Nomination Guidelines for Selection to the BC Para-Alpine Ski Team 2015-2016 The BC Para-Alpine Ski Team (BCPAST) is BC Adaptive Snowsports (BCAS) athlete development program that has been designed to select BC s best Para-alpine ski racers and provide those athletes with high performance training and competition opportunities. The main goal of the BCPAST program is to advance athletes to the Canadian Para-alpine Ski Team (CPAST) while providing additional opportunities for success. Athletes will be selected to one of three team levels; Senior BCPAST, Development BCPAST, or BCPAST Prospect. Although there are separate criteria based on experience and level of commitment, each level will work together as a group when appropriate 1. General Principles These guidelines apply to all BC athletes considered for nomination to the BCPAST and outline the minimum performance criteria in order to be considered for selection to BCPAST. Meeting criteria does not guarantee selection, and those that fall short of the minimum criteria may be selected on a probationary period at the coach s discretion. All athletes that are selected under coach s discretion will likely be assigned individual performance criteria that must be reached during the season in order to fully qualify for the team in the following year. 2. Nomination and Selection Process All active BCPAST athletes from the previous season will be re-evaluated by the BCPAST coaches and staff, who will then nominate athletes to the appropriate team level based on assessments made throughout the season. Following the nominations, the Provincial Head Coach will contact each athlete individually to notify and discuss the decisions and further steps. Selections will be announced no later than June 30th of each
year. There will be potential for an athlete to move between team levels during the season when/if appropriate. 3. Selection and Performance Criteria In addition to mandatory physical fitness testing and strength training programs, below are the selection and performance criteria required for athletes at each BCPAST level. Invitee Program: Must be a member of BCAS in good standing Demonstrated commitment to the sport of Para-alpine by pursuing training opportunities, both within and outside of the BC Adaptive Snowsport s programs Looking to build a foundation in Para Alpine Ski Racing with the goal to move to the Development Team Notable effort and performance at Building Our Best (BOB) camps and races Is medically classifiable for the sport of Para-alpine skiing under the IPC guidelines Athletes who ski well but have not yet achieved the IPCAS points requirements for the Development team will not move to the Development Team until the points requirements are met. (Youth points may be considered) The Prospect program is on an invitational basis Coaches Discretion* Development Team: Must be a member of BCAS in good standing Notable effort and performance at BOB camps and races Previous invitee to Prospect Program events, or participation in an Alpine or Para-alpine Ski Racing club. Demonstrated progress (points or otherwise) in the sport in local club or the BCPAST Prospect Program. IPCAS points under 500 in at least 1 discipline for seated athletes, and under 300 for standing athletes Coaches Discretion* Senior Team:
Must be a member of BCAS in good standing Demonstrated commitment to both the BCPAST and the sport Previous member of the BCAST Development team, or an Alpine or Para-alpine racing program Demonstrated leadership ability within the BCPAST and BOB program An ambassador of the team and the sport Consistently prepared and punctual Meets NorAm points requirements for at least one event o IPCAS points under 220/240 men/women in SL,GS (NorAm) o IPCAS points under 240/280 men/women in SG,DH,SC (NorAm) Coaches Discretion* Expectations and Targets, BC Para Alpine Ski Team Invitee Program: Attend invitational Race or Training camps The prospect program will be in addition to the BOB events, strictly BOB is not part of the prospect program although we do expect to see the prospect invitees at BOB events Commitment to Local Ski Training Commitment to Physical Training Classified Nationally or Internationally Development Team: Attendance of summer training camp(s) *if available Commitment to Strength and Conditioning training Commitment to the BCPAST training program Attendance of Speed Camp(s) 2+ IPCAS Sanctioned Speed Starts 6+ IPCAS Sanctioned Tech Starts Always prepared and punctual Leadership role within the BOB program An ambassador of BCPAST and of the sport Training and Equipment monitoring and recording Internationally classified Athlete eligible to compete in IPCAS races Senior Team:
Attendance of summer training camp(s) Commitment to Strength and Conditioning training Commitment to the BCPAST training program Attendance of Speed Camp(s) 2+ IPCAS Sanctioned Speed Starts 6+ IPCAS Sanctioned Tech Starts 2+ NorAm Sanctioned Starts (or equivalent if no NorAm available) Always prepared and punctual Leadership role within the BOB program An ambassador of BCPAST and of the sport Training and Equipment monitoring and recording Nomination to the CPAST Prospect team Nomination to the CPAST Team Additional Notes: Age Requirement: To be a member of the Development team the Athlete must be at least 16 years of age (and no older than 35) An athlete must be able to travel with the team without parental/guardian or additional support Progress: Athletes are expected to take advantage of opportunities provided for them within the BCPAST progression, from prospect, to development, to senior and on to CPAST. The athlete (of appropriate age) should spend no longer than 2 years named/invited to participate within the BCPAST programs (Prospect Program, Development team, Senior team) If an athlete does not reach the qualifications of the next step in the progression within the specified 2 year time period, the coach is not required to keep them on the team The coach, along with the Athletics & Communications Manager may elect to keep an athlete in the program after the 2 year timeframe if the athlete shows demonstrable progress toward, and potential to move to the next level within the following season
Coaches Discretion: The aforementioned selection criteria is subject to exceptions based on the coach(s) discretion, these are some of the discretionary factors: Opportunities provided to the athlete in the past which were outside of the coaches control Level of performance at IPCAS, NorAm, or BOB events Personal conduct towards teammates, officials, and coaches Representation of the team both on and of the hill Respect for facilities and authority Personal goals and direction of the athletes Commitment to the sport in the long term Potential to become a member of CPAST, CPAST interest in an Athlete Other factors effecting the team as a whole Medical and Health 4. Identification and Selection to the Development and Prospect Group New athletes will be recognized through the Building our Best Race & Camps Series Events as well as through recommendation via local Adaptive Snowsport Programs. The Provincial Coaching Team may also identify potential new athletes via other means. 5. Team Fees This entire section will be updated; the new structure will include all of the athlete s hard costs (licencing, CanWest, etc.) as well as a programming fee. 6. De-Selection Procedure If BCPAST coaches and staff conclude that an athlete is not making the necessary effort throughout the season, or if an athlete fails to meet performance criteria by the end of the season and as outlined in their yearly training plans, it may be recommended that the athlete resign or withdraw from the
BCPAST. These recommendations will be discussed with the High Performance Committee, and the athlete will be contacted regarding de-selection. Furthermore, an athlete is required to meet the criteria outline throughout this document in terms of progress at each team level. Failure to do so, may result in de-selection.