SPORT CANADA ATHLETE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SELECTION CRITERIA 2013-14 For the 2013-14 carding cycle, Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) support to racquetball athletes is contingent to Racquetball Canada meeting the AAP requirements for NSOs eligibility. 1) Introduction In August of each year, Racquetball Canada (RC) nominates athletes to Sport Canada for Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) support according to criteria developed by Racquetball Canada and meeting Sport Canada`s AAP requirements. The recommendation comes from the High Performance Committee to RC's executive for official approval. The recommendations are based on the criteria in this document and whenever possible will include an equal number of male and female athletes. With four cards, the top two male athletes and the top two female athletes will be recommended for AAP approval. The athletes will be ranked conjunctively and strictly on the criteria listed in this document; that process will continue whenever an extra card is available or part of an awarded card becomes available. The AAP assists international caliber athletes with their training and competition needs, through the provision of a living and training allowance and, where applicable, tuition expenses. The carding year for racquetball athletes begins on October 1 and ends on September 30 of the following year. If the number of cards is even they will be divided equally amongst the men and women program. For complete details of the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP), carded athletes should refer to the document published by Sport Canada, Athlete Assistance Program Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, Athlete Handbook available on the Sport Canada website www.pch.gc.ca. 2) General Requirements To be eligible for consideration under AAP, athletes must meet the following general requirements: 2.1 Athletes, under the eligibility requirements of the International Racquetball Federation (IRF), must currently be eligible to represent Canada at major international events including the World Championships at the beginning of the carding cycle for which the athlete is being nominated. The IRF rules require that athletes must verify citizenship with a valid passport or a letter from their National Olympic Committee stating that they may represent that country in International Competition. AAP Selection Criteria 2013-2014 1 2.2 The athlete must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada at the beginning of the carding cycle for which the athlete is being nominated. Permanent residents must live in Canada for the full year preceding the carding cycle for which the athlete is being considered for AAP support. All athletes are expected to have participated in NSO-sanctioned programs during that time period. The athlete must be available to represent Canada in major international competitions, including World Championships. 2.3 Athletes must sign an Athlete/Racquetball Canada Agreement and complete an AAP Application Form. 2.4 Athletes must have a clearly articulated program, approved by Racquetball Canada, with appropriate training and competitive opportunities, both domestic and international. The athlete’s individualized annual training program must be based on year-round training principles that include significant daily training activities. 2.5 Excluding the years where an athletes was under the age of 27 at the beginning of the carding cycle, once an athlete has been carded three (3) years at the Senior card level (SR1, SR2, SR & C1), to be eligible for AAP support the athlete must meet the International criteria or Maintenance Criteria (described below at 3.2 and 3.3) 3) Carding Criteria 3.1. 3.2. Senior and Development Cards are awarded on the basis of three (3) different sets of criteria: 3.1.1. Senior international criteria (Senior SR1/SR2 Cards) – Sport Canada sets the international criteria for Senior Cards. Athletes who meet the International Criteria are eligible to be nominated by Racquetball Canada for two consecutive years, with the card for the first year referred to as SR1 and the card for the second year referred to as SR2. 3.1.2. Senior national criteria (Senior SR/C1 Cards) – Racquetball Canada sets the national criteria for Senior Cards. Senior Cards based on national criteria are awarded for one year. The first time an athlete is eligible for a card based on National Criteria they will receive a C1 Card. 3.1.3. Development criteria (Development Cards) – Racquetball Canada sets the criteria for Development Cards. Development Cards based on development criteria are awarded for one year. Athletes who meet the Development Criteria are eligible to be nominated by Racquetball Canada for the upcoming year. Senior International criteria (SR1) 3.2.1. 3.3. To be eligible for an AAP Senior SR1 Card, athletes must achieve in the current year at the World Championships (individual part of the tournament) a result of top 8 and in the top half of the field. Senior international maintenance criteria (SR2) AAP Selection Criteria 2013-2014 2 3.3.1. 3.4. Senior national criteria (SR/C1) 3.4.1. 3.5. To be eligible for SR2, athletes must have an SR1 card in 2012-2013 and maintain a position that is no lower than Top 5 Singles players or Top 6 Doubles players based on the national team selection points table at the end of the 2012-2013 season. In the event that there are still cards remaining after the application of the Senior international criteria (SR1/SR2), athletes may be eligible for a one (1) year Senior (SR/C1) card by being selected on the National Elite team for the 2013-2014 season. Development Criteria 3.5.1. In the event that there is still cards remaining after the application of the Senior international and Senior national criteria, athletes may be eligible for a one (1) year Development card by being selected on the National Development Team for the 2013-2014 season. 4) Carding nomination 4.1. Cards will be allocated to eligible athletes in the following order of priority: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 4.2. Athletes eligible for “SR1” cards; Athletes eligible for “SR2” cards; Athletes carded the previous year at the “SR1” levels who placed in the top 3 at the 2012 world championship and meet the Illness, Injury or Pregnancy criteria (see #5 below); Athletes eligible for “SR” or “C-1” cards; Athletes eligible for “D” cards. Fewer cards than eligible athletes or tie between 2 or more athletes If at any of those prioritization levels listed in 4.1 there are more athletes qualifying then there is carding available, the priority will go to the athlete(s) who had: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 4.3 the most points according to National Team Selection Points table, for the event related to the International Criteria; the highest rank in the National Team Selection Points table; the best result in Singles at the most recent National Championships; the best result in Singles at the most recent Selection Event; the best result in Doubles at the most recent National Championships; Highest rank in Racquetball Canada National Ranking after the most recent National Championship. If a currently carded athlete is no longer eligible for support during the 2013/2014 season, the remainder of the carding support will be assigned to the next eligible athlete of the same gender as the currently carded athlete based on the Carding nomination formula. 5) Illness, Injury or Pregnancy A SR1 carded athlete who at the end of the carding cycle has not achieved the standard required for the renewal of carding status because of strictly health related reasons may be considered for re-nomination for the upcoming year provided the following conditions are met: AAP Selection Criteria 2013-2014 3 a) The athlete has fulfilled all reasonable training and rehabilitation requirements aimed at a speedy return to full high performance training and competition during the period of his or her injury, illness or pregnancy or is continuing a rehabilitation program approved by the Racquetball Canada High Performance Director; b) In the view of Racquetball Canada , the athlete’s failure to attain the applicable carding standards is strictly related to the injury, illness or pregnancy; c) Racquetball Canada, based on its technical judgment and that of its team physician or equivalent, indicates in writing the expectation that the athlete will achieve at least the minimum standards required for carding during the upcoming carding period; d) The athlete has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate his or her longterm commitment to high performance training and competition goals, as well as his or her intention to pursue full high performance training and competition throughout the carding period for which he or she wishes to be renewed despite not having met the carding criteria; e) Racquetball Canada must provide evidence that the above requirements are being met in order to nominate athletes for carding based on the above provisions. 6) Non-health related issues Any circumstance not specified under the 5) Illness, Injury or Pregnancy policies that prevents an athlete from making any of the carding criteria can be submitted to the HPC for evaluation: 1) Request must be made as soon as the problem is known. 2) The request must be made in writing stating the circumstances with supporting evidence faxed or mailed to the Racquetball Canada office. The High Performance Committee will evaluate all requests and deliver its decision in writing. Such decision will be final and without appeal. AAP Selection Criteria 2013-2014 4