Representative Selection policy

ZONE 14 REPRESENTATIVE SELECTION POLICY

1. PRINCIPLE

  • The objective of the Zone 14 Representative Selection Policy (herein “Policy”) is to ensure the best possible sides, teams and players are selected to achieve the maximum success when representing Zone 14. 
  • This Policy is to be “Zone Neutral” – meaning that there is no requirement to have equal numbers of Selectors, players, and/or Officials from the different Sections of the Zone included within the Zone 14 Committees or representative teams.
  • This policy remains in force until amended or revoked by the Zone Executive Committee (herein "Executive").

2. PHILOSOPHY

  • The objective of the Policy is to ensure that the best possible squads, sides and teams and/or individuals are selected to represent Zone 14.
  • The policy applies to players, selectors, coaches, team managers and other Zone 14 officials.
  • All participants with strong claims for selection will be considered.
  • The selection of the teams for Junior trials and representative events will be the responsibility of the Zone Junior Bowls Committee.

3. CODE OF CONDUCT

Upon selection to a squad, side or team, in order to be eligible for all Inter Zone competition events, all players must sign the Zone Player & Officials Code of Conduct and complete the Medical Profile.  Upon appointment as a Zone Selector or Official, all members must sign the Zone 14 Player & Officials Code of Conduct and complete the Medical Profile.

4. INTERPRETATION

  • Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms used in this Policy shall have the same meaning as is in the Zone 14 Constitution and/or Regulations and BowlsNSW Constitution and Regulations.

5. SELECTION

5.1             Player Eligibility

  • In order to be eligible for selection in any Zone 14 side/team – the players must :

*          be an Australian citizen - or eligible under BowlsNSW/BA regulations

*          be a registered Bowling Member of BowlsNSW

*          have a declared Club within the Zone which is financial and affiliated with BowlsNSW

*          nominate for selection on the Zone “Nomination Sheet” which will be circulated to all the Clubs within the Zone for representation in the Zone events

*          Play in any of the following events of the Zone.

i.   Sectional trials

ii.  Senior Inter Zone trial

iii.  Dooker/Eggert Shield

i.v. Millennium Shield

v.   Pat Geary Memorial trial

vi.  Pat Geary Memorial Inter Zone

*          any player who has nominated for selection and has not competed in any of the aforementioned Zone events, may apply in writing to the Executive seeking approval to still be considered for selection.  His application must clearly set out his reason(s) and the decision of the Executive is final.

*          all Selectors will be non-playing

*          The Zone Chairman of Selectors (or his nominee) when attending any Inter-Zone event will not be considered for any role other than as Manager, Coach, Side Co-ordinator or Official Representative.  However he (together with any Zone Official listed on the Bowls NSW event sheet) may act as a substitute should a player be unable to continue due to illness or other unexpected circumstances.      

  • The following may also be taken into account by the Zone Selectors :

*          should a player/s who any Selector believes should be considered for nomination not submit their name on the Zone “Nomination Sheet”, the Selectors have the right to contact the player/s and seek their nomination prior to the finalization of the names on the “Nomination Sheet” for consideration in the representative trials

*          should a player/s, who any Selector believes could be considered for representative selection register with a Club within the Zone after the closing date of the Zone “Nomination Sheet”, the Selectors have the right to contact the player/s and seek their expression of interest in being considered for representative selection

5.2                         Player Selection Criteria

  • Selections made by the Zone 14 Selectors may be based on the following criteria :

*          performance during the pennant season of any grade of their declared Club

*          performance in Club/Zone/State Championship events

*          performance in Club/Zone/State Representative fixtures

*          demonstrated and/or potential ability, positive attitude to work with the Selectors, team officials and competitors and committment to Zone 14 and, in particular but not only, regarding Zone representation

*          current and/or previous Zone performances in events and over such periods as determined by the Selectors

*          demonstrated and/or potential ability to adapt to the format of play and environmental conditions for the selected event

*          the players current level of skill and physical fitness

*          any current or potential injury or condition which will impair, inhibit or prevent the potential of the player to successfully achieve or further the objectives of this Policy and of Zone 14 under its Constitution

*          behaviour standards on and off the bowling green and a total commitment to maintaining expected standards whilst representing Zone 14

*          eligibility to represent NSW under Bowls NSW selection policy.  If it comes to light after selection that a player is not prepared or permitted to play for the State that player is to be removed and another player is to be selected.

*          availability and commitment to participate in Inter Zone representative fixtures or other events, including trials and training sessions as required from time to time

  • The following may also be taken into account by the Zone Selectors :

*          in determining the composition of any selected side/team, the make-up of that side/team may be influenced by the importance of the event in achieving Zone 14’s long term objectives and future development of youth

*          age eligibility when selecting will be confirmed when selecting side/teams for Under 25’s, Under 45’s and Seniors competitions

*         Competitive ability of players will be of importance for selections.  Any player who fails consistently to perform in major competitions at a level appropriate to their ability may at the discretion of the Zone Selection Committee, not be selected, even if they have complied with all other criteria.

5.3             Player Selection Procedure

  • The Selectors shall have total discretion in selecting and may have regard to any one or more of the Selection Criteria in any selection process.
  • If consensus cannot be reached during the selection process, then a decision will be made by a simple majority vote of the Selection Committee.
  • The decision of the Selectors on any side/team selection shall be final and any required subsequent changes will be by mutual agreement.  Any team/side selected by Zone 14 Selectors shall be referred to the respective Executive representative present at the relative trial/selection event prior to announcement.
  • No reason need be given for any selection or other decision of the Selectors. This shall not prevent, limit or restrict the Selectors changing the selection of any side/team, individual or recommending Official role changes, at any time at their sole discretion, having regard to all the circumstances.
  • The Selectors may during competition, consult with or seek input about selections with the team captains, individual players, leadership groups or the side/team as a whole.

6. PLAYER REMOVAL FROM SELECTED SIDE/TEAM

  • Any Player who :

*          breaches or fails to observe this Policy, Zone 14 Constitution and Regulations

*          by means of illness or injury is unable to perform to the required standard in the opinion of the Selectors (even after having received advice from a medical practitioner that they are fit to participate)

*          bring Zone 14, BowlsNSW or the sport of bowls into disrepute or acts in a manner unbecoming of a Member or prejudicial to the interest of BowlsNSW and the sport of bowls

*          breaches or fails to fulfill a requirement of ASADA or the Bowls Australia Anti-Doping Policy

*          breaches or fails to comply, fulfill and observe the requirements of Zone 14 Players & Officials Code of Conduct

- is ineligible for selection to, or continued membership, of any Zone side/team selected by the Selectors as the case may be.

7. NOTIFICATION

7.1             Notification of this Policy

  • This Selection Policy shall be available to all Members on the Zone 14 website and/or through the Zone Secretary.
  • Zone 14 shall have no general responsibility to give notice of the Policy to any individual person or persons, other than in accordance with this Policy.

7.2              Notification of Player Selection

  • Any side/teams selected by Zone 14 Selectors shall be announced on the Zone 14 website and a copy sent to all affiliated Clubs within the Zone for display on their Clubs notice boards.
  • Individual players shall be notified of their selection immediately following the respective matches subject to Regulation 15.2.4.2 (c) (v) dot point 1. 

8. ZONE 14 SELECTORS

8.1             Appointment of Zone 14 Selectors

The positions of Zone 14 Chairman of Selectors and subsequent Selection Committee Members will be elected at the Zone A.G.M. - as per Zone 14 Regulations – 2 year term.

  • All Selection Committee Members are to have read, accepted and understood all of the relevant duties, obligations and responsibilities of a Selector not only listed within this policy but also in Regulations 15.2.4.
  • The format of Selectors for each Section within the Zone will be allocated by the Chairman of Selectors – 2 Selectors plus the Chairman in each Section if required, or the full Selection Committee  – Zone selection events will be conducted by the full Selection Committee.
  • The Selectors will be required to travel and attend the specific Zone trial matches laid down in the program for Zone selection and are required to participate and/or observe pennants, Zone championships and any other events that may be beneficial to the selection process.
  • The Selectors will be required to select teams for the Section trials, including the Dooker/Eggert and Millennium Shields, Under 45’s (if required), Seniors - then the Zone events, including the Under 25’s (if required), Pat Geary Memorial, Open and Senior Inter Zone representative teams, and any other organized Zone representative events – as per the Regulations. 
  • Preferred qualities and skills desirable for the position of Zone Selector include – the ability to make impartial judgments – current or prior playing, coaching and/or selectors experience – communication skills – leadership skills – an open minded attitude – honesty and integrity and knowledge of the sport – plus obtain a “Working With Children Check”.
  • Selection Solidarity – It is critical to the ongoing cohesiveness of the Zone Representative Teams, and to the successful ongoing process of the team selection, that all members of the Selection Committee remain as one outside the selection room. 

9. APPEAL PROCEDURE

9.1             Grounds for Appeal

  • An aggrieved player may appeal against a decision, solely based on his Selection or non Selection by the Zone 14 Selectors, on the grounds that a decision of the Selectors was not made in accordance with this Policy.

9.2             Procedure for Appeal

  • Any appeal against a decision of the Selectors must be made within five (5) working days of any notification as set out in clause 8(b) of the Zone 14 Constitution.
  • The appeal must be lodged in writing with the Zone Secretary setting out :

*          the decision of the Selectors in question

*          the grounds on which the appeal is made ; and

*          the reason or circumstances supporting the alleged grounds of appeal

  • Nothing in this Policy prevents the withdrawal of an appeal by the aggrieved player at any time in writing.
  • On receipt of a written appeal in accordance with this Policy, the Zone Secretary must forthwith forward the appeal documents to the Zone 14 Executive, who shall establish a Selection Review Panel within five (5) working days.

10. SELECTION REVIEW PANEL

  • The review panel shall consist of a Chairman and two other available persons appointed by the Executive.  No member of the Review Panel may be a party to or have a direct or perceived interest in the matter under consideration.
  • The Selection Review Panel, after receiving all relevant information on the appeal, shall investigate and consider the matter, and determine whether – 1. “The matter should be dismissed, because in its determination, the matter is found to be frivolous, inaccurate, trifling in nature or has no merit” - or - 2. “The appeal warrants further review and determination within this Policy”    
  • The Selection Review Panel will then conduct all appropriate business in accordance with clause 24 of the Zone Constitution (or clause 25 of the BowlsNSW Constitution), and any rules subsequent to clause 24 in the Zone Regulations (or clause 25 of the BowlsNSW Regulations).
  • Following consideration of all relevant available information, the Selection Review Panel shall arrive at a finding for recommendation to the Zone Selectors. A decision of the Selection Review Panel shall be reached by a simple majority and there shall be no casting vote.
  • The Selection Review Panel shall notify the Zone Secretary of its findings as soon as practicable.
  • If the Selection Review Panel considers the grounds alleged by the aggrieved person to be satisfied, it shall recommend that the Zone Selectors meet again to consider the selection of the relevant team or individual on the grounds of their recommendation.
  • The Selection Review Panel has no power of selection or re-selection.
  • Any further selection decision of the Zone Selectors, after reviewing the recommendations of the Selection Review Panel, shall be final and no further appeal shall be available to the aggrieved person under this Policy in respect of that selection.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE INFORMATION

  • Zone 14 Players Recognition Policy
  • Zone 14 Player & Officials Code of Conduct
  • Bowls Australia National Logo Policy
  • Bowls NSW Conditions of Play & Relative Policies

 Amended: 29th May, 2016

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