It is important to note that selection for the higher level teams will consider the points above which enable the sides to best achieve their objectives. Lower down the club, results are less important than for the higher club sides, therefore more flexibility will be applied when selecting squads/teams.

Other considerations Captains use

This season, captains will have deadlines for selection early in the week. Players making themselves available late in the week may expect to miss their match, or in some circumstances they may be selected for a lower team.

We also use last season’s data on availability to help make decisions. If players are available for less than 50% we need to possibly be considering them for the team below.

Players who are only available for home games can be selected if numbers are low but if we have large squads then they need to miss that game or be selected for a lower team, with an appropriate explanation from their captain as to why.

Players who miss two or more consecutive games without reasonable explanation may expect to be selected for a lower team the next time they are available, with an explanation as to why.

Playing up and down is important to support all teams. We need to stress this and if players repeatedly refuse to help, considering the amount of notice time and other background factors, this will be reflected in their selection for their usual team.

Where there are clashes between adult and youth fixtures, the decision on which game to play is solely with the individual (as per EH guidance) and there will be no pressure from either manager/coach/captain. However, if there is excess availability for an adult match, then youths who have a junior fixture on the Sunday should expect to give way to adults and youths without a Sunday fixture, in the interests of making sure that as many members as possible get at least one game.

Conflicts of interest

The purpose of this section of the selection policy is to support the integrity of the Club's decision-making process. The selection policy outlines the criteria for selection. The conflicts section is intended to enable members to have confidence in selection decisions, and to protect the reputation of those who volunteer as captains, managers and coaches and often have to make difficult decisions.

Declarations of interest
Anyone involved in team selection (whether a paid coach or unpaid volunteer) must, before the start of each season, disclose any conflict of interests. Conflicts include actual as well as perceived conflicts of interest.

Examples of conflicts of interest include:
1 A selector who is also a player and therefore has influence over their own selection for a team.
2 A selector who is related to a player.
3 A selector who has (or has had) a relationship with a player.
Anyone with a conflict of interests is encouraged to share their objective views on selection but cannot (and should not be expected to) make a decision on selection.

Role acceptance procedure
In addition to completing the role acceptance form (as prescribed by England Hockey) each selector shall, on appointment, complete the following form.

“Disclosure:
Name of selector (staff, volunteer or committee member) declaring a conflict of interest:
………………………………………………………………
Name of person where a conflict of interest could arise:
…………………………………………………..
Reason for a possible conflict of interest:
……………………………………………………..
I understand that anyone with a conflict of interests cannot have a say in selection and needs to be protected from allegations of bias.

Date :............................. “