The season is coming to an end. This is the time for all clubs to determine the team rosters for the new season. On June 11 all teams for the next season have to be registered with the federation. An exciting period, which always raises many questions. Together with KNHB competition manager Yvette van der Horst, we will guide you through the most important questions.
Yvette, what happens after June 11?
‘June 11 is the deadline for all clubs to sign up teams. By that date, all clubs must register their teams for seniors, juniors and youngest youth. For some teams, clubs must also submit the composition of the team. Since last year we have also added a period after registration in which clubs can still make changes to those submitted team compositions. This can be done until June 15. After that the entries are final and we can start with the group allocation at the KNHB.’
What does such a team composition entail? And why is it important for the classification to be submitted to the KNHB?
‘I will try to explain that. First of all, almost all youth teams look different than the season before. That is logical, of course, because players move on to a new category. With the O18, O16 and O14 teams, we use the team composition to determine the strength of a team and then classify them in the right class, with equal-sized opponents. We call that strength, in jargon, the “rating. For example, a team composition of a MO16-1 might look like this: seven from MO16-1 from the old season, five from MO14-1 and two from MO16-2.’
Can you briefly explain again what that rating means?
‘Every team receives a number of points for the final ranking in its class at the end of the season. Players from that team, in our system, take those points into next season’s classification. So in an Under 16-1 there are players who already played there last season. But also players from for example the Under 16-2 and Under 14-1 from last season. Each player receives a value that is linked to the final ranking of the team in which he/she played last season. The average of these yields the team’s rating, which we use for classification. We apply this principle to the Under-18, -16 and -14. The grouping of the Under-11 and O12 youth is made on the basis of the registration of the club.’
Rotterdam Girls Under 18-1. Photo: Renske van Vugt
What influence do clubs have on that classification?
‘Clubs can pass on their wishes but in principle the classification in the mentioned categories is based on the rating. With broad teams this can be looked at more flexibly than with performance teams. Especially in national competitions the rating is decisive. We cannot guarantee that we can meet all wishes. We do ask clubs to be as careful as possible, especially when specifying the team composition. We advise you not to let one person do the team composition, but to let multiple people watch and to build in control layers. After June 15 it is no longer possible to make changes to this or to correct mistakes.’
Next season will be the first time the Under 11 competition will be played. Do you have any tips that clubs should take into account when registering?
‘First of all, of course, it is nice that players play field hockey as much as possible in the age category in which they belong. But also look at what suits your club best. Large clubs can often register teams in all categories. If you have fewer players, it is extra good to take a closer look at the options and flexibility we offer. In the Under-11 you play in nines and in the Under-12 you play as a team. Under-11 players of Under-12 age are also allowed. Of course, players from Under-11 may also play in the Under-12.’
Are there any other changes to consider?
‘Yes. Since this year it is possible to put together a team with three different clubs, in case of extreme shortages. Until this season, this was only possible with two clubs. Clubs interested in this can contact the league management or read further on the league website.’
HDM Boys Under14-1 during last season’s NK. Photo: Rob Römer
With classifications, travel time always comes up. To what extent is this taken into account?
‘If you play in the national league or as a standard team, you regularly end up outside your district. At every level we try to take travel time into account, but often the higher you play, the greater the distances become and the more the rating determines the classifications. This issue is definitely a concern. But in sparsely populated field hockey regions like Zeeland and South Limburg, it is impossible to fill leagues of their own. As a result, teams from those regions often end up in areas adjacent to them.’
Finally, of course. When can we expect the classifications?
‘In July, all preliminary classifications will be shared with the clubs. Three weeks before the start of the league, the final classifications are announced, including the match schedules.’
by Hockey.nl
