Harbord Football Club (Harbord FC), we strive to offer a football experience that meets the needs of all players, whether they want to compete at the highest level, enjoy the game with friends, or sometimes a bit of both. Our grading policy is designed to create fair and enjoyable opportunities for players at all skill levels, beginning from U8s, as per the guidelines of the Manly Warringah Football Association (MWFA).

Why Do We Grade?

Grading allows us to:

  • Ensure players are placed in teams that match their ability, maximizing enjoyment and development.
  • Meet MWFA requirements for team divisions and facilitate fair competition.
  • Provide competitive players with a pathway to challenge themselves while allowing social players to stay with their friends.

Grading begins from U8s, with regular regrading throughout the season by MWFA to maintain balanced competitions. Scores are recorded for regrading purposes, but they remain unpublished to encourage a focus on fun and fair play.

Graded Individually or as a Team? The Choice is Yours!

At Harbord FC, players and families can choose how they want to approach grading:

  • Individually Graded: Players trial independently, and those with competitive ambitions may be selected for the Performance team within their age group.
  • Team Graded: Friendship or school groups can opt to stay together and be graded as a team for social football. Even social teams can achieve strong results, so we encourage all players to attend grading. This allows us to submit your team to MWFA with the most suitable division.

When you register, you can indicate whether your child prefers to be graded as part of a team or individually. This ensures we respect your preferences while meeting MWFA requirements to assign all teams to appropriate divisions.

More info about the MWFA Grading Process here.

Streams for All Players: Development and Social

  • Junior Development Team

Our Junior Development Team is designed for competitive players aiming to develop their skills and challenge themselves. Each age group may have one Development Team, typically competing in the MWFA ‘Red Division’, the highest division in their age category. To be part of this team, players must attend grading sessions and trial individually.

  • Social Team

For players who prefer to play with friends, the Social Team is the ideal option. These teams are also graded to ensure they are placed in the most suitable division for an enjoyable season. Social football prioritizes fun, teamwork, and inclusion.

Harbord FC Junior Development Academy

To support players in their football journey, we offer a Development Academy open to all Harbord FC members.

The development program is partnered with T10 Football Academy, who are also part of our All-Age Premier League coaching staff.  It is a great opportunity for our juniors to improve their skills and develop their football during the winter season.
The academy provides training and development sessions throughout the season, focusing on dribbling, first touch, skills, shooting, passing and game play.

We have individual and team registrations for boys and girls.  If your child is registered individually, they will be placed in a group that is appropriate to their skill level.

Cross-Training Development Opportunities: Our academy fosters collaboration by organizing occasional joint training sessions for Development and Social players, helping to bridge the gap and create progression pathways.

FAQs and Support

  • What if I want my child to play with their friends?
    No problem! Simply indicate this on the registration form, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request in the Social Team.
  • What happens if a player opts for individual grading, but their friends choose team grading?

    Individual players who trial for competitive teams may be selected int to the Development team. They may also remain in their Social football team, but have the options to consider further development with our academy. 
    The rest of their original team will remain intact as a Social team.
  • When is grading?
    Grading days take place in February. Specific dates and times will be communicated via email and on our website.

At Harbord FC, we’re committed to creating a fun, inclusive, and developmental environment for all players. Join us this season to experience football your way!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Paul Mulligan, our Coaching Director, at paul@harbordfc.com.au