Methodology

1. Identity the key points of concern

From survey feedback forms and other correspondence to PNZ, the key points of concern about the current selection process were:

• Adhere to policy

• Fairness

• Communication

• Transparency

• Certainty

• Conflict of Interest

2. Establish criteria

Based on these points, the Council established a set of criteria that a selection process should meet:

• Fairness:

  • Open entry process, which all players can attain

  • Information on the process accessible to all players via a range of communication modes

  • All players treated the same, go through same process

  • Early notification of selection to allow for planning

• Transparency

  • Clear and measurable entry requirement (people know what they have to do to get into the process, e.g. participation in a national tournament within the previous year; seeding points/ranking), and exit point (players know when they are not in contention)

  • Provision for feedback incorporated

  • Nominated tournaments will be confirmed

  • No room for manipulation of results/outcomes

• Certainty

  • No change in policy part way through the process

  • Applicable to all selection situations

  • Continued communication

3. Assess Options

Eight proposals for a future selection process were submitted to PNZ from a range of individuals, Associations and Clubs. They covered a range of processes, including self-selected team-based; players and/or teams selected by regions; only minor variations on the current process.

Note: A number of the proposals received were aimed solely at selecting a team for the World Championships. They would not work for tournaments that are not triples-based and require larger squads with various combinations, such as the Asian championships and Trans Tasman challenge.

The proposals were assessed and scored individually against the above eleven criteria. The current selection process was also included in this evaluation. Up to 5 points were available for each factor, depending on how well the proposal rated against that criteria.

4. Results

5. Decisions

At the conclusion of this evaluation, it was agreed that there were a number of components from each of the highest scoring proposals that should be included in any future selection process. Further planning for this will be done for the 2008 season onwards.

It was agreed that in view of the strong advocacy for a team-based system for selecting the team for the world championships, this method would be trialled for a couple of years. The current selection-based system would be retained for all other tournaments, but with amendments to provide more equity and transparency.

Barbara Whittington

Secretary PNZ

1 December 2006