Selection Policy Introduction Northern Territory Cricket (NTC) is the Peak Sporting Body for cricket in the Northern Territory, and works in conjunction with the National Governing Body, Cricket Australia (CA). Northern Territory Cricket Selection Policy The purpose of Northern Territory Cricket’s Selection Policy is to establish guidance, transparency and consistency for the selection of male and female participants in all Northern Territory Cricket and Representative sides. The responsibility to read and understand the Selection Policy is that of the Athlete, Parent/Guardian or prospective Candidate – as does the need to seek advice if any part of the Selection Policy remains unclear. Application The application of the Northern Territory Cricket Selection Policy applies to all male and female participants who wish to be selected in National Championship or Representative sides. This Selection Policy does not extend to the selection of Team Officials, Coaches and Support Staff – with Northern Territory Cricket maintaining the responsibility and absolute discretion to appoint, select, add or remove these officials, coaches and support staff at any time. Selection Objectives In line with Cricket Australia’s objectives, a strategic pillar of Northern Territory Cricket is to ‘develop strong cricket pathways and teams, including developing great players and people, respected and winning teams’, and by extension establish a clear pathway to elite professional cricket. The aim of Northern Territory Cricket’s Selection Policy is to therefore select the strongest possible side to represent the Northern Territory, with the intent of delivering individual and team success in National Competitions or Representative matches. Objectives at National Competitions or Representative matches include: Team performance and ladder position Identification and preparation of athletes for future opportunities within Cricket Australia and/or representative competitions Year-on-year improvement of team and individual performances. Recognition of individual success through player awards and statistics. Selection Panel The Selection Panel for Northern Territory Cricket or Representative sides will consist of a combination of the following: Head of Cricket Pathways and Talent Development Coach Head Coach or Assistant Coach Coaching Consultant Eligibility Criteria The following Eligibility Criteria will be considered for Northern Territory Cricket or Representative sides; noting, players do not have to fulfill all requirements to be eligible for selection, and Northern Territory Cricket retains the right to select an individual if in its absolute discretion it believes there are sufficient grounds or exceptional circumstances to do so: Born in or a permanent resident within the Northern Territory Have been part of Northern Territory Cricket Academy or Development Squads Played Junior Cricket within the Northern Territory Represented Northern Territory at Underage National Championships Be a registered player within Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition or Alice Springs Cricket Association Read and agree to Cricket Australia’s Integrity, Code of Conduct and any other applicable policies Selection Criteria Selection for Northern Territory Cricket and Representative sides will be based on the following criteria; noting players do not have to fulfill all requirements to be available for selection: Performance within Darwin and District Cricket Competition and Alice Springs Cricket Association Performance in previous Northern Territory Cricket or representatives sides Performance at training and trials Players who demonstrate a positive brand of cricket Players who demonstrate a professional attitude and commitment to the values of Northern Territory Cricket A player’s ability to contribute to team culture and balance, including required skillsets, positional versatility and technical compatibility A player’s ability to work alongside fellow athletes and team officials, coaches and support staff A player’s current physical condition, including workload load management or injury status A player’s potential for involvement in subsequent representative teams Exceptional Circumstances Northern Territory Cricket retains the right to consider additional players for Selection in the case of exceptional circumstances. This may include the selection of a player that does not meet certain eligibility or selection criteria, in which case the player must advise Northern Territory Cricket of the reason/s as to why requirements cannot be fulfilled, and this will be assessed by the Selection Panel. When a situation arises that a Northern Territory Cricket or representative side requires a person/position that otherwise cannot be fulfilled (due to availability, skillset or player quality) from available player nominations, Northern Territory Cricket will collaborate with Cricket Australia and relevant State/Territory High Performance Systems to fill this position. This process will include Northern Territory Cricket informing all relevant Cricket Australia stakeholders of what is required from a Team Selection and skillset perspective, and ensure that all State/Territory High Performance Systems have fair/equal opportunity to put forward players of interest, removing any conflict of interest or perceived favouring of players. Team Official, Coach and Support Staff Selection In the circumstance where Team Official, Coach and Support Staff are required for National Championship or Representative sides, Northern Territory Cricket’s default position will be to first fill these roles with Northern Territory Cricket staff or Academy Coaches; individuals who have previously worked with National Championship sides; or any other individual Northern Territory Cricket deems suitable, qualified or appropriate. Where that default position is not adopted, Northern Territory Cricket will seek a public Expression of Interest (EOI) and subsequent nominations will be assessed by the Selection Panel. Prospective candidates, either selected directly by Northern Territory Cricket or nominated through an EOI form, will be considered and assessed on the following criteria; noting, candidates do not have to fulfill all requirements to be available for consideration: Current involvement in Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition or Alice Springs Cricket Association Current involvement in Cricket Australia, State & Territory Association, or other High-Performance systems Previous involvement in Northern Territory Cricket or Representative sides Relevant Cricket Australia Coaching Accreditations Performance potential and previous successes Clear coach development plans for team and individual growth Leadership skills Knowledge of Cricket Australia data and Athlete Management System frameworks Attendance at Northern Territory Cricket Academy sessions Fulfilled mandatory safety requirements, such as Working with Children and Police Check Appeal Process A request for an appeal of a selection decision by an individual Athlete, Parent/Guardian or prospective Candidate must be underpinned and substantiated by accompanying evidence that the Team Selection Policy has not been properly applied or followed by Northern Territory Cricket. Any request for an appeal that is frivolous or tenuous in nature will not be considered. The following process must be followed to submit a request for appeal: The appellant must give written notice of their request for appeal to the Head of Cricket Evidence must be provided to demonstrate a clear failure by Northern Territory Cricket to operate within the guidance provided in the Team Selection Policy Any request for an appeal must be submitted within five days of the alleged breach of the Team Selection Policy Northern Territory Cricket will review any request for an appeal at the earliest possible opportunity and within 7 days of receipt Northern Territory Cricket will provide a decision and explanation to the appellant, or where appropriate, seek to appoint an independent person to consider the request. To download a copy of our Selection Policy, click here.
