Newcastle Hockey Club

Newcastle Hockey Club Selection Process 2010/11

Selection for the 4 senior ladies team is the responsibility of the 4 squad captains, with input from their vice captains and the relevant coaches. If any player is not happy with the selection process they should speak to their captain in the first instance or the club captain.

1.      Every player will be allocated to one of the four squads at the start of the season

2.      All players must inform the captain of their squad their availability for the following weekend by 8pm on the Sunday before the match by email or text

3.      Captains will then select their squads for the forthcoming weekend starting with the first team squad, then the second team, then third and then the fourth team. This will allow any captain who has insufficient numbers for a game to select from the squad below.  Each team will endeavour to take a squad of at least 13 to a game where possible, rising to a maximum of 16.

4.      All players will then be informed by their captain by email by 8pm on the Tuesday (each email will be copied to all other captains).

5.       Squad lists for the weekend will be posted on the Newcastle Hockey Club website by 8pm on the Thursday.

6.      If for any reason a player’s availability changes after 8pm on Tuesday they must inform their captain for that weekend ASAP. We really want to avoid any captain having to phone around for players late in the week.

To encourage progression the captains will collectively review the squads throughout the season to ensure that there is movement between squads to reflect current form and the development of players. Also, each captain has a responsibility to recommend, to the other captains, potential movements in and out of their squad.

The desire is that the selection policy will enable each player to play to their full potential for the benefit of the Club. It is assumed that players will be willing to play for whichever team they are selected for.

The captains have agreed that it is important that Newcastle Hockey Club can field 4 senior ladies teams each week and so it is not reasonable for one squad to have 16 players and another less than 11. However extenuating circumstances may exist, such as a cup final, where 12 players go to a match leaving another team short.

If players are unavailable for particular matches due to the timing of the game then arrangements will be made for them to play in the next senior team, if at all possible.

Squad Aims for 2010/11

1^st Team:

a)    Win the Northumberland A league

b)    Reach quarter finals of the England Hockey Vase Competition

c)    Reach semi finals of Northumberland Cup

d)    Provide opportunities for 2^nd team/ junior players to step up into the first team squad as appropriate

e)    Develop tactical knowledge and ability of the squad

f)     Improve the team ethos of the 1^st team squad whilst maintaining a high level of performance

2^nd Team:

a)    Top 6 in the Northumberland A League

b)    Minimum Quarter Final in Northumberland Cup competition or final of the plate

c)    Provide a stepping stone for our strongest players to make the move into the 1s

d)    To allow fluidity between 1s and 2s squad by progressing and improving our match-play

e)    Allowing movement between 2s and 3s to bridge any gaps

f)     To develop the skills and abilities of 2+ juniors

3^rd Team:

a)    Enjoy playing hockey

b)    Win Northumberland B League

c)    Minimum semi-final of Northumberland Plate or Shield

d)    Develop at least 3 U18 players through 3^rds squad

e)    Provide development opportunity to new players & existing 4^th team players where ability is shown

f)     Support 1^st and 2^nd teams with development of key players

g)    Support 4^th team where specific needs are identified e.g. senior players to help support junior development and improve team robustness

4^th Team:

1.    Increase participation of junior squad on the 4^th team with a target of developing a minimum of 3 juniors.

2.    Increase number of league points this season with a minimum target of 15.

3.    Reach the quarter final of the Northumberland plate.

4.    Support the development of the club by identifying players who should progress up the club.

5.    Develop performance of players through increasing core skills knowledge and  fitness levels.

6.    Develop tactical knowledge of the game to enable a smoother transition of players to higher level teams.