2016 PARALYMPIC GAMES SELECTION CRITERIA

Transcription

1 2016 PARALYMPIC GAMES SELECTION CRITERIA 2016 Paralympic Games September 7-18, 2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of elite competition for athletes with a disability. Team Selection Standards are intended to ensure that Canada is represented at the Games by elite athletes, and Canadian performances and results reflect the Canadian Paralympic Committee s (CPC) and Tennis Canada s commitment to excellence. The Paralympic Games consist of a Men s Singles competition (up to 56 players), Men s Doubles competition (up to 28), Women s Singles competition (32), Women s Doubles competition (16), Quad Singles competition (16), and a Quad Doubles competition (8). Tennis Canada is eligible for a maximum of four (4) male, four (4) female, and three (3) quad qualification slots. 1. General a) The National Coach in consultation with the High Performance Committee and the Vice- President, High Performance will finalize the nominations and forward them to the Canadian Paralympic Committee for final approval by July 15, b) Selected athletes will be notified of their status by June 21, Selections will become final pending Canadian Paralympic Committee approval July 7, Should an athlete wish to appeal the decision, he/she may do so in writing to the Director, Wheelchair Tennis by July 1, The written appeal must include the specific reasons why the athlete feels he/she will enhance the performance of the team or meet developmental needs. Please refer to the Appeals Procedures in Appendix 2. c) Please note that athletes who are selected and decline to represent Canada at the Paralympic Games will be ineligible for all National High Performance Program assistance (including carding). The only exception may be an approved medical injury, illness or personal emergency. All requests for exceptions must include medical and personal references and be in writing to the Director by July 1, 2016 and be approved by the National Coach and High Performance Committee.

2 The High Performance Committee will consist of: Director, Wheelchair Tennis National Coach Director, High Performance National Program Consultant The selection criteria are subject to IPC/ITF rule and format changes. 2. Eligibility a) Athletes must meet all eligibility criteria as outlined in the IPC/ITF Rio Paralympic Games Qualification Guide which is attached as reference. b) In addition to the requirements in the IPC/ITF Rio Paralympic Games Qualification Guide an athlete must: Be in good standing* with Tennis Canada and qualify** to represent Canada abroad. Make him/herself available for selection to represent Canada at the World Team Cup for at least two of the following years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 (one of which must be 2015 or 2016). *If an athlete has met the standards but a team has not been fielded in a specific division for unforeseen reasons, the athlete will be considered to have been available. *Good standing is defined as understanding and abiding by the Tennis Canada/Athlete Agreement, the National High Performance Program policies, and the Tennis Canada Code of Conduct. **To qualify to represent Canada at the Paralympic Games an athlete must be a Canadian citizen, have a valid Canadian passport, and not have represented another country for 2 years prior to the Games. 3. Selection Criteria a) Qualification Period The qualification period for selections is May 23, 2015 to May 22, The May 23, 2016 ITF Wheelchair Tennis singles world rankings will be used for selection purposes.

3 b) Singles Qualification Criteria (as per IPC/ITF Rio Paralympic Games Qualification Guide): The 2015 Parapanam Games men s and women s singles champions qualify; The top 34 ranked male athletes on the ITF Wheelchair Tennis world singles rankings closing May 23, 2016 qualify; The top 22 ranked female athletes on the ITF Wheelchair Tennis world singles rankings closing May 23, 2016 qualify; The top 12 ranked quad athletes on the ITF Wheelchair Tennis world singles rankings closing May 23, 2016 qualify. Note: Cleaned ITF singles rankings may be used should countries exceed the maximum of four players per country (men and women), and three players per country (quad). This may result in players with a ranking outside the Top 34, Top 22, Top 12 in the ITF Wheelchair Tennis world singles rankings becoming eligible. Twleve (12) male, eight (8) female, and four (4) quad division athletes will be considered by the IPC and ITF for Bipartite Commission Invitation Qualification Slots. 4. Bipartite Commission Invitation Qualification Singles Slots The IPC/ITF will allocate twelve (12) men, eight (8) women, four (4) quad Bipartite Commission Qualification Singles Slots. Tennis Canada may apply for Bipartite Commission Qualification Singles Slots to the ITF by June 7, 2016 in the following situations: a) Exceptional Circumstances Tennis Canada reserves the right to apply for a Bipartite Commission Invitation Qualification Singles Slot for any athlete who is unable to meet to the Singles Qualification Criteria as per IPC/ITF Rio Paralympic Games Qualification Guide due to injury, illness, pregnancy or other exceptional circumstances. Athletes who wish to be considered by Tennis Canada under the exception circumstance clause must clearly document in writing and submit to the Director, Wheelchair tennis by May 23, To be considered, an athlete must submit supporting documentation with their request for consideration for a Bipartite Commission Invitation Qualification slot: That the athlete has been examined by the Tennis Canada medical team and cleared to return to competition

4 The athlete will have sufficient preparatory time and a formalized training plan in order to be in peak competitive condition at the time of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Summer Games A summary of the past four years of the athlete(s) rankings and results, and the athlete(s) recent results during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Summer Games qualification period in order to demonstrate the probability the athlete would have been capable of achieving all required Selection Criteria if not for the exceptional circumstances. Any other supporting information deemed relevant by Tennis Canada. b) Failure to Qualify If an athlete fails to meet the Singles Qualification Criteria as per IPC/ITF Rio Paralympic Games Qualification Guide an athlete may apply in writing to Tennis Canada by May 23, 2016 for consideration. c) Men s, Women s and Quad Doubles Team If one (1) or three (3) men or women, or one (1) quad division athlete has met the selection criteria as per IPC/ITF Rio Paralympic Games Qualification Guide then Tennis Canada may apply for a Bipartite Commission Invitation Qualification Singles Slot to complete a doubles team. The High Performance Committee will determine if an athlete meets the requirements outlined in a), b), c) above based on the review of the following factors: Competed in at least one (1) ITF tournament between January 1, 2014 and May 22, 2016 (as per IPC/ITF Rio Paralympics Games Qualification Guide) ITF singles rankings as of May 23, 2016 Assessment Factors listed below Assessment Factors Results against players in the Top 34, Top 22, and Top 12 adjusted ITF singles rankings as of May 23, 2016 or during the qualification period of May 23, 2015-May 22, 2016 Highest Career ITF singles ranking Results at the National Championships , 2013, 2014, 2015 Results at Past Paralympic Games

5 Commitment to the National High Performance Program Assessment of Current Training and Competitive Plan 5. Men s Doubles Qualification Slots The ITF will consider a maximum of eight (8) eligible male athletes for Qualification Slots to ensure the strongest possible doubles teams are competing at the Paralympic Games. These players will also be eligible to enter the men s singles event. Tennis Canada may apply for a Men s Doubles Qualification Slot to the ITF by June 7, 2016 in the following situations: a) To Complete a Men s Doubles Team If one (1) or three (3) men have met the selection criteria as per IPC/ITF Rio Paralympic Games Qualification Guide then Tennis Canada may apply for a Men s Doubles Qualification Slot to complete a doubles team. b) Exceptional Doubles Results Tennis Canada may apply to the ITF for Men s Doubles Team Qualification Slot if a Men s Doubles team, that has not already met the selection criteria as per the IPC/ITF Rio Paralympic Games Qualification Guide, has demonstrated exceptional doubles results during the Qualification period. The High Performance Committee will determine if an athlete/team meets the requirements listed in a), b) above based on the review of the following: ITF singles and doubles rankings as of May 23, 2016 Assessment Factors listed below Assessment Factors Doubles results against players/teams in the Top 34, Top 22, and Top 12 adjusted ITF singles rankings as of May 23, 2016 or during the qualification period of May 23, 2015-May 22, 2016 Highest Career ITF doubles ranking Doubles Results at the National

6 Championships , 2013, 2014, 2015 Doubles Results at Past Paralympic Games Commitment to the National High Performance Program Assessment of Current Training and Competitive Plan 6. Doubles Team Composition a) If three (3) athletes qualify in the men s or women s division, and no Bipartite Commission Invitation Qualification Singles Slots or Men s Doubles Team Slots are approved, the doubles team will be determined based upon a High Performance Committee review. The review will include an assessment of the following factors: Assessment Factors Established Doubles Teams Doubles results against players/teams in the Top 34, Top 22, and Top 12 adjusted ITF singles rankings as of May 23, 2016 or during the qualification period of May 23, 2015-May 22, 2016 Highest Career ITF doubles ranking Doubles Results at the National Championships , 2013, 2014, 2015 Doubles Results at Past Paralympic Games Commitment to the National High Performance Program Assessment of Current Training and Competitive Plan If one (1) athlete qualifies in any division, and no Bipartite Commission Invitation Qualification Slots or Men s Doubles Team Slots, then the athlete may not be eligible to compete in doubles.

7 7. Changes to this Document The Director, High Performance Development in conjunction with members of Tennis Canada s Rio Paralympic Games Selection Committee (High Performance Committee) reserves the right to make changes to this document, which in its discretion, are necessary to ensure selection of the best individuals or teams possible for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. Any changes to this document shall be communicated directly to all National High Performance Program Members. This clause shall not be used to justify changes after a competition or trials which formed part of the internal nomination process unless it is related to an unforeseen circumstance. The purpose of this section is to allow for changes to this document that may become necessary due to a typographical error or a lack of clarity in a definition or wording before it has an impact on athletes. The purpose of such change must be in order to avoid disputes over the meaning of the provisions of this document rather than to allow changes to be made to justify selection of different athletes than would have otherwise been selected. Such changes must be reasonably justifiable in accordance with fundamental principles of natural justice and procedural fairness. In the event of a change to this document, Tennis Canada shall inform the CPC of the changes and the reason for those changes as soon as possible.

8 APPENDIX #1 HIGH PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE The High Performance Committee (HPC) for wheelchair tennis is an advisory body composed of Tennis Canada high performance staff and coaches. The HPC mandate is to make recommendations to Tennis Canada regarding National High Performance Program selections, carding, policies and programs. The committee consists of six members including: Director, Wheelchair Tennis National Coach National Program Consultant Director, High Performance The HPC meets annually in a workshop setting and via conference call two to four times per year for program development, policy administration and selection purposes. The Director, Wheelchair Tennis chairs all meetings and the committee s goal is to administer the selection policies and procedures in a fair and unbiased manner. Decision-making Process: Each member must exercise one vote when required. A recommendation based on the majority vote is forwarded to Tennis Canada for consideration. The Tennis Canada Vice-President, High Performance Athlete Development, Director, Wheelchair Tennis, National Coach, and Vice-President, Tennis Development (when required) make all final decisions and have the authority to overturn or accept the recommendation. Janet Petras High Performance Committee Chairperson Director, Wheelchair Tennis Kai Schrameyer Wayne Elderton Debbie Kirkwood National Coach National Program Consultant Director, High Performance

9 APPENDIX #2 APPEAL PROCESS National High Performance Program and Sport Canada Carding Selection or Discipline Appeals Process Athletes may appeal National High Performance Program and Sport Canada carding selections and discipline decisions under the following grounds: Grounds for appeal include: Error in law (policy not applied correctly). Error in fact (inaccurate results affected the selection outcome). Lack of procedural awareness (the criteria was changed and/or athlete s were unaware of the criteria). Athletes cannot appeal: The fact that they do not like the decision and/or; They do not like the published policy and/or; The published criteria should be changed (it can be changed for the year/cycle, not during the year/cycle). The process for lodging an appeal is outlined below. If an athlete demonstrates an injustice, then; 1. An athlete must submit a written appeal to the Director, Wheelchair Tennis within 10 days of notification of the selection decision. The written appeal must clearly outline the grounds for the appeal. 2. Tennis Canada s Appeals Committee (President, Chief Operating Officer, plus one other staff member) will review and place a ruling on the appeal and the decision will be final. 3. An athlete may appeal the final decision of Tennis Canada by submitting a written appeal to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (national program selections and discipline decisions) or to Sport Canada (carding selections). * Not withstanding the above, for any matters related to the Athlete Assistance Program Nomination or de-carding, all appeals must follow the Policies and Procedures of Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) Section 13

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