Selection Policy

Mission

Teams will be selected each week based on the following criteria for D2, D3, and 7's. The criteria are in no particular order.

Players are expected to be willing to play in whichever side they are picked, and team coaches will wherever possible attempt to make relevant players aware of promotions or demotions prior to teams being named.

Basic skills and fitness: Players should show a basic ability to cope with the demands of the side in which they are selected. Players returning from injury may be expected to work their way back through the lower side.

Specialized skills: Some positions on the rugby field are highly specialized (e.g. goal kicking, scrummaging, etc.) and require special skills or training to play. Players may be selected on the basis of these skills or training.

Combinations: Players may be selected on the basis of their combination with other players in the team or to achieve a particular playing style for the team.

Willingness to play in the selected position: The club recognizes that some players may wish to play in positions which coaches do not consider to be their optimum ones. While this will be accommodated where possible, players must accept that in many cases it may result in a lower side selection.

Reliability: Players who fail to show or who show up unacceptably late on game days without reasonable excuse may be dropped arbitrarily at the coach’s discretion. A history of unreliability (reasonable or not) may adversely affect future selections. It is the player’s responsibility to inform their coach or manager if they will be unable to play on a given weekend in the week preceding the match. Early advice will benefit the club as it will enable team selections to be finalized at training.

Commitment: While attendance at training is not compulsory, a reasonable level of commitment to the team is. Players with reasonable excuses for not training will not be penalized, although they must realize that players who do train regularly will have a natural advantage over them which will increase as the season progresses. Coaches will also be encouraged to consider the effect of selecting non-training players on the performance of their team as a whole. Players who fail to train without reasonable excuse may be dropped arbitrarily at the coach’s discretion. It is the player’s responsibility to inform their coach if they will be unable to attend training prior to the commencement of that training session.

Team cohesion: Good team morale is an essential ingredient for success on the field. Selections which adversely affect team morale will be avoided wherever possible, but this is notoriously difficult to police without extensive player feedback. Players in general, and team captains in particular, are urged to make the coaches and/or club captains aware of any problems.

Club cohesion: Another essential ingredient for success is harmony between the sides. A lack of commitment to the other teams in the club may adversely affect selection prospects. Expected commitments include staying on as reserve for the next game and helping with the social/ground management/running water/game day duties/etc.

Payment of dues: The club is unable to function effectively without adequate funding. Payment of your dues early in the season greatly assists in this matter.