Selection Process

Selection Criteria:

To be eligible to take the field for the Club, a player must:

1. Be registered as a player with the Rugby Australia
2. Be registered as a player with Norths Rugby
3. Attended team training sessions
4. Be fit for to play rugby – injured or impaired players must not play, and should notify their team management, usually by midday Tuesday.
5. Interstate or overseas players have a clearance from the Home Union of their previous club.

Selection Authority: 

At the start of each season all coaches are required to agree to the Selection Process document to signify their acceptance of the Club process.  The coaching positions noted below have the following selection authority:

1. The Premier Grade Head Coach has the right of selection for Premier Grade team, and the final right of selection for all lower grades teams and positions. 
2. The coaches for each lower team will be then required to select their best possible starting XV subject to availability and fitness of players.
3. If there is a dispute or further input is required the Rugby Manager or a person appointed by the Committee as an Independent Selector will have the final say. This applies to all grade and colts selections.

Selection Method:

1. Coaches will meet each Tuesday before training at 5.30pm to discuss results and player form and select teams for the coming game.
2. Players must meet the selection criteria above to be available for selection.
3. A provisional game day team will be selected but not announced until training on Thursday.
4. Each coach will pick their best possible XV, based on availability and fitness, in sequential order from Premier Grade down subject to review and final approval from the Premier Grade Coach and the Rugby Manager or Independent Selector.
5. It is recognised that the selection process is a subjective one and that selectors, coaches and individual players can and often do evaluate the worth, skill and ability of a player to contribute to team patterns, structures and requirements differently.
6. If a player is dissatisfied for any reason with a selection decision and the explanation of a coach or selector in support of that selection decision, or any matter effecting the player and selection, the player has the right to approach the President of the club for a review of the selection process as it effects that player. Following the review the player must be notified of the outcome.
7. Unless there is a specific reason no team is to have fresh players on the bench.  Special cases include games being played out of sequential order, or teams playing at different locations.  In addition some players maybe returning from injury and these will be assessed on a case by case basis but in any in event the player must consent to his selection on the bench.
8. No player shall be promoted or dropped more than 1 grade at a time unless there are exceptional circumstances which must be approved by the Premier Grade Coach, or Head of Lower Grades.  When this does happen the player must be consulted and given clear feedback as to their rapid movement.
9. Players that miss one game due to injury may return to the grade that they left without consideration for starting in a lower grade.
10. Players that miss two games or more are required to start at least one grade below from where they were playing.  Special consideration will be given to Premier Grade players and the circumstances at the time.