1. SOUTH WEST PROGRAMME 2008

2. Year Plan SOUTH WEST 2008 1 st July - 1st August Send out Invites to all clubs for Conference Coaches and Managers - All coaches and managers will be asked for CVs and CRB forms. Send out Invite to clubs to nominate Conference level players – response to include player evaluation sheet. (Managers to issue standard “Player Recommendation & Conference Player Evaluation” form). 1 st August - 1st November First trials planned. (Managers to issue standard welcome letter + “contact & Photo Permission form + “Player Medical File” forms). 1 st November - 1st February Team squads, not teams (e.g. 24 Players) will be quickly established and in place by 1 st November. At this time all players will be asked to complete all paperwork associated with conference Weekend. (Managers to issue standard “in Training Squad” letter & “Player Cut” letters, Coach to issue standard SWC Handbook) 1 st February - 1st March All Conference paperwork in and ready to send. 1 st March or earlier - Final team selection chosen and submitted. (Managers to issue standard “Player in Team Squad” letter & “Player Cut” letter). Reserves nominated and informed that they will be eligible to buy conference team shirt and tracksuit but WILL NOT go to Hull and will not be substituted unless a player pulls out, they will be invited to train and could participate in any pre Hull game or tournament.

3. Manager/Coach Selection SOUTH WEST 2008 Manager/Coach selection start 1 st July – 1 st August : South West Clubs will be invited to tender managers and coaches for selection for the 2007 – 2008 Conference season, this will be posted by the 1 st July, coaches and managers will be chosen and notified 1st August. Criteria agreed in 2005-2006 was that no coach could coach his own child, it would be preferred that managers also did not manage a team that contained their own child but exceptions would be considered on assessment. It was agreed that if we are to create an Elite club we should ensure that we establish a strict set of rules to promote best practice from our Managers and Coaches in, dress code, govern the use of alcohol and bad language, also rules to ensure that any criticism of club or fellow officers is contained to officials within the Conference. Managers could select a parent to become a parent liaison officer, to deal with ‘on the ground’ team issues.

4. Player Selection SOUTH WEST 2008 Player selection (start 1st August) : The core of known elite player’s should be pre- selected into the teams without trials, this could include England, GB and Non resident players. All players chosen to represent conference last year and returning at the same age group need not attend the first two trials - this was suggested as a way to simplify and speed up team selections to enable earlier team training and tournaments. (Managers to issue standard “Player Recommendation & Conference Player Evaluation” form). Trials. Initial trials will take the form of scrimmage to asses players in a simulated game situation. x4 trial max before squad selection, all players promptly informed at time of cut to squad. (All coaches shall use Conference Player Evaluation Forms). Training times. We shall endeavour to acquire training ice at reasonable times but accept that this is not always possible. With U17s we will endeavour to take advantage of all available Friday evening session because of player commitment issues over the weekend.

5. Player Selection (Training Squad). SOUTH WEST 2008 Training squad (November 1 st ) Players should be informed that they have been selected into the training squad, this does not mean they have been selected for the team and are still eligible to be cut when the ‘tournament team’ is selected, in accepting their place they also accept they must meet the training costs incurred by the rest of the team, (all training sessions November onwards to maximum of £100) these fee must be settled before team selection is confirmed, players not willing to pay or who do not pay by 28th Feb will not be selected into the Conference team. (Managers to issue standard “in Training Squad” letter & “Player Cut” letters, Coach to issue standard SWC Handbook) Late inclusions into the training squads after trial selection To clarify the ruling. It has been agreed in the past that If a head coach of a club asks to have a player assessed that he feel’s is ‘exceptional’ then the conference coach will asses the player concerned by invite to trial with the squads training session. Players transferring from other conferences are restricted by the transfer deadline 31st January. When players join under these circumstances will they be asked for £10 for their initial trial then if selected they will be asked for training squad back fees to a maximum of £100. Three strike rule will also apply.

6. Rules on Missed Sessions SOUTH WEST 2008 Rules on missed sessions Within the 11,13&15 age groups we establish a 3 missed session rule in 2007. The U17s are to be given more flexibility but must still pay for missed sessions and provide valid reasons. The team manager and coaches decide if the reason is valid or should be classed as a ‘MISS’, if there are, “extenuating circumstances” they will be taken into consideration as a reason for a players absence and a MISS may not be recorded.” e.g. death in the family; ill health. etc and a ‘MISS’ will not be recorded, however if it is decided that the reason is not valid the player should be informed that they have been recorded a ‘MISS’; players will be CUT after recording x3 MISS’s.... THIS WILL INCLUDE ‘SUPERSTARS’, back fill from #1 reserves. Players must inform their manager of the reasons they will not be attending a training session ASAP so that a ruling on the validity of the reason can be sought from the team staff. With the U17s this team should be given special dispensation as players have far more league and international commitments. Consistency is the key when one kid can show up for a training session from a club then so should all the others! We have seen players provide excuses for why they cannot attend yet other players from the same team have made the session this cannot happen. Parents wishing to appeal a ‘MISS’ can submit their reason for review to South West Chair, Secretary and Mentor coaches. These rules are to run from the time of training squad selection through to Hull.

7. Player Selection (Team) 1 st March or earlier. SOUTH WEST 2008 1 st March Final team selection will be chosen and submitted. Reserves will be nominated as No1 & No2 reserve, they must be informed that they will be eligible to buy conference team shirt and tracksuit but WILL NOT go to Hull and will not be substituted unless a player pulls out, they will be invited to train and could participate in any pre Hull game or tournament. (Managers to issue standard “Player in Team Squad” letter & “Player Cut” letter). Pre Hull tournament : If you have one it should not exceed £400 in cost to the parent, - All players selected MUST attend, All non attendee's that do not have an extremely good reason will be CUT from the squad. THIS MUST INCLUDE YOUR SUPERSTARS - back fill from #1 reserves. Hull tournament: Teams WILL consist of 15 players + 2 NM.

8. Player Fees SOUTH WEST 2008 Fees - We charge £10 per training session, we charge the same for all players, from squad selection onwards, so from November onwards a selected player will be charged £10 for each missed session. At this time all non UK based players selected for the Team should be informed that they have been selected to play in conference, in accepting their place they also accept they must meet the training costs incurred by the rest of the team, (all training sessions November onwards) this fee must be settled before team selection is confirmed, players not willing to pay or who do not pay by 28th Feb will not be selected.

9. SOUTH WEST PROGRAMME 2008