There will be three sets of trials for selection for the EP IPT (Inter-Provincial Tournament) teams. To be eligible for selection, a player must participate in all 3 sets of trials.  Permission to miss a trial through injury or any other reason can only be granted by the age group co-ordinator in consultation with the Chairperson of the EPSS committee.

1st Trial: open to any school player. Players entering for the u11 age group must turn 10 or 11 in the year of the tournament.

2nd Trial: by invitation only.

3rd Trial: by invitation only. Only open to those who are available to participate in the IPT.

The selection panel will consist of the co-ordinator and court manager(s) approved by the committee. The final selections are discussed with, and approved by, the EP Schools Squash Committee.

The results of the 3 trials are used for selection. In addition, performance under pressure, trials attendance, squad attendance, commitment and attitude will also be considered. The need for development can also be considered, particularly for primary school selection.

If there is doubt after the 3rd trial, the selectors may look at results from the Ranking Tournament, Alan Stapleton - EP Open, EP Senior competitions (Men’s and Ladies leagues; Senior EP Tournaments) and schools matches if the match is best of 5 games.

A player who misses a trial for a reason accepted by the co-ordinator in consultation with the Chairperson of the EPSS committee, will be seeded in a position decided by the co-ordinator for the next trial. The co-ordinator may request a challenge match be played if he/she is uncertain as to position if the trial missed is the 3rd trial.

The selectors may, with the approval of the committee, withdraw the selection of a player before or after the teams have been announced if, in their opinion, the attitude of the player warrants such action.

Players are NOT allowed to challenge for position. Challenge matches may only be played at the request of the co-ordinator, who will request a challenge if he/she is in doubt about a position.

The 3rd trials will serve as the Age-Group Championship Tournament. To be the Age-Group Champion a player must win the 3rd trials AND participate in the Inter-Provincial Tournament. In exceptional circumstances the committee, at its sole discretion, may decide to play the Age-Group Championship Tournament on another day.

In the case of illness, injury or absenteeism for any reason on the 3rd trials/Age-Group Championship Tournament, the player will forfeit the chance to be Age-Group Champion.

The winner of this 3rd trial/Age-Group Championship Tournament (i.e. the Age-Group Champion) will not necessarily play in the No. 1 position in the provincial team.

Any player selected for an EP team is required to pay the full IPT fee even if they do not use the official transport to, and accommodation at, the IPT venue, as arranged by the co-ordinator.

All players selected for an EP IPT team will be notified via email within 5 days after the 3rd trials and are required to complete all the required administrative documentation timeously prior to the IPT prize-giving.

The official announcement and introduction of the EP IPT teams will take place at the annual prize-giving function.