Junior Welcome Pack

VICTORIA PARK BELMONT BASEBALL CLUB (INC.)

JUNIOR WELCOME PACK

One Club. One Community. One Future

Welcome from the Junior Support Team

Welcome to the VPBBC Junior Program

We are here to ensure that every junior player and their family has access to a friendly, approachable and supportive team throughout the 2026/27 baseball season.

Whether your family is new to baseball or returning for another season, we hope this Welcome Pack provides the information, guidance and support you need to make the most of your time at Victoria Park Belmont Baseball Club.

Introducing the Junior Support Team:

Will Truscott (Vice President Juniors)

Leads the Junior Support Program
Supports coaches and families
Overseas development pathways
Works with the Committee
Ensures a positive culture
Develops strategic planning and continuous improvement

Cam Rivers (Junior Development Officer)

Leads player development
Conducts skill assessments
Provides coaching support
Coordinates training programs
Guides development pathways
Assists in the transition to senior baseball

Grace Clements (Junior Liaison Officer)

First point of contact for families
Assists with communication and the dissemination of information
Answers questions and provides guidance
Provides support for players & parents
Helps connect families with the most appropriate Club contacts
Assists with development requests & follow up

Together we are committed to supporting the development and wellbeing of our junior players. Whether you have questions about baseball, player development, Club activities or simply are not sure who to speak with, we are here to help and connect you with the right people.

Our aim is to make every family feel welcomed, informed and supported as part of the Victoria Park Belmont Baseball community.

Together we are building One Club. One Community. One Future.

Junior Support Team Contacts:

*Please note: All enquiries regarding the Head Coach, coaching decisions or Senior playing interest are to be directed through the Junior Support Team in the first instance to ensure streamlined and effective communication.

Junior Development Officer

The Junior Development Officer (JDO) leads the Club's junior player development program and works closely with coaches, players and families to create positive learning experiences. The role focuses on helping every junior player reach their potential by providing guidance, support and development opportunities at every stage of their baseball journey.

The Junior Development Officer is responsible for:

Leading the Club's junior player development program, delivering age-appropriate coaching and skill development opportunities.
Observing players during training sessions and games to identify strengths, opportunities for development and future potential.
Working collaboratively with team coaches, the Head Coach and Junior Vice President to develop individual and team improvement plans.
Supporting player progression pathways by providing objective assessments and recommendations for players interested in transitioning to senior baseball.
Mentoring players in baseball skills, game awareness, sportsmanship and personal development, while providing guidance to parents on realistic developmental goals.
Supporting and mentoring volunteer coaches through coaching resources, education and practical training opportunities.
Promoting consistency across the junior program by implementing training resources, session plans and player developmental milestones.
Working closely with the Head Coach and Junior Vice President to align coaching philosophy, player development and long term Club objectives.

The Junior Development Officer's objective is to help every player develop at a pace that is appropriate for them, ensuring they enjoy the game, continue to improve and are supported in reaching their individual goals.

Supporting Player & Coach Development

At Victoria Park Belmont Baseball Club, we are committed to supporting the ongoing development of our players, coaches and families. If you would like assistance with player development. coaching support, one-on-one specialist coaching or would like a player observed, there are several ways to get in touch with the Junior Support Team.

You can:

Speak directly with the Junior Development Officer (Cam Rivers) at training or via the email provided in the contact table.
Contact the Junior Liaison Officer (Grace Clements), who can help coordinate observations, answer questions or connect you with the appropriate Club representative.
Attend one of our Junior Town Hall Meetings, where families are welcome to discuss player development, coaching support and junior program initiatives.
Share suggestions or feedback using the Club Feedback Form if you would prefer to provide feedback privately.

The Junior Development Officer, together with the Junior Vice President and Junior Liaison Officer, will work collaboratively with players, parents and coaches to provide constructive feedback, recommend development opportunities and , where appropriate, arrange observations or follow-up discussions.

Our focus is always on assisting player development, supporting our volunteer coaches and creating a positive experience for every junior family.

Junior Liaison Officer

The Junior Liaison Officer is a friendly and approachable point of contact for junior players and their families. The role is designed to help ensure every family feels welcomed, informed and supported throughout the season.

The Junior Liaison Officer is responsible for:

Helping to provide a safe and supportive point of contact for players and their parents to ask questions, share feedback or raise concerns.
Supporting communication between junior families, coaches and the Management Committee.
Assist families in navigating the Club, helping connect them with the right people for information, support or assistance.
Supporting junior player development pathways, working alongside the Junior Development Officer and Head Coach for players interested in progressing to senior baseball.
Helping promote a positive and inclusive Club culture, ensuring all junior players and families feel welcomed, respected and valued.
Keeping families informed of important Club updates, opportunities, events and key information throughout the season.

The Junior Liaison Officer is here to listen, support and guide, not to replace coaches or the Management Committee, but to help ensure every junior family has someone they can comfortably approach when they need assistance.

Monthly Junior Town Hall Meetings

The Victoria Park Belmont Baseball Club is committed to open communication and building strong partnerships with our junior families.

Throughout the season, a Monthly Junior Town Hall Meeting will be held during Junior Club Night while training is underway. These informal sessions provide an opportunity for parents and guardians to stay informed, ask questions, share ideas and contribute to the ongoing development of our junior program.

Monthly Town Hall Meetings provide an opportunity to:

Share important updates from the Management Committee that are relevant to junior players and families.
Discuss upcoming events, initiatives and opportunities within the Club.
Ask questions and seek clarification on junior baseball, player development or Club operations.
Share ideas, suggestions and constructive feedback to help improve the Club's junior program.
Learn more about player development pathways and opportunities available within the Club.
Connect with members of the Junior Support Team in an open and welcoming environment.

Following each meeting:

Questions, suggestions and action items raised during the meeting will be reviewed by the appropriate members of the Junior Support Team and/ or Management Committee. Where appropriate, follow-up information or outcomes will be communicated directly to families and items requiring further consideration will be included in future planning and discussions.

A summary of each Town Hall Meeting will also be shared with junior families via email or team communication channels to ensure everyone remains informed, including those unable to attend.

2026/27 Town Hall Meeting Schedule

21 October 2026
18 November 2026
16 December 2026
13 January 2027
10 February 2027
10 March 2027

Junior to Senior Pathway

At Victoria Park Belmont Baseball Club, we are passionate about supporting junior players as they grow and develop throughout their baseball journey.

I your child is interested in progressing to senior baseball, we would love to assist them explore the options available. Our Junior to Senior Pathway has been designed to provide clear guidance, support and development opportunities for players who are ready to take the next step.

For more information, please refer to the Junior to Senior Pathway Guide, or speak with a member of the Junior Support Team. We are always happy to discuss your child's goals and help identify the pathway that is best suited to them.

Junior to Senior Pathway Overview

At Victoria Park Belmont Baseball Club we are committed to developing our junior players and providing clear and supported pathways into senior baseball for those who are ready. We recognise that every player's journey is different.

This pathway has been developed to ensure players and their families understand the process, expectations and support available when considering the transition to senior baseball. Our goal is to provide opportunities that challenge players, encourage their development and ensure they are placed in an environment where they can continue to learn, enjoy the game and succeed.

Who is this for?

This pathway is open to any junior player who:

Has a genuine interest in progressing to senior baseball.
Is committed to their development and willing to put in the work required.
Meets the relevant age and eligibility requirements of Baseball Western Australia (BWA).

We encourage all interested players and parents to reach out, even if you are unsure whether the time is right. We would rather have the conversation earlier than miss an opportunity to support a player's further development.

Expressing an interest does not guarantee placement in a senior team, however it does begin an open conversation about the player's development and future opportunities.

THE PATHWAY PROCESS

Step 1 - Express Your Interest

Contact any member of the Junior Support Team to express your interest. There is no formal application, a simple conversation, email or text message is all it takes to get the process started. Parents are encouraged to be part of this initial conversation where appropriate.

Step 2 - Initial Discussion

The team member who is contacted will coordinate with the Junior Development Officer (Cam Rivers), Junior Vice President (Will Truscott) and Head Coach (Ryan Boyer) to review the player's development, readiness and current playing circumstance and agree upon the appropriate next step.

Step 3 - Player Assessment

The assessment may include one or both of:

Junior Development Officer assessment through observation at trainings and/ or games with feedback provided to the Head Coach.
Head Coach assessment through direct evaluation at training sessions and/ or games.

Step 4 - Outcome Meeting

If player potential is realised, a meeting will be arranged with the Head Coach, Junior Vice President, Junior Development Officer, Junior Liaison Officer, the player and their parent or guardian.

This meeting will cover:

A recommended pathway
Expectations
Training commitments
Welfare considerations
Player and Parent questions
The player's options , recommended pathways and next steps

Step 5 - Pathway Recommendation & Outcome

Following the meeting, one of the following will be recommended:

Full placement - The player joins the State League/ Reserves squad with game opportunities based on readiness, performance, development and team requirements.
Partial placement - The player trains with the State League/ Reserves squad and attends games to gain necessary experience while continuing their junior development. Senior playing opportunities will be introduced progressively as appropriate.
Alternative senior placement - The player joins another senior team that provides the most suitable environment for continued development and regular game opportunities.
Continued Junior Development - The player will continue developing within the junior program with support from the Junior Development Officer and coaches. A personalised development plan will be created and future senior playing opportunities will be reviewed throughout the season.

Eligibility

Placement decisions are based upon a combination of the following factors:

Physical readiness
Skill level
Emotional maturity
Commitment to training
Attitude & sportsmanship
Safety and wellboing
Team balance and development opportunities

* Please note that not all players will be suited to immediate senior placement and that is completely okay. Our goal is to support every player's development at the right pace. A development focused recommendation is not a closed door, merely a stepping stone. Every senior placement decision is made in the best interests of both the player and the Club.

Ongoing Review

Players participating in senior baseball will continue to be supported throughout the season. Their progress will be monitored and regularly reviewed by the head Coach, junior Development Officer and relevant coaching staff to ensure the placement remains appropriate and beneficial for the player's ongoing development.

Victoria Park Belmont Baseball Club is committed to providing opportunities for junior players to grow, challenge themselves and enjoy baseball at every stage of their journey. Whether the next step comes this season or in the future, our focus remains on supporting every player to achieve their potential in a safe, enjoyable and development focused environment.