Athlete Selection Leadership

Contents  Athlete selection definition and explanation  Athlete selection policy  Athlete selection procedures  Athlete selection criteria  Athlete de-brief  Benefits of a well defined athlete selection process  Application of Human Resource Management principles and discussion

Athlete selection - definition  A prediction of athlete performance and/or team fit by the selection personnel  Being chosen in preference to another or other athletes on the basis of “merit”

Athlete selection  Determines the basis for selection decisions – i.e., what is actually done to select athletes to your team  Governs the athletes’ rights in relation to these decisions

Key themes of athlete selection Selection procedures / processes Athlete selection criteria Selection methods Post- selection issues

Considerations for athlete selection…  Who will select the athletes?  On what basis will you select the athletes?  What athlete selection methods will you follow?  Will you use on-field performance and/or testing?  Are there any specific criteria required for the athletes to make the team?  Where will the selections take place?  How many selection trials will there be?  How will you notify the athletes of selection processes and procedures?  How will you notify the successful and unsuccessful athletes?

Athlete selection policy  Includes: –parameters that guide selection in the context of a “broad / narrow plan” –how athletes will be assessed –who decides selection –athlete roles & expectations –informs the athletes about the selection procedures

Athlete selection procedures  Provide a framework for action and/or decision-making based on pre-determined selection criteria

Athlete selection criteria  Standard(s) against which attributes of athletes are judged by selectors

Athlete selection criteria  Performance  Statistics  Development potential  Potential to compete at the top level  Experience  Fitness  Skills  Attitude  Mental toughness  Personal characteristics  Age  Playing/competing career remaining  Style of player/athlete  Specialist position/roles  Gut feeling  Other coaches’ feedback

How do you select athletes?  Trials / selection camps  Times / scores  Special characteristics  Other???

Athlete de-brief  Involves an evaluation of athlete performances, both in and outside of competition  Provides feedback for the athlete to take on- board  Can provide recommendations to unsuccessful athletes as to areas that they can improve in for future trials

Benefits of a well defined athlete selection process  The process is clear and transparent  The process can be easily communicated  Athletes understand what they must do to be selected for the team  Provides an objective document for athlete selection

Application of Human Resource Management (HRM) Principles  Look at the next slide and consider the similarities of HRM terminology and their use in athlete selection  Can you adapt any of the HRM terms and their content to your athlete selection process?

Job (Athlete/Position/Role) Analysis Job (Position/Role) Design Job Description (Position/Role Profile) Job Specifications (Athlete Profile) Job (Athlete) Selection Performance Appraisal (Athlete Debrief) competencies KSA’s title tasks/duties responsibilities

Job (Athlete/Position/Role) Analysis  The gathering and assessing of information to develop job descriptions (position/role descriptions or profiles) and person specifications (athlete profiles)  Ascertains and describes the activities that the athlete would be responsible for in the particular position/role and within the group environment

Job Description (Position/Role Profile)  Tells what people in that position/role are expected to do and their expected contribution to the team overall  Provides guidelines and clarifies perceptions and expectations of the athlete’s roles and responsibilities within the team and their particular tasks they need to perform

Job Specifications (Athlete Profile)  Describes the competencies and attributes required to fulfil the job description (position/role description or profile)  Determines the basis for identifying the selection criteria

Job (Athlete) Selection  Involves choice-making  A prediction that one person will perform better than another  Involves identifying the best people from the available pool to fulfil the position/role description or profile and the athlete profile

Performance Appraisal (Athlete Debrief)  An evaluation of an athlete’s performance  Could be completed post-selection, mid- season, or as the coach sees fit. Best to be done at regular intervals.