1. Introduction
This document sets out the commitment of Atherstone Adders Hockey Club (“the Club”) to an effective, fair, transparent and consistent Selection Policy.
The Club recognises that selection is an important part of competitive hockey and that decisions can have a significant impact on players. Selection decisions will therefore be made in the best interests of the Club, individual players and the development of hockey within the Club.
The Club will seek to ensure that selection is undertaken fairly, without discrimination, and in accordance with the current rules, regulations and policies of England Hockey and the relevant Area League or competition.

2. Definitions

2.1 Club / The Club - “Club” or “The Club” means Atherstone Adders Hockey Club.
2.2 Officers / Club Officers - “Officers” or “Club Officers” means members of the Atherstone Adders Hockey Club General Committee.
2.3 Members -“Members” means fully registered and appropriately paid-up members of Atherstone Adders Hockey Club, whether playing or non-playing and regardless of age or gender.
2.4 Senior Members - “Senior Members” means members aged 18 years or over.
2.5 Junior Members / Young People - “Junior Members” means members under the age of 18. For safeguarding purposes, the Club will follow England Hockey's definition of a young person as anyone under the age of 18. (England Hockey)
2.6 Volunteers - “Volunteers” means individuals who assist with the running or activities of the Club in a voluntary capacity, whether or not they are registered playing members.

3. Statement of Intention
Atherstone Adders Hockey Club is committed to the development of all its members, both junior and senior.
The Club recognises that players have different abilities, aspirations and stages of development. The Club will seek to provide opportunities for players to participate at the highest appropriate level for their ability while also ensuring that players are able to enjoy hockey in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.
The Club aims to provide every member with the opportunity to reach their full potential, whether that is at regional, county, league, development, social or recreational level.
Selection will therefore consider both the competitive needs of each team and the longer-term development of individual players.

4. General Selection Principles
All selection decisions will be made in accordance with the following principles:

Selection will be based primarily on the ability and suitability of players for the team concerned.
Selection will take account of current form, fitness, attendance, commitment, tactical requirements, positional requirements and the needs of the team.
Player development will be considered, particularly where a player is being considered for movement between teams.
Availability and reliability will be considered when selecting teams.
Players are expected to demonstrate appropriate standards of behaviour, commitment and respect towards teammates, opponents, officials, coaches and Club volunteers.
Players must comply with the Club's Code of Conduct, Disciplinary Policy and other relevant Club policies.
Players must be appropriately registered and eligible to participate in the relevant competition.
Players whose Club accounts are subject to significant outstanding fees may have their selection restricted in accordance with the Club's financial policies.
Selection decisions will not discriminate unlawfully or unfairly on the basis of protected characteristics or other irrelevant personal circumstances.
Selection involving junior players will additionally comply with safeguarding requirements and the relevant England Hockey regulations and guidance.
The Club will comply with the current England Hockey regulations applicable to the relevant competition. England Hockey publishes separate regulations for EHL, Area Leagues and junior competitions, and these may change from season to season. (England Hockey)

5. Senior Players

5.1 Selection Committee
Senior teams will be selected by the appropriate selection group, normally consisting of the relevant Coaches, Team Captains and/or other persons appointed by the Club.
The Club will aim to hold regular selection discussions during the season to consider forthcoming fixtures and player availability.
Selection meetings may be held more frequently where circumstances require, including where there are changes to player availability, injuries, fixtures or competition requirements.
The selection process will be coordinated by the appropriate Team Captain and/or Coach.

5.2 Selection Criteria
When selecting senior teams, the selection group may consider:

Playing ability and current form.
Fitness and readiness to play.
Training attendance and commitment.
Match attendance and reliability.
Positional requirements.
Tactical requirements of the team.
Team balance and combinations.
Player development.
Behaviour and disciplinary record.
Compliance with Club rules and policies.
Availability for the fixture.
Eligibility under the rules of the relevant competition.
Financial eligibility to participate where applicable.

No single factor will automatically determine selection in every circumstance.

5.3 Communication of Selection
Team Captains and/or Coaches will communicate selections to players as soon as reasonably practicable.
Players are responsible for checking the Club's designated communication channels and/or contacting their Team Captain if they are unsure of their selection.
Where possible, players will receive confirmation of selection before or during the team's normal training arrangements for the relevant week.

5.4 Player Availability
Players are expected to provide their availability within the timescale requested by their Team Captain or Coach.
Players should notify the appropriate Captain as early as possible if they become unavailable after selection.
Repeatedly making themselves unavailable for fixtures, particularly at short notice and without good reason, may be taken into account when future selections are made.
The Club recognises that legitimate circumstances can affect availability, including work, education, family commitments, injury, illness and other personal circumstances.
Such circumstances should be communicated to the relevant Team Captain wherever reasonably possible.

5.5 Movement Between Teams
Players may be moved between teams where the Selection Committee considers this to be appropriate for:

The player's development.
The player's current level of performance.
The requirements of the relevant team.
Team balance or positional requirements.
Player availability.
Competition requirements.
Other legitimate sporting considerations.

Where a player is moved between teams, the relevant Captain and/or Coach should communicate the decision to the player and, where appropriate, explain the sporting reasons for the decision.
The Club will seek to ensure that movement between teams is handled respectfully and constructively.

5.6 Selection of Non-Club Players and Guests
Non-Club players, guests or temporary players will only be considered where permitted by the relevant competition regulations and where their participation is appropriate.
Priority will normally be given to registered Club members.
Non-Club players may be considered where:

There is insufficient Club player availability;
Their participation is permitted by the relevant competition;
They are being considered as a prospective Club member;
Their involvement supports the development or continuation of the team; or
There is another legitimate sporting reason.

Any player participating in Club activity must meet all applicable registration, safeguarding, insurance and competition requirements.

5.7 Financial Eligibility
Players are expected to keep their Club subscriptions, match fees and other agreed payments up to date.
Where a player has significant outstanding Club debts, the Club may restrict their ability to participate in matches until an appropriate payment arrangement has been agreed or the outstanding balance has been brought into line.
Any such decision will be made in accordance with the Club's financial and debt-management procedures.
The Club will seek to deal reasonably with players experiencing genuine financial difficulties and encourages players to contact the appropriate Club Officer at the earliest opportunity to discuss a payment arrangement.

5.8 League Eligibility
Players must satisfy all registration, membership, age, eligibility and financial requirements applicable to the competition in which they are selected to play.
The Club will follow the current England Hockey and relevant Area League regulations applicable to the 2026/27 season.
Where competition regulations change, the current regulations will take precedence over this policy. (England Hockey)

6. Junior Players
The Club is committed to the long-term development, welfare and enjoyment of all junior players.
Selection of junior players will place particular emphasis on player development, appropriate competition and safeguarding.
England Hockey states that safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone involved in hockey and that clubs should create an environment in which young people can participate safely and enjoy the sport. (England Hockey)

6.1 Junior Development
The Club will:

Take a long-term view of the development of young players.
Provide opportunities appropriate to the player's age, ability, experience and stage of development.
Avoid placing young players into situations for which they are not physically, mentally, emotionally or socially ready.
Consider the player's welfare and enjoyment alongside competitive objectives.
Avoid over-playing young players.
Encourage progression between appropriate levels of hockey where this supports the player's development.
Follow current England Hockey safeguarding, competition and participation requirements.

6.2 Junior Players in Adult Hockey
Junior players may be considered for participation in adult hockey where they meet the applicable England Hockey and competition eligibility requirements and where the Club considers participation appropriate.
Before selecting a junior player for adult hockey, consideration should be given to:

Age and eligibility.
Playing ability and experience.
Physical development.
Confidence and emotional maturity.
Tactical understanding.
The standard and physicality of the proposed competition.
Expected playing time.
Travel requirements.
The views of the player.
The views of the parent or guardian where appropriate.
The views of the player's coach and/or Junior Organiser.
Safeguarding considerations.

A junior player should not be selected simply because an adult team is short of players.
If the only available replacement is a junior player who is not considered ready or whose participation would not be in their best interests, the adult team should play short where competition regulations permit.

6.3 Age and Competition Eligibility
The Club will comply with the current England Hockey and relevant competition regulations concerning the minimum age and eligibility of young players participating in adult hockey.
The Club will not rely on historic age requirements contained in this policy where England Hockey or the relevant competition has subsequently amended its regulations.
The applicable regulations for the competition being played will always take precedence.
England Hockey currently publishes separate regulations covering adult/EHL, Area League and junior competitions, which are subject to seasonal review and amendment. (England Hockey)

6.4 Travel and Playing Time
When selecting junior players for adult teams, reasonable consideration should be given to the relationship between travel time and expected playing time.
As a general Club guideline, where a junior player is likely to receive less than half a game, consideration should be given to whether a journey of more than approximately 60 minutes each way is proportionate and in the player's best interests.
This is guidance rather than an absolute rule and may be varied where there are legitimate sporting, safeguarding or developmental reasons.

6.5 Junior Team Playing Time
For age-group and development-focused junior teams, the Club will seek to provide fair and meaningful opportunities for players to participate.
Where practical, selection and match management should aim to provide players with an appropriate and broadly equitable opportunity for playing time over the course of a season.
The Club recognises that equal playing time is not always possible because of:

Competition regulations.
Player attendance.
Fitness or injury.
Player development needs.
Team balance.
Player behaviour.
Tournament or match circumstances.
Player or parent preferences.
Other legitimate sporting or safeguarding considerations.

Winning is not the sole measure of success in junior hockey. Player development, enjoyment, confidence, teamwork and long-term participation are equally important.

7. Equality, Inclusion and Fair Selection
The Club is committed to fair and inclusive selection.
Selection decisions will be made in accordance with the principles of equality and inclusion and will comply with applicable England Hockey policies and regulations.
The Club will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation in connection with selection.
England Hockey maintains an Equality Policy and an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion framework, alongside other participation policies which clubs are expected to take into account. (England Hockey)
Where a player has a disability or other additional requirement, the Club will consider reasonable adjustments wherever appropriate and practicable.

8. Safeguarding
All selection decisions involving junior players must be consistent with the Club's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and current England Hockey safeguarding requirements.
The welfare of a young person will take precedence over competitive considerations.
Adults working with young people must comply with the Club's safeguarding requirements and any applicable England Hockey requirements concerning safeguarding training, DBS checks and appropriate conduct. England Hockey identifies specific safeguarding responsibilities for coaches, volunteers, welfare officers and adults participating in teams with young players. (England Hockey)

9. Player Conduct and Discipline
Player conduct may be taken into account when making selection decisions.
The Club expects all players to comply with:

The Club's Code of Conduct.
England Hockey's Spirit of Hockey Code of Conduct.
The Club Disciplinary Policy.
Relevant competition rules.
Safeguarding requirements.
Instructions from authorised coaches, captains and officials.

A player who is subject to a disciplinary sanction may be unavailable for selection where the sanction prevents participation.
Where conduct is being considered as part of a selection decision but does not result in a formal disciplinary sanction, the player should be treated fairly and given an appropriate opportunity to discuss the matter where reasonable.

10. Confidentiality and Respect
Selection discussions should be treated as confidential Club matters.
Players, Captains, Coaches and Committee members should avoid discussing individual selection decisions publicly or through social media.
Players are entitled to ask for an explanation of a selection decision, but disagreement with a selection decision does not justify abusive, threatening or disrespectful behaviour towards Captains, Coaches, selectors or other Club members.

11. Selection Disputes and Appeals
The Club recognises that players may disagree with selection decisions.
A player who wishes to raise a concern should initially discuss the matter privately with their Team Captain and/or Coach.
If the matter cannot be resolved, the player may raise the concern with the Club Captain.
Where appropriate, the Club Captain may refer the matter to the General Committee or another appropriate Club Officer for consideration.
Selection appeals will consider whether the selection process was applied fairly and consistently. The appeal process will not automatically substitute the judgement of the selection group with that of the person hearing the appeal.
Where a concern relates to discrimination, safeguarding, bullying, harassment or misconduct, it should be raised under the appropriate Club policy rather than treated solely as a selection dispute.

12. Responsibility for the Policy
The Club Committee is responsible for approving and maintaining this policy.
The Club Captain, Coaches, Team Captains and other appointed selectors are responsible for applying the policy consistently.
All members are expected to support the principles contained within this policy.

13. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually and whenever there are significant changes to England Hockey regulations, safeguarding requirements, competition rules or Club structure.
The current version of this policy will take precedence over previous versions.
The policy will be reviewed for the 2027/28 season unless an earlier review is considered necessary.
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Atherstone Adders Hockey Club
Selection Policy 2026/27
Review Date: August 2027
This policy should be read alongside the Club's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Disciplinary Policy, Code of Conduct, Membership/Finance Policy and other relevant Club policies, together with the current England Hockey regulations and policies.