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SelectionRemit_ME

Page history last edited by Tom van Bodegraven 11 years, 10 months ago

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July 26, 2006

 

DISCUSSION DOCUMENT: PNZ SELECTION POLICY

 

Proposal

 

 

 

 

    “That the current National Selection Policy for national representative teams be replaced by a proposed National Qualification Policy”

     

    Back to Discussion Documents

    Introduction

    I am writing this discussion document because I believe the current selection policy is unsuitable for our sport in NZ, and is failing many players. But most importantly, it is not meeting it’s primary objective – to raise the standard of NZ representative teams.

     

    The result of three seasons of the national selection system is that some of our best players have made themselves unavailable for selection, as they don’t like the system. And an increasing number of promising or improving players say they feel discouraged by the system.

     

    The selection policy was introduced by PNZ in 2003. There is no doubt that a selection policy is a very good system where the sport is large enough and has the resources to implement it professionally. Unfortunately Petanque in NZ cannot currently do this. Our membership is too small, we have a limited base of truly competitive or potential international quality players, and we struggle to get suitably experienced, committed or qualified selectors.

     

    I have been a selector since the selection policy inception, until quite recently. I am not writing this discussion document as any criticism of past or current selectors, the PNZ, or the players. But as someone involved from the start and having to deal with all the issues raised in the last few years, I am now convinced the selection policy is not helping our sport.

     

    Proposal

    That teams of either 3 or 4 players enter a series of triples tournaments. Qualification is as a team rather than as individuals. Teams of 4 can play these tournaments using the substitution system as at the World Champs.

     

    The first three tournaments would be one Triples in Wellington region, one Triples in Auckland region, and National Triples. Teams must play at least 2 of these 3, but may enter all 3. Points are allocated based on finishing position.

     

    Teams are ranked by their best 2 results. The top 8 teams go to another `finals’ weekend where they play a tournament on a terrain and conditions that as best possible simulate what may be encountered at international tournaments.

     

    At the finals weekend finishing positions in the tournament dictate what teams qualify for. So all international tournaments – say Worlds, Trans Tasman, Singapore, Asian Championships, Oceania etc are offered to teams based on finishing position.

     

    If a team of 3 qualify for an international tournament, they can nominate a fourth player in consultation with PNZ and/or the National Coach.

     

    The whole process would have to be in two sections - Open and Womens – to allow for separate womens qualification.

     

    Benefits

    I believe there are two criteria against which such a proposal should be judged.

     

     

    1. Is it likely to improve the standard of our international representative teams?

    2. Is it likely to get a better 'buy in' and support from our players?

     

    On the first point, I believe the proposal is most likely to raise the standard of international teams.

     

    Any qualifying teams under the proposal will have played at least three tournaments as a team, and won against the best we have available. So they will be proven teams. Compare this to the upcoming World Championships where both teams will be playing their first competitive tournament together. This is far from ideal. I have learnt in the last two years that combinations take a time to settle and learn together how to play their best. I have also learnt that international competition is not the place to experiment with team combinations.

     

    And can I be clear that no criticism is meant of the Worlds teams, as the selectors have had to work with available players, and in the past two years international teams I’ve had some control over have also been playing together for the first time. Sometimes they have worked very well, sometimes not so well. I really hope they both do well in Grenoble.

     

    It’s also important that the wider NZ Petanque membership understands that the international game is a game of Triples. In NZ I think we have placed too much importance on Doubles, which is rarely played internationally. Many of our larger tournaments in NZ are Doubles, and I believe this has been to the detriment of our international play. This proposal will give our teams more high quality triples experience.

     

    On the second point, I also believe it will get a better buy in from the players. Players will know they have an equal chance and good play over 3 or 4 weekends against strong opposition will prove whether they are good enough for international representation. And if they don’t make international teams it’s because they were beaten in games, not on what many see as the gamble or `personality’ of the selection policy.

     

    The proposed qualifying system would be more easily understood by all the players. This is unlike the selection process where it can seem a mystery what the selectors are looking for.

     

    The players will be competing and then representing NZ in teams they are comfortable with. They will be more confident of success. Players will have to stick with the same teammates for all 3 or 4 tournaments. This will raise the standard of play.

     

    In the UK they use a very similar system as the proposed qualification system. They call it the Grand Prix series. With a larger membership base, I believe they have 5 qualifying tournaments. So the system is proven to be successful.

     

    Other Considerations

    Administrively this is quite easy to look after. Once the tournament dates and locations were set..

     

    PNZ should consider bringing forward the National Triples, as NZ’s climate is too variable in late March or April, and it would not allow time for the `Final’ qualifying tournament afterwards. Waitangi weekend is a peak summer weekend around the country. I’m sure Hawkes Bay could be appeased to change their summer tournament.

     

    Veterans or Seniors have not been considered, but if they felt this was a better process, they could make clear their support for this proposal to those responsible for our seniors game.

     

    The top 8 teams should be given PNZ player contracts before the finals weekend, and they should sign it before the tournament. So the players know exactly what will be required from them – financially, training, code of behavior, uniforms etc, before they have qualified.

     

    Action Plan

    I have written this proposal solely to get discussion in the Petanque community on this issue. I will not be campaigning for it, or seeking further support for it. If you support this proposal I suggest you consider the following:

     

     

    A. Talk to players at your club and see if they have read and support the proposal. Get your club committee to discuss it.

    B. Ask your club to put it on the agenda of your next regional association meeting.

    C. Contact your PNZ regional council representative and tell them of your support for it

    D. Tell PNZ executive members your support for the proposal.

     

    If you feel strongly you may want to pursue it, as administrators of all sports (and ours is no exception) can be keen to brush off with a 'we're looking into it'.

     

    Finally I hope if there is a change from the current selection policy to a qualification system as proposed, that PNZ does consult widely and in particular looks for a strong buy in from those approximately 40 to 90 players we have who attend as many nationals as they reasonably can, and who would like the chance to compete internationally. These are the players and members affected by any changes.

     

    And whether you support the proposal or not, I hope you see the good faith in which this proposal was made, and the discussion following should help us to improve the way we organize one part of our sport.

     

    -Michael Emerson.

     

    To make or read comments go to this page.

     

    If you do not know our password but would still like to make a comment - email it to usabilitynz@gmail.com

     

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