Trial athletes are assessed against the five selection criteria.

Their stage of development and birthdate is recognised as well as their athleticism (speed/agility/endurance).

The athlete’s skills are assessed as is their game sense and involvement rate. Their application and attitude are assessed as part of their coachability and stage of learning assessment.

Please remember that final selection is a choice not only against the selection criteria but through comparisons and alternative athlete choices and to established State level standards.  

Approximately 25 – 20 in each age group U16 or U18 in each gender and for both North (30) and South Qld (30) subjective to standards.

That is approx. 120 (60M/60F) x U16’s and 120 x U18s.  

Please remember that final selection is a choice not only against the selection criteria but through comparisons and alternative athlete choices and to established State level standards. 

The final SPP squad is a mixture of both bottom and top age athletes and not restricted to the oldest in each age group. Selectors look closely at bottom age athletes and athletes with a late month DOB.

Of a squad of 30 at least a third is bottom age in SPP but this varies and depends on those who try out and their specific attributes and abilities.  

Yes. Selection panels & BQ staff watch regional and state competition games regularly and annually across U14, U16 & U18 age groups in both South and North QLD.

Prior knowledge and observation of athletes in competition and programs then also comes into consideration. Over time athletes are seen regularly over two to three years. Game statistics from BQ competitions is also referenced but are not the main assessment data. Late developers and players new to the sport are also noted. 

Only as a reference for standard but SPP selection is focused on the individual up for selection not the rep team.

The focus is on the individual not the team results. The standard and results of your rep team are an indicator of comparative standard of teams but not of individuals.

An individual’s game sense and skill level are only two of the selection criteria. Some bottom age players may be not playing a lot because of their age or stage of development. These things are also noted when watching rep teams.  

Of course, that is recognised! However, the objectives of the SPP are also clearly stated and the “best” player is really only a subjective judgement based on that team solely.

SPP selection is a merit-based process with performance attributes identified through the selection criteria.

Ultimately the SPP is a development program which is also designed to identify not only the best players but ultimately the best team and the right team to participate at an AJC with a long-term view for talent development to national standards.