We are developing a number of policies to help guide how we run our teams and trainings. Please find a list below.
Please find our Club Constitution here.
Teams that represent Throwbots will be selected by a member or group of members appointed by the Throwbots Dodgeball Club Incorporated Board. These members will be clearly identified at the time of the announcement of the fixtures. For larger tournaments (Nationals, API) this should include at least two members, but preferably three, including one male and one female member.
At major competitions (Nationals, API) we will be selecting Ranked Teams. This means that we will be choosing a top team, second team, etc. For smaller, local competitions (North Island Premier League, etc), we will be selecting Equal Teams. This means that we will endeavour to make evenly matched teams.
Players who wish to form teams to play for Throwbots, but outside of this selection criteria (ie they want to pick their own teams, either with Throwbots players or non-Throwbots players) will need to discuss this with the Throwbots Dodgeball Club Incorporated Board. Permission may be granted but may not be granted if it impacts the club's ability to field other teams. This can include taking a club member away from a Top Team at a major competition, or leaving Throwbots unable to field another team of its own. Within reason, however, these requests will be granted. Please see Player Loan Policy for more information on playing on teams outside of Throwbots.
Teams that represent Throwbots or its affiliates will be selected based on a clear set of criteria, in the following order:
First priority will be given to any registered member of Throwbots Dodgeball Club Incorporated. Other players may play with us if we do not have enough of our own registered members. Intention to play at a tournament needs to be communicated early and status made clear (Yes, No, or Maybe - with more details).
Attendance at Trainings: it is important that we foster commitment to teams and teamplay. We will be taking attendance at trainings and this will play a major part in team selection. If you are unable to make trainings, please let the person running the training know and a justified absence can be recorded. Also something that will be taken into account at this level of selection, is the player's history of playing with Throwbots, if applicable.
Attitude & Team Fit: How you interact with your teammates at trainings, leagues and tournaments is an important factor. We are trying to foster the correct mindset amongst our team and would prefer players that work together (and know how to complement others) over skilled players who play individually.
Decision Making Skill: Regardless of individual skils, we will select players who make good decisions (whether or not to throw, moving back and forward as necessary, protecting teammates).
Defensive Skill Level: All other things being equal we will take people who have developed their survivability skills (Blocking, Dodging & Catching)
Offensive Skill Level: We will then look at offensive skillsets (accuracy, timing, velocity - in that order) when picking teams.
Any club member will need to declare their desire to be selected for a team soon after that event is shared with the group. Players who declare their intentions to play with a team after a deadline to do so, may be considered if it allows us to give more playing time to the players who declared their intention in a timely manner.
Any club member who is being considered can (and should) be discussing their status of each of these criteria with the selection committee or any coaches within the club. One of our values is Growth Mindset and we want to encourage our members to take a proactive role in their development.
Teams will ideally consist of 8 players, but exceptions will be made if numbers dictate that some won't be able to play on the teams . We endeavour to get everyone playing time and experience as we know that is a key factor in developing skills and experience, but recognise that sometimes we will not be able to do so.
Throwbots will endeavour to field teams at all competitions that our members would like to participate. However, there will be times when we are unable to do this. There will also be times when players want to play with non-Throwbots members. Our goal is to develop our athletes so we want to allow these to happen, as long as it is not a detriment to the other Throwbots members.
It is the expectation that if Throwbots are entering a team into a competition that the club reserves the right to all of its players at the beginning of the team selection process. There are a few cases where Throwbots will be grant an athlete an exception to play with another team or club.
If Throwbots are unable to place all interested players in a team, players may organise their own participation in another team (either one that is outside the club structure, or with another club). This needs to be communicated, in writing, to the Throwbots Dodgeball Club Incorporated Board at least one month in advance of the entry deadline for that event. Once a player commits and is selected to a team, they will not be able to change their mind to play for someone else (they may, however, decide not to play at all).
Players may play in one division for Throwbots to fulfil their obligation to play for the club, and then discuss playing with another team. This may occur especially if we are unable to field multiple mixed teams.
While Throwbots players are still eligible to play for other teams, we encourage them to build up team synergy at training sessions and tournaments to level up together. The key is ope communication with captains, coaches and board members if you are unhappy with the current team situation.