Canadian National Selection Policy
Canadian National Championships Selection Policy
1. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to the Association of Ontario Snowboarders (AOS) Board and the AOS Membership on the criteria to be used in selecting athletes for attendance at the Canadian National Championships.
2. The AOS supports and is currently implementing the Canadian Snowboard Federation’s Long Term Athlete Development Plan (LTAD). The LTAD is a framework encompassing every element of snowboarding, with the rider as the central focus. The LTAD seeks to enable Canadians to step regularly on top of the podiums; due to the system supporting them, not because of exceptional performances. It provides a solid foundation for all riders at all ages and levels, allowing long-term participation, enjoyment and achievement.
3. The intent of the policy is to assure a fair and open process and ensure that the most qualified athletes are selected. ‘Most Qualified’ is defined as most likely to succeed at these, or subsequent (FIS) competitions.
4. The AOS, through its membership in Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF), is granted the right to enter eligible athletes in the National Championships. Athletes who are not eligible, as established by CSF, AOS, FIS and other member associations, may not participate in this event.
5. This document sets out the process for identifying those athletes who will be invited by the AOS to participate in the Halfpipe (HP), Snowboard Cross (SBX), Slope Style (SBS) and Parallel Giant Slalom (PGS) events at the Canadian National Championships.
6. Final decisions on the selection of athletes to participate in the Canadian National Championships shall be made by the AOS President on the basis of recommendations by the National Championships Selection Committee.
7. The following abbreviated terms are used in this selection policy:
a. AOS: Association of Ontario Snowboarders
b. CSF: Canadian Snowboard Federation
c. FIS: Federation Internationale de Ski
d. NorAm: a North American Race
8. To be eligible to be selected to participate in the Canadian National Championships, an athlete must:
a. Be a competitive member of the AOS in good standing;
b. Have an active FIS license and CAIP insurance;
c. Be medically fit to compete.
d. PGS, SBX and HP athletes must have a minimum of 1 FIS point (Slope Style athletes are not required to have FIS points).
ALLOCATION OF COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITIES
9. The number of competitive opportunities available to AOS athletes for the Canadian National Championships is established by the CSF. The AOS may choose to offer competitive opportunities to fewer athletes than the number allowed by the provincial quota.
10. Athletes on the National Team and members of the National Development Group will get automatic entry into National Championships and will not count as part of the provincial quota according to the CSF.
11. The list of athletes chosen to represent Ontario at the Canadian National Championships will be published March 12, 2010. The number of selections will not exceed Ontario’s quota limit and alternates may be named in each discipline.
12. Any additional quota spots that become available from the CSF will be announced as soon as they become available.
13. Eligible athletes shall be ranked, within their discipline, and by gender, according to the most current FIS Points List.
14. Should a tie exist on the FIS points list, the athlete with the most AOS points shall be given the higher ranking.
15. Slope Style athletes will be ranked by their FIS points and then by their AOS points.
16. Athletes shall ordinarily be selected for participation in the National Championships in the order of their ranking. However, the following sections also have a bearing on the final selection.
17. Selection rankings notwithstanding, the AOS shall have the power to select athletes to participate in the Canadian National Championships in an order other than that indicated by the rankings. The AOS shall also have the power to select fewer male or female athletes, in any or all disciplines, than the number allowed by the provincial quota provided that the grounds for any such decision are set out in detail.
18. The AOS Selection Committee shall recognize and consider situations of athletes who may not otherwise meet the selection criteria, through circumstances such as receiving training, coaching and competitive opportunities in a different program.
19. Grounds that will be considered by the AOS Selection Committee include, but are not limited to:
a. Participation and success in competitive events
b. The athletes commitment to a long term training and competitive program
c. Anomalies in competitions, arising from factors such as weather, abnormally small field sizes, or the gross inflation of the point’s value of the event, which are determined to be a factor in the attainment of or failure to attain points.
d. Other extenuating circumstances.
20. Any decision to select an athlete in an order other than indicated by the rankings shall be done through consultation with the coaches of the athletes involved.
21. Appeals to Canadian National Selections can be made under the AOS’s Appeal policy. A non-refundable appeal fee of $50.00 shall apply.
Necessary changes shall be at the AOS Board’s sole discretion.
