Selection Policy

The objective of selection is to field the best possible teams by selecting the best possible combination of players available and to ultimately win matches and to provide appropriate platforms for progression for aspiring younger players. Selection aims to be objective and in so doing will consider a number of factors including versatility, skill, fitness, teamwork, contribution, attitude, commitment and availability. Attendance at training is considered a key factor in teamwork so this will be taken into consideration. Selection is not an easy task as these attributes cannot be measured and the Club has an ever-growing number of talented players. Barnes Hockey Club operates a squad-based system, and these guidelines aim to clarify the basis of selection for any team within the Club. It is recognised that some people only play because they have friends in certain teams. So whilst we will not allow teams to create a block to advancement, we recognise certain teams exist primarily for social reasons and their composition may not be subject to the selection principles without flexibility.

Selection

The Team Captains and Coaches work together to offer opinion and input from what they observe, and squads are selected as appropriate. Selection should give the chance for players to settle into a new team as well as providing opportunity for movement between squads under the discretion of the Captains, Club Captains and Coaches.

Captains are responsible for ensuring that those making selection decisions have the appropriate information on their squads, and updating it in a timely manner to assist fellow Captains. If in particular availability is not kept up to date, it can become a logistical nightmare to organise teams week to week. After teams are finalised for the week (best efforts to be made to do this by Wednesday evening) Captains will inform players which team they have been selected for. This may require some sensitivity, especially when players are selected down a team and may require a phone call (please note phone call and not email/text) from both the old and new Captain.

Selection Principles

Team selection during the regular season follows these principles:
Only members who have paid subs or who have an active payment plan for subs in place at 31st October will be eligible for selection (unless otherwise agreed with the Treasurer and Subs Manager)

The best available match-fit players will be selected for the 1XI, then 2XI; thereafter for teams 3XI and down a number of criteria will be considered to ensure the optimal team is fielded for each fixture in terms of ability, team mix, potential, availability etc

Attendance and performance at team training

Availability and commitment to the team on match days

Ability or potential to play at the level of the team

Adherence to the BHC Code of Conduct which can be found on the Club’s website
Outfield players will normally move up or down by no more than one team in any given week. Players asked to join a lower squad in a permanent capacity will not again be dropped to a lower squad for at least 3 matches (note this does not apply during friendly or pre-season matches)

Players ‘dropped’ from a team will receive feedback from the captain or coach of the ‘higher’ team

The Coach/Team Manager and Club Captain together, and then the Captains will have the discretion on selection of ‘squad’ players in instances of crucial league decision games, and will have the support of fellow Captains and Coaches

Players are expected to continue to be available to play when selected for a team other than their regular team or position when required to, assuming adequate notice has been given.

Failure to do so will be taken as the player making themselves unavailable for any team both that week and the following week

Please note that selection principles apply equally to both field players and goalkeepers. In saying this, where goalkeepers are concerned sometimes common sense will need to prevail depending on availability for the weekend’s matches. For example, a goalkeeper may be required to move up more than one team due to lack of availability one week will then go back to their regular team the next week

Consideration must also be given to applicable league rules.