Why do you have a probationary period?

The probationary period was brought in because we recognise that not everybody apps well. Having a probationary period means that we can have some discretion when we receive a borderline application which we would otherwise feel we had to reject. It gives players a chance to really show what they can do. Conversely, we also know that someone's application is not and can never be a reflection of how they will mesh within a game.