Top 4 grades
The top 4 Grades (A1, A2, B1 & B2) are graded based on performance (typically previous season stats), ability, a view to the future development of the player within the Club, and team balance (ie ensuring there is a good spread of batting & bowling resources to allow teams to be competitive).
The A1 and A2 grades will typically be comprised of a squad of approximately 24 full time players. All players in this squad are expected to be available for either team as selected throughout the season.
Remaining grades
Grades C1 and below are selected on similar criteria, with the addition of:
- Player ratings from the Association
- Allowance for playing with mates
- Player goals (eg younger players triving to push up the grades)
Other guidelines:
- Fathers & sons / mothers & daughters are encouraged, particularly for groups new to Seniors
- As we have a good number of older players (say 45+ years), efforts will be made to spread the older players with higher ratings across lower grades to balance experience and mentor younger players
- While we encourage keeping mates together, we are keen to ensure all players integrate into the Club. We promote knowledge sharing from experienced players as well as foster an environment where players may occasionally need to fill-in with other teams throughout the season
Club Player Surveys have confirmed that the strongest reason for playing is to play with mates. So, we’ve tried our best to make that happen, whilst also ansuiring that the teams work.
However we do not choose the grades that each team plays. The Association weighs that up against all the teams submitted by other clubs, ensuring that teams are placed in grades with similar standard players. We don’t know the grades until mid-September
One of the reasons that WPHCCC has been so successful (and grown so large) over the years is that, when you play for WPHCCC, you play for a club rather than an individual team.
Whatever level you are at, there’s a great team there, waiting for you. And as that changes, there’s enough fluidity and options to find a new great team for you, to fit your new needs.
During the season we will need to shuffle players around to fill gaps and make sure all teams are able to compete. Embrace those opportunities! These may be next year’s team mates that you’re playing with.
