Interland Selections

[Big Jon]

Hmmmm Hocolite you could be a bit more careful in your proof checking:

"When my junior has his chance (pre Start selection) it was a great experience as he travelled as part of a GB team which ranged from him as as 13 year old up to the 60's."
and
"Generally the selections are not all the top juniors so some get that chance to don an England shirt and sweatshirt."

So is it an English or a GB team? Or does it mean the same to you? Or are you just careless in the same way London papers are because you don't understand??

[Big Jon]

Hmmm Hocolite - you could be a bit more careful with your proof checking:

"When my junior has his chance (pre Start selection) it was a great experience as he travelled as part of a GB team which ranged from him as as 13 year old up to the 60's."

and
" Generally the selections are not all the top juniors so some get that chance to don an England shirt and sweatshirt."

So is the team GB or English? Or does it mean the same to you as it seems to for London papers??

[RJ]

It is clear from my original posting and subsequent replies that the selection criteria for Interland is potentially very confusing. Although the outcome of all the 'analysis' is that the criteria boils down to the fact that the SINGLE M/W18 places will not go to a member of the Junior Squad. That would appear to be 'overkill' when there are 12 other junior places to be filled.

The Start Squad appears to provide the M/W16 places, with the M/W14s having 'new' names appearing. I would ask the selectors to make the situation clear for next year. It is important that 'all' juniors get the chance to be selected, particularly if there are going to be 'selection' races, where the impression is that a 'B' team may be in line for a place on the team. It is important not to discourage and 'sicken' aspiring juniors by having a less than transparent selection process.

The selectors may feel they are doing the job right.... and they are undoubtedly doing it in an honest and straightforward way... as they see it. But I would ask them to please take on board that the future of our sport relies on our juniors always feeling that they are being treated fairly. Make changes for 2009 to address the disquiet.

[NeilC]

Being in the Start Squad (at least at 14/15) doesn't actually guarantee selection for any representative team. They (at least in England) still have to perform in selection races to get to compete at Interland / JHI and even to get on tour. This seems quite reasonable and allows those not in the Start Squad to compete for team/tour places. It is clear though that a bit more clarity is required as to who is eligible to compete for what places.

[graeme]

So is the team GB or English? Or does it mean the same to you as it seems to for London papers??

I'm afraid hocolite is right, the interland team is England, others are GB.

Anyway, cheer yourself up by visiting the orienteeringengland site and reading the news headlines:

"SHI 2008 Report and Results"
"Close Finish in VHI 2008"
"JHI Results - England take overall win!"

Graeme

"The glorious English team took the silver while the Capitalist Scots running-dogs languished in the bottom four"

[Spookster]

"The glorious English team took the silver while the Capitalist Scots running-dogs languished in the bottom four"

You are right, it's a bit biased isn't it?

Meanwhile, over at the SOA website:

England’s teams as usual ran very consistently and got us very worried. But, with the help of an English disqualification, we managed to match them.

Now that's much more objective.

[Ant Jones]

Careful Graeme you might be too Scottish biased and receive an official warning