Southern United Hockey Club

Selection Processes and Guidelines

SUHC (Women’s section) exists to provide the opportunity for females to engage in and enjoy hockey in a range of graded competitions based on several factors outlined in this document. The purpose of this document is to provide a framework covering the selection process and guidelines that can be clearly articulated to the SUHC players and community.

Selection Committee

The selection panel will comprise Coaches and/or Captains of each of the graded teams and convened by the Chairman of Selectors (CoS). Each member of the selection panel will bring information relating to known player availability / unavailability for discussion with the highest ranked team addressed first.

Selection Process

The coaches will handle the majority of selection. The coaches will discuss selection with each other on a weekly basis.

  • The selection panel will meet after training on Tuesday night to discuss all aspects of the allocation of players to teams relevant to the upcoming rounds of competition.
  • The panel will consider all relevant information (such as availability, injury, playing form) relating to the allocation of players to teams starting with the current highest ranked team.
  • The CoS will begin discussion and progress through each team to allocate players to the teams based on such factors as (but not limited to) those listed in factors influencing selection below.
  • Once the teams have been selected, the CoS will email the selection document to the Women’s Section Secretary who will email all players and upload the document to the SUHC website. This will be done as early as possible on Wednesday of each week but may be held over to Thursday in some circumstances.
  • From round 8 of each season, the CoS maintain accurate weekly records of games played by all players in different teams within the women’s section according to ERS. This information is to be used at the weekly selection meetings to monitor players doubling up and to ensure player eligibility for possible finals matches in different grades of competition.
    for possible finals matches in different grades of competition.From round 8 of each season, the CoS maintain accurate weekly records of games played by
  • If players have to withdraw from a team they have been selected in due to injury, illness or other reason, the player is asked to contact the CoS or relevant coach as soon as possible. If late changes are to be made to team selection, the CoS will talk to relevant coaches/captains and players involved as soon as practicable.

Weekly announcement of teams

The objective of the committee is to have selected the teams by Wednesday of each week and for the teams to be advised to players via email on Wednesday.

It is the player’s responsibility to advise their current coach/manager of any game for which they may be unavailable as soon as the player is aware that they are unavailable for a particular game(s). A minimum of 6 weeks notice must be given for any planned absences.  This will assist the selectors in selecting and naming the teams as early as possible.

Movement between teams.

It is the responsibility of the relevant coach to inform players that they are to be selected in a lower team than the one the player has been playing in and the reasons for the selection prior to the selection document being sent to players and placed on the website.

Similarly, the relevant coach will also advise players that they have been selected in a higher team than the one they have been playing in in order to help the player prepare for the game.

Player Selection related grievances

Selection Appeal process: If a player feels aggrieved by their selection in a particular team for any reason, they have the right to speak to the coach(es) concerned and/or the Chairman of Selectors. If deemed appropriate, the CoS will convene a meeting between the player and coach(es) and parent of the player (in the case of a junior playing senior hockey) to discuss the matter.

Selection Guidelines

Factors influencing Selection

Players will be allocated to a SUHC team based on consideration of such factors as:

  • Current playing form and performance
  • Training form and attendance
  • Past playing record
  • Physical fitness and preparedness
  • Technical skills
  • Flexibility / versatility to play different positions
  • Willingness to work with coaches and teammates within team structures:

Players returning from periods of absence

1.Players returning from injury.

The selection of a player in a team who is returning from injury is dependent upon such factors as:

  • The length of the period the player has been out, their ability to train and the scope of the injury – including possible selection in a lower graded team to aid the re-introduction to competitive matches
  • The player’s fitness
  • Their ability and previous playing record
  • Training form and familiarity with team rules/protocols
  • Consideration of the current team members and team performances
  • In the case of chronic or long term injury, it is a requirement to obtain clearance by a medical practitioner before being selected

2.Players returning from absence due to work or other commitment

The allocation of a player returning under these circumstances is dependent on such factors as:

  • The length of period of the absence – including possible selection in a lower graded team to aid the re-introduction to competitive matches
  • Their ability to maintain fitness while away from the team
  • Their ability and previous playing record
  • Training form and familiarity with team rules/protocols
  • Consideration of the current team members and team performances

Specific Training requirements

Premier League and Reserve players and aspirants are required to attend two training sessions per week – generally Tuesdays & Thursdays – and any other training sessions scheduled by the Premier League coach during the season.

For those playing in Pennant grades and those aspiring to play Premier League or Reserves, as a minimum, you will need to attend at least one training session per week, as discussed with the coach.

It is our view that many of our Pennant players especially those in the highest ranked Pennant grade should aspire to play Premier League or Reserves, and therefore should be training twice weekly regardless.

Key Contact Information

    Phone Email
WPL Coach Matt L’Huillier 0418503160 mattlhuillier@gmail.com
WPL Asst Coach      
WPL Reserves Coach      
WPA Coach      
WPC Coach      
WPF Coach       
WMA Coach      
Chair of Selectors