International Selection Committee and Junior Selection Committee

Changed on 14-Feb-2024 13:13:41 by John McMorrow authorized by AGM 2023

AGM 2023 in September 2023

1. The Irish Chess Union is required under its Constitution to fulfil Ireland's international chess obligations. The task of selecting individuals and teams to represent their country is delegated to special sub-committees known as the International Selection Committee (ISC) and the Junior Selection Committee (JSC).

2. The ISC consists of no more than six individuals who should be appointed by the Executive Committee between the AGM and 31 December in even-numbered years. The term of office of the ISC is two years: from 1 January in odd-numbered years to 31 December in even-numbered years. The Junior Officer shall nominate JSC candidates for appointment by the Executive Committee.

3. The ISC shall select the players and captains for the Irish Open team and the Irish Women's team for the Olympiad and shall select the team and captains for any other events for which it is requested to perform that function by the ICU while the JSC selects individuals and teams for junior events commencing between 1 January of its first year and 31 December of its second year. Permission to select for events commencing after the latter date must be sought from the Executive Committee.

4. Any vacancies arising in the ISC or JSC may be filled by the Executive Committee, or allowed to continue as they see fit.

5. The chairperson of the ISC is appointed by the Executive Committee while the chairperson of the JSC is appointed by the ICU Junior Officer.

6. The ISC and JSC should each appoint one of its members to act as secretary; he/she may also be the chairperson. The secretary's duties include: a. Maintaining contact information on top players. b. Receiving tournament notifications from the ICU secretary. c. Entering into such correspondence with players and organising federations as is required. d. Informing players of their selection in writing and confirming their availability. e. Informing the ICU secretary of selections and availability in writing.

7. The Executive Committee retains the right of veto over decisions made by the ISC with regard to (a) selection of individuals for individual events, and (b) selection of teams for team events. In the latter case the team is treated as a unit, and can only be accepted or rejected en bloc. Players should be informed that their selection is subject to Executive Committee approval.

8. Eligibility for selection: all individuals considered for selection should be registered ICU members. The chairperson should obtain an updated list of members from the Membership Officer in advance of each meeting. Where the meeting takes place within three months of the commencement of a new membership year, membership in the preceding year may be accepted as sufficient.

9. The detailed rules governing eligibility are set out here for senior events and here for junior events.

10. Any queries relating to eligibility of players should be referred to the Executive Committee (or in cases of urgency the Chairperson) together with any relevant documentation.

11. The ISC and JSC should meet as often as is necessary to transact its business. Online meetings are permitted and encouraged provided this is acceptable to all members of that particular sub-committee. A written report on each meeting, detailing the conclusions of the committee but not the reasons for them, should be submitted to the ICU secretary. The quorum for each meeting is three. Travel expense claims should be submitted to the ICU treasurer.

12. The objective of the ISC shall be to select the strongest team possible for the Irish Open and Irish Women's teams for each Olympiad.

13. Canvassing of the ISC by players (or on behalf of players) is not permitted. Canvassing of either the ISC or players by captaincy applicants (or on behalf of captaincy applicants) is not permitted. The ISC reserves the right to exclude a player or captaincy applicant from the selection process if, in the view of the ISC, the breach of this rule is sufficiently material to justify exclusion.

14. A member of the ISC shall recuse themselves from any discussions or decisions of the ISC in relation to applicants for selection (whether as players or captain) where the member of the ISC has a material conflict of interest which would, or would be likely to, influence the decision making of the member of the ISC.