Selection Policy - We all play for One Club, not one team.

1. Introduction

The purpose of this Selection Policy is to:

1. Guide Club captains and other selectors through the issues to consider in selecting teams, and; 

2. Provide transparency to Club Members. 

There are three elements to this Selection Policy:

• Guiding Principles

• Selection Priorities

• Selection Process 

2. Guiding Principles 

All players representing Vale Cricket Club will play the game according to the Spirit of Cricket. 

Players in breach may expect proportionate sanctions.

Selection and the playing of the game will support our Club’s vision and mission. 

Selection priority will go to players who have registered and paid subscriptions. 

Remember that the club requires subscription fees to cover your insurance and essential equipment for the game.

Team captains have the right to expect support for the decisions they take on-and off-the-field.

They have a duty to explain these decisions as they affect individual players: However, these discussions must not be carried out in public forums or on match days but taken up with the team captain or Chairman of the selection committee on an individual basis. As well as an obligation on the selection committee/Captains to explain decisions taken there is also an obligation on members to accept reasons provided for selection/non-selection. 

Selected teams for league and cup games will represent the strongest side of registered players we can field in line with the selection criteria outlined in section 3.

Registered players will:

• have completed a registration form

• have paid the subscription fees for the season

• have added their details to the play-cricket website

• have been registered with the relevant league.

Selection will be in line with these Guiding Principles and the following Selection Criteria. 

3. Selection Criteria

When more registered players are available than are required for league or cup fixtures, the following selection criteria in the order provided in the table below will be taken into account, having given due regard to the Guiding Principles: 

1. Team Balance - The overriding first principal of selection is the correct balance of bowling, batting and fielding considering the likely role each selected player will perform in the match. Factor in future player development when this is the right thing to do.

2. Form - Current form will be the secondary criteria for selection although in close calls between players past performance and will be considered by the selection committee.

3. Reliability/Commitment to the Club - Historic and recent availability -those players who have made themselves available on a regular basis will be given priority in selection once items 1 & 2 in this table have been considered; punctuality; contribution to off-field fund-raising and other endeavors; attendance at social events will also be considered if necessary.

4. Training attendance and fitness - Turning up and participating in nets and other practice activities; being sufficiently fit to play at the level selected.

For T20, friendly and other non-competitive matches, greater emphasis will be place on:

• Ensuring playing opportunities for players missing out on league and cup selection

• Providing opportunities for players to recover form and fitness

• Providing player development opportunities.

4. Selection Process

1. Chairman of Selection Committee maintains a list of all players and their prospective availability, which is periodically updated (at least weekly).

2. On the Sunday before the ensuing weekend’s matches, Chairman of Selection Committee polls availability via email and social media. Players are responsible for informing availability (available/not available/unsure) by midnight on Monday.

3. Selection takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday and is decided by the selection committee in conference.

4. Teams will normally be announced on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning and will be published via email and social media. Selected players are responsible for confirming their acknowledgement of selection and that they understand the meeting/travelling arrangements.

5. If there are insufficient players available for full teams to be announced, teams will be published with “AN Other” in missing positions. 

5. Make up of Selection Committee

• 1st Team Captain (Chairman)

• 1st Team Vice Captain

• 2nd Team Captain

• 2nd Team Vice Captain 

• 3rd Team Captain

Document: As of 2nd January, 2021