Team Selection Policy

May 2022

Review Programme

Approved by Governors at: Curriculum, Teaching and Learning – 19/05/22

Date for next review: September 2024

Signed – Chair of Governors

Shirley Langford

Signed – Headteacher
Andy Cooke
Team Selection Policy
May 2022

Introduction
At All Souls Catholic Primary School we believe that physical education and sport play a significant part in
the overall development of children and that children should be encouraged to enjoy all aspects of PE
whether is it competitive, creative or individual. We are committed to achieving the aims of the PE
National Curriculum so that children lead active, healthy lives, become competent in a range of activities
and engage in competitive sports.

PE and sport play an important role in the life of the school and is considered a school priority. This is
reflected not only in how it is incorporated within the school timetable, but also in terms of the number of
extra-curricular sporting opportunities that we offer and the number of sporting events and competitions
in which the school participates.

Opportunities, Rationale and Criteria

Throughout the year there are a vast number of opportunities for children from across all year groups to
represent the school in sporting events and competitions. Some of these will take part during the school
day whilst others may be scheduled for after school or even weekends. Some of these events will have
been organised and instigated by the school, whilst in others, the school will have been invited to
participate.

In some of these cases, places on teams will be limited in number and it is for the member of staff
representing the school at the event to select the most appropriate children/team to be invited to
participate. This process will vary from event to event, dependent upon a range of criteria:
 The age group(s) of the participants
 The level of ‘competitiveness’ of the event
 Whether the event is a ‘one off’ or part of a larger series of events
 Whether the event is linked to an extra-curricular club at the school
 Whether the event has been organised by the school or outside agency
 How soon the event is due to take place

In choosing a team it may be necessary to:

 Hold heats or trials
 Observe performance during PE lessons/extra-curricular clubs
 Seek information from parents/teaching staff around levels of experience or competence

The sporting events that the school participates can be broken down into a range of categories, based
upon their level of ‘competitiveness’:
 Competitive sports – where the member of staff will choose what they believe to be the strongest,
most competitive team
 Semi-competitive sports – where teams will contain a mixture of abilities of pupils, where more
experienced/able children will be mixed will less experienced/able pupils
 Non-competitive sports – where selection is not based upon sporting abilities
 Inclusive events – where invitation is made to those with specific needs or difficulties, whom
otherwise may not get the opportunity to represent the school.
The school actively looks for a balance of opportunities for all of the above and endeavour to ensure that
all children in Years 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to represent the school in sport during an academic
year.

We endeavour to provide opportunities for children of all abilities. We do, however, recognise that we
must also provide opportunities for those children who excel at sports. We therefore acknowledge that
some children will receive more opportunities to represent the school than others. This is be the same as
in events and/or competitions in other curriculum areas. We also know that in many sports (for example
swimming) it may actually be dangerous to involve pupils who are not of a particular standard.

Where children are chosen for ‘competitive’ or ‘semi-competitive’ sports, selection will be based upon:
 Performance, effort and behaviour during lessons and practices
 Level of skill demonstrated in the sport
 Commitment to training and learning that sport
 Enthusiasm to learn and improve
 Understanding of the game, tactics and rules
 Attitude of the play on and off the field of play
 How the player presents themselves – dress, manners, helpfulness, sportsmanship etc.
 Performance and contribution as a team member
 Understanding of the importance of safety
 Behaviour at school, including during lunch and break times

We do not inform children as to the competitiveness of an event as we believe that they do not need to
know this. All children should consider representing the school a privilege, not an entitlement, and should
uphold the values of the school whilst representing it. This is irrespective of whether they are playing in
city finals or a friendly with a local school. We know that children will be disappointed when not chosen to
represent the school but encourage them to congratulate and support those who have been, in the
knowledge that all children receive different opportunities throughout their time at school.

Children are also encouraged to appreciate that when chosen to be part of a team, dependent upon the
nature of the sport/competition, the various contributions of different members of the team may be vary.
For example, one member of a swimming squad may be asked to race in three events, whereas another
only one. The same would be so in athletics, where each event requires the use of different skills and
abilities. Equally, some sports require the use of substitutes; in tournaments, it might be expected that all
players will play a significant role at some point whereas, in an individual match or fixture, this may not be
the case.

Role of Parents/Carers
We would like to thank parents and carers in advance for supporting us as follows:
 If your child is regularly chosen for a team, please help them to understand it is a privilege to
represent the school and they should be proud of themselves.
 If your child is not chosen, encourage them to keep coming to practices and enjoy what they do;
they are still part of the success of their teammates.

Parents, carers and spectators have a great influence on the children’s enjoyment and success in sport.
Children play sports first and foremost because they love playing. All Souls is dedicated to nurturing that
enjoyment and enthusiasm for sport and as a foundation for developing skills and tactics for life.
Opportunities to represent the school
Below is a list (non-exhaustive) of events that the school regularly or has recently participated in:
Coventry Catholic Schools’ Football League
Coventry Catholic Schools’ Netball League
Sports Hall Athletics Tournament*
Speed Stacking*
Basketball Tournament*
Catholic Cup Football Competition
Inclusive Archery Competition*
Inclusive Rowing Competition*
Coventry Schools Rowing Competition*
Coventry Catholic Schools’ Swimming Gala
Year 3&4 Girls’ Football Tournament
Dodgeball Tournament (Y3/4)*
Year 6 FootGolf Event*
Coventry Catholic Schools’ Athletics Competition
Coventry Catholic Schools’ Football Rally
Coventry Catholic Schools’ Netball Rally
Coventry Catholic Schools’ X Country – Individual
Coventry Catholic Schools’ X Country - Relays
Coventry City Schools’ X Country – Individual
Coventry City Schools’ X Country - Relays
Standard Cricket Club – Kwik Cricket Competition
Chance to Shine Cricket Competition Y5/6
Chance to Shine Cricket Competition Y3/4
Year 3&4 Magnificent 7 Fitness Competition*
Girls’ indoor 4-a-side football competition
Boys’ indoor 4-a-side football competition
Boys’ Rugby Competition
Football Ben Whelan Cup
Y1/2 All Stars Cricket
Y1/2 Agility Competition*
Inclusive Boccia Competition*
KS1 Gymnastics Competition*
KS2 Gymnastics Competition*
Endball Tournament (Y3/4)*
NFL Tournament (Y5/6)
Coventry Catholic Girls’ Football Tournament
Coventry Rounders Competition*
Dodgeball Festival (Y5/6)
Year 3&4 Golf Tournament*
Year 3&4 Tennis Competition*
Year 5&6 Tennis Competition*
Girls’ Cricket Tournament
Year 3&4 Quad Kids Competition*
Catholic Gaelic Football Tournament
Catholic Year 5 Cricket Tournament
Year 3&4 Futsal Competition*
Year 5&6 Futsal Competition*
Coventry Children’s Mile
Year 5 Hockey Tournament*
*denotes events that are part of All Souls’ Commitment to the ‘School Games’ awards
The above is in addition to ad hoc ‘friendly’ sporting fixtures arranged with local schools and in school events such as
the school’s annual sports day, World Cup events, Euros, Olympic events etc.
Appendix – Code of Conduct for Players, Staff and Parents/Spectators

Players Code of Conduct

As a player and representative of the school, you have a big part to play. We expect all
players/competitors to follow a respect code of conduct.

When representing the school, I will:

 Always try my best, whether winning or losing
 Play fairly, following the rules of the game/event. I won’t cheat, complain or waste time.
 Never be rude to my team-mates, other teams, referees, spectators or staff/coaches
 Do as I am instructed by a referee/umpire
 If it is appropriate, shake hands/acknowledge the opposition at the end of a game/event
 Listen to what my coach/teacher says and respect it
 Talk to someone I trust e.g. teacher/parent/guardian if I am unhappy about anything related to the
event or club

Teachers/Coaches Code of Conduct

Teachers and coaches have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour during matches and
events. We expect all staff/coaches to observe the respect code of conduct for teachers and coaches at all
times.

Whilst coaching or leading a team I will:

 Show respect to others involved in the match/event including officials, opposition teams, their staff
and spectators
 Adhere to the laws of the game/event
 Display and promote high standards of behaviour
 Never enter the field of play without the permission of the referee/umpire
 Never engage in public criticism of match/tournament officials
 Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour.

When working with players/athletes, I will:

 Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning.
 Explain exactly what I expect of players/athletes and what they can expect of me.

Spectators and Parents/Carers Code of Conduct

Parents/carers and spectators have an important role to play. Whilst observing/supporting school
teams/events, they should observe the respect code of conduct for spectators and parents/carers at all
times.

I will:
 Remain outside the field of play and if applicable, behind a designated spectator area
 Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour
 Always respect the match/event official’s decisions
 Applaud effort and good play as success
 Remember that children play for fun
 Let the staff/coaches do their job and not confuse players/athletes by telling them what to do
 Encourage the players/athletes to respect their team mates, the opposition, teachers, staff and
event officials
 Never criticise a player for making a mistake. Mistakes are part of learning.