Selection Policy

All players should be aware that selection will take place with the aim of improving the overall level of club hockey and providing the best level for them. It is assumed that Southampton Hockey Club players will be willing to play for whichever team they are selected for.

Priority must be given to senior teams, whilst bearing in mind the needs of other teams, such as promotion and relegation chances. Captains should meet regularly and discuss with the relevant other captains, players’ abilities and proposed movements within the club structure.  The section captain will oversee these meetings to act as an intermediary.

Movement within the teams should become an accepted part of selection and players should not expect to be guaranteed a place in a particular team. This should be borne in mind when players return from injury or other lengthy absences.

The selection committee will be made up of team captains and chaired by the section captain.

Selection meetings will take place once a week for the Mens and in three week cycles for the Ladies with teamsheets being issued on a weekly basis. Amendments may be made to team selection between meetings, following discussion between the relevant captains.

Each captain will pick a full team at selection.

Players should make captains aware of their availability the weekend prior to the selection meeting, or at the earliest possible time.

Captains should pick their best available team for each game. It is imperative that a representative from each team is present at selection.

If players are unavailable for particular matches due to the timing of the game then arrangements should be made for them to play in the next senior team, if at all possible. In the Ladies section this depends on player’s registration status.
Players who have not paid their annual subscription will not be considered for selection after the end of November.
New players to the club should start at an appropriate level decided by the selection process.

If players are de-selected from a team then they should be selected for the next senior team. It is up to the captain who de-selected the player to inform him/her of the decision and the reasons why it was taken. This must happen before the teamsheet is published. Captains should be positive and emphasize the strengths that the player can bring to their new team and areas where there is room for improvement.