Mount Barker Cricket Club

Junior Selection Policy

2013/14

Mount Barker Cricket Club aims to field junior teams of appropriate numbers, capped at 15 for Under 10s and 14 for Under 12s, 14s and 16s.

The Club aims to progress juniors through all age levels as relatively stable squads (numbers permitting) and accommodate friends who wish to play together.

Placing players into teams in junior sport is always a complicated process and never an exact science. It cannot be planned ahead to any great extent as numbers are never known until registration is finalised. While the club aims to satisfy all players and parents, it is not always possible to do so and we urge people to remember that players join a club not a particular team.

Teams are grouped in two-year age blocks. Mount Barker endeavours to place players with their friends when they first join at Under 10s and 12s, rather than allocating players to teams on a strictly date-of-birth basis. We do this because we understand that joining a new club can be daunting and joining with friends often makes this process easier.

It needs to be understood, however, that although the club places priority on keeping teams together, we cannot give any guarantee for subsequent seasons as players in a particular team can vary in age quite appreciably. The Club aims to foster a sense of belonging so that, from their first year, players get to know the players in other teams in their age group. This is one of the reasons that training is conducted in age-groups rather than on a team-by-team basis.

In the event that players in a team from one season have to be moved around the next season, Mount Barker hopes that they will already be familiar with many of their new teammates. Therefore, although we understand it may be disappointing, we hope that it will become an opportunity to make new friends.

The most usual circumstance (but not the only one) that can cause difficulties in maintaining team stability is when the players in a particular team get to the point where they straddle two age levels. This can have a knock-on effect on other teams’ structures.

The cut off date for playing in cricket teams is 1st of September.

As a result:

• If you are aged nine or under on 1st of Septemberyou are an Under 10s player.

• If you are aged 10 or 11 on 1st of Septemberyou are an Under 12s player.

• If you are aged 12 or 13 on 1st of Septemberyou are an Under 14s player.

• If you are aged 14 or 15 on 1st of Septemberyou are an Under 16s player.

At Mount Barker the progression through the divisions is basically age-based, rather than ability-based.

Under 16s is the only age group where it is possible, at the discretion of the club, for players to be graded into teams on the basis of ability, provided that the club is fielding at least one team in U 14s.

The only circumstances in which the club allows players to play above their age group (or above/below level within an age-group) is where

  • There are places available in the team they wish to join without exceeding the cap (15 in Under 10s, 14 players in Under 12s, 14s, 16s); and
  • It will not result in the team they would be leaving having too few players to be viable (less than 11 players)

If you have any queries or concerns regarding selection, please speak to the junior coordinator.

Selection Panel

Including, but not limited to the positions named.

Junior Coordinator

Team Coach

Selection Criteria

Training

Attendance – All players are required to attend training sessions scheduled by the Coach/Captain. Standard sessions will be sent out to all club players before the commencement of the 2013/14 season. If members are unable to attend, it is the member’s responsibility to advise the Coach of their situation and attend when possible. A lack of communication will be seen as detrimental to selection.

Where a player has a legitimate reason for non-attendance at training sessions, such as work, family or medical reasons and has conveyed this to the selection committee it is the selection committees prerogative to exclude their training attendance and select on form and the other selection criteria.

Attitude & Work Ethic

It is expected that all members will approach training sessions in the same way that they would approach a game. All members are expected to work hard during training and support each other at all times. If this does not happen at training then it will not happen during a game.

Attire

It is expected that all players will attend training with the proper attire. Either a club training shirt or white cricket shirt. Acceptable shorts or tracksuit pants, DEFINETELY NO BOARD SHORTS OR ALIKE. Suitable footwear is to be worn at all times.

Punctuality

All players are required to arrive at least 30 minutes (or earlier if directed by the coach) before the commencement of a game. Constantly late players will affect their selection prospects, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Coach of the team. Again the club endeavours to accommodate all reasonable circumstances and as long as the member communicates with the selection committee, the committee will endeavour to work with the member.

Performance

In junior cricket it is essential that players are given a fair go and therefore form is not a main priority in selection. Players will be selected and given a fair go to ensure their development for the future.

In sides with over 11 players the coach shall ensure that players are rotated to ensure that all players are given an opportunity to perform and experience the game of cricket.

Come finals however if players have not been upholding the team values outlined in this policy those players who have been attending training, communicating with the coach and showing good team and club behaviour will be selected first.

Keeping in mind that the club will do it’s best to ensure that every player is given a fair go as players cannot develop if they are not playing the game.

Behaviour

Players should adhere to the Mount Barker Cricket Club Code of Conduct at all times when representing the club, including club functions both on and off the field, before and after games or as a spectator. Members that bring the club or the game into disrepute will be required to appear before the Club Committee and may face disciplinary action.

Team/Club Support

Cricket is a team sport and it is expected that members will work together at both training sessions and on game day to help set up and pack away all equipment. It is unreasonable to leave these duties to a limited few. This includes but is not limited to, setting up boundary cones at home games, setting up scoreboards, setting up furniture and returning it after the game, returning club equipment to the storeroom, etc. It is also requested that members attend club organised functions and endeavour to introduce new members to the Club.

This policy is to commence in the 2013/14 Season.

______

Signature WitnessClub President

Name: ______Name: ______