Training and Playing Up Policy

 A player may be invited to train on a routine basis with an older age group as well as with his or her own age group.

 The opportunities for training-up with the older age group will be identified by the coach of that age group. They will depend on the needs of that age group for both the current season and the next, and may be different for forwards, defencemen and netminders. Opportunities for training-up will normally increase as the season progresses, in preparation for the following season.

 The coach of the older age group will discuss and agree the selection of players with the coach of the younger age group and the Head Coach of the Club.

 The selection of a player to train-up will be made on the basis of skills, physical and mental maturity, and commitment.

 The player’s primary commitment will remain to his own age group in almost all cases.  Any training or game opportunities offered by the older age group should be considered as an additional privilege. Exceptions to this rule will be allowed only in special circumstances.

 The player should not attend any late-night or Sunday training session with the older age group that might significantly lower his or her performance in a later match with the primary age group.  Managers should be consulted in case of doubt.  [This also applies to conference and recreational sessions.]

 The offer to train-up will not necessarily apply for the whole year. It will apply only while the opportunity realistically exists and the player’s commitment and progress are sustained.

 Failure to maintain the required skills or commitment to either the player’s primary age group or to the higher age group will result in the privilege to train-up being withdrawn.

 In the case of junior female players who have the additional possibility of training and playing with the Ladies, managers will liaise among themselves and with coaches, and agree from time to time the order of training and playing priorities.

 There will be occasions when several players from one age group are invited to join a training session of an older group which otherwise would be poorly attended.  This should not be confused with an offer to train-up regularly at future sessions. Managers should be consulted in case of doubt.

  

Revised:  July 2006