Friendship Player Eligibility
In order to be eligible to become a friendship player for another state, players must have registered and trialled unsuccessfully for their respective home state. Players who choose NOT to trial for their respective home states will be ineligible to be considered as friendship players. Players wishing to be eligible as friendship players are required to register their interest online within the specified time frames as set forth by BA. At the completion of the registration process registered players will form the friendship player selection pool. In making themselves available, those players are committing themselves to represent the relevant state and the costs associated with that representation.
Friendship Player Selection
The Head of High Performance (HHP) will liaise with the requesting team’s High Performance Manager (HPM) in regard to friendship player requirements. Once established the HHP will consult with State HPM’s and gather relevant information about players listed within the friendship player selection pool. The HHP and respective National Team Head Coach will complete selection of friendship players. If considered for a friendship position, players will be contacted directly by BA. Once a friendship player is selected, they are able to come back to represent their home state up until a reasonable date set by BA prior to the tournament. This date will take into consideration being able to find a player to replace the original appointed player and make any necessary changes to flights and other relevant details. The relevant State Associations will be notified of the selections and provided two (2) days to lodge a valid objection for not providing a clearance. Should an objection not be forthcoming within the specified timeframe, players shall be regarded as cleared. Should the State Association refuse clearance, BA will seek the reasons for such a refusal and seek to resolve any issues to the satisfaction of all parties. BA retains the right to ultimately provide clearance or refuse clearance to any players making themselves available as Friendship Players.
Applications close at 5pm AEST, 2 February 2018.