Attendance at trials

Any new player looking to be selected for any England team must attend one of the regional trials in order to be selected.

Unable to attend regionals trials?

In exceptional circumstances if a new or existing England player cannot make one of the regional trials the selection committee can invite them straight to the final trial. The player must contact the selection committee with their reasons and playing history for consideration.

Any existing or previous England player that is not in the UK at the time of regional and final trials can provide supplementary evidence for trialling for example a DVD. It is then for the consideration of the selection committee and coaches to determine if they are to be selected. This is not an option for new players. 

This year all Opens players do not need to attend the regional trials if they intend to trial for Opens teams but must attend the final trial.  If they cannot attend the final trial they must attend one of the regional trials in order to be eligible for selection.

Players will be selected in the teams that the selectors believe they are best suited to while bearing in mind what the "preferred" team is that the player wish to play in.

Change of country representation

Under FIT rules a player cannot be selected to play for England if they have represented another country in an international competition within the last three years. Represented means an individual selected on the basis of merit through a formal selection process, listed on the player registration sheet for a Member country participating in international competition. This player is deemed to have represented that country.

You can only make ONE change of country and there is NO reversal process. Both countries also have to agree to the initial change and then inform FIT.

Eligibility criteria
In order to be eligible to be selected this year the players must satisfy the following criteria (by 22nd July 2010):
• be English Born OR,
• have an ancestry visa and have been resident for at least the last two years OR,
• have been resident for the past three years.
You will need to provide evidence to support this - a passport if possible. Residency means continuous domicile in a country except for short periods of absence away from the normal place of residence for holidays and the like.

Affiliation
Player’s trailing can only do so if they play in currently affiliated leagues and DO NOT take part (player, referee, coaching and venue manager) at an unaffiliated league/competition.

Some smaller leagues / social events may fall outside of the affiliation requirements. Any player with a query in this respect should contact Steven Cleary steve@englandtouch.org.uk who manages ETA membership.