District Selection

Tennis Dumfries & Galloway are invited every year to enter a team into the Scottish Inter-District Team Championships, which usually runs during the Easter holidays and is a residential event with players staying onsite for 2 or 3 nights. Teams consist of 2 boys and 2 girls in each of the age groups. In 2023 it was 12u, 15u, 18u and in 2024 it was 12u and 16u. District squads represent the first tier of the National performance pathway, with many District squad players continue to progress to County Cup selection for South of Scotland County.

Our selection criteria is listed below.

SCOTTISH INTER-DISTRICT TEAM SELECTION CRITERIA 2025

The Tennis Dumfries & Galloway Selection Committee, comprising of Colin Kennedy (Chairman), Lister McKiddie (Secretary), Geoff Legg (Treasurer) and Michael Goldie (League & Competition Secretary and Lead Coach) and they are responsible for making the player selection, based on the following criteria:

DISTRICT TRAINING SELECTION – (18U – 2007 to 2011, 15U – 2010 to 2012 & 12U – 2013 to 2014)

(These years will change every year when the document is reviewed.)

The training sessions will usually be from October to March before the event, which runs in April during the Easter holidays.

Players of the above age groups will be selected for training sessions based on the criteria below:

  • Top 2 or 3 players based on age parameters above, boys and girls. Selection for training is based on ranking points at the end of September and they will automatically be invited to train,

If additional number can be accommodated at a venue, then we will continue to select through the ranking points at the time of selection, up to 18 players maximum and they will be made aware that only 12 players can be selected for the event,

  • Additional players can be selected based on performance and application in previous district training sessions, 
  • Player’s results at National/Regional tournaments,
  • Player’s commitments to playing tournaments regular with encouraging results.

DISTRICT SELECTION – (18U – 2007 to 2011, 15U – 2010 to 2012 & 12U – 2013 to 2014)

Players of the above age groups will be selected for the district team based on the following, if available:

  • Top 2 players per age groups within their year born parameter, 2 boys and 2 girls in each, based on ranking points at time of selection will automatically be invited first.
  • Team selection date will be based on the results to include the last weekend in December 29th, with these results being calculated on the Friday after this (3rd January 2025). That gives us a further 3 months to work with just the selected team players plus invited reserve players to make up team practice, but players will be asked in December if they are available for selection during the event dates,
  • If any of the top 4 are unavailable, boys or girls, then a wildcard selection will be made based on either,  
  • The next players in the ranking form table can be considered,
  • A player with good performances and/or results at National/Regional tournaments,
  • A player’s commitments to playing tournaments or district league matches with good results,
  • A player who in the past has performed well in previous events or training sessions but may have missed parts of the season through injury, exam periods or other personal reasons.

We are fully aware that the current ranking points system doesn’t always work well with this event. Players gather points by playing in competitions as long as they get a win. This could mean an 11 or 12 year-old player sitting top of the 18s and under ranking table if the older players haven’t played as many events.

Therefore, to keep the team age groups as strong as possible, players will be prioritised in their relevant playing age group and only asked to play up if that suits the strength of the team.

We would also say;

  • We expect the highest standards of behaviour both on and off the court. Player’s behaviour not only at training sessions but, at all tournaments and events during the previous 12 months will be taken into consideration when making selections.
  • Player’s effort, work ethics, commitment and dedication will be an important consideration,
  • An ability to be a supportive and cooperative team player and a positive ambassador to our Dumfries & Galloway District Team will be essential.

Created 5th January 2023 – Updated 7th June 2024, then next review is October 2025.