HTCECA League Policies 2026

1. Club Priorities

Current Club Structure

HTCECA currently fields the following teams:

• Two 2nd division teams
• One 3rd division team
• Lower class T20 team

Primary Objective

The top priority of the club is to promote one team to 1st division (Eerste Klasse). This team must meet the following criteria:

• 16 committed players who are available for 90% of the matches
• At least 12 of the 16 players must be available for the entire season
• The team should eventually become self-sufficient unless unforeseen circumstances arise

Secondary Objectives

For the remaining teams in 2nd and 3rd division:

• Maintain their current division status without relegation
• Groom youth and emerging talent within the club
• Play competitive cricket and strive to become champions, which is important for player motivation and engagement

Team Formation Requirements

The third team will only be formed if we have sufficient senior registrations:

• Team 1: Minimum 16 senior players
• Team 2: Minimum 12 senior players + 3 youth players
• Team 3: Minimum 11 senior players + 4 youth players

Season Success Criteria

At the end of the season, the club will be considered successful if:

• Primary target achieved: One team promoted to 1st division (Eerste Klasse)
• Acceptable outcome: No promotions, provided no teams are relegated

2. The Club Management

Overview

The club management (board and members) shall be involved before the season to establish the organizational structure and processes. Once these are accepted and voted upon, the board shall refrain from exercising their powers during the course of the league and allow the selection committee and captains to fulfill their designated roles.

The club shall only intervene if there are serious escalations that could damage the club ethically, morally, or financially.

Timeline and Responsibilities

The board's active role is until the KNCB transfer deadline: February 15th, 2026.

Board Responsibilities Before the Deadline

Before February 15th, 2026, the board is responsible for:

• Establishing the selection committee
• Setting club priorities
• Defining the roles and responsibilities of the selection committee
• Establishing operating procedures between the selection committee (SC) and team captains

Board Role During the League Season

Once the season begins, the board shall maintain a non-interference policy, allowing the selection committee and captains to operate independently within the established framework.

3. Selection Committee

Overview and Importance

The Selection Committee is the most crucial and important committee formed to oversee club priorities including promotion, grooming new talent, and player satisfaction.

The selection committee may consist of one person or a team, to be decided by the club management.

Evolution and Empowerment

Over the last few years, the role of league coordinator or selection committee has been seen primarily as an advisory position. This year, the club has decided to empower the selection committee with authoritative powers in decision-making related to team selections for every match in the league.

Pre-Season Responsibilities

Before the season begins, the Selection Committee is responsible for:

• By January 20th, 2026: Provide templates to captains for defining player roles (in consultation with players, considering availability and commitment)
• By January 30th, 2026: Finalize and announce squad selections for all 3 teams for the entire season

Note: The Selection Committee is not responsible for arranging practice matches or pre-season activities. Team captains must take ownership of these responsibilities.

During the League Season

Training Schedule

The committee shall prepare a training schedule for all teams and may occasionally leverage youth coaches (such as Fazil) for training sessions with senior players.

Match Week Selection Process

Every match week:

• Captains shall share their probable 12 players with the Selection Committee
• The Selection Committee shall review and decide if changes are needed
• The decision of the Selection Committee is final
• The committee shall use these powers judiciously and only when necessary
• Captains must be aware that the committee is authorized to make these decisions if needed

Player Satisfaction and Escalations

The Selection Committee plays a crucial role in player satisfaction across all teams:

• Players with concerns about game time shall first approach their captain
• If the captain cannot accommodate the request or provide a reasonable explanation, the issue shall be escalated to the Selection Committee
• The Selection Committee shall address such situations within the boundaries of league rules

Cross-Team Player Movement

The committee recognizes that Team 1 may have 16 highly talented players, and on any given day, 5 of them could potentially strengthen other teams. However, this can have negative consequences for players in those teams. Therefore, captains of respective teams must have the autonomy to select their playing 11 and use their squad effectively.

4. Captains of the Teams

Team Assignment

Captains shall be assigned to their respective teams at the beginning of the season.

Captain Selection Criteria

Captains shall be chosen based on their ability to understand and prioritize club objectives. All team captains must demonstrate the capacity to place club needs above individual and team needs.

Additionally, captains shall possess the ability to:

• Take responsibility for pre-season activities and practice matches
• Reduce the burden of responsibility on the Selection Committee
• Manage their squad effectively throughout the season

Pre-Season Responsibilities

By January 20th, 2026, captains shall:

• Define player roles in consultation with each player
• Consider player availability and commitment levels
• Submit role assignments to the Selection Committee
• Organize practice matches and pre-season training

During the League Season

Team Selection Authority

Captains have the authority and responsibility to:

• Select their playing 11 from their assigned squad
• Develop and execute plans to use their squad effectively
• Share their probable 12 players with the Selection Committee each match week

Player Management

Captains shall serve as the first point of contact for:

• Players seeking more game time
• Squad rotation and management decisions
• Providing explanations for selection decisions
• If unable to resolve concerns, escalation to the Selection Committee

Relationship with Selection Committee

Captains must understand that:

• The Selection Committee has final authority on team selections
• The committee's decisions are binding
• The committee shall generally not intervene unless necessary
• Open communication with the Selection Committee is encouraged

5. Operating Procedures

Key Timeline

Weekly Match Procedure

1. Captain submits probable 12: Each captain shares their probable 12 players for the upcoming match with the Selection Committee
2. Committee review: Selection Committee reviews submissions and determines if changes are necessary
3. Final decision: Selection Committee communicates final decisions to captains
4. Team announcement: Captain announces the final playing 11 to the team

Escalation Protocol

1. Player to Captain: Player raises concern about game time with their captain
2. Captain resolution: Captain attempts to accommodate or provides reasonable explanation
3. Escalation to SC: If unresolved, captain escalates to Selection Committee
4. SC decision: Selection Committee addresses the situation within league rules
5. Board intervention (rare): Only in cases of ethical, moral, or financial damage to the club

Authority Hierarchy During League Season

• Day-to-day operations: Team Captains
• Final selection decisions: Selection Committee
• Training schedule: Selection Committee
• Critical escalations: Club Management (Board)

Communication Principles

• Transparency in all decision-making processes
• Timely communication of selections and changes
• Respect for the established hierarchy
• Focus on club priorities: promotion, player development, and satisfaction