Irish Squash

Junior National News

In order to be eligible to play for Ireland

The current eligibility requirements to play for the National Team are found in Byelaw No. 7 and are set down below:

To be eligible to play for Ireland a person shall:

Have been born in Ireland (that is the ROI and Northern Ireland); or a citizen of the ROI or of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and have lived permanently in Ireland for the previous 2 years; or lived permanently in Ireland for the previous 2 years and either parent was born in Ireland; or played in any two of the Irish and Provincial Open Championships in the previous season and also in the previous season shall have informed the Secretary of the Association in writing of the wish to be considered for selection for Ireland and either parent was born in Ireland;

or previously played for Ireland while eligible to do so; and not have represented another country in a recognised international match in the previous 2 years and an honorary or individual member of the Association; and normally resident in Ireland, be a member of a club which is affiliated to Irish Squash and which Provincial Association is not in default in the matter of paying subscription to Irish Squash;

and any requirement as regards age, as specified in Apopendix 1 to these Byelaws; and with the criteria specified for the current season by the relevant Irish Selection Committee.

Selection Criteria for U13, U15 and U17 Irish Teams 2011 - 2012:

1. Players must be eligible to play for Ireland (see Byelaw 7) and be under the relevant age on the final day of the competition and be selected by the selection committee.
2. The Selection committee comprises: The Junior Administrator, The Team Coach, and The Team Manager.
3. Team Selection will be based on the ranking points gained from a player’s best three competitions from The Connacht Open; The Ulster Open; The Munster Open; The Leinster Open; The Irish Junior National (Closed) Championship.

The Irish Junior Nationals earns higher points than the Provincial Opens. In the event of equality of points the selection committee will chose the player finally

4. Players wishing to be considered for selection must play in the Irish Junior Open, although that competition will not earn any points.

5. If a player is unable to compete in a tournament (or complete all matches over a tournament weekend) due to illness/injury a doctors/physiotherapists certificate/letter must be submitted to Irish Squash in the week following the tournament.

6. The Selection Committee will also consider a player's general behaviour on and off court, attendance at squad sessions, commitment to squash and adherence to whatever training programme is recommended by the Team Coach. Players may be selected to play on teams outside their own age group, at the discretion Junior Sub-Committee of Irish Squash and of the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee may also take advice from the National Coach, when making decisions on team selection

7. Once a player receives notification of selection, all monies must be paid by the required date, otherwise their selection will be revoked.

8. Players moving up from one age group to the next during the season will carry over 30% of the points gained at the younger age group.

9. Where players enter a tournament in an older age group the points thereby earned will also be credited to their actual age group.

10. The Selection Committee will have the final say in team selection matters.

11. A new wildcard rule will be in place this year for all age categories to ensure that the strongest teams represent Ireland.

The rankings will be used to select the members of the team, with the exception of two optional wildcards per team which can be chosen at the discretion of the selection committee. A wildcard selection will be based on, but will not be constrained to:

Current form & recent results

Commitment

Attendance at squad sessions

Consideration and opinion of the selectors


Selection Criteria for U19 Irish Panels 2011 - 2012:

1. Players must be eligible to play for Ireland (see Byelaw 7) and be under the relevant age on the final day of the relevant competition and be selected by the selection committee.

2. The Selection committee comprises three members: The Junior Administrator, The Team Coach, and The Team Manager. The selection Committee may also take advice from the National Coach, when making decisions on team selection.

3. A panel of players (6 boys and 4 girls) will be selected on the basis of the points earned at the Connacht Junior Open and the Irish Junior Nationals. Players from younger age categories may be selected and added to this panel on the basis that their presence would

strengthen the panel. Compulsory tournaments - Irish Junior Open.


4. The Selection Committee will select the team from the members of the panel based on what it considers would be the strongest team.

5. The selection committee will also consider a player's general behaviour on and off court, attendance at squad sessions and commitment to squash and adherence to whatever training programme is recommended by the Team Coach.

6. If a player is unable to compete in a tournament (or complete all matches over a
tournament weekend) due to illness or injury a letter or certificate from the doctor or
physiotherapist must be submitted to Irish Squash in the week following the tournament.

7. Once a player receives notification of selection, all monies must be paid by the required date, otherwise their selection will be revoked.

8. Players may be selected to play on teams above there own age group.

9. Players moving up from one age group to the next during the season will carry over 30% of the points gained at the younger age group.

10. Where players enter a tournament in an older age group the points thereby earned will also be credited to their actual age group.

11. The Selection Committee will have the final say in team selection matters.

Representing Ireland

It has been observed that Irish team spirit is not what it should be at some international events. It is hoped that more squad sessions and greater interaction between squad members and their Coaches throughout the season, will result in greater bonding within Irish teams and generate more team spirit.

Any player chosen to represent Ireland at junior level must adhere to the following basic rules:

Always wear full Irish tracksuit while at tournament venuewear correct team attire when playing matchespossible give support to team members and those of other Irish teams during heir matchesall instruction from Coaches and Team Managers.