Revision 16, May 2022

1. Introduction and Scope

This policy applies to all forms of Croquet, all CA selection events and all CA Selection Committees. CA selection events are events where the CA chooses who will take part and include invitation and representative events. Revision 16 was approved by Council on 19th May 2022.

2. Overall Policy

2.1 CA selection events are open to all eligible players, and a free, fair and rational selection process is carried out in all cases.

2.2 An Availability Closing Date will be stated for each selection event by which players must notify their availability. The selection process for the relevant event will take place soon after that date. The selection decision will be announced on or before the Selection Announcement Date on the CA website as soon as is reasonably practicable after the relevant Selection Committee has contacted anyone they wish to inform individually. Other means of communication, such as email, telephone or letter may also be used at the Selectors' discretion.

2.3 If a selection event is judged by the relevant Selection Committee to be below strength in terms of the number of competitors or playing standard, the committee is entitled to take whatever steps it thinks necessary to obtain an appropriate field.

2.4 Selection Committees will respect any special selection criteria properly associated with an event as specified by the Director of the event.

2.5 Selection discussions are confidential and will not be disclosed to any third party. However, players are entitled to know why they were or were not selected for an event but are not entitled to such information about any other player (see paragraph 8.2 below).

2.6 This document will be published on the CA website and Selection Committees will conduct their proceedings in accordance with its contents. However, selection policy and procedure may be varied at any time by the relevant Selection Committee with the approval of the Executive Board or Council as appropriate. Any such changes will be formally announced on the CA website. The revised policy and procedures will be documented by a revision to this document and publicised accordingly.

2.7 A Selection Committee may delegate some selection decisions to other bodies or individuals, possibly specifying selection criteria. This will normally only occur in relation to CA representative matches against other croquet associations where the object is not to field a full strength team.

2.8 A Selection Committee does not simply look at a ranking list and pick those nearest the top. The primary information is the records in the ranking databases, namely who played whom and the result. Players can obtain a reasonably high ranking without playing top players and players can suffer a low ranking by always playing and generally losing to much better players. The way in which results are obtained is therefore taken into account, including self-imposed geographical constraints. Where player development is concerned, personal observations are the guide.

2.9 Any selector who is the subject of a selection decision will not take part in selection discussions until the decision is taken and they are either selected or not. Selectors for a team must stand down if they are eligible to play for a team that might meet England (or GB where relevant) in the event. Selectors should also recuse themselves if a decision involves a partner or direct family member.

3. Events Subject to the Selection Policy

The following events are subject to this Selection Policy at the time of publication of this version.

Event	Responsibility / Organising Body	Selection Committee
MacRobertson Shield (AC World Team Championship) England Team of 6	WCF (International Committee)	MacRobertson Shield Selectors
Openshaw Shield (GC World Team Championship) England Team of 4 (squad maximum of 6)	WCF (International Committee)	Openshaw Shield Selectors
AC Home Internationals England Team of 5	International Committee	AC Selectors
GC Home Internationals England Team of 4	International Committee	GC Selectors
Solomon Trophy (GB vs. USA) GB Team of 6	International Committee	AC Selectors
Ian Maugham Salver (England vs. Rest of Europe) England Team of 6	International Committee	AC Selectors
GC Test England vs. Spain England Team of 6 players	International Committee	GC Selectors
WCF World Championships English players	WCF (International Committee)	AC Selectors (AC) GC Selectors (GC)
European Championships English players	FEC (International Committee)	AC Selectors (AC) GC Selectors (GC)
Open Championship (knockout seeding)	Tournament Committees (AC/GC)	AC Selectors (AC) GC Selectors (GC)
Eights, Sixes, & Selectors' Weekends	Tournament Committees (AC/GC)	AC Selectors (AC) GC Selectors (GC)
CA Representative and Other Matches (e.g. CA vs. CAI, CA Women vs. Inter-counties Division-2 Winners)	Tournament Committee (AC/GC)	AC Selectors (AC) GC Selectors (GC) or Team Organiser

4. Selection Timetable and Notification of Availability

4.1 Selection Timetable

4.1.1 World Team Championships

For each of the AC and GC World Team Championships (the MacRobertson Shield and the Openshaw Shield) Council will appoint a special selection committee at least 18 months before the relevant event (see paragraph 5.1 below).

4.1.2 Other Selection Events

(a) Other selection events should appear in the Fixtures Calendar showing the Availability Closing Date and the Selection Announcement Date (if known) and how players can notify their availability. The Director of such an event is appointed by either the Tournament or International Committee and is responsible for ensuring that the Fixtures Calendar details are correct.

(b) Selection events not known about when the Fixtures Calendar is published will be notified to members via the CA website and by any other practical and appropriate means.

4.1.3 Availability Closing Date

This is normally set two weeks before the Selection Announcement Date.

4.1.4 Selection Announcement Date

Selections will be announced a prescribed minimum number of weeks before the start of a selection event as follows:

(a) Invitation Eights and Selectors' Weekend: 5 weeks (since most players will know they are playing on those dates, just not in which specific event).

(b) Other events in Great Britain or Ireland: 8 weeks

(c) Events elsewhere in the world: as early as possible taking into account as many results as the relevant Selection Committee decides is necessary.

4.1.5 Postponements

The relevant Selection Committee is entitled to:

(a) announce in the Fixture Calendar that the Selection Announcement Date for a selection event will be later than that indicated in paragraph 4.1.4 if it is necessary to take into account results from a major tournament; and

(b) in exceptional circumstances, announce a postponement of a Selection Announcement Date after the Availability Closing Date and notify those who have made themselves available by the Availability Closing Date of the revised Selection Announcement Date.

4.1.6 General

Selection decisions will not normally be announced shortly before a relevant major tournament.

4.2 Notification of Availability

4.2.1 Players are required to notify the CA of their availability for selection events by the advertised Availability Closing Date. They may do this:

(a) by completing the Availability Page in the Members' Area of the CA website (preferred);

(b) by email to the CA Office;

(c) by post to the CA Office; and

(d) in the case of team events only, by direct contact with the relevant Selection Committee chairman.

4.2.2 The Availability Page is accessible to all members of the CA but not to the general public. The CA Office will keep it up to date in response to e-mail and postal notifications and thus it will provide:

(a) formal acknowledgement of availability notifications; and

(b) up-to-date status of availability for all current selection events.

Availability notifications will not be acknowledged by any other means to CA members.

4.2.3 Failure to notify availability by the Availability Closing Date will disqualify a player from selection. Exceptions will be made only:

(a) in the event of a failure of the CA website or of CA Office procedures and at the discretion of the relevant Selection Committee; or

(b) if the relevant Selection Committee for a team event wishes to select a player whose availability was not known at the Availability Closing Date.

4.3 General

4.3.1 Players are encouraged to make themselves available for selection events even if they believe their playing strength may not yet be sufficient. They will not be criticised for making known their availability for events for which they would not otherwise be considered.

4.3.2 A player may be asked by a Selector at any time to make themselves available for selection in order to strengthen a team, or to widen the experience of that player, or for any other reason the Selector believes will be of benefit.

4.3.3 Any player who is aware of fitness concerns that may affect his or her ability to play for an entire event must notify the chairman of the relevant Selection Committee accordingly.

5. Procedure

5.1 World Team Championship Events

5.1.1 Special Selection Committees

(a) Special selection committees are required for selecting the England team because the selectors need to be familiar with the performance of the top ten or so eligible players and, ideally, to have had experience of playing in such events. In contrast, the members of the general AC and GC Selection Committees need knowledge of approximately the top 100 players to be able to select the Invitation Eights.

(b) A MacRobertson Shield Selection Committee or an Openshaw Shield Selection Committee ("the Committee") will be appointed by Council at least 18 months before the next AC or GC World Team Championship respectively.

(c) A Committee may consist of all, some or none of the members of the relevant AC or GC Selection Committee.

5.1.2 Committee Responsibilities

A Committee will:

(a) decide the start and end of a World Team Championship (WTC) Squad Activity Period;

(b) decide the activities and events in which members of the WTC Squad will be expected to participate during the WTC Squad Activity Period (WTC SAP);

(c) select players for membership of the WTC Squad;

(d) publish the Selection Announcement Date; and

(e) select the England team.

5.1.3 Avoiding Conflict of Interest

(a) When selections are made, the Committee must comprise individuals who are either "certain to be selected" or "certain not to be selected". However, because the Committee is appointed at least 18 months before the relevant event, a selector's form may vary so that they do not remain in one of these categories.

(b) Consequently, Council shall appoint initially seven Committee members who will begin the task of assessing candidates for selection. On a Review Date not less than two months before the Selection Announcement Date, the Committee shall review whether each of its members is still "certain to be selected" or "certain not to be selected". Any selector who is:

(1) judged not to fall into either category and is available for selection; or

(2) judged to be "certain not to be selected" but still wishes to be considered for selection

must stand down from the Committee and take no further part in the selection process.

(c) If, as a consequence, the Committee now contains fewer than five members, the Executive Board shall appoint one or more additional members to ensure that the Committee has a minimum of five members.

5.1.4 Communication of Selection

(a) The England team will be announced on or before the Selection Announcement Date.

(b) However, any selector who the Committee determines to be "certain to be selected" on the Review Date will be informed of their selection then, subject to their own availability.

(c) The Committee is also entitled to give a guarantee of selection to a player who is not a member of the Committee at any time before the Selection Announcement Date.

5.1.5 WTC Squads

(a) An WTC Squad of up to 12 players who are qualified for England will be selected 12-18 months before the next MacRobertson or Openshaw Shield. Selection is open to any player who expects to be available for the MacRobertson or Openshaw Shield itself and to be able to participate in most of a programme of WTC Squad activities and events during the WTC SAP. This will typically be at least one complete calendar year playing season (i.e. March-October) before the next MacRobertson or Openshaw Shield.

(b) The opportunity to join the WTC Squad and its obligations will be advertised on the CA website. Players will be able to announce their availability through the normal channels on the CA website (see 4.1) for at least two weeks before the WTC Squad is selected. Players who become available for the MacRobertson Shield or Openshaw Shield after the relevant WTC Squad has been formed may approach or be approached by the relevant Committee chairman to discuss their possible addition to the WTC Squad.

(c) WTC Squad members will not be disqualified from selection for the England team if, in the opinion of the relevant Committee, they have good reasons why they are unable to participate fully in the programme of WTC Squad activities and events.

(d) Exceptionally, the Committee is entitled to select a player for an England team who is not part of the WTC Squad.

(e) In the intervening years between World Team Championships, the CA may also choose to run WTC Squads as part of the International Performance Development Programmes. These WTC Squads may be made open to CA members who are qualified for England, Scotland or Wales.

5.2 Other Team Events

Players are required to notify the CA of their availability as described in paragraph 4.2.1 above.

5.3 Singles Events: Selection Timetable for WCF Singles Events

From the point of view of players, the CA and the relevant Selection Committee, the WCF process is as follows.

5.3.1 The CA receives an invitation to a singles world championship ("the Event") from the WCF on the Invitation Date with a requirement to respond by the Response Date.

5.3.2 The relevant AC or GC Selection Committee chairman will arrange with the CA Office for players to be notified of the opportunity to make themselves available for the Event and to be able to submit their availability via the CA's online availability system (see 4.1). The CA's Availability Closing Date will be about 6 weeks after the Invitation Date and up to 2 weeks before the Response Date.

5.3.3 By the Response Date (Invitation Date + 8 weeks), the CA will submit a list of all the players who are qualified and eligible to play for England and are available for the Event.

5.3.4 By the Announcement Date (no more than 4 weeks after the Response Date), the WCF will announce which of our available players have been awarded Ranking Places or Wild Card Places.

5.3.5 By the Closing Date (1 month after the Announcement Date), the CA must confirm to the WCF the names of the players who have been awarded the CA's two Membership Places (and the six additional Member Places when the CA is the Event Host).

5.3.6 By one month after the Closing Date, each player who has been awarded Ranking, Wild Card or Membership Places must pay the entry fee to the WCF using the details provided on the relevant page under World Championships on the WCF website.

5.4 Other Singles Events

Players are required to notify the CA of their availability as described in paragraph 4.2.1 above.

6. Eligibility

In all cases, players who wish to be considered for selection events must be CA Members, or, for GB teams, of one of its other national associations. For all international events, players are only eligible if they also satisfy any rules imposed on the event by its organising body.

6.1 England (MacRobertson Shield, Openshaw Shield, Home Internationals, GC Test England vs. Spain, Ian Maugham Salver)

WCF eligibility rules.

6.2 Great Britain (Solomon Trophy)

WCF eligibility rules.

6.3 CA Representative Matches (e.g. CA vs. CAI)

Any Member of the CA.

6.4 All Other Events

Unless legitimately prescribed otherwise by the Tournament Director, any Member of the CA. For the CA Women vs. Inter-counties Division-2 Winners fixture, any female member of the CA.

7. Selection Policy for Specified AC Events

7.1 International Team Events

A player's behaviour on and off court is a material factor that may influence selection.

7.1.1 MacRobertson Shield

(a) The sole aim is to select the team that is most likely to win the event, subject to paragraphs 5.1.5 and 7.1, and any financial constraints imposed on the size of the squad.

(b) In addition to the individual results of the available players, other relevant factors may be considered, such as their fitness, availability for the entire event, previous success or failure in that event and potential to form successful doubles pairs.

7.1.2 Other International Events

(a) Examples include the Solomon Trophy, the Home Internationals and The Ian Maugham Salver.

(b) Paragraph 7.1.1 applies but preference may be given to players likely to be considered for teams in the next two World Team Championships in the relevant code, since these events are useful for getting potential players familiar with being part of a team and with playing alongside, as opposed to against, their likely teammates.

(c) When selecting GB teams, the likely next captains of the individual national teams are to be consulted if known.

7.1.3 International Representative Team Events

(a) Examples include the CA vs. CAI match.

(b) Teams are typically selected to match the expected strength of the opposing team.

(c) Team selection is normally delegated to the match organiser who shall take care to observe the closing date and to make an appropriate selection in conjunction with the relevant Selection Committee.

(d) Previous representation is often a strong factor in selection.

7.2 International Singles Events

7.2.1 WCF World Championships - Membership Places

The AC Selection Committee is entitled to allocate a Membership Place to either:

(a) the available player who will do best in the event (see paragraph 7.2.4); or

(b) a player considered to have significant development potential.

7.2.2 WCF World Championships - Wild Card Places

The AC Selection Committee is entitled to nominate an available player for a Wild Card Place who, in their opinion, satisfies the criterion set out in paragraph 2.1.1 of Appendix 3 of the WCF Sports Regulations, namely is a young player or a player showing exceptional promise of future development.

7.2.3 European Championships - Membership Places

The AC Selection Committee is entitled to allocate a Membership Place to either:

(a) the available player who will do best in the event (see paragraph 7.2.4); or

(b) a player considered to have significant development potential.

7.2.4 The available player who will do best in the event will normally be the player with the best overall results of all the candidates. However, when choosing between candidates, the amount of recent play by each may be taken into account and, if two or more players cannot be otherwise separated, best current form may be used as a tie-break.

7.3 Invitation Events

7.3.1 These include the President's Cup, Chairman's Salver, Spencer Ell Cup, Treasurer's Tankard, Women's First Six, Women's Second Six and AC Selectors' Weekend (see paragraph 7.3.5).

7.3.2 The invitation event for which players are selected and, with the exception of the President's Cup, their positions within it are regarded as a measure of their average performance over the period between the deadline for availability for prior year's Invitation Events, and that for the current year's Invitation Events. Accordingly, the relevant Selection Committee will review all published results since the last invitation event selection date as if they had occurred on the same day and no account is taken of current or previous form. In this context, "results" mean games that form part of the relevant ranking system. Players are responsible for ensuring that their playing record is correct.

7.3.3 The following factors are taken into account:

(a) significant credit is given for multi-game match wins (best of n) against current international level players;

(b) particular credit is given for being the overall winner of an event, varying with the strength of the event;

(c) particular credit is given to mid-ranking players for wins against significantly higher-ranked players, especially in multi-game matches;

(d) a negative view is taken of losses against significantly lower-ranked players, especially in multi-game matches;

(e) a negative view is taken if players play only in their local area, or in weak events, or in very few events; and

(f) where players cannot be separated by their results, improving players are given precedence over players with broadly similar current ability. As a tie break, those with a better long-term record are given precedence.

7.3.4 A player who is not available for the appropriate Invitation Event or is not selected for it due to lack of play will not be selected for a lower event.

7.3.5 AC Selectors' Weekend

(a) This is not regarded as the "bottom AC Eight". Instead, it is for players who show promise but have not yet established a record sufficient to gain a place in an AC Eight. It provides an opportunity to play amongst themselves and with established players who are not excessively stronger than the non-established players.

(b) Suitable established players who either failed to gain a place in an AC Eight or have insufficient time to play in an AC Eight may be selected to ensure the event achieves the desired competitive level.

(c) If there is an insufficient entry, then suitable established players may be selected in merit order to make the entry up to 16 (or whatever number the AC Tournament Committee specifies).

7.4 Other Matches

7.4.1 CA Women vs. Inter-counties Division-2 Winners.

(a) The AC Selection Committee is responsible for selecting the CA Women team.

(b) The aim is select the team most likely to win the event. The Selection Committee may in addition give preference to players identified as having significant development potential.

7.5 Seeding for Major Events

7.5.1 Where the regulations for a given tournament require it of the Selectors, they will determine seeding places based on their opinion of the likely finishing order in the event.

7.5.2 For seeding decisions made during an event, a "Seeding Committee" will be formed. The full Selection Committee may not be available during the event and the event manager and other suitably competent individuals may be co-opted to the Seeding Committee at the discretion of the Selection Committee chairman.

7.5.3 The Seeding Committee may prescribe where some or all seeds are placed in the draw or may not distinguish some seeds from others (e.g. 2 & 3 may be equal second). The Seeding Committee is entitled to decide that some or all of the candidates are sufficiently similar that their position is to be decided by lot.

7.5.4 The Seeding Committee will include consideration of current form, including recent personal observations, grade, and results in other recent major events as part of the decision-making process.

7.5.5 The Selection Committee was previously formally responsible for seeding the AC Men's Championship and the AC Doubles Championships. In recognition of established practice, seeding for these events is carried out by the event manager in accordance with the regulations for those events.

8. Selection Policy for Specified GC Events

8.1 General Principles for Team and Singles Events

8.1.1 Selection will be based on the individual results of the available players, but other relevant factors may also be considered, such as their fitness, availability for the entire event, previous success or failure in that event and, in team events, their potential to form successful doubles pairs.

8.1.2 A player's behaviour on and off court is a material factor which may influence selection.

8.1.3 A player will be regarded as having Significant Development Potential based on their results and if the GC Selectors consider that they have the potential to represent England in the next World Team Championship (WTC). Giving such players experience of playing for England in other international events is a WTC development objective of the GC Selectors.

8.2 International Team Events

8.2.1 The underlying principle of team selection is to support the winning of the Openshaw Shield.

8.2.2 World Team Championship for the Openshaw Shield

The sole aim is to select the team that is most likely to win the event, subject to paragraphs 5.1.5 and 8.1.1 and 8.1.2, and any financial constraints imposed on the size of the squad.

8.2.3 International Team Events and Matches (Other than the WTC)

This section will apply to any event where at least one opposition country has a WCF Country Ranking of above 2000, or any match against a single country with a WCF Country Ranking above 2000, using the latest WCF Country Ranking data available at the time of selection.

(a) If a forthcoming WTC team has been selected the selected players may be given priority for any match prior to the WTC taking place, otherwise;

(b) The primary aim is to select a team that will do best in the event subject to paragraphs 5.1.5, 8.1, and 8.2.3(c) below additionally allowing the implementation of GC Selectors' WTC development objectives when it is appropriate to do so, usually when a WTC SAP is not in place.

(c) The GC Selectors may implement their WTC development objective by allocating the bottom one or two places in any team to players with Significant Development Potential.

8.2.4 Other Team Events and Matches

(a) Clause 8.2.3 may be applied.

(b) Alternatively a team that is well matched to the likely strength of the opposing team may be selected. The GC Selectors' WTC development objective may be implemented.

(c) The GC Selectors may implement their WTC development objectives by allocating all but one place in a team to players with Significant Development Potential. At least one experienced player shall be chosen and the captain of the team shall be an experienced player.

8.3 International Singles Events

8.3.1 WCF World Championships - Membership Places

The GC Selection Committee is entitled to allocate a Membership Place to either:

(a) the available player who will do best in the event (see paragraph 8.3.4); or

(b) a player considered to have significant development potential.

8.3.2 WCF World Championships - Wild Card Places

The GC Selection Committee is entitled to nominate an available player for a Wild Card Place who, in their opinion, satisfies the criterion set out in paragraph 2.1.1 of Appendix 3 of the WCF Sports Regulations, namely is a young player or a player who has significant development potential.

8.3.3 European Championships - Membership Places

The GC Selection Committee is entitled to allocate a Membership Place to either:

(a) the available player who will do best in the event (see paragraph 8.3.4); or

(b) a player considered to have significant development potential.

8.3.4 The available player who will do best in the event will normally be the player with the best overall results of all the candidates. However, when choosing between candidates, the amount of recent play by each may be taken into account and, if two or more players cannot be otherwise separated, best current form may be used as a tie-break.

8.4 Invitation Events

8.4.1 These include the GC Eights.

8.4.2 The Invitation Event for which players are selected and, with the exception of the GC First Eight, their positions within it are regarded as a measure of their average performance over the period between the deadline for availability for prior year's Invitation Events, and that for the current year's Invitation Events. Accordingly, the GC Selection Committee will review all published results since the last invitation event selection date as if they had occurred on the same day and no account is taken of current or previous form. In this context, "results" mean games that form part of the GC ranking system. Players are responsible for ensuring that their playing record is correct.

8.4.3 The following factors are taken into account:

(a) significant credit is given for multi-game match wins (best of n) against current international level players;

(b) particular credit is given for being the overall winner of an event, varying with the strength of the event;

(c) particular credit is given to mid-ranking players for wins against significantly higher-ranked players, especially in multi-game matches;

(d) a negative view is taken if players play only in their local area, or in weak events, or in very few events; and

(e) where players cannot be separated by their results, improving players are given precedence over players with broadly similar current ability. As a tie break, those with a better long-term record are given precedence.

8.4.4 A player who is not available for the appropriate Invitation Event or is not selected for it due to lack of play will not be selected for a lower event.

9. Transparency

9.1 All discussions between selectors and comments made by them about selection during and surrounding a selection process are confidential to the relevant Selection Committee and will not be disclosed by them to third parties. Only the names of those selected and their Eights or seeding position, if relevant, is published by the relevant Selection Committee following a selection process. No minutes are kept or published.

9.2 Players are entitled to know why they were or were not selected for a selection event. While the selection criteria set out in this document may provide some explanation, the relevant Selection Committee chairman will disclose additional information privately to an enquiring player and may offer advice about improving selection chances that is consistent with this policy. Such additional information will not include comparisons with other players or why another player was or was not selected.

9.3 Such additional information will not be given unless requested by the player concerned. However, if requested, it will be given freely and fully. The player is not bound by confidentiality and may use such additional information however they wish.

10. Selection Appeals

10.1 Selection decisions are only open to challenge on the grounds that a procedural error was made such as a material departure from any part of this Selection Policy or failure to consider all the available candidates. Decisions about individual selection or non-selection are not open to challenge on the basis that the selectors' judgement was defective. A selection decision will stand until any appeal is resolved.

10.2 A Selection Appeal will be dealt with as a maladministration complaint under the CA Complaints Procedure subject as follows:

10.3 A Selection Committee is entitled to set aside its own decision if it decides that it has made a procedural error that could have affected the selection decision. In such a case, the complainant shall be informed and the Selection Committee shall re-determine the matter in accordance with this Selection Policy.

11. Document History

Date	Author	Version	Change Reason/Description
14 Mar 08	Dave Kibble	R5	Consolidation of AC and GC policy documents
		….
25 Jul 13	Ian Vincent	R12	Amendments resulting from change from GB to England, addition of GC World Team Championship and the recommendations of an appeal panel.
25 Jan 14	Ian Vincent	R13.3	Amendments to reflect the change from GB to England. Approved at Council with minor changes to 7.6 & 7.8
28 Nov 15	GC Selectors	DRAFT for R14	Proposed updates by GC Selectors including alignment with WCF allocation system and Openshaw Shield requirements.
28 Jan 17	AC & GC Selectors	R14	Alignment of AC and GC and nationality criteria for WTC squads.
03 Mar 21	AC & GC Selectors	R15	General review of selection policy and organisation of the document.
19 May 22	AC & GC Selectors	R16	Adjustments to Sections 5 (Procedure) and 8 (Selection policy for specified GC events) following a review in 2022