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Men and Women Senior Units 

Selection policy and procedure

Purpose and overview

This document is intended to act as a framework and structure for Waverley Hockey Club (WHC) to make consistent and transparent selection decisions across all men and women’s grades and to ensure the goals and objectives of the men and women’s unit are achieved. 

WHC aims to select the most appropriate team for each grade based on a number of criteria, each of which may be given different weighting depending on the team’s circumstances. In doing so, this document recognizes that senior teams range from the social to the elite level, and that players join WHC for significantly varying reasons. 

Given the nature of hockey, some criteria might have a subjective element and a few criteria might overlap with one another in some aspects.

Preseason – fitness and conditioning

The club will provide an open invite to players to attend fitness and conditioning sessions in December through to the end of February.

These sessions present each individual player with a platform to improve their physical condition. Attending a high percentage of these sessions is strongly encouraged for those players wishing to play in the elite grades or a higher grade than they have played previously.

Preseason – stick sessions

As the season nears, coaches will introduce a Saturday morning stick session and midweek stick sessions after the running component of the session. Players are encouraged to attend these sessions. The coach may seek out individual players who they deem are not up to the fitness or skills standard to continue attending. These players will then need to attend the sessions of a lower grade.

Players returning from travel – whether it be business, leisure or hockey related

Players may take time off during the season to travel. It’s best that this time away from the club is communicated with the coach as early as possible. Pending the nature and amount of time spent away from the club, the player may be selected a lower grade than the grade they were in. The time frame of this selection is up to the coach. There is no guarantee that the individual will return to the team they were in prior to leaving. Players aiming to play in higher grades should aim to limit their amount of non-hockey related travel.

Players returning from injury

Injuries may mean players can miss varying amounts of time. Players in the elite grades are strongly encouraged to attend trainings and games whilst they are injured, given they are able to do so. Pending the nature of the injury and the amount of time they have missed, they may be selected in a lower grade than that of which they had been selected prior. It is up to the coach to determine if they are fit and able to then play in higher grades. Players are strongly encouraged to communicate frequently with the coach and team about their condition to avoid any late selection issues or selection which causes further potential injury.

Dropping players

Players may be dropped a grade for not meeting the selection criteria. This may be deemed by the coach, unit committee or chairperson of selectors. Prior to a player being dropped, coaches of both teams must be in communication as to why the player has been dropped, what the player needs to work on, how they can/should be used, what they do well etc. It is not unreasonable for a player to seek feedback from a coach or coaches following being dropped. Coaches are strongly advised to be open and honest when communicating. There is no guarantee in selection over the course of the season. Form can vary many times during the season. If a player wishes to dispute their own selection they are advised to first ask the coach, followed by the unit chair, followed by the chairperson of selectors.

Conflict of Interest

In the occasion a team is coached or captained by a parent, sibling etc and there is a conflict of interest within the team, the chairperson of selectors may step in to help or even select in their place.

 

Criteria

1) Provide the team with the best available players to win each match

The primary criterion for selection will be the performance of the players on game day. Areas of performance considered include:

  • The skill level exhibited by the player
  • The performance of the player as a member of the team
  • The attitude and behavior of the player on and off the field

2) Attendance to training

In order for registered players to be selected in a team they must be in attendance at training. The only exception to this is where a prior agreement with the team’s coach has been discussed. The only grade in which consistent attendance to training will not be used as a selection criterion in the lowest grade of each unit.

  1. Players must be registered and have paid their fees in full or have a payment plan prior to taking the field in round 1. Players aiming to play in elite grades are required to attend each training session. The only exception to this is where a prior agreement with the team’s coach has been discussed. The only grade in which consistent attendance to training will not be used as a selection criterion in the lower grades of each unit. Players are advised to be in constant communication with their coach about their availability to train and availability to play.

3) Player fit into the team dynamics

To be selected for a team, a player should fit within the required team structure.  This might include the capacity of a player to play multiple positions if necessary. Fitness, strength and speed of a player will be also evaluated.

4) Team development and special circumstances

To ensure that the goals of the Senior Units are met, team selection will also take into account special circumstances that a team might face during the season, including preparation for finals or avoiding relegation.

5) Player development

Selectors might recommend selection of a player for a lower or higher grade than the one that the player currently plays, in order to facilitate specific aspects of the player’s development.

6) Player’s contribution to team and/or club culture

This criterion evaluates the player’s leadership attitude inside and outside the field, including communication skills and support to their peers. Completion of club commitments, supporting other teams and programs, volunteering and participation in club events may also be considered in selection.

7) Disciplinary procedures

Suspensions and/or punishments due to a breach of the club and/or competition’s disciplinary policy will be taken into account for team selection.

8) Payment of club fees

New club policy to pay before play – players must be financially paid in full or have a payment plan prior to taking the field in round 1.

 

Selection procedure

The team will be selected by:

If the team has a nominated coach:

  • The team’s coach together with other club coaches of grades immediately higher or lower than the team, along with the chairperson of selectors only if required.

If that team doesn’t have a nominated coach:

  • The team captain together with other club coaches of grades immediately higher or lower than the team, along with the chairperson of selectors only if required.

Grievance procedures

A player’s initial concern about selection should be communicated to the teams coach and captain. The captain/coach should be able to address the player’s concern within the framework of this document.

If the player finds the response unsatisfactory, they might prefer to raise their concern with the chairperson of selectors or unit committee head. The chairperson or committee head will discuss the concern with the team’s coach/captain and provide further feedback to the player. The player may also seek out the clubs Member Protection Officers. They can help in providing information about options the player has regarding their complaint or concern. For more information about this please visit the club’s grievance policy –https://waverleyhc.org.au/policies-procedures/grievance-process/

For more Information, or for questions or concerns, please contact our Hockey Director at on-field@waverleyhc.org.au