British Wheelchair Basketball Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Selection Policy

Transcription

1 British Wheelchair Basketball Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Selection Policy The Event Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Men's and Women's Teams Selection Document The Aims Team GB Men's Team GB Women's Team Rio 2016 Target 4 th - Medal 5 th - Medal At the start of the Rio 2016 cycle, British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB) set the performance target for the 2016 Paralympic Games of 4th place or better for the Men's team and a 5th place or better for the Women's team. Achievement of these targets by both teams would be significant for the sport in the UK and would reflect sustained progress since London 2012, as both teams have had a significant turnover of players since the 2012 Games. Selection Timeline - Women's Team Activity Date Selection Policy approved by Performance Advisory Group (PAG) November 2015 Communication of the selection policy to Squad players December 2015 Team Selection process (see attached selection flow chart) February May 2016 Team Selection Meeting (Selection Panel) 8 th May 2016 Team Selection to Performance Advisory Group (PAG) for approval 9 th May 2016 Team Selection from PAG to BWB Executive Board for endorsement 9 th May 2016 Selection decisions announced to the Players 10 th May 2016 Communication of selection decision to BPA 10 th May 2016 Appeals to be lodged at latest by 17 th May 2016 Formal nomination of team selection to BPA Assuming no appeals 18 th May 2016 Joint BPA/BWB press release Assuming no appeals (Team announcement embargoed till this date) circa 20 th May 2016 This announcement will be timed to ensure maximum exposure for the team

2 Selection Timeline - Men's Team Activity Date Selection Policy approved by Performance Advisory Group (PAG) November 2015 Communication of the selection policy to Squad players November 2015 Team Selection process (see attached selection flow chart) Dec 2015 April 2016 Team Selection Meeting (Selection Panel) 11 th April 2016 Team Selection to Performance Advisory Group (PAG) for approval 12 th April 2016 Team Selection from PAG to BWB Executive Board for endorsement 12 th April 2016 Selection decisions announced to the Players 13 th April 2016 Communication of selection decision to BPA 13 th April 2016 Appeals to be lodged at latest by 20 th April 2016 Official nomination of team selection to BPA Assuming no appeals 21 st April 2016 Joint BPA/BWB press release Assuming no appeals (Team announcement embargoed till this date) circa 21 st April 2016 This announcement will be timed to ensure maximum exposure for the team Changes to Selection Process It is not anticipated that there will be any changes made to this policy. However should changes be required they will first need to be agreed by the Performance Management Group and the BWB Executive Board (BWB EB) before being implemented and communicated to all players and stakeholders. Communication and Consultation This policy document will be appended to the BWB Players Agreement, held by PAG, posted on the BWB website and made available to all staff, coaches, individuals and clubs on request. Time will be set aside at both Men s and Women s squad meetings to discuss the selection policy with players and to answer any questions that may arise from it. Members of the British Athletes Commission (BAC) are advised that they are able to approach their Association for advice and guidance on this policy.

3 Eligibility All players must be eligible to compete for GB and meet the following key requirements: Be a Member of and be in good standing with BWB Be eligible under IWBF rules Be selected on the BWB selection long list to be published November 2015 Meet any additional criteria as presented in the Rio 2016 Qualification Guide and the BPA Games Qualification & Eligibility Handbook For Men's and Women's senior teams, players must be available to attend all Squad Training Camps, High Performance Centre Training and Individual Training Sessions as prescribed by the relevant Head Coach. Classification All eligible players must have a valid IWBF classification on March 31 st 2016 Selection Jurisdiction The British Paralympic Association (BPA) is the ultimate authority on the selection of players and teams to represent the GB and NI team in the 2016 Paralympic Games. The BPA has delegated the responsibility for all selection matters relating to player representation at the 2016 Paralympic Games within the sport of Wheelchair Basketball to BWB. The BWB EB has in turn appointed a Selection Panel (as detailed below) to nominate the 12 players to represent the GB and NI team in the 2016 Paralympic Games. The Selection Panel will also identify up to four reserves for each of the Men s and Women s teams. Once the Selection Panel has identified the players that it will nominate, it will submit the proposed team to the BWB EB for ratification prior to submission to the BPA for final approval. Selection Panel BWB will convene a Selection Panel meeting to select the Teams no later than the 15 th April 2016 for the Men's Team and the 12 th May 2016 for the Women s team. The Selection Panel will comprise:- Selection Panel Chair selected from PAG One representative from PAG Performance Director Head Coach of the relevant (Men's or Women's) Squad Assistant Coach(s) of the relevant (Men's or Women's) Squad Other relevant Squad Coaches as required

4 A representative of the British Paralympic Association will be invited to attend to observe (non-voting) Once the Selection Panel has identified the players that it will nominate to BPA, it will submit the proposed team via the PAG to the BWB Executive Board (BWB EB) for ratification prior to submission to the BPA for final approval. Team Announcement Following endorsement by the BWB EB the successful and unsuccessful players will be notified directly, via the process detailed below. Following this, a joint BPA/BWB team announcement will be made through the BPA s and BWB s usual communication channels. The exact timing of this announcement will be dictated by the opportunity to generate the most interest with the intention of increasing the profile of the selected team. In putting themselves forward for selection all athletes confirm that they will keep their selection/non-selection confidential until such a time as the formal announcement is made. Communication of Selection All players involved in the selection process will be informed of the final selection both verbally and confirmed in writing within 7 days on the Selection Panel meeting. All nonselected players will receive feedback from the Head Coach of the specific squad to clarify the selection decision. Any player involved in the selection process may request to discuss the reason for nonselection with the Selection Panel Chairman. Any such request must be made in writing (by letter or ). Any discussions with a player regarding non-selection will take place with at least 2 members of the selection panel present. These discussions will be documented and a copy of the notes given to the player and one kept on record in the Performance Directorate. This would form the first stage of any appeal process. All discussions and confirmations with all team members (including staff) will remain confidential until any and all appeals are finalised. Sport Specific Criteria The Selection Panel will aim to select a squad of players that will enable the GB Wheelchair Basketball Team to field a variety of point's line-ups so as to maximize the team competitiveness in a variety of match situations. In order to do this the Head and Assistant Coach(es) will observe players in drills, scrimmages and games, as well as at competitions, training camps and training days prior to the final selection date. Players will be considered and reviewed on their ability to shoot and score, to apply tactics and demonstrate game sense, as well as their speed and chair skills, defensive fundamentals, and ball handling and passing skills. The information gathered at each of selection and observation opportunities will be presented by the Head and Assistant Coach(es) to the Selection Panel.

5 Subjectivity The sport of wheelchair basketball is not a measured or timed event. In the selection of players who will compete together effectively as a team, it is impossible to make selection decisions based solely upon objective criteria. It is the belief of BWB that the selection criteria set out above, which includes both objective and subjective components in the evaluation of performance and ability, will result in the selection of the very best players to comprise the GB Teams for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Pre Selection There will be no pre-selection for the 2016 teams Illness or injury at selection In the event of illness or injury at the time of any Selection Event one of the following will apply: The athlete will be invited to attend the next selection opportunity. Should no further selection opportunity exist, an athlete may be observed competing in League competition or in training by the relevant Head Coach and/or Selector. Prior performance earlier in the selection process, at camps and recent major tournaments (Europeans and World Championships) may also be considered. Players wishing the Selection Panel to consider illness or injury must notify the Panel in writing in advance of the Selection Event that they feel may be affected. In submitting a request for consideration, players must also submit evidence to support their request. BWB reserves to right to ask for an independent assessment of an athlete s fitness to play or train to allow them to make a full consideration of the circumstances. Exceptional circumstances Should exceptional circumstances occur during the selection process (e.g. significant and unavoidable personal circumstances such as bereavement or serious family illness), players are able to request that these circumstances are taken into consideration by the Selection Panel. Players will be required to submit written evidence of the circumstance and how it has or will impact upon their ability to play or train.

6 If the Selection Panel categorises the circumstances as significant, and therefore meriting consideration, one of the following will apply: The athlete will be invited to attend the next selection opportunity. Should no further selection opportunity exist, an athlete may be observed competing in League competition or in training by the relevant Head Coach and/or Selector. Prior performance either earlier in the selection process (e.g. at camps) and/or at recent major tournaments (Europeans and World Championships) may also be considered. In the case of any unresolved or ongoing circumstances the Selection Panel will consider the potential for further disruption to performance or player availability in making its decision whether or not to select a player. Additional information may therefore be requested from any athlete who applies to have exceptional circumstances considered. De-selection BWB will consider de-selection in the following circumstances: Illness or injury Loss of form Contravention of the BWB Team Agreement or Code of Conduct. Replacements - Reserves In the instance of a replacement being required, they will be selected from the BWB long list. The ability of BWB to implement a replacement will be limited by the IPC regulations on late replacement (IPC Late Athlete Substitution Policy). Withdrawal Any team member who withdraws from the team following selection may be liable for the reimbursement of any costs incurred. Such a withdrawal should in the first instance be communicated to the PD. The PD will inform the PAG and BWB EB. Force Majeure In the event of a Force Majeure (i.e. war, terrorism etc.) BWB reserves the right to change the selection policy or procedure which could include withdrawal of the GB Team. Anti-Doping BWB is WADA compliant and adherence to such policies and processes as stipulated by WADA or its appointed agents is expected and detailed clearly in the Player's Agreement.

7 Team Values, Code of Conduct and Team Agreement BWB places great emphasis on the Team Values and Code of Conduct that have been developed in collaboration between the players and staff of the GB Programme. In making its selection decisions, the Selection Panel will also consider the contribution that a player will make to team unity and cohesion. In accepting selection, each selected player agrees with, and must sign, the BWB Player Agreement, Code of Conduct for GB Players and the BPA Team Members Agreement. Failure to comply with either the BWB Player Agreement or Code of Conduct, or any violation of the Team Values will result in disciplinary action which may include de-selection from the GB Wheelchair Basketball Team. At all times Players/Teams must recognise that they are ambassadors for the sport and be prepared to act in a manner befitting a representative of BWB and the Great Britain and NI Paralympic Team. Appeals Any party who feels that they have grounds for appeal of the decision of the BWB Selection Panel may appeal to an independent arbitrator. They shall give notice in writing (by letter 1 or by 2 ) to the CEO of BWB of their desire to appeal within 5 working days of receiving the reasoned selection decision from the Head Coach(es). The statement of appeal should set out all the facts on which the appeal is based. It must show clearly the appellant's address and be accompanied by an appeal fee of 100. This fee should be paid by cheque and be payable to BWB. Where an appeal is successful this fee will be refunded. This appeal should be received by: Men's selection 17:30 on the 20 th April (notification + 5 working days) Women's selection 17:30 on the 17 th May 2016 (notification + 5 working days) Appeals may only be lodged on the grounds of: The selection panel failed to properly apply the published selection policy or criteria in making their decisions; and/or The decision reached was made on the basis of an error (e.g. incorrect information was used in the assessing an athlete s performance which had an impact on the final selection decision) Appeals will not be permitted that challenge the content of the published selection criteria. As such, providing the Selection Panel abide by the Selection Policy, no appeal may be lodged against either an individual Panel member or the Selection Panel itself. The criteria for appeal may not include any alleged error of judgment of the selectors. Within 5 working days of receipt of this appeal the CEO shall contact the appellant or his/her representative and both parties shall use their best endeavours to agree upon an independent arbitrator. 1 Letters must be addressed to Charlie Bethel, CEO. British Wheelchair Basketball. SportPark, 3 Oakwood Drive. Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3QF 2 s must be addressed FAO Charlie Bethel and sent to Emily Westwood, e.westwood@britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk

8 This arbitrator in conducting the hearing must apply the following principles:- Each side must have a fair opportunity to put their own case and to challenge that of the other side. Each side must be allowed to place before the Arbitrator any evidence that they consider relevant and wish to have considered. The Arbitrator may prevent the introduction of defamatory, irrelevant, or unnecessarily long and repetitious material. Where a witness gives evidence orally, the other side must be allowed to test that evidence. The Arbitrator should restrain any cross-examination that is not relevant to the issues or which is designed to humiliate or distress the witness. The overriding objectives of this Selection Policy should be met. The Arbitrator may adopt any method (subject to all the points above) of proceeding at a hearing that he or she considers to be fair. Should both parties fail to agree on an independent arbitrator then a sole arbitrator will be appointed in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of Sport Resolutions (UK) (a trading name of The Sports Dispute Resolution Panel Ltd Company No ). The Appeal shall then be governed by the Arbitration Act 1996 and Sport Resolutions (UK) s Appeal Arbitration Rules, which Rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference to this clause. The decision of the sole arbitrator shall be final and binding on all concerned. Players who are members of the BAC are made aware that they are able to approach their Association for support during any Appeal. This may include emotional support as well as independent consultation on grounds for appeal. Ultimate Authority The British Paralympic Association (BPA) is the ultimate authority on the selection of players and teams to represent the GB and NI team in the 2016 Paralympic Games.

9 Glossary BWB BPA BAC BWB EB PAG CEO PD WADA IWBF British Wheelchair Basketball, also known as the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association British Paralympic Association British Athletes Commission Executive Board of BWB Performance Advisory Group of BWB Chief Executive Officer Performance Director World Anti-Doping Authority International Wheelchair Basketball Federation

10 Appendix 1 GB Women Selection Flow Chart Season <20 Players <20 players invited to February Half Term Camp to include existing Programme players and players nominated from HPCs February Half Term Camp 18 th 21 st February February Half-Term Camp - Squad reduced to 16 players 16 Players Observation in training, games and tournaments Central training and competition programme Final Selection Camp 6 th 8 th May Final selection event. 12 players (+4 reserves) selected for nomination to BPA Final Rio 2016 Selection Confirmed w/c 9 th May 12 players (+4 reserves) nominated to BPA Summer Programme + Tournaments Selection Events, as referred to in the Selection Policy, are highlighted in blue

11 Appendix 2 GB Men Selection Flow Chart Season <30 Players <30 players Invited to November and December Camps to include Talent Identified Junior squad members Pre-Christmas Camp 7 th 9 th December squad reduced to 20 players based on WITTW criteria camp & league performances, classification, future potential 20 Players (2 x 10) January Camp Players progress to Jan Camp 18 th 20 th January 10 players reduced to 6-8 Players 1 10 progress to Feb Camp Players players invited to February Camp Feb Camp 1 st 3 rd February camp squad reduced to the 16 players selected for Easter Tournament 16 Players Easter Tournament 23 rd 27 th March Final selection event. 12 players (+4 reserves) selected for nomination to BPA Final Rio Selection Confirmed w/c 11 th April 12 players (+4 reserves) nominated to BPA Summer Programme + Tournaments Selection Events as referred to in the Selection Policy are highlighted in blue NB, Numbers presented for the early (pre-february) stages of selection are indicative targets and may therefore vary slightly depending upon circumstances.