PURPOSE

To select players with the qualities and competencies for our representative teams to play high-quality netball and be competitive at scheduled competitions.

To identify, select and appoint coaches and managers to coach and manage our representative teams to further their personal development.

To provide a fair and transparent selection process.

1. TEAMS

a. Mid Canterbury Netball will select and prioritise appropriate teams to compete each year.

b. In a year when a tournament is held in Ashburton, MCN may choose to introduce an additional team where appropriate.

c. In 2027 the MCN teams shall be:

MCN Senior A

Mid Canterbury Netball will select a Senior A team to compete for the Hanan Shield and Senior Whakataetae each year. MCN may also choose to send the Senior A team to Netball NZ Opens and/or other tournaments, to be reviewed yearly.

In 2027 the MCN Senior A team shall compete for/at:

i. The Hanan Shield - Sunday 15th August, hosted by North Otago.

ii. Senior Whakataetae – TBC, EA Networks Centre, Ashburton

iii. Netball NZ Open Champs, 16-19 September, Dunedin (if sufficient interest)

MCN U18

In 2027 the MCN U18 team shall compete at:

i. Kings Birthday U18 Tournament - 31st May and 1st June, Nga Puna Wai, Christchurch

ii. U18 Nationals - 13th - 16th July, Wellington

MCN U16 Teams

In 2027 the MCN U16 teams shall compete at:

i. South Canterbury Hit Out - TBC, Timaru

2. COACHES AND MANAGERS

a. Selection of Coaches and Managers

i. Mid Canterbury Netball (MCN) will manage the selection process for Coaches and Managers, through advertising all roles and responsibilities on the MCN website and MCN Facebook page.

ii. All position descriptions will be advertised and all persons interested in coaching and managing must complete and submit the appropriate MCN application form by the posted deadline date.

iii. The MCN Board will be presented with all applications and recommendations from MCN personnel for ratification. A parent, if he/she is the most suitable applicant, may be selected as the coach or manager of any representative team, including a team on which their child is playing. Where applicants are determined to be of equal suitability, preference may be given to a non-parent coach at the discretion of MCN.

iv. Representative coaches should hold at least the Netball New Zealand Community Coach Award or be actively working towards it through an agreed development pathway. MCN may appoint an applicant who does not meet this preference where the applicant has relevant experience and MCN records the basis for the appointment.

v. Coaches and Managers must disclose conflicts of interest. In the event of a conflict of interest, MCN may choose to remove a Coach or Manager from any or all decision-making processes.

vi. MCN personnel will assess all applications received against the advertised role requirements and present applications and recommendations for appointment to the MCN Board. The assessment process will consider each applicant's qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, character, and ability to fulfil the role. Interviews will not normally be required as part of the appointment process, although MCN reserves the right to seek further information from applicants if necessary.

vii. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be advised personally of the selection decision.

viii. Head coaches for teams will be selected first and then they will assist MCN to appoint their team personnel.

ix. Managers are required to have held a full NZ Drivers’ licence for a period of 2 years.

x. All necessary documentation will be provided to coaches and managers.

xi. Coaches and Managers of U16, U18 and Senior A teams will be required to be Police Vetted.

xii. MCN will manage any information received through that process confidentially and determine suitability in accordance with its safeguarding requirements.

xiii. All Representative personnel need MCN approval.

xiv. Where an MCN staff member applies for a representative Coach or Manager position, they must declare the conflict of interest prior to submitting their application. The staff member will be excluded from the selection process and must not have access to any information, documentation, or communications relating to the recruitment and selection process that are not equally available to all applicants. In circumstances where an MCN staff member is an applicant, the Board will oversee the selection process and, at its sole discretion, determine process to ensure a fair, transparent, and impartial process.

xv. MCN travelling teams will have a maximum of 4 personnel and will be appointed annually. Appointments for travelling Rep Personnel will include:

1. Head Coach
2. Manager
3. Other appointments may include:

• Assistant Coach
• Assistant Manager
• Physio

4. SELECTION PROCESS

a. Applications will go out at the start of the season for Selectors.

b. Selectors must be available to attend all trials.

c. The selection panel will consist of the Head Coach and two other people, which could include an assistant coach or co-coach if applicable, for a total of 3 selectors as appointed and approved by MCN.

d. MCN personnel will meet with all selectors to distribute and discuss team lists and MCN Policies and Procedures prior to trials.

e. The Head Coach will normally act as Convenor of Selectors. If the Head Coach has a family member trialling in that grade, MCN will appoint an independent Head Selector. The Head Coach will not be involved in decisions about that family member and must leave any discussion where the player is considered. The independent Head Selector will record how the conflict was managed.

f. If a Head Selector is appointed, that person will take the lead in:

i. Organising the selectors during observations prior to trials.

ii. Being visible to all at trials and be the one who speaks to the players at trials.

iii. Communicating queries and selections to MCN Personnel.

iv. Ensuring selection policies and procedures are adhered to.

g. Making a final decision if it involves the coach’s family member.

h. Sending the named trialists to MCN for approval prior to trials.

i. All selectors will have equal opportunity to contribute to team selections. Decisions should be reached by consensus wherever possible. If consensus cannot be reached, the Head Selector will make the final decision, subject to the conflict-of-interest requirements in this policy and MCN approval.

j. Selectors will act fairly, independently and professionally and will take reasonable steps to give every eligible player a genuine opportunity to demonstrate their skills. The selection panel will plan observations so that each eligible player is assessed on more than one occasion where practicable, including at the formal trial.

Players can be observed in:

i. MCN club trials or competition.

ii. Secondary school team trials or competitions.

iii. MCN Pre-season training programmes and/or events.

iv. Any other competitions/events that the selection panel deems relevant e.g Club training sessions with approval of the coach and/or Emerging Talent Sessions.

v. Clubs may be asked to nominate players.

vi. The selection panel shall be encouraged to approach coaches of teams the players are in to gather more information on players as required to ensure we have the best selected to trial.

vii. The selection panel will also consider team balance where the 10-12 best individual players may not provide the best team combination. Ideally teams should have a variety of combinations to cover such events as sickness and injury.

5. THE TEAM AND PLAYERS

a. The major criteria for selection will be based on the performance of the player at the trial and team balance.

b. Each team will have 10-12 players. An additional three training partners must be named by the selectors. These players may not be published but may be asked to attend practices.

i. Any team heading away for a National/South Island/4+ day tournament will be made up of 12 players and may include a maximum of 3 players of origin and import players.*

ii. *A Player of Origin: someone playing in the Mainland Zone who had previously played 3 seasons for MCN. Must be playing at a higher level than a MCN player. If deciding between a player of origin and a MCN player and there is no difference, then the MCN player must be selected.

iii. *An import player or talent brought in to play in the U18 or Senior A team, of greater skill level than any available MCN player. Maximum of 2 import players allowed.

iv. Players who are registered with more than one Centre need to confirm that MCN will be their Lead Centre on the rep trial registration form, prior to trialling.

c. Players selected in a team must be registered with a club/school in the MCN competition and financially sound with MCN. MCN reserves the right to make an exemption if appropriate.

d. MCN Management Board endorses the philosophy of players playing in their own age group.

i. U18 players may be considered for the Senior A team if no U18 team is available.

e. Teams are to be approved by MCN. Centre Manager to check eligibility before publication on the MCN website and Facebook page.

f. Desired Competencies and Qualities of Players

i. Sound skill base and consistency of performance on court.

ii. Displays tactical understanding and has established consistency in making appropriate decisions in demanding situations.

iii. Incorporates flair and innovation in their game.

iv. Is committed to achieving and maintaining fitness required for this level of competition.

v. Can sustain intensity in performance throughout the game.

vi. Shows good discipline on and off the court which also includes respect for coaches, managers, umpires and other players.

vii. Shows the potential skills and capabilities to represent the region at a higher level.

viii. Shows good teamwork and works to get the most from players around them.

ix. Shows an understanding of the expectations and can apply learning and make changes.

g. 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:

i. Positional balance within the squad.

ii. Has been affected by extenuating circumstances such as illness, injury, bereavement, parental leave, work/study.

iii. MCN may remove a player from a team after selection if, following consultation with relevant MCN personnel, it reasonably determines that the player has failed to comply with MCN policies and procedures or has demonstrated inappropriate conduct, an unsatisfactory attitude, insufficient commitment, non-compliance with training or financial requirements, or non-attendance at MCN events. Before a final decision is made, the player must be informed of the concern and given a reasonable opportunity to respond. MCN will communicate the decision and reasons to the player in writing.

h. Players who are not selected for a MCN Rep team may approach MCN Personnel for personal feedback if they wish.

i. Replacement Players

a. When a replacement player is required, the coach must notify MCN as soon as possible and explain the reason.

b. The three named reserves must be considered first against positional requirements, eligibility, availability and team balance.

c. If no named reserve is suitable or available, the coach must consult MCN and the other selectors before another trialist is approached.

d. The reason for selecting a player outside the named reserves must be recorded.

6. TRIALS

a. Dates for trials will be set by MCN and made public on the MCN website and Facebook page.

b. Ages for players are taken as at 1 January each year.

c. Trials for all representative teams will be designed to suit competition dates each year. Players may be selected to trial. Selectors may observe all players prior to naming trialists.

i. Players may be invited to a second trial.

ii. After the first Senior A trial, the Head Coach may invite Players of Origin or Import players to attend if there is a gap in available talent from current MCN players.

d. Trialists must fill out an online registration form prior to the trials, agreeing to Mid Canterbury Netball’s Policies and Procedures. By accepting an invitation to trial, trialists agree to commit to the whole Rep season. Tournament dates and MCN expectations, including representative fees, will be made available to trialists prior to trials. Any player not able to commit to all these events/fees may not be eligible to be selected.

e. All efforts will be made to ensure trialists are given an opportunity to trial in their preferred position/s.

f. Players will be informed of the process for trials and how the announcement of the team is to be made.

g. Trials will be designed by the coach/es in conjunction with the selection panel of each age group and may consist of skills and drills, fitness testing and trial games which may be conducted by invited coaches or personnel.

h. No player is to be given any indication that they have a position in the team prior to trials or prior to the announcement of the team.

i. After a trial, the selection panel may advise a player that they are not required to attend a later trial at that level only where the panel has recorded sufficient assessment evidence against the published selection criteria. The player must be informed through the agreed communication process and remain entitled to written feedback.

j. If there becomes any extenuating circumstance that may prevent a player from attending a trial, an "Application for Leave of Absence Representative Trial" form must be completed at least one day before the trial date.

7. GROUNDS FOR APPEAL

a. A player (the Appellant) may lodge an appeal against a decision of non-selection to a Mid Canterbury Netball Team in accordance with this clause by serving Mid Canterbury Netball with written notice of appeal within 7 days of non-selection on one or more of the following grounds (but no other grounds):

i. This selection policy has not been materially followed and/or implemented to the material detriment of the Appellant.

ii. The Appellant was not afforded a reasonable opportunity to satisfy the requirements in this selection policy.

iii. The decision not to select the Appellant was affected by actual bias.

iv. There was no material on which the selection decision could reasonably be based.

b. Upon receiving a valid appeal, the Mid Canterbury Netball Board shall appoint an appeals panel of three people who were not involved in the original selection decision and who have no actual or perceived conflict of interest.

8. ANNOUNCEMENT OF TEAMS

a. The team will be announced by MCN via the website and Facebook within seven days of the final trial.

9. FEES

a. Each representative player must contribute 50% of the player’s allocated tournament expenses, as calculated and approved by MCN each year. Before players commit to the representative season, MCN will provide the estimated amount, the expenses included in the calculation, payment dates, and any applicable withdrawal or refund conditions.

i. In consultation with the Board, Teams may choose to undertake one fundraiser.

b. A separate uniform hire of $20 is also payable per player.

c. All players may purchase a subsidised MCN hoodie; alternatively one may be made available for loan by MCN.

10. END OF SEASON

a. All representative management and players are required to complete a feedback form and submit this to MCN Personnel within a week of the end of the Rep Season.

b. MCN may hold a feedback/review discussion at the end of the Rep season for players and personnel.

11. PRIVACY

a. Personal information collected through applications, registrations, police vetting, selection notes, medical information, conflict disclosures and feedback will be collected, used, stored and disclosed only for purposes connected with the representative programme and in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.

b. Access will be limited to authorised people.

c. MCN will retain selection records and appeal documentation for the period set by its records-management requirements.