Unified National Training Program

This Selection Policy document (herein referred to as “The Policy”) shall comprise of the agreement between the National Ice Hockey Athlete (herein referred to as “The Athlete”) and the Singapore Ice Hockey Association (herein referred to as “SIHA”), which is the National Sport Association for the authority and governance of the sport of ice hockey in Singapore.

The Selection Committee (SC) comprises of the following members:

1. The SC is responsible for the selection of athletes for the Men’s and Women’s National Teams. They will assess athletes based on performance, fitness, commitment, and other criteria outlined below.
2. The SC reserves the discretion to qualify athletes for selection trial even if the attendance criteria have not been met. This would usually apply to athletes who have represented in previous editions of Major Games or International Competitions (herein referred to as “Ex-Nat Team”). It must be emphasised that Ex-Nat Team Athletes will be assessed in the same manner as current squad athletes during selection trials.
3. The SC operates independently and is responsible for ensuring an objective and transparent process for selecting the interim and final squads.

a. Athletes who are Singapore Citizens must hold a valid Singapore passport. Athletes above 22 years old should not be holding dual citizenship at the time of nomination.

b. Athletes must be an active member of the Singapore Ice Hockey Association (SIHA) and comply with all criteria set by SNOC, IIHF, and SportSG.

a. Athletes must be able to demonstrate the technical skills and tactical understanding needed to compete at an elite level.

b. Performance will be assessed through participation in try-outs, camps, and international competitions.

a. Athletes must demonstrate physical readiness and meet the minimum fitness standard, achieving a grade of “GOOD & above” for the beep test, along with other sport-specific physical benchmarks (Annex A).

b. Continuous assessments will be conducted to ensure athletes maintain the physical conditioning required for international competition.

a. Athletes must commit to at least 80% attendance at all national training sessions. Exceptions will be made for valid reasons like injury, overseas commitments, or academic/work-related issues. They must notify the SC in writing. The SC will consider these factors on a case-by-case basis when making final decisions.

b. Athletes must be available for national events, including the SEA Games, IIHF World Championships, and other major tournaments. Consistent participation in these events is mandatory for selection.

a. Performance during national team try-outs and training camps is crucial. Athletes are expected to demonstrate readiness in both skill and fitness through regular evaluations.

b. Athletes will be evaluated across both on-ice activities (game performance, tactics) and off-ice conditioning (physical fitness, teamwork).

a. Athletes showing leadership and positive influence in the team settings will be highly valued. All athletes must demonstrate these traits on and off the ice.

b. Maintaining a positive attitude and team spirit is essential. Athletes with negative or disruptive behaviours may be removed from consideration.

a. An interim squad of up to 35 players will be selected 6 months prior to SEA Games 2025, based on evaluations from try-outs and training.

b. The final squad will be announced no later than 11 September 2025 before the tournament, following an updated assessment.

c. The Selection Committee reserves the right to change or replace players for the team before the SEA Games team managers meeting.

d. The replacement athletes must have been nominated in the long list and selected by SNOC for the respective event. Athlete replacement after the Entry By Name deadline is also subject to the approval of the SEA Games Organising Committee in accordance to their late athlete replacement policy.

a. All members of the Selection and Appeals Committees must disclose any conflict of interest (e.g., relationships with players, coaches, or clubs.)

b. Members with conflicts of interest must recuse themselves from relevant decisions (e.g. voting, participating in, or influencing the selection process)

c. For any enquiries regarding the policy, they can made in writing to inquiries@siha.org.sg

Overseas-based players will be eligible to be considered for selection if they have been a regular member of the national squad before playing overseas. Overseas based criteria will depend on a number of factors:

1. Time away in overseas.
2. Standard of overseas competition.
3. Previous position/ranking within the team before going overseas.
4. Commitment to national program (before and after playing overseas).
5. Availability and capability to adjust to playing style and strategies of national team.

a. Athletes have to abide by the code of conduct listed in the SIHA’s athlete agreement and SNOC’s team membership agreement.

b. If athletes exhibit behaviour before, during and after the SEA Games that maybe considered damaging to the image of Singapore team. The matter will be reported to SNOC and SIHA Disciplinary Committee. The athlete may have to take responsibility for the total cost of the event (travel, hospitality and entry fees). There may be further action such as suspension from future local and overseas competitions based on the severity of the incident.

All athletes are required to comply with SIHA’s Code of Ethics, which is integrated into the Athlete Agreement. Non-compliance may result in disqualification from the selection process.

a. Failure to adhere to the Code of Ethics may constitute grounds for expulsion.

b. Evidence from training records or reports that an athlete is not training and/or following their training plan may constitute grounds for expulsion.

c. The following shall constitute immediate expulsion:

1. Exhibition of violence towards SIHA officials, members of the SC, coaches, parents, other athletes and/or other stakeholders.
2. Exhibition of vulgarities towards SIHA officials, members of the SC, coaches, parents, other athletes and/or other stakeholders.
3. Any actions deemed disrespectful to and harms the national image of Singapore and the image and reputation of SIHA.

a. Appeal against the non-selection must be made in writing to inquiries@siha.org.sg within three (3) calendar days of the announcement of the players selected.

b. The sole ground for any appeal is that the selection process was not properly followed.

c. The appeal committee will respond to the appeal within 5 workdays.

d. An appeal must be made in writing with supporting documentation and must be accompanied by a deposit of S$150.00, payable to Singapore Ice Hockey Association. If the appeal is successful, the deposit will be refunded in full.

e. The Appeal Committee (comprising of members different from those on the Selection Committee) to investigate the issues of the appeal with all involved parties.

f. SIHA will, in writing, inform all parties about the Appeal Committee’s decision to either uphold or reject the appeal. The decision of the Appeal Committee will be final and no further correspondence will be entertained.

For athletes under 18 years old, parental or guardian consent is required to participate in trials, training camps, and competitions.

a. The Singapore team should currently be ranked 3rd or higher among the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games countries. Teams who miss the qualifying standard marginally but show potential to equal or surpass it in time for the Games.

b. All achievements submitted for consideration should have taken place at international competitions sanctioned by the International and/or Regional controlling bodies, but NSAs may submit the achievements from overseas championships and meets of athletes studying in overseas tertiary institutions. These have to be properly accredited and sanctioned to be accepted.

c. All achievements should be achieved from 3rd February 2025 up to 5th September 2025, which is 2 weeks before the 19 September 2025 Entry by Name deadline, as the nominations have to be submitted to the SNOC Appeals Committee for approval before the deadline.

d. Pursuant to the Olympic Charter (By laws to Rules 27 and 28, paragraph 2.1), “Selection shall be based not only on the sports performance of an athlete but also on his ability to serve as an example to the sporting youth of his country.”

e. Selection by the SIHA alone does not guarantee qualification for the Games.