Ulster Representation

2011-2012

Background

The Ulster Squads have formed the middle part of the Playing Pathway from Clubs/Regional Development Squads at the bottom and High Performance at the top. They have consequently contributed to short term results and more importantly the long term development of players in Ulster.

The vision for the middle to long term is for Ulster Representation (being selected for teams) to solely be based on results as described in each age group selection policy.  Ulster Badminton are committed to improving playing structures to ensure each player that enters the sport can reach their potential.  Until such a time as we have more performance squads in operation, Ulster squad training will continue weekly on a periodic basis.  Players are also expected to commit to squad training in order to be selected for a team. 

Team events will continue to be an essential competition outlet that will sit alongside the Performance & Commitment Pathway and the Club Pathway. 

Team Events and objectives

To prepare players to achieve seasonal team objectives as set out in the relevant documents called “Ulster Team Selection Policies”

  • U17 Team – UK School Games – 1/4 Sep, Inter Counties Tournament – 12/15 April, Interpros – 31 March/1 April
  • U15 Team – Team Challenge Regional Rounds – 26/27 Nov, Team Challenge Finals – 25 March (if qualification from Regional), Celtic Challenge – 21/22 April, Interpros – 31 March/1 April
  • U13 Team – Team Challenge Regional Rounds – 26/27 Nov, Team Challenge Finals – 24 March (if qualification from Regional), Celtic Challenge – 11/12 Feb, Interpros – 31 March/1April

New from 2011-2012

Senior Team – Inter Counties Championships Division 5 Section A:

  • Ulster v Durham 3 – 26/27 Nov
  • Ulster v Cumbria 2 – 24/25 March
  • Ulster v Cheshire 3 – 10/11 March

The overall objective is to team medal at the Commonwealth Games when players compete as Northern Ireland every 4 years.  The ICC will provide excellent team competition experience as we aim to move up the Divisions into Premier A.

Duration of Programme

The Lisburn based Ulster Underage Squads (U13-U17) operate on a weekly basis for 10 weeks of the season.  The North West squads operate for 20 weeks a season.  From the squads players are selected to represent Ulster in a number of team events throughout the season.

In order to meet the objectives, Squads will be strategically organised around the events, see below:

Lisburn Ulster Squads:

  • U17 Squad – Block 1 – 10 weeks from 1st February to 4th April, UKSG Team weekend on 20th August
  • U15 Squad – Block 1 – 5 weeks from 26th October to 23rd November, Block 2 -5 weeks from 21st March to 18th April
  • U13 Squad – Block 1 – 5 weeks from 26th October to 23rd November, Block 2 – 5 weeks from 11th January to 8th February

Note: if the U13 team qualify for the Team Challenge finals then the dates for Block 2 will change to:

1st February to 8th February and 7th March to 21st March

North West Ulster Squads:

U13-U15 Squads – Block 1 – 10 weeks from 3rd October to 12th December, Block 2 – 10 weeks from 16th January to 26th March

Venues

The venue for the Lisburn Squads is the National Badminton Centre/Lisburn with the age groups training on a Wednesday night from 6-8pm.  For players based in the North West the training venue is Bready Cricket Club in Magheramason/County Londonderry.

How does a player get selected for an Ulster Squad?

Ulster Age Group Coaches and Regional Development Squad coaches nominate players based on performances/results in tournaments and various training environments from the previous season.  Selection (by the Age Group Coaches) is then taken from match play performances on the Trials night.

Trials night for Lisburn based U13 and U15 players will happen on the 21st September from 6-9pm at the National Badminton Centre/Lisburn.  For North West players, trials night is the Monday 19th & 26th September from 6-9pm.  U17 players are selected for the squad based on results from the 2011 U17 Irish Nationals and the Ulster U17 Open.

A place within the Squads will only be retained if a level of commitment is sustained and an attitude to meeting the objectives is shown.  The relevant age group coaches will be keeping a register and reasons for non-attendance.

There will be some younger players who will not be expected to train within their actual age group squad (as their performance level is deemed high) who will train within an older age group squad.  These players will still be eligible for selection for events within their own age group.  Players must be training within an age group squad to be selected to represent Ulster.

How does a player get selected for a team?

Please see Ulster Team Selection Policies for each age group

Looking ahead – 2012-2013

Only players competing in 2011-2012 tournaments will be considered for nominations for squads in 2012-2013 as squad selection will be based results/performances in these tournaments.  It is the intention that Trials night will no longer be in operation in 2012-2013.

Tom Causer Head of Performance

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