Recruit phase: Why we have it
Every team has their own criteria for membership. Some teams take all applicants, some only take those with a certain level of experience, and some only from a certain background. Some have a trainee or probationary period, some do not. I have not heard of many teams that have a formal training phase like we do however.
As a senior recruit on the team I have made the following observations and conclusions about some of the reasons that our recruit phase exists in the structured manner that it does.
On field it is so that we all have the same minimum level of comfort with required skills such as moving, covering, and communications. We learn what we are expected to do when moving or when teammates are moving. What our expected role is when the unexpected happens. How to pass on information to each other in a clear manner whether it is via radio or through hand signals. Without learning these basics we are unorganized targets of opportunity for the opposition.
As a Crimson Sabre your actions will
represent all of us, past, present, and
future. During the recruit phase we
see how you react on and off the field.
This shows how you will represent us
and the sport. Some of the behaviour
that reflects on us includes your
sportsmanship, the effort you put into
tasks, your ability to work with others,
and the desire to develop your skills.