How are junior teams graded, and can we appeal our division?

Question

Accepted Answer

Each junior competition (J 5/6, J 7/8, J 9/10, J 11/12) has divisions 1 to 5, with Division 1 the highest. Hockey WA may split a division into "Black" and "Gold" grades to cut travel, and decides how many teams and games each division has for the winter season. There is no promotion or relegation in the junior competitions. Before the winter season Hockey WA, with the Junior Competition Advisory Group, may set up a grading committee that places every nominated team in a division, and then tells the clubs. A club that disagrees can appeal to Hockey WA by the date Hockey WA sets for that season. Moving a team is at Hockey WA's discretion. A 5-week regrading period runs from the start of the qualifying season. A team is normally moved only after those 5 weeks, unless there is enough evidence to move it earlier. Hockey WA can move a team without being asked, and a club can also request a move during this period. A club cannot have more than 1 team in Division 1, 2 or 3 of any junior competition unless Hockey WA decides otherwise.