Introduction

Established in Tonbridge in 1948, Cowdrey Cricket Club (“CCC”) has grown in recent years to be the leading cricket club in the Tonbridge area. The club currently offers the following opportunities for players:

Adults

·         Saturday league teams (Kent Cricket League)

·         Sunday friendlies

·         Women’s team

·         100 ball midweek evening fixtures (The Smash – Kent 100 ball competition)

·         Ad hoc games (touring, inter-club & special occasion fixtures)

Juniors

·         U9 hard and soft ball cricket (Sunday)

·         U11, U13, U15 hard ball cricket (Sunday – Kent Invicta league)

·         All-Stars program (U5-U9)

·         U18 girls team

·         Ad hoc friendly internal & external (touring, parents vs kids, 100 ball fixtures)

Objectives of the Selection Policy

The objectives of the CCC Selection Policy are:

1. To align CCC’s “whole club” approach and long term development strategy, with the short term needs to select the best players possible to represent the club on a weekly basis.  
2. To articulate the criteria for selection for the individual teams.
3. To integrate junior players into adult correct in a safe and enjoyable environment, providing sufficient challenge and opportunity for each.
4. To identify the members of the Selection Committee and the process to be followed.
5. To provide clarity and transparency to all club members, parents and supporters of CCC of the selection process.

Selection for adult teams

Kent Adult League Fixtures

For Kent adult league games, the  Selection Committee will be made up of the following individuals:

1. Glen Warner
2. Darren Apps
3. Simon Lawson

Quorum for a Committee meeting is one, who can make the decision in their sole capacity. Where two members are present, both must agree. Where all three committee members are present, a majority decision is required.

Adult non kent league fixtures

The selection committee for non-Kent League fixtures will be set by the individual playing group, normally the captain or manager. The Club expects each selection group to adhere to the below process as closely as possible, especially with regards to the integration of juniors into adult fixtures.

The Selection Process

In the week leading up to a fixture, the Selection Committee will request players confirm their availability. The selection meeting will normally take place a couple of days prior to the fixture, in order to provide clarity to the players and supporters.

Once the list of availability is known, the Selection Committee will request the captain to provide a list of their desired players from those that have made themselves available.

The Captains are advised to select the team that they think will give them the best chance of success given the opposition that they face in the next match.

Where multiple teams are playing at the same time, the captain of the highest competitive match will take priority in selecting their desired players. For example if 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams play on the same day, the 1st XI captain will have first selection and then the next level captain will select from the remaining players.   

Having received the captains preferred team selections, the Selection Committee will review the lists and decide on whether to amend the teams, by moving players up, down or selecting those that were not chosen. In doing so the Selection Committee will take into consideration the following (in no particular order):

The relative standard of players cricketing ability, as well as their form, results, potential and confidence.

1. The relative standard of players cricketing ability, as well as their form, results, potential and confidence.
2. Team balance (Including batting, bowling, fielding and leadership roles).
3. Players attitude toward fellow players, training, coaches, officials, the selection decisions and the club.
4. Players approach in terms of the level of dedication and commitment towards the game both during training and during games.
5. Players communication with the Selection Panel regarding availability and circumstances that hinder their commitment to availability (travel restrictions for example), training and club social functions.
6. Conduct infringements & suspensions - All players are expected to display appropriate conduct when representing the CCC, both on and off the field.
7. Players fitness (specifically in relation to injuries and on field fitness).
8. A players expressed preference for the level they wish to play at.
9. Balancing selection to enable the most amount of players possible get “game time”.
10. Club membership status and payment of match fees.
11. The quality of the opposition.

Where multiple fixtures are on at the same times, players who make themselves available are expected to be able to play for whichever side they are selected for, unless communicated to the Selection Committee in advance. Whilst the Committee will always try to ensure that players are selected to play in teams that are most suitable and convenient for them, players must recognise that the club will on occasion need them to play in higher or lower level games for the best outcome for the club as a whole.  

Once teams have been selected, the Committee will inform the respective captains of their decision and reasons behind any changes. The teams will be announced via the appropriate social media channels. If players have any questions around selection, they are requested to raise them with their captain in the first instance.

In certain unfortunate situations, there may not be sufficient available or capable players to satisfy all the committed fixtures on a given day. If that is the case, the Selection Committee may decide to concede the lowest level game, in order to enable those players to be selected for the remaining fixtures and ensure that the duty of care standards to which the club are committed are upheld.

Selection of junior players in adult fixtures

It is a key requirement for the long term development of CCC that junior players are integrated into Adult cricket and provided appropriate challenge, support and development. It is expected that players from U13, U15 and U18 age groups will be selected in adult league and friendly fixtures, to provide for the long term succession and development of the teams. The Selection Committee will aim to provide places within those teams for these junior players, even if it has a short term impact on playing ability. In doing so, it will take into account the following:

1. that the junior players are provided with sufficient opportunities in the adult teams to encourage their development and commitment to the club.
2. the junior players long term enjoyment, confidence, well-being and safety is paramount.
3. the views of the coach and the Head of Development, with regards to the appropriate standard the player should play at.
4. the views of the parents on the frequency and level of the games that the junior player should be selected for.
5. the level and attitude of the opposition.
6. feedback from the captain after a match in which the player has played in.

Juniors

Selection for junior teams will follow the same process as adult cricket with availability being requested in advance, but the decision on who to pick for each team will be made by the respective age group coach/manager.

The only difference in the criteria for selection between the adult and junior teams is that mangers are encouraged to ensure there is a greater emphasis placed within the junior team selection, in ensuring all players get appropriate game time at the level to which they are most suited within the age group. This may mean a rotation of players playing in games to ensure a fair approach.

Safety, enjoyment and an emphasis on a team/squad development are to be prioritised when selecting the junior teams.

Coaches/managers are encouraged to ensure parents are aware, if there are challenges in providing players with match experience, as a result of them being exposed to a standard of cricket above that to which they are currently comfortable with.