Lincoln Netball Club - Selection Policy

2024 Selection Policy

Team and Player Selection Policy

1. Purpose
2. Trial/Team Selection and Team Placement Format
3. Selection Panel
4. Competencies and Qualities Considered
5. Player Withdrawals
6. Naming of Teams
7. Non-attendance at Trials
8. Disputes Procedures

1. Purpose

To provide players with the opportunity to represent Lincoln Netball Club (LNC) at a level suitable to their ability; to provide opportunities for players to progress through the Selwyn Netball Centre, Netball Mainland and Netball New Zealand development frameworks and to enhance players enjoyment of the game.

Through the selection of teams, LNC aims to:

Ensure all identified players are given equal opportunity to be considered for a team and provided with skill development opportunities to assist them reach their potential.
Provide suitably qualified coaches.
Develop strategies to provide a safe environment for athletes and officials to effectively participate in netball.

Premier/Senior A, B & C Teams (Premier : Year 12 and above, playing in grades Premier 1, 2 & 3)

Select 2/3 teams of netball players with the level of competencies required to achieve the goal of obtaining 2 positions within the Premier grades at the Selwyn Netball Centre.

During the 2023 season the LNC Senior A & B teams played in Premier 1 and Premier 2. Players should use this as a guide to determine whether they have the skills and competencies to play at this level in 2024.

High School Teams (Senior : High School Year 9-11, playing in Grades 1, 2, 3 & 4)

Primary Teams - Year 7/8 Team Placements

Primary Teams - Year 5/6

Year 5/6 netball at the Selwyn Netball Centre is a non-competitive 6-aside format where players rotate positions through attack, centre and defence. Players may play a maximum of two consecutive playing days in the same position, with all three positions (A, C and D) to be played within a six week period. No trials are held for these teams. The LNC Year 5/6 Junior Netball Co-ordinator places registered players into teams based on age and previous netball experience using information captured on the registration form. Players can nominate 2 friends to be with in a team on the registration form.

futureFERNS - Year 3/4

Year 3/4 netball at Selwyn Netball Center is a non-competitive 5 aside format designed to be fast and fun. With modified equipment and less players on the court the game is less complicated and maximises participation.

No trials are held for these teams. The LNC Year 1-4 Junior Netball Co-ordinator and Registrations Co-ordinator place registered players into teams based on age, school year, friendships, team balance and structure, and any other information captured on the registration form.

futureFERNS - Year 1/2

Year 1/2 netball at Selwyn Netball Centre is a non-competitive 4 aside format that allows the players to develop fundamental netball skills from day one. It introduces netball to 5 and 6 year olds, where emphasis is on fun activities and skills conduted in a safe environment, playing with friends and meeting others.

2. Trial/Team Selection and Team Placement Format

Players must ensure they are registered with LNC prior to registrations closing. This can be completed through the on-line registration process at www.sporty.co.nz/lincolnnetball.

The non-refundable $40 trial/team selection & team placement administration fee must be paid before players take the court for the first trial/team selection or team placement session (All Premier/Senior, High School and Yr 7/8 players). No payment will be accepted on the day. This fee is deducted from the season registration fee for players who remain with the club.

Trial/team selection or team placement session dates and times are advertised on the LNC website and Facebook pages.

The online database is used to make up the first rounds of teams to ensure the trial/team selection or team placement sessions run efficiently and all players are given the opportunity to play in at least 1 of their nominated positions on the first trial/team selection or team placement session date.

The trial/team selection or team placement session process allows up to 15 minutes for players to sign in. Please be prompt. This will be followed by a structured warm up and then games.

Games will be approximately 8-10 minutes in length and we will attempt to trial you in every position you have listed on your registration form (up to 2 preferred positions) over the 2 trial/team selection or team placement sessions. Every attempt will be made for all players to have at least 2x8 minutes of court time at the first trial/team selection or team placement session.

During the trial/team selection or team placement sessions, the selectors will evaluate individual skill levels, fitness and team playing abiliti/es of each player. The following aspects will be evaluated to determine which team a player is selected for e.g. fitness, player combinations, skills, coach-ability, attitude, leadership, communication, team dynamics and individual player characteristics.

Players may be asked to play at a position they did not nominate on their registration form if the selection panel consider they have the skills/ability to play that position. This would normally only occur if there was a shortage of players for a particular position.

3. Selection Panel

A LNC Committee appointed co-ordinator will oversee the trial/team selection or team placement sessions. Selectors may include appointed coaches at each level, and/or LNC Committee members and independent selectors.

4. Competencies and Qualities Considered

The major criteria for selection will be based on the performance of the player at the appropriate trial/team selection or team placement sessions. Selectors will also consider team balance, where the 8-11 best individual players may not provide the best team combination. Ideally teams should have a variety of combinations to cover such events as sickness, injury or unavailability during the season.

Core Playing Competencies

- Skill base and performance consistency

- Tactical understanding and decision making

- Flair and innovation

- Fitness and game intensity

- Potential and work ethic

Core Personal Qualities

- Effective under pressure

- Teamwork

- Versatility, consistency and adaptability

Other Factors

Consideration may be given to other such factors that the selection panel considers in its sole discretion to be relevant and appropriate to the overall assessment of a particular player. These may include:

Positional balance within the team.
Succession planning.
Balance of experience and youth in the group.
Whether a player's performance and/or contribution has been affected by extenuating circumstances such as illness, injury, bereavement, parental leave, work/study commitments or similar which have temporarily compromised her form and/or recent contribution.
Previous performance with the LNC.

Selectors must submit a list of selected squads/teams to the LNC President for ratification prior to final selections being announced.

5. Player Withdrawals

In the event of a player withdrawing after selection:

During the initial selection process the selectors will identify the next best player for each team for elevation if a withdrawal occurs.
If a withdrawal occurs prior to the commencement of the team trainings, selectors will consult the list of previous trialists and appoint a suitable replacement.
Due to injury, the team coach will consult with the selection panel coordinator and depending on the timing of this relative to the start of the season a replacement may be sought from outside the registered player pool.

6. Naming of Teams

Teams announcements will be communicated via the LNC website within 5 days of the last trial.

Acceptance/Withdrawal of team selection will be required within 48 hours. If no communication is received, you will be automatically withdrawn from the team.

7. Non-Attendance at Trial/Team Selection or Team Placement Sessions

Please email [email protected] if unable to attend a trial/team selection or team placement session.

The LNC expectation is that all players attend at least one trial/team selection or team placement session for the level they are trialling for.

Players unable to attend trial/team selection or team placement sessions for any reason will have their team selection based on availability of positions within the teams, information provided by the coach at the conclusion of the previous season and through consultations with the selectors, the coaches and LNC Committee.

If a player is unable to attend a trial/team selection or team placement session due to injury or illness:

Where possible the player will be invited to attend another trial/team selection or team placement session for the same competition, however in a different grade;
If this is not possible, the selectors may consider past (only last 12 months) team experience and performance of that player.

If a player is unable to attend a trial/team selection or team placement session due to other reasons:

The selectors have the discretion to allow the player to be considered for selection into the team in extraordinary circumstances. Communication of unavailability for trial/team selection or team placement sessions must have been provided and approved in advance of the first trial/team selection or team placement session.
Written proof of the circumstances may be required in this situation.
In this situation, players will be required to follow the same procedures as for illness or injury.

8. Disputes Procedures

Not with standing any of the provisions in this Policy, it is acknowledged that when applying the criteria and considerations set out above, there will be, at times, extremely difficult choices to be made which will require the Selection Panel to exercise its discretion and judgement. Providing the Selection Panel has properly considered the criteria and considerations set out in this Policy, and has exercised its discretion and judgement in good faith, then the Selection Panel will have fulfilled all of its obligations under this Policy.

If players feel that they have been selected in a team which is clearly not at their ability level and this is impacting on their enjoyment of the game, you can request to have a selection review – this request must be in writing to the LNC President and sent via email: [email protected].

Your complaint will then be discussed by the LNC Committee and a response will be given, in coordination with selectors’ feedback.