XX1 Commonwealth Games Gold Coast, Australia 4-15 April 2018 Sport Selection Policy and Standards Scottish Hockey Glasgow National Hockey Centre Glasgow G40 1HB
Scottish Hockey Team Scotland: Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Athlete - Sport Selection Policy and Standards Introduction 1 This selection policy and standards has been agreed by Scottish Hockey and Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS). It provides detail on the process by which Scottish Hockey will arrive at athlete nominations which will be submitted to CGS for consideration for final selection to Team Scotland for Gold Coast 2018. Achievement, by an athlete, of individual selection standards, detailed in this document, is therefore the first step by which nomination can be considered. The final decision in selection to the 2018 Games lies with CGS. 2 Scottish Hockey will nominate only those athletes who have qualified under both the hockey Sport Specific Selection Standards stated below and the CGS General Selection Policy (available on the CGS website) which should be read in conjunction with these standards. 3 Entry numbers per event and the overall number of athletes are in accordance with the CGF allocation and Scottish Hockey will nominate in accordance with this policy. Team Scotland General Selection Policy Aim 4 Scotland selects a team that performs with distinction in 2018, achieving our highest ever number of medals at a Games out with Scotland and overall have a higher percentage of athletes meeting the selection standards when competing at these Games than in 2014. 5 This hockey policy is consistent with this aim. Athlete Eligibility 6 The eligibility criteria of the CGF Article 24 must be met by all nominees (Appendix 1). 7 Where prospective team members do not automatically comply with the above, in terms of birth or parent s birth, they will only be nominated for final selection if they receive prior approval from the CGF under their guidelines. No 2
applications will be considered after 1 March 2017 to allow any case sufficient time for review and any submission to the CGF. Games Hockey Competition Format 8 Competition format consists of two pools of five teams playing each other in a round-robin tournament. 9 On completion of the pool fixtures, the top two in each pool play semi final cross over matches with the winners contesting the final and the losers contesting the bronze medal. 10 Cross over matches will be played to rank teams 5 th to 10 th. 11 The maximum number of athletes selected by any country will be in line with CGF allocation for each invited team. Sport Specific Selection Standards and Framework 12 Team Qualification i) The General Selection Criteria of Commonwealth Games Scotland must be met by Scottish Hockey and all players. ii) iii) iv) Competing in the Games is subject to CGS receiving an invite from the CGF to compete in the Games. In order to receive an invite each team will need to be placed in the top 10 Commonwealth nations (including the hosts and current champions with representation from a least four of the CGF six regions) from the world rankings at the time of the invites to compete. In order for the teams to gain selection to Team Scotland it is necessary to evidence performances showing the potential to place in the top six in the Games. In order to evidence a top six finish each team will show one or more of the following criteria, with priority given to option one: 1. A ranking of top six or above of Commonwealth Countries from the World rankings one year out from the Games. 2. Qualify for World League 3 3. Two wins against teams who qualified for World league 2 by ranking 4. Men: Gain promotion to European Division A 3
v) If neither team are able to evidence a top six finish then the team with the highest Commonwealth ranking will be selected to attend the Games. vi) vii) viii) Scottish Hockey will identify to CGS the competition, preparation plans and any conflicts by 1 January 2017. Team composition will be determined by Scottish Hockey on the basis that the athletes selected are the best players, with the Commonwealth Games taking precedence over club or other international commitments. Scottish Hockey s nominations will only be selected by CGS where it is clear that performance at the Games has been made a competitive priority during the selection period (1 January 2017 to 7 February 2018) and their preparation programmes are directed at the best possible performance. All nominated athletes must have completed the required antidoping education programme. Fitness Standards 13 The Head Coach will make available the minimum fitness assessment standards prior to the start of the nomination period. 14 Squad Size i) Scottish Hockey will nominate players in line with CGF allocation and four reserves for each team by 7 February 2018. The final team size is subject to the regulations as laid out by the CGF for the Commonwealth Games 2018 competition format (refer point 11). ii) Two players from the four reserves will be named by Scottish Hockey as travelling reserves and will attend all camps up to the entry to the Games village. This is subject to finance being available from Scottish Hockey to take an additional two travelling reserves. iii) Final team players will be selected by the CGS by 20 February 2018. Squad Players: i) All players selected for squads must undertake a full training programme as set by the squad Head Coach. ii) All players are subject to fitness monitoring throughout the selection period and must meet the minimum standards as set by the Head Coach of the respective squad. 4
iii) It is recognised that in nominating, account must be taken, of an individual s ability to contribute to the aims and balance of the team and therefore the ability to play in a number of positions and to combine with other players are major factors. Players Characteristics 15 Player characteristics are as set out in the Scottish Hockey s selection criteria (Appendix 2). 16 Form and Fitness Issues, prior to nomination: i) Any player ill or injured prior to competing in any tournament leading up to the Games will undergo assessments to determine their ability to compete. ii) The assessments will carried out by one or more of the following: a doctor; physiotherapist; S&C coach; and Head Coach, and will include physical tests. iii) The physical tests will be agreed with the player and will include but not limited to: sprints; acceleration and deceleration; turning; hockey specific skills tasks and if required an aerobic component. iv) The final decision to compete will rest with the Head Coach and Head of Performance in consultation with the medical staff and other support staff. v) Any selection or de-selection decision, following such a test, will be final. Selection timeframe 17 Scottish Hockey will send final nominations to CGS by 7 February 2018 and CGS will confirm the final team selections by 20 February 2018. 18 Each player will be notified in writing of their nomination to the Commonwealth Games team by 7 February 2018. Players in line with CGF allocation will be notified for each squad and this will include the names of these team players, two travelling reserves and two non-travelling reserves. 19 Final selection to the Games team is dependent on receipt of relevant information required by CGS such as completion and signing of the CGF Eligibility Form and CGS Team Member Agreement. Selection Process 20 Nomination of team players is the responsibility of Scottish Hockey on the following basis: 5
i) The competition programme within the selection period between 1 January 2017 and 7 February 2018, will be made available to all players in advance. ii) iii) iv) The Head Coach in consultation with the assistant coaches and the Head of Performance will select the initial squad. The Head Coach is responsible for the nomination of all final squads members. The Head of Performance in consultation with the Head Coach is responsible for ratification of the final team players for nomination to CGS. Any non-nominated player may have the opportunity to meet with the Head Coach and request the attendance of the Head of Performance. De-Selection 21 Form and Fitness: Injury Management: Where form and fitness issues are identified at or after selection, a fitness test may be used to determine that the athlete is capable of performing to the level required for the Games. The format will be determined by CGS after discussion with the Hockey Team Management. This will be specific to hockey and the athlete s condition and may include input from CGS medical staff. Any selection or de-selection decision, following such a test, will be final. 22 Antidoping: athletes suspended by their Governing Body as a result of ongoing or concluded anti-doping violation allegations will not be considered for selection, and if previously selected, will be deselected from the Gold Coast 2018 team. 23 CGS Policies: Athletes in breach of CGS policies, code of conduct and team agreement may be de-selected. Appeal Process 24 An appeal against non-nomination to CGS by Scottish Hockey is entirely a matter for the athlete and Scottish Hockey. This should be held in accordance with Scottish Hockey s own appeal procedures, but taking into consideration only the CGS selection policy and agreed sport specific selections standards and conditions. 25 Any player not nominated to the team has the right to meet with the Head Coach and the Head of Performance in order to seek further clarification on their nonnomination to the team of players. The player must request this meeting by 9 February 2018. After this meeting a player may appeal in writing to Scottish Hockey and that appeal must arrive at the Scottish Hockey offices by 12 February 2018. The CEO of Scottish Hockey will convene a meeting in line with Scottish Hockey policy and procedures, and within seven days of receipt of 6
the appeal. The player will be notified of the decision of the appeals panel and the decision of the panel is final. 26 An appeal against non-selection, by CGS, of an athlete may only be submitted by Scottish Hockey and not by any individual athlete. If an appeal is submitted to CGS by Scottish Hockey, a CGS Appeal Panel will consider the case along with any additional information provided. The appeal must be made in writing within 48 hours of notification of selection outcomes to Scottish Hockey by CGS. Appointment of Team Staff 27 A Team Manager for each qualified team will be appointed by CGS in consultation with Scottish Hockey by April 2017. The final complement of hockey team staff attending the Games will ultimately depend upon team numbers and composition and will be determined by CGS in consultation with Scottish Hockey. This will include different categories of accreditation and access to the Games Village and other secure areas. 7
Appendix 1 Article 24 Eligibility 1. Subject to Article 24(2), as a condition of entry to compete in the Commonwealth Games, all athletes must be citizens or subjects of the Commonwealth Country that enters them and must: (a) not be currently under disqualification or suspension by the Federation, or their respective Affiliated Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) or International Federation (IF) or under the World Anti Doping Code; (b) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Federation, their respective IFs and the World Anti Doping Code as may be modified and applied by the Federation to ensure that the overriding principles of the Commonwealth Games are observed. 2. Subject to Article 24(3), where an athlete was born in a Commonwealth Country that has common citizenship/passport with other Commonwealth Countries, the athlete may initially represent either the athlete's Commonwealth Country of birth; or the Commonwealth Country of birth of his or her father or mother that shares the same citizenship/passport. 3. After having represented one Commonwealth Country at the Commonwealth Games, an athlete may not represent another Commonwealth Country unless he or she receives the approval of the Federation, the relevant IF and the affiliated CGAs of the two Commonwealth Countries concerned. Applications under this article must be submitted to the Executive Board at least 12 months prior to the commencement of the Games. 4. It is the responsibility of all affiliated CGAs to ensure that their athletes are fully aware of and comply with the eligibility rules of the Federation. 5. The Executive Board will have the power to waive the provisions of Articles 24 (1-3) in its discretion. In relation this clause, the CGF Executive Board at its meeting in August 2004 gave the following guidelines: If an athlete has previously represented a country at a Commonwealth Games they may continue to represent that country at future Games. Athletes wishing to compete for a country on the basis of residency must show they have resided in that country for five years immediately prior to those Games. Further guidelines were given in August 2005 as follows: Athlete Eligibility - Athlete Dispensation Criteria The General Assembly noted the Executive Board s decision that in accordance with Article 25 (5) dispensations would be granted to athletes where common passports exist in that an athlete may represent the new country subject to having fulfilled all the requirements of the relevant International Federation. 8
Appendix 2 Scottish Hockey Selection Criteria Youth, Junior and Senior Objective To select players with the ability, commitment and work ethic to maximise their hockey potential and excel in major outdoor tournaments for Scotland. Selection Framework 1. Selection will primarily be based on selecting players who consistently display behaviours as set out in the player characteristics. 2. All players selected for squads must commit to a full training programme as set by the squad Head Coach including weekly performance programme training. 3. All players are subject to fitness monitoring throughout the year, must work towards reaching standards as set by the Head Coach of the respective squad and demonstrate improvement. 4. It is recognised that in selecting a team account must be taken of an individual s ability to contribute to the goals of the team and therefore be prepared to embrace challenges such as position change. 1 Player Characteristics 1.1 Players must demonstrate the following behaviours: 1.1.1 An approach to the development process based on learning and hard work; 1.1.2 A desire to learn; 1.1.3 Seeing setbacks as an opportunity to learn; 1.1.4 Endeavour to understand and embrace challenges; 1.1.5 Persist in their efforts; 1.1.6 Work hard at all aspects of their hockey programme; 1.1.7 Learn from feedback; 1.1.8 Learn from the success of others; and 1.1.9 Always strive to reach higher levels of achievement 1.2 Players must demonstrate a level of all-round physical suitability appropriate to the age and stage of development, to the demands of international hockey, and work towards developing that physical potential. 9
1.3 Have a sound understanding and delivery of basic techniques in international hockey. 1.4 Work to understand and deliver core tactical concepts. 1.5 Work to execute skills in new and challenging environments. 1.6 Take ownership of their own development, the targets of the team and of Scottish Hockey. 1.7 Complete fitness diaries as directed by the Head Coach. 2 Selection and De-selection Process 2.1 The training and competition programme will be made available to all players in advance and after the appropriate selection point. Account must be taken of the fact that programmes can evolve and change over the year so a degree of flexibility is required. 2.2 In the case of youth squads, the Head Coach in consultation with a variety of national team coaches, performance squad coaches, district coaches and the Head of Performance will select the initial age group squads following the inter-district tournaments. 2.3 The Head Coach and Head of Performance are jointly responsible for the selection of all final squad members with the input of the U21 and senior Head Coaches. 2.4 The Head of Performance in consultation with the Head Coach is responsible for the sign off of the final team. 2.5 The Head Coach will be available to discuss selection with any affected player. 2.6 Any de-selected player must have a plan of action that will aid their development and future selection. 2.7 Any deselected player will have the opportunity for a meeting with the Head Coach and the Head of Performance will attend if requested to do so by either the Head Coach or the player and parent if under the age of 18. 3 Injury and Illness 3.1 Any player ill or injured prior to competing in any tournament will undergo assessments to determine their ability to compete. 10
3.2 The assessments will carried out by either a doctor or physiotherapist and will include physical tests. 3.3 The tests will be agreed with the player and will include: sprints; acceleration and deceleration; turning; sports specific and, if required, an aerobic component. 3.4 The final decision to compete will rest with the Head Coach and Head of Performance in consultation with the medical officer. 4 The Fitness Standards The Head Coach will make available fitness standards (please note that comprehensive physical competencies are being developed) prior to the start of the programme. Players must demonstrate a willingness to work to these standards and demonstrate improvements Notes for Coaches and Selectors for Youth Programmes On selecting and deselecting players for youth programmes it is important to apply the following principles: 1 Birth dates can play a significant role in the maturation and development of players. Players in team sports that have an early birth date tend to get selected more than late birth date players check birth dates and be careful not to select on the fact the player is an early maturer. 2 Those players that have had greater opportunities to train tend to have better ability, however other players given those opportunities may develop faster due to their ability to understand and apply the principles of talent development. Individuals may have transferrable skills from other sports check training history. 3 The players demonstrating greater ability at an earlier age tend to have had greater exposure to more qualified coaches again check coaching history. 4 Consider potential development to perform at a senior level against current youth level performance, some players may have developed poor habits from previous programmes will the player develop into a senior international player by challenging their previously developed implicit skills? 5 Select growth mindset players based on the behaviours stated above. Look for the ability to embrace challenge, learn from setbacks, learn from feedback and focus on effort. 11
6 Players that do not demonstrate a growth mindset may not due to the major influences in their life. A growth mindset can be learned and those players willing to develop a growth mindset and demonstrate improvement should be considered for selection. 7 Ensure each player is playing club hockey and playing at the correct level, the correct level of training and competition at their club is important for each player s development. 12