Selection Policy

Introduction

This Policy is designed to be a clear guide to all members of the Club.

The primary function of any selection policy is to create a situation for ALL our members to enjoy their hockey on a Saturday afternoon or just at training.

The Club will endeavour to provide equal hockey opportunities for all players to develop their hockey skills and play to the highest standard appropriate to their skill level, desires and understanding of the game.

Objectives of this Policy

To define a process that is objective, clear and transparent to all members.

To confirm and communicate the criteria and procedures used for player selection.

To ensure as a player, that expectations are clear.

To establish a framework to allow each player to develop and play to their full potential for their own benefit and the benefit of the Club.

To ensure playing hockey is an enjoyable experience for all our members.

Selection Committee

The Selection Committee (SC) will be made up of the Team Captains, Vice Captains, 3 coaches to the Ladies teams the chairperson appointed at the meeting.)

Chair of selection is to remain neutral and ensure all of the committee members views are listened to and discussed.

Team Captains will aim to meet or discuss the team selection on a weekly basis, preferably before training or over WhatsApp.

The SC must meet formally at least three times a season, in August (preferably before the first league game), November and January.

Guiding Principles for Player Selection

Selection should be open and fair, with the intention to encourage development of both junior and senior members thus providing opportunities for players to move between teams/squads.

The Club will operate a squad selection system for each team with movement between squads based on the player selection criteria.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria must be objective taking into consideration a number of factors (in no particular order)

·       Availability

·       Commitment

·       Fitness

·       Skill

·       Tactical /team awareness and ethos

·       Emotional maturity

·       Training attendance

·       Attitude

·       Welfare

·       Age regarding youth eligibility re EHA Compliance

·       A player’s own wishes where they want to take time to get fit and not over commit

Selection post injury or absence is at the Selection Committee and Captain’s discretion.

Players will be encouraged to play for whichever team they are selected. Players should be given the opportunity to settle into a new team and their role.

The Selection Committee will select what they consider to be the strongest possible squad that reflects the overall club aims and approved individual squad objectives for the year for all league matches in the following order:  1^stXI, 2^ndXI, 3^RDXI.

Players who are regular squad players and due to the size and availability of the squad are not required to play, will be rotated and selected for the next lowest team. Although this may cause some displacement for the team they are entering, they should not be overlooked.

Squad sizes for matches should be as follows: 1^st XI 14 players, provided the 2^nd XI can field at least 12 players and the 3^rd team can select at least 12 players.

Players will be informed about selection by their respective Captains at the point of the decision, wherever possible, consulting beforehand.

Normally a new player will be introduced via the lowest team, however at the discretion of the Selection Committee; players may be introduced into the teams consistent with their previous playing ability, fitness and commitment.

A degree of flexibility and compromise is needed throughout the season to ensure each team can field a minimum of 11 players.

Players selection will be reviewed if payment of annual subscriptions has not been arranged by the end of October.

Notifying all players of result of selection at the beginning of the season (and during)

Welfare is paramount in Dart Hockey Club, therefore players should be communicated to in the most sensitive way possible. Trying to pre-empt situations and emotions of players moving up, down or not moving at all. To consider, peer groups, friends and the impact on individual players.

Once selection has been decided and before squads are split for training/games, the committee should nominate a member/s to make every effort to inform each club player as to which squad they are being asked to play in. This member does not have to be the same one, there could be many from the committee. The players should be informed of the reasoning behind the decisions made.

Players being asked to move down should be spoken to by phone or face to face. In the event of a junior being asked to move down a conversation must take place between the committee member, player and parent/guardian.

Player Selection Grievance

If a player has a grievance about the selection process, then the player should first approach the Team Captain of the team they are currently representing. If a player feels that their concerns have not been addressed they must then contact the Chair of Selection via email or letter.

Young/Youth Selection

The Club will provide opportunities for young players at each stage of their development to play and train at the right level for them without being overplayed.

The Club will identify and nominate young players to join the EHB single system in the Devon region.

The Club will abide by the EHA Legislation on youth eligibility for adult teams.

The club will offer development and competitive opportunities for all junior players and enter junior competitions wherever possible.

Pitch time for young players should be proportional to time travelled to the match, ie if the player is to play less than half a game, they should not travel more than 60 minutes.

A young player will not be selected to play in an adult match until they, their parents and the Club Selection Committee feel it is appropriate.

If an adult team is short and the only option is a young player who is not ready, either physically, mentally or socially, then the adult team should play short.

Players Responsibility

Players must confirm with Captains that they can play by no later than Monday pm for the next Saturday game via text/Teamo. This is of utmost importance for timely communication of the squads for Saturday.

Players must inform Captains of their return from a period of unavailability or illness.

Players should notify their Captain of any planned holiday/absence/sickness as early as possible.

If a player is ill during the week of the game, Captains should to alerted to ensure the squad is pre-warned and lower teams notified if affected.

Objectives for the Season 2022/23

The selection policy must reflect the aspirations of the Club and clear aims be set for the season for each team.

To ensure the Club plays a part in ensuring hockey is an enjoyable experience for all our members and to encourage cross team interaction and integration.

Ladies 1^st XI aims    to aim for mid-table

Ladies 2^nd XI aims   to stay in their League

Ladies 3^rd XI aims   -to provide a safe and secure place for people to play their hockey, to encourage and support all players young and mature

 Mens XI                 to be announced

All teams to aspire to work as a team on the pitch supporting all members with encouragement and positivity,, to give players confidence to achieve their own goals within hockey.