UNLEY OLD SCHOLARS SOCCER CLUB Inc.

SELECTION PROCEDURES & CODE OF CONDUCT

1. By registering with the Unley Old Scholars Soccer Club Inc., players’ make themselves eligible to be selected to play in any team the Unley Old Scholars Soccer Club Inc. nominate for that season.
2. On occasion players may be selected for two squads per match day when the need arises. This will only occur if there are not enough players and/or goalkeepers to fill all teams.
3. Player selection shall mainly be based on, but not limited to the following; Performance (match day and/or training), technical/tactical ability, attitude, discipline, commitment, fitness, positional/tactical requirements of relevant team/s, playing time requirements of individual players, training attendance and punctuality.
4. All the players, of all teams, are expected to demonstrate a ’satisfactory level of dedication and respect towards their team and their coach, cooperating to the best of their abilities to meet their team and their clubs needs’. They are expected to participate in training and games on a regular basis with a positive attitude, regardless of the weather conditions and arriving not later than the scheduled time. Should they not be able to fulfil such expectations in any circumstances, they should communicate their impediment to their coach or assistant coach as soon as possible and accept eventual consequences and decisions. Players, who for any reason, arrive later than the designated time (as allocated by their coach) to a game without communicating with their coach, will risk not being included in the starting 11.
5. Players shall arrive at games 1 hour prior to kick-off and at trainings 15 minutes before scheduled start time.
6. Players who for any reason cannot attend a team event (training, games…) must contact their coaches, assistant coaches or ranger mobile as soon as possible.
7. Players are required to attend one training session per week. Players who are unable to train due to ongoing work commitments are still eligible for selection based on all other criteria in section 3. However players in this situation can expect to spend more time on the bench than players who train regularly. Players in this situation should clearly communicate to the squad manager as soon as it is known. This will be communicated to the playing group as required. Players in this situation should maintain their own physical training and make every attempt to attend training when not working.
8. No player shall spend more than two matches in a row starting on the bench. Players may need to be placed in a lower grade on occasion to allow them to start after two consecutive matches starting on the bench.
9. Aside from Division 1, all coaches each week should make every attempt to give all players in their squad a reasonable amount of playing time. Game situation and place on the ladder should be taken into account, therefore playing time for all players cannot always be guaranteed. If a player is named within a squad one week and does not receive any playing time, he must then start the following week (can be for a lower grade). Changes at half time or just after are strongly encouraged for all teams outside of Division 1.
10. Coaches should assess whether and how often players do not comply with the outlined expectations and, where applicable, take adequate measures. The coaches or the assistant coaches should always clearly communicate to the players the reason for any disciplinary action.
11. It is solely the responsibility of the coaches, assistant coaches and squad manager to finalise the squads for all playing teams on the final training session of the week. Squads will be read out at the end of training or emailed to all players the following day. If a player misses the last session of the week it is their responsibility to check the email or contact the squad manager to find out details about where/if/who they are playing.
12. When a player is to be placed in a lower (can include being placed outside all squads) or higher division from the previous match coaches should communicate in person to the affected player/s the reasoning behind the decision at the last training session of the week prior to squads being read out. THIS MAY NOT OCCUR IF PLAYER IS ABSENT FROM TRAINING ON SELECTION NIGHT.
13. Players going down a division for a reason other than discipline/attendance MUST start that game.
14. All coaches, players and committee members are expected to act, in all circumstances, in a loyal and constructive manner towards the club, committee members, coaching staff, opposition and team mates. In case of grievance, disagreement etc. a strict policy on “who to contact” must be observed. Selection grievances should be directed to the squad manager. Administrative matters should be directed to the President or a committee member. Technical matters should be directed to the Head Coach. Under no circumstances any of the figures outlined above should approach figures different from the ones indicated to resolve disputes.
15. Injured players are encouraged to attend trainings, in accordance with the advice of any relevant medical practitioner, unless prevented by the injury. If unable to complete any given drill a player is encouraged to complete lighter duties which may be discussed with a relevant coach if convenient. Attendance at matches is required unless injury prevents or an exemption granted by the relevant coach.
16. Coaching meetings will be organised throughout the season to assist with the implementation and enforcement of the coaching guidelines, the code of conduct and any other matter. All coaches are entitled to seek the assistance of the Head Coach for any technical matter, should they need assistance at any time.
17. Assistant coaches and coaches should ensure that players do not experience the influence of any figure external to their teams, in relation to the instructions of their coach. Within reason players should be separated from spectators or any figure external to their team (including parents, relative, friends, club officials…) during practice sessions and especially during games. Coaches should ensure that substitute players sit on the bench (where applicable) or remain in close proximity of the team’s officials during games.
18. All coaches must remain concerned with their own team and place great emphasis in complying with the Unley Old Scholars Soccer Club Selection Procedures & Code of Conduct.
19. Any form of undermining (defined as actions that weaken the position of a club official, including coaches, squad managers and committee members) will not be tolerated. The person(s) determined to be undermining a club official (as decided by the Club Committee) will be notified (by the President) a first time informally and a second time officially. Any further notice will coincide with a special committee meeting to be called and if decided by popular vote of the Club Committee, the person(s) risks immediate expulsion from the club. This is valid for all club members (players, staff, committee…) alike.
20. Any club official who in any situation is unsure on the way in which matters should be handled, should contact the Club President, or the Head Coach.