U.S. CURLING ASSOCIATION ADDITIONAL OFFICIALS SELECTION PROCEDURES 2010 PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES November 11, 2008 These procedures provide for selection of U.S. Curling Association s (USCA) Additional Officials for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. However, accreditation allocation is not guaranteed and the number of Additional Officials will be based on final USOC credential allocation and overall team size. 1. Describe the specific Additional Officials position(s) that the NGB is requesting. These are the Additional Official positions the USCA may request of the USOC: A. Title: Technical Assistant (1) Responsibility: Analyzing video, strategy, scouting, technical evaluations and guidance as well as utilizing Dartfish and other analysis programs to provide immediate feedback to coaches. B. Title: Massage Therapist (1) Responsibility: Daily massage therapy, injury management. This position is requested in view of both the length of the Paralympic curling competition and the game schedule, in which the team plays multiple two-game days. The physical and emotional stress associated with the Paralympics will produce physiological factors which are counter productive to achieving maximum performance. When these factors are coupled with other confounding medical variables generally shared by athletes with disabilities, the need for such a position is further emphasized. C. Title: Assistant Coach Responsibility: Assist the team coach with strategy, scouting, rock matching, technical evaluations and guidance. 2. Describe the USCA s criteria for the above-mentioned Additional Officials positions. All Additional Officials must: i. Successfully pass a USOC-approved background check. ii. Possess a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the conclusion of the Games. iii. Have the ability to work effectively with the USOC.
iv. Be in good health and able to withstand the physical rigors of traveling with and working with the Team. v. Be available for the entire duration of the games. Candidates for positions listed in Section 1.A.-C. will be considered based on their technical skill, expertise and experience at serving elite-level teams since 2002. In order to be selected for the position of Video Technician (1.A.) the candidate(s) must: i. Have extensive elite level experience analyzing video and utilizing Dartfish for USCA teams. ii. Be able to provide immediate feedback to coaches and athletes, and guidance and support for the entire team. iii. Have a proven record of performance with USCA athletes and teams. In order to be selected for the position of Massage Therapist (1.B.) the candidate(s) must: i. Have extensive high level experience in their field of expertise. ii. Have a proven ability to work with elite level USCA athletes. iii. Be licensed in their respective field. In order to be selected for the position of Assistant Coach (1.C.) the candidate(s) must: i. Have experience and a proven ability coaching teams at the international level. ii. Have extensive technical and tactical knowledge of the sport and the ability to apply it for elite level teams. iii. Proven record of performance with USCA athletes and teams. 3. How will the USCA make known the Additional Official positions and/or application process? There will not be an application process for the Additional Officials positions. The Head Coach and Team Leader will consult with the athletes selected to make up the team staff after the Trials in order to identify Additional Officials (1.A.-C.) appropriate to the team s specific needs. 4. Describe the intended method of: A. Identifying the pool of candidates to be considered for Additional Officials positions. The Head Coach and Team Leader will consult with the athletes selected to up the team staff after the Trials in order to identify the necessary Additional Officials listed in 1.A.-C. who are appropriate to the team s specific needs. The Team must provide the position title and names of suggested candidates. The Team must ask each candidate they identify to confirm that he/she is willing to serve at the Games. 2
B. Selecting candidates who will fit the job description for Additional Officials. Nominations for Additional Officials who meet the requirements in 1. A. C. above will depend on the number of Additional Official credentials made available by the USOC, and the priorities expressed to the USCA Elite Programs Committee by the National Wheelchair Team Coach, the Teams, their Coaches and the Team Leader. The USCA Elite Programs Committee will identify candidates no later than November 30, 2009, and the USCA Executive Committee will ratify the decision no later than December 15, 2009.. The USCA Elite Programs Committee and Executive Committee both include a minimum 20% athlete representation. (Membership on the Elite Programs Committee and the Executive Committee is subject to change based upon the USCA s annual election and reorganization process.) USCA Elite Programs Committee Walt Erbach, chair & Vice President, Competitive Programs Bob Fenson USCA Past President; Level 4 Coach; 1979 National Champion, 2006 Olympic Coach Richard Maskel & AAC member; 1986 World ; 2002 Men s National Champion, 4th at Worlds Nicole Joraanstad ; AAC chair; 2006 World silver medalist Bill Todhunter ; AAC member; 2007 World Peggy Hatch ; 2006 Olympic Games Assistant Team Leader Jacqui Kapinowski AAC rep; 2008 World Wheelchair Curling Jim Pleasants & Vice President, Championships Ed Lukowich Non-voting staff liaison; Athlete Development Director; 1988 Olympian (Canada); 1986 World Champion (Canada) 3
USCA Executive Committee Chris Moore Chris Sjue Kent Beadle James Pleasants Walt Erbach Jack Bernauer Georgia West Bill Todhunter Tom O Connor Nicole Joraanstad Janet Farr Beau Welling Judy Maier Bob Pelletier President Vice President, Member Services Vice President, Marketing & Operations Vice President, Championships Vice President, Competitive Programs Secretary & Treasurer Immediate Past President and Member, USCA AAC; USOC-AAC rep; 2007 World USCA AAC rep Chair, USCA AAC; ; 2006 World silver medalist (rep from the U.S. Women s Curling Association) 5. Describe the removal of an Additional Officials member: An individual who is to be nominated as an Additional Official by the USCA may be removed as a nominee for any of the following reasons, as determined by the USCA: Voluntary withdrawal. Nominee must submit a written letter to the USCA s Chief Operating Officer (COO). Injury or illness as certified by an approved USCA physician (or medical staff). If the individual refuses verification of his/her illness or injury by an approved USCA physician (or medical staff), his/her injury will be assumed to be disabling and he/she may be removed. Violation of the USCA s Player/Coach Code of Conduct Agreement (Attachment A). Once an Additional Official s nomination is accepted by the USOC, the Additional Official is subject to the USOC Code of Conduct and Grievance Procedures. 6. Describe the replacement of an Additional Officials member: In the event that the Nominated Additional Official is unable to perform his/her duties due to injury, illness, Code of Conduct violation or any other unforeseen circumstances that would result in the need to replace him/her, the replacement candidate must meet all of the criteria listed in #2 above. 7. Which group/committee will make the final: 4
A. Recommendation of Additional Officials? See 4. B. above B. Approval for Additional Officials? See 4. B. above 8. Conflict of Interest: Any individual who is being considered for any Additional Official position and who is involved in the selection process shall recuse himself or herself from any discussion or decision involving selection of the Additional Official. 9. Publicity/Distribution of Procedures: The USOC approved selection procedures (complete and unaltered) will be posted/published by the USCA in the following locations and will include the USOC approval date: A. Web site: www.usacurl.org These procedures will be posted as soon as possible, but not more than five days following notice of approval by the USOC. B. Official Publication: U.S. Curling News The USCA will publish a link to the complete U.S. Olympic Team Selection Procedures in the applicable issue(s) of the U.S. Curling News C. Other N/A Position Print Name Signature Date NGB/PSO Chief Operating Officer Rick Patzke 5