Selection Policy

Team Selection Policy for the Somerset Schools’ Athletic Association

Selection for the Somerset County Teams always involves difficult decisions and lengthy discussions.

It should be noted that the Selection Committee's decision is final.

The Selection Committee comprises a minimum of:

• A Chairman of selectors

• A Secretary of selectors

• A Senior Team Manager

• Two other members

Cross Country Team Selection

It is the intention of the committee to select the strongest possible teams in each age group for the South-West Schools’ AA and the English Schools’ AA Championships.

The Association must be made aware of any athlete who is unable to compete in any event prior to that Championship.

To be considered for selection for the English Schools’ AA Championships athletes must have competed in either the Somerset Schools’ AA Championships or South-West Schools’ AA Championships – preferably both.

For the South‐West Schools’ AA Championships a maximum of ten athletes will be selected to represent Somerset in each age group. This includes the Minor Boys and Minor Girls age group (Year 7).

For the English Schools’ AA Championships a maximum of eight athletes will be selected to represent Somerset in each age group (other than Minor Boys and Minor Girls who do not participate at the ESAA Championships).

• How we select for the South-West Schools’ AA Championships:

The Selection Committee will meet as soon as possible after the County Championships to select the Somerset team.

The first four finishers in each race at the County Championships will be automatically selected.

The Selection Committee will decide upon the other 6 places, using its discretion.

• How we select for the English Schools’ AA Championships:

The Selection Committee will meet as close as possible to the date for the submission of entries.

The first four finishers in each race at the South-West Schools’ AA Championships will be automatically selected.

The Selection Committee will decide upon the other 4 places, using its discretion.

Track and Field Team Selection

It is the intention of the committee to select the strongest possible teams in each age group for the South-West Schools’ AA and the English Schools’ AA Championships.

The Association must be made aware of any athlete who is unable to compete in any event prior to that Championship.

For the South‐West Schools’ AA Championships a maximum of 120 ‘competitor places’ will be selected to represent Somerset. An athlete may compete in two individual events with a further restriction of a maximum of three Somerset athletes per individual event.

For the English Schools’ AA Championships a maximum of 40 athletes, restricted to one individual event per athlete, will be selected to represent Somerset.

• How we select for the South-West Schools’ AA Championships:

The Selection Committee will meet as soon as possible after the County Championships to select the Somerset team.

The winner of each County Championship event, achieving a County Standard, or better, is automatically selected.

The Selection Committee will decide upon the other places, using its discretion.

• How we select for the English Schools’ AA Championships:

The Selection Committee will meet as soon as possible after the South‐West Schools’ AA Championships to select the Somerset team.

The Selection Committee will decide upon the 40 places, using its discretion, based on the current ESAA standards taking into account recent form (at the SSAA and South-West Schools AA Championships) and any known injuries.

For the avoidance of doubt achieving the ESAA National Standard or Entry Standard does not mean automatic selection for the ESAA Championships whilst only performances that qualify for Power10 listing will be considered.

Combined Events Team Selection

It is the intention of the committee to select the strongest possible teams in each age group for the ESAA South-West Regional and the English Schools’ AA Championships.

The Association must be made aware of any athlete who is unable to compete in any event prior to that Championship.

For the ESAA South-West Regional Championships a maximum of 4 athletes will be selected to represent Somerset in each age group.

Qualification for the English Schools’ AA Championships results directly from the ESAA South-West Regional Championships, therefore no selection process is necessary.

• How we select for the ESAA South-West Regional Championships:

Selection is primarily based on performance at the Somerset Schools AA Championships and whether athletes have indicated that they are available for selection. Those athletes not able to compete at the County Championships must declare their availability along with 'season’s best performances '.

The Senior Team Manager will indicate his/her team and this will be forwarded to the SSAA Officers and Combined Events’ Team Managers who will use their discretion to finalise the team.

• How we select for the English Schools’ AA Championships:

Should the Senior Team Manager consider it to be advantageous to replace any member of a qualified team in order to make the team stronger at the English Schools' AA Championships, he/she will indicate his/her suggested alteration and send the information to the SSAA Officers and Combined Events’ Team Managers for their consideration.

Race Walk Team Selection

It is the intention of the committee to select the strongest possible athletes in each age group for the ESAA South-West Regional and the English Schools’ AA Championships.

The Association must be made aware of any athlete who is unable to compete in any event prior to that Championship.

For the ESAA South-West Regional Championships there is no maximum number of athletes that can be selected to represent Somerset in each age group – this is to help develop and promote this branch of the sport.

For the English Schools’ AA Championships a maximum of 6 athletes will be selected to represent Somerset in each age group.

• How we select for the ESAA South-West Regional Championships:

Selection is primarily based on performance at the County Championships. Performances at that meeting will be considered alongside any other results from appropriate events and time-trials conducted. To help develop and promote this branch of the sport, recommendations from suitably qualified officials and coaches will be considered and performances will be compared with those of previous years.

The Senior Team Manager will indicate his/her suggested team and this will be forwarded to the SSAA Officers and Combined Events’ Team Managers who will use their discretion to finalise the team.

• How we select for the English Schools’ AA Championships:

Progression from the ESAA South-West Regional Championships to the English Schools’ AA Championships will depend upon performances in training and time-trials, the County Championships and the South-West Regional Championships. Times will be assessed in the light of previous Somerset performances at the English Schools’ AA Championships with a view to a top eight finishing position.

The Senior Team Manager will indicate his/her suggested team and this will be forwarded to the SSAA Officers and Combined Events’ Team Managers who will use their discretion to finalise the team.