27-03-2014, 12:07 AM
JRedpath Wrote:Alex McFarlane Wrote:I see they Coulw comments have been made on the selectors. Without actually looking up who they are I assume that, as in the past, they could be regarded as automatic choices.
In Scotland we have a limited number of people willing to do things. Forming a selection panel is not easy. Ideally you do not want people who are likely to be considered but when you look at those in contention for places in the European team then we have to go quite a way down the grading list before we would come to suitable candidates for a selection committee.
I think it is the lesser of two evils therefore to have one or two strong players whose inclusion is near certain on the committee than to go down to below 2000 for selectors.
I don't really think the fact they could be regarded as automatic is a reason for them to be on selection panel, it is just not morally right. You don't get the best footballers selecting themselves for the national side or in any other sport!
You also don't need strong players on the selection panel, anyone is capable of looking at results, activity etc and making an informed decision on who deserves a place.
Like it or not having players in contention on the panel leads to bias, intended or not. Ideally the panel should be completely independent with no personal links to those in contention.
Perhaps so, but this year's selection has been done differently apparently as Elaine pointed out...
ebamber Wrote:Joe makes a good point about the selection process as a whole - there is clearly a potential conflict of interest in having some of the strongest Scottish players on the selection committee. This was clearly why John Shaw abstained from involvement in the selection of the olympiad team. In my opinion this was the right thing to do. On the other hand the captaincy of the olympiad open team was unilaterally decided by Andy M - who has insisted on going himself despite serious concerns being raised by multiple selected members of the team.