Tennis Selection Policy

SELECTION POLICY

1. Introduction

This policy outlines the criteria and procedures for the selection of school tennis teams. The selection process is a joint effort between coaches and the Director of Tennis, with a focus on performance, attendance, attitude at training and matches, behaviour, and team balance. Selection decisions will be made impartially and without prejudice.

2. Key Seletion Dates

• Tuesday, 3 February | First VI Squad training starts

• Friday, 7 February | Year 7 Trials - 3:30pm to 5:00pm, TGS Tennis Courts

• Sunday, 23 February | TGS Age Tennis Championships

• Sunday, 2 March | TGS Age Tennis Championships

• Sunday, 9 March | TGS Age Tennis Championships

• Monday, 17 March | Pre-Season Training commences (all year levels)

• Friday, 4 to Monday, 7 April | First IV Clinic, Sunshine Coast

• Tuesday, 22 April | A Squad Clinic, TGS Tennis Courts

• Week 1, Term 2

3. Team Selection Criteria

• Performance: Team selection is primarily based on a player’s performance during training sessions and matches. Coaches will assess a player’s skills, including tactical, technical, physical and mental acumen. Players are encouraged to strive for consistent improvement in their performance throughout the season.

• Attendance: Regular attendance at both training sessions and matches is essential. Players are expected to attend all scheduled practices and games unless they have valid extenuating circumstances.

• Attitude: Players’ attitude during training and matches is a crucial factor in team selection. Positive behaviour, exemplary sportsmanship, teamwork and a willingness to learn are highly valued character traits.

• Team Balance: Coaches will strive to create balanced teams to ensure a competitive and fair playing field. This includes considering the positions and strengths of individual players to form well-rounded teams.

• Team Movement: Changes to team selections will be communicated to students face to face in a timely and respectful manner.

4. First Team Selection Criteria

• Performance:

• TGS Age Championships: Head to head matches between boys and final position in the event are important.

• TGS Trial Matches: How boys adapt to the strength of our opposition in trial matches is important.

• TGS Training: Ability to consistently perform drills and skills in training are important

• External Competitions: Matches played at external competitions are considered, but not ahead of the above criteria.

• Technical Skills: Important

• Tactical Skills: Important

• Doubles Skills: Very important in the decision tool, particularly if the competition for positions is close.

• Attendance:

• Training Sessions: Must attend, unless approval is granted. Optional in Term 3.

• Trial Games: Must be available.

• GPS Committment: Must be available

SELECTION POLICY

4. First Team Selection Criteria (continued)

• Attitude:

• Behaviour: Important

• Sportsmanship: Important

• Willingness to Learn: Important

• Team Player: Important

• Selection Process

• First IV Coach, in consultation with the Director of Tennis and an independent third party, will evaluate the performance of all boys involved in the selection process based on the criteria above. The competitions that hold the most weight are the TGS Age Championships, Trial Matches, Firsts Camp, and any designated matches played in Term 1 or Term 2.

5. Attendance and Availability

• GPS Season Commitment: It is expected that students are available for every fixture during the GPS season.

• Notification of Unavailability: In extenuating circumstances that prevent a player from attending a match, it is the player’s responsibility to notify the coaches well in advance. Coaches should be informed at the earliest opportunity to ensure proper team adjustments.

• Absence Consequences: Team selection in the same grade for the following week is not guaranteed for players who are absent without prior notification. Such players may be selected in a lower grade.

• Detentions: Players who receive detention are expected to clear their detentions before attending training or matches. Failure to clear detentions may result in a player being excluded from team selection or may be selected in a lower grade for the following week.

6. Behavioural Expectations

All players are expected to maintain good behaviour both on and off the court. Any breaches of school conduct may lead to disciplinary actions in line with the schools Code of Conduct for students, parents and staff.

7. Appeals Process

In the first instance, players are encouraged to seek feedback from their coach regarding areas for improvement and to then work diligently toward enhancing their development. Should a player or their guardian disagree with a team selection decision, they may request a meeting with the Director of Tennis to discuss their concerns. The Director of Tennis will consider the request and may review the selection process if deemed necessary.

8. Conclusion

The Toowoomba Grammar School Tennis Selection Policy falls under the TGS Co-curricular Selection Policy and is designed to ensure a fair and transparent selection process while encouraging a high standard of performance, commitment, and sportsmanship from all players. Coaches, players, and their guardians are expected to adhere to this policy, fostering a positive and competitive tenn program at our school.