Team Selection Policy

The Athletics competition in the 2009 Canada Summer Games will take place from Monday, August 24 to Friday, August 28 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Team travel dates are Saturday, August 22 and return on Saturday, August 29.

1. General Selection Principles
   1. The Newfoundland and Labrador Athletics Association (NLAA) will strive to select athletes to the 2009 Canada Summer Games Team in the spirit of fairness and in an unbiased manner. Our endeavour is to select the best possible team through a transparent selection process as detailed below.
   2. In order to be considered for selection, athletes must meet the NLAA minimum performance standards.
   3. Athletes must be full NLAA members on the day a performance is achieved for that performance to be considered during the selection process.
   4. To be considered for team selection an athlete is expected to take part at the NLAA Provincial Age-Class Championships, June 26-28, Mount Pearl. If an athlete plans on attending the Canadian Senior Track and Field Championships, he/she must submit a written request to the Canada Games Head Coach to skip the NLAA Championships at least forty-five (45) days prior to the first day of the meet. The Atlantic Track and Field Championships, August 1-2, is the designated out-of-province Canada Games Team competition. All athletes selected to the team are expected to attend the Atlantic Championships unless prevented by illness or unexpected personal events.
   5. To be considered for team selection an athlete must take part in the Canada Summer Games Trials Meet, with the exception as noted in sections I.8 and V.12. The meet is set for July 10-12, at the Pearlgate Track and Field Complex, Mount Pearl.
      1. To compete at the Trials all athletes must register for the meet before Monday, June 29. Meet registration details TBA.
      2. To be considered for team selection all athletes must register with the Provincial Department/Canada Games Registration before Monday, June 29. Registration details TBA.
   6. A "Second Chance meet", within one week following the Trials, may be offered in selected events under the following criteria:
      1. Only events in which the maximum number of athletes has not been selected to the team will be offered in the meet
      2. New athletes can fill vacant positions only. They cannot displace a selected athlete even if they achieve a superior performance at the "Second Chance Meet".
   7. With the exception as noted in sections I.8 and V.12, selection to the Newfoundland and Labrador Team will be based primarily on results achieved at the Canada Summer Games Trials Meet - July 10-12, Mount Pearl, in the order outlined in section V.
   8. An athlete with an "A" standard, achieving exceptional performances and well above other athletes in his/her event; OR competing in an event where he/she is the single competitor MAY be excused from taking part in the Canada Summer Games (CSG) selection meet and/or be conditionally pre-selected to the team in his/her event, provided that he/she attends a Track and Field competition deemed to be of greater importance. To avail to this opportunity, an athlete must submit a written request to the Canada Games Head Coach detailing the reasons for such request at least forty-five (45) days prior to the selection meet. The Head Coach, in consultation with the team staff, should render decision no later than thirty (30) days prior to the Trials. In case of unsatisfactory decision the athlete may appeal to the NLAA Executive. A positive decision to skip the Trials and/or granting of a conditional pre-selection will require the athlete to meet section I.10.d prior to a final selection to the team.
   9. An athlete will be ineligible for selection if he or she fails to take part in the Trials for reasons other than the ones listed in sections V.12.a through V.12.e, when he/she neglects to notify the Head Coach in a manner outlined above or the request to pass over the Trials has been denied.
   10. Qualifying Period
       1. The "Qualifying Period" to achieve the "A" Standard is January 1, 2009 to July 12, 2009 (midnight local time of the competition). "A" standard performances achieved at indoor meets during the period from January 1 to March 31 are also eligible for team selection.
       2. The "Qualifying Period" to achieve the Minimum Standard is April 1, 2009 to July 12, 2009 (midnight local time of the competition).
       3. With the exception of performances achieved during the "Second Chance Meet", no performances established in any event before or after the end of the respective Qualifying Periods will be valid for purpose of selection to the 2009 Canada Summer Games team. It is the athlete´s responsibility to supply a copy of the official results within 48 hours after the event when attending out-of-province competitions.
       4. Athletes who achieve the "A" standard during the period January 1, 2009 to March 31, 2009 must also achieve the Minimum Standard during the Minimum Standard Qualifying Period. Failure to achieve this as required will render an athlete ineligible for selection and the athlete's spot on the team will become available to the next eligible athlete from the Trials who has satisfied the requirements of these Selection Criteria.
   11. Alternates - Up to four male and four female athletes will be selected as alternates. Alternates must meet the Eligibility Criteria, have achieved a Minimum Standard during the designated Minimum Standard Qualifying Period, and have finished in the top four (4) at the Trials. The athlete´s selection order will be based on section V (Athlete Selection Procedure).
   12. Team size not to exceed 59 athletes. Male up to 32; Female up to 31. Five (5) of the team positions are reserved exclusively for wheelchair track athletes. At minimum, two (2) of the wheelchair track athletes must be female, and two (2) of the wheelchair track athletes must be male. Additionally, two (2) of the male team positions are reserved exclusively for Special Olympics athletes and two (2) of the female team positions are reserved exclusively for Special Olympics athletes. This means that a maximum of 50 able-bodied (AB) athletes may be selected. A maximum of 31(AB) male athletes will be named to the 2009 Jeux de Canada Games Athletics Team. A maximum of 27(AB) female athletes will be named to the 2009 Jeux de Canada Games Athletics Team. The NLAA is under no obligation to take a full team.
       1. Maximum of two athletes per event will be selected. There is no limit to the number of events a competitor may enter in the Games.
       2. All athletes must compete in the same event at the Trials as they would in the Games with the exception of pre-selected athlete(s) as per I.8.
       3. During the competition of the 2009 Canada Summer Games an athlete may only compete in the event(s) he/she was selected to the team as outlined in the "Athlete Selection Procedure" in section V.
   13. Combined Events:
       1. Athletes who wish to compete in the Decathlon and Heptathlon must notify the head coach of their intent by May 14, 2009.
       2. Selections in the Combined Events will be based on results achieved at one of the following competitions:
          1. National Capital Combined Events Competition, Ottawa, May 16-17
          2. Ontario Combined Events Championships, London, June 13-14
          3. National Senior Championships, Toronto, June 25-28
       3. Athletes who wish to be considered for selection in the Heptathlon/Decathlon must declare, by May 14, which of the above-mentioned competitions will be used as their Trials meet. Changes will not be permitted after May 14.
   14. 2000m Steeplechase - Female athletes who wish to compete in the steeplechase event must notify the head coach of their intent by May 24, 2009.
   
   
2. Athlete Eligibility Criteria - To be eligible an athlete must:
   1. Each athlete must meet the eligibility criteria of the 2009 Canada Summer Games Athletics Technical Package attached as Appendix "A".
   2. be Under 22 as of December 31, 2008, born in 1987 or later.
   3. Be a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant in the process of acquiring Canadian citizenship,
   4. Have a permanent residence in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least six (6) months prior to team selection; or
   5. Have a permanent residence in Newfoundland and Labrador or plans to resume permanent residency in Newfoundland and Labrador, but is temporarily residing outside the province because of personal or spousal school or work requirements (the latter will be reviewed on each occasion).
   6. Hold a current NLAA Track and Field Membership and be a member in good standing of the Newfoundland and Labrador Athletics Association. Athletes must be full NLAA members on the day a performance is achieved for that performance to be considered during the selection process.
   7. Be a 2009 track and field member of NLAA 60 days prior to the beginning of Canada Summer Games competition - June 23.
   8. If previously affiliated with any other Athletics Canada branch within the previous twelve (12) months, the athlete must establish residency in Newfoundland and Labrador for a minimum of six (6) months and must be a registered Track and Field Member of NLAA for six (6) months prior to selection.
   9. Have achieved a Qualifying Standard during the designated Qualifying Periods and meet the requirement in section I.10.d.
   10. Final selection to the Newfoundland and Labrador Team will be contingent on the athlete completing the "2009 Canada Summer Games Team Application", agreeing to abide by terms and conditions established by the NLAA, participate in the Newfoundland and Labrador Team preparation programme including competition(s), assembly camp and the 2009 Canada Summer Games. All prospective team members must sign a conduct and obligations policy prior to the beginning of the selection meet. Breach of any part of this policy could result in de-selection at any time.
   
   
3. Athlete Selection Guidelines
   1. Within a week following the selection meet the Canada Games Prep-Squad staff will meet to discuss all submitted "2009 Canada Summer Games Team Application" and select the team. After evaluation and consultation a list of nominated athletes will be forward to the NLAA Executive for final approval. The NLAA Executive will approve or can remove an athlete but may not add names to the team unless the proper Appeal procedure has been followed as outlined in section IV.
   2. NLAA will not support athletes who pass up the Newfoundland and Labrador Athletics Association´s Selection Meet for reasons other than those noted in sections V.12.a through V.12.e of the "Athlete Selection Procedure" or approved by the Head Coach as in section I.8.
   3. Team staff will monitor the training process, physical readiness and health status of team members to compete in the Games with the option of substitution for athletes who do not meet the coaching staff criteria. All athletes must remain 100% competition ready for the Games. Injury following fulfilment of these criteria may result in de-selection should it preclude 100% readiness for competition at the 2009 Canada Summer Games as determined by NLAA's Physician, or designate. Final determination will be made by the Canada Summer Games Team Selection Committee based on reasonable expectation of 100% readiness to compete at the 2009 Canada Summer Games.
   4. Substitutions will be made with due regard to CSG substitution rules and may involve athletes placing below second place at the Trials selected according to section I.11.
   5. The number of athletes selected per event is two (2).
   6. Relay teams will be formed of the athletes selected to the team according to the "Athlete Selection Procedure - V." No relay team athletes will be selected outside of this procedure.
   
   
4. Athlete Appeals Mechanism
   1. Only athletes who have achieved the NLAA Standards (VI) during the Qualifying Period (I.10) may submit an Appeal for Selection.
   2. No person on the appeals committee will have had anything to do with the original selection of the team. Only after all appeals have been exhausted will the team become official. The official team will then be released to the Department and media.
   3. An appeal shall be heard ONLY on the grounds that the selection process and final decision was flawed based on:
      1. The selection committee made a decision for which it lacked authority;
      2. The selection committee failed to follow procedures in the approved selection criteria;
      3. The selection committee made a decision which was influenced by bias;
      4. The selection committee failed to consider relevant information or took into account irrelevant information in making the decision;
      5. The selection committee exercised its discretion for an improper purpose; and/or
      6. The selection committee made a decision that was unreasonable.
   4. The athlete shall be given 24 hours to request an appeal. This 24-hour period shall begin at midnight of the published date that the selected athletes were to be called. The athlete must present their request in writing to the Chair of the Appeals Committee.
   5. The Appeals Committee shall review the letter and decide whether or not the request has grounds for a hearing. They shall also review all selection procedure documentation from the selection committee.
   6. If there are no legitimate grounds, the Chair of the Appeals Committee shall call the athlete advising her/him of the decision. This will be followed up with a formal letter to the athlete.
   7. If the Appeals Committee feels there are grounds for an appeal hearing, the following procedures will take place:
      1. The Chair of the Appeals Committee shall select a designated place, date and time to hear the appeal. This will be done no later than 48 hours upon receipt of the appeal request.
      2. The Appeals Committee shall hear the athlete´s complaint. He/she may be accompanied by an athlete advocate (parent or guardian or legal advisor etc).
      3. The Appeals Committee shall hear from the Selection Committee.
      4. The Appeals Committee will make a final decision at the appeal hearing and the decision shall be final and binding.
      5. The chair of the Appeals Committee will contact the athlete no later than 24 hours after the hearing by phone to advise her/him of the outcome and this will be followed up by a formal letter and copy of the appeal findings and recommendation.
      6. The chair of the Appeals Committee will contact the Head Coach by phone to advise her/him of the outcome. A copy of a formal letter will follow up this decision to the athlete and copy of the appeal findings and recommendations.
   8. The athlete who submits an appeal request must be prepared to cover his/her own expenses during the process (i.e. travel to the hearing). The organization will make every effort to minimize such costs.
   
   
5. Athlete Selection Procedure - In the event of pre-selection, athletes finishing first or second who are not pre-selected are not automatically selected even if they have achieved a standard. Maximum of two (2) athletes per event will be selected, except as noted in V.12 below. Except in an extraordinary circumstance the following process and order would normally apply to select team members:
   1. Pre-selected athlete(s) as per I.8.
   2. All event winners at the Trials with "A" standard achieved at the Trials.
   3. Second place finisher at the Trials with "A" standard achieved at the Trials.
   4. An event winner with minimum standard during Trials and "A" standard during the Qualifying Period.
   5. Second place finisher with minimum standard during Trials and "A" standard during the Qualifying Period.
   6. Successful appeals with an "A" standard.
   7. An event winner with minimum standard during the Trials.
   8. Second place finisher with minimum standard during the Trials.
   9. An event winner with minimum standard during the Qualifying Period.
   10. Second place finisher with minimum standard during the Qualifying Period.
   11. Successful appeals with a minimum standard.
   12. Athletes, with a standard achieved during the Qualifying Period, unable to compete in the selection meet for the reasons as listed below or I.8, will have their performances considered. Notification in writing to NLAA is required before the start of the first day of competition or immediately in the case of illness or injury;
       1. Illness - a medical certificate is required plus a fitness test and the attainment of a minimum standard before selection.
       2. Injury - as in the above.
       3. Exceptional personal circumstances as determined by the NLAA Executive.
       4. Graduation from Secondary or Post Secondary School.
       5. Conflict with a Track and Field competition deemed to be of greater importance (ie. Canadian Championships) OR attending out-of-province university and unable to return for the Trials, notification of which must be made to NLAA at least forty-five (45) days prior to the selection meet.
   13. Relay teams: Up to six (6) athletes may be selected in each relay event that meet the following criteria:
       1. In the 4 x 100m event, relay teams will be formed of athletes selected according to the Athlete Selection Procedure or meeting at least a minimum standard in one of the following events: 100m and 200m. Selection priority will be given to athletes with 100m standard.
       2. In the 4 x 400m event, relay teams will be formed of athletes selected according to the Athlete Selection Procedure or meeting at least a minimum standard in one of the following events: 400m and 200m. Selection priority will be given to athletes with 400m standard.
   14. Wild Card - Two positions MAY be left open for subjective selection by a committee. The committee need not necessarily exercise this option. Only athletes who have achieved minimum standard in an event will be considered. Those athletes can fill vacant positions only.
   
   
6. The 2009 Qualifying Standards:
   1. 2009 Canada Summer Games Qualifying Standards

      Women		Events	Men
      "A"	"Minimum"		"A"	"Minimum"
      12.15	13.30	100m	10.77	11.69
      24.67	27.43	200m	21.90	24.08
      56.77	1:02.64	400m	48.53	53.91
      2:12.00	2:27.86	800m	1:53.60	2:07.91
      4:34.18	5:02.76	1500m	3:55.96	4:13.19
      17:38.45	19:12.56	5000m	14:51.14	16:15.07
      14.63	15.66	100mH (0.84m)/110mH (1.067m)	14.86	16.82
      1:02.56	1:07.91	400mH (0.762m/0.914m)	54.54	59.81
      7:21.06	8:02.57	2000/3000mS/C (0.762m/0.914m)	9:19.78	10:22.34
      1.65	1.50	High Jump	2.00	1.81
      3.48	3.00	Pole Vault	4.45	3.75
      5.46	4.67	Long Jump	7.01	5.77
      11.42	9.96	Triple Jump	13.86	12.25
      41.32	28.02	Discus Throw (1kg/2kg)	42.24	33.51
      44.55	31.04	Hammer Throw (4kg/7.260kg)	47.68	33.91
      42.74	30.88	Javelin Throw (600gr/800gr)	55.63	45.80
      12.80	9.61	Shot Put (4kg/7.260kg)	14.68	10.69
      4490	3587	Heptathlon/Decathlon	6005	5206

   2. All standards must be achieved in accordance with the NLAA, Athletics Canada (AC) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) competition rules.
   3. Standards in all running events will be considered for team selection when achieved under a Fully Automatic Timing and Photo Finish System approved by IAAF.
      1. Hand times for events 800m and longer will be converted by adding 0.14 sec. All hand-timed performances must meet IAAF Rule 165.
   4. If wind readings in the short races and horizontal jumps exceed 2.0 metres per second (positive) the performances will not be considered.
   5. Performances at 5000 metres will be accepted only if they are legal performances on the track. No road performances will be considered.
   6. "A" standard is the standard which in recent Canada Summer Games has resulted in no lower than sixth place in the final.
   7. "Minimum" standard is the standard which must be achieved in order to be selected. (Note: only two athletes are allowed from each province in each event).
   
   
7. Important dates and deadlines:
   1. January 1 to July 12 - "Qualifying Period" to achieve the "A" Standard
   2. April 1 to July 12 - "Qualifying Period" to achieve the Minimum Standard
   3. May 12 - Submit a written request to skip the NLAA Championships
   4. May 14 - Declare intent to compete in the Decathlon and Heptathlon
   5. May 24 - Declare intent to compete in the 2000m Steeplechase
   6. May 26 - Submit a written request to skip the Canada Games Tryouts
   7. June 23 - NLAA 2009 Track and Field Membership
   8. June 23 - Meet registration NLAA Provincial Age-Class Championships, Mount Pearl.
   9. June 25-28 - Canadian Track and Field Championships, Toronto, ON
   10. June 26-28 - NLAA Provincial Age-Class Championships, Mount Pearl.
   11. June 29 - meet registration Canada Games Tryouts, Mount Pearl
   12. June 29 - register with the Provincial Department of TCR
   13. July 10 - 12 - NLAA Canada Games Tryouts, Mount Pearl
   14. August 1-2 - The Atlantic Track and Field Championships, Oromocto, NB