Competition System 2014-2016 Competition Committee November 2013
Background The fundamental reason for developing a new competition structure is to provide more competitive opportunities for more boccia athletes. We expect the current plan to develop and mature, and welcome further feedback. The background to how the plan has evolved is: Agreement by the CPISRA members present at the 2012 General Assembly meeting that a new system was needed Preparation of a draft proposal by BISFed s Competition Committee which was published on the website for comment by members in April 2013; this was updated in July and again in November 2013 following further consultation with BISFed members Subsequent discussion with the IPC over the requirements for the 2016 Paralympic Games. As a result, the current plan aligns the BISFed system with the IPC s requirements and clarifies the Paralympic Pathway. We have agreed with the IPC that for the 2016 Paralympic Games: Boccia will have 108 competitors (London 104) There will be 7 medal events (same as London) There will be a minimum of 28 female competitors Ranking points for qualification to the Paralympic Games will be accumulated starting in 2014 BISFed is still discussing the precise competition format (e.g. number of pools and matches) for the 2016 Paralympic Games with the IPC, but this is not expected to change significantly from what is outlined here 2
Update Based on the feedback received from BISFed members and our discussions with the IPC, we have made the following modifications to the competition system which was published in July 2013: World Ranking System: the IPC s requirement is that qualification to Rio 2016 must be based on a ranking system using events from 2014 onwards. Following a period of consultation with BISFed members, we have agreed the design of a new BISFed world ranking system, and plan to implement the new ranking system by 31 st January 2014 Open Events: We plan to have a minimum of 2 Open Events per Region between 1 Jan 2014 and 31 March 2016. At least 3 member nations must participate for an Open event to be sanctioned Continental Cups are single region events, and where possible should align with larger multi sport events being held in the Region. The Para-Asian and Para-Pan American Games will be classed as Continental Cups for BISFed s Competition System. There will be a Continental Cup for Europe and one for Africa / Oceania Automatic qualification: automatic qualification slots will be awarded to the member nation/npc. Therefore if an individual secures an automatic qualification slot, this will be awarded to their nation. This will ensure that members selection policies will remain unaffected and that each member can make selections based on current performance 3
Vision BISFed s Competition System should mature and enable the sport to develop by increasing the quality and quantity of available competitions by 2020. This plan aims to develop the fundamental aspects of a successful Competition System by 2016. It will achieve the vision by: revising and expanding the competition system providing a competition entry pathway for new athletes implementing a revised qualification process for the Rio 2016 Paralympics developing a new ranking system The success of the new system will depend, in part, on members desire and ability to host competitions 4
Competition System The competition system will include three tiers of competition. The tiers should: provide opportunities for developing nations to attend international events describe the projected pathway into the sport for new athletes provide opportunities for leading nations to attend more competitions provide a weighting value to competitions for ranking calculations define the regional structure for competition: > Asia & Oceania, America & Africa, Europe provide a foundation for further development of the system from 2017 5
Competition System The three tiers of competition will be: Team & Pair Tier Individual World Championships Paralympics Regional Championships Regional Qualifier World Open Continental Cup Tier A: Major World Events Tier B: Regional Qualification Events Tier C: BISFed Sanctioned Events World Championships World Individual Championships Paralympics Regional Championships World Open Continental Cup In addition to the existing major competitions (Paralympic Games, World Championships, Regional Championships), there will be four new events during 2014-16: Regional Team & Pair Championships (Tier B) > Held in 2015 for the top team & pairs per region and offering automatic qualification for 1 st place the 2016 Paralympics Individual World Championships (Tier A) > Held in 2016 and offering automatic qualification to the 2016 Paralympics for 1 st place in each classification. World Open (Tier C) > At least 1 event each year per region from January 2014 until March 2016, (i.e. 6 Open events) Continental Cup (Tier C) > 1 for each of the three regions between 1 st January 2014 and 31 st December 2015, and one for combined Africa/Oceania (i.e. 4 Continental Cups) 6
World Championships Individual World Championship Paralympics The calendar for 2013 2016: Competition System 2013: 1 event 2014: Minimum of 2 events 2015: Minimum of 2 events 2016: Minimum of 2 events Open Events [Minimum of 2 per region between 1 st Jan 2014 to 31 st Mar 2016] European Championships European Team & Pair Championship Asia & Oceania Championships Asia & Oceania Team & Pair Championship America & Africa Championships America & Africa Team & Pair Championship Continental Cup[1 per region between 1 st Jan 2014 to 31 st Dec 2015] From 2014 onwards, there will be a minimum of 2 events per year Each region will be expected to hold Open events There will be a Continental Cup in each Region in either 2014 or 2015, with an additional combined event for Oceania & Africa The Individual World Championships will take place in early 2016 and will be the final qualifying event of the Paralympic Qualification Period 7
Paralympic Qualification (Proposal) There will be a revised qualification process with: An automatic slot for each region for the winner of the Regional Team & Pair Championship in 2015 An automatic slot in each classification for the winner of the Individual World Championship in 2016 An overall athlete quota of 108, an increase of 4 athletes from London The overall female quota will be 28 athletes The addition of a BC4 substitute for the BC4 Pair The revision of entry slots for the individual events: > BC1 = 16 (-3 slots from London 2012) > BC2 = 24 (-5 slots from London 2012) > BC3 = 24 (no change from London 2012) > BC4 = 16 (no change from London 2012) 8
Appendix: Event Formats and World Ranking System Competition Committee November 2013
2016 Paralympics (Proposal being finalised with the IPC) We have agreed 108 athlete slots for Rio, and the event is planned to take between 6-7 days using 5-6 courts. Team & Pair BC1-2 Team BC3 Pair BC4 Pair Entries: 12 8 8 Athletes: 48 [4 per nation] 24 [3 per nation] 24 [3 per nation] Automatic Ranking 1 host slot [subject to ranking] 1 host slot [subject to ranking] 1 host slot [subject to ranking] 3 slots to 1 st in Regional Qualifier 3 slots to 1 st in Regional Qualifier 3 slots to 1 st in Regional Qualifier 8 slots to be allocated to the highest ranked nations remaining from the world ranking list 4 slots to be allocated to the highest ranked nations remaining from the world ranking list 4 slots to be allocated to the highest ranked nations remaining from the world ranking list Format: 4 pools of 3 to Q-F 2 pools of 4 nations; qualify to Semi-Final 2 pools of 4 nations; qualify to Semi-Final Individual BC1 BC2 BC3 BC4 Entries: 16 24 24 16 Automatic Ranking Slot allocated through automatic qualification 1 slot to World Champion 1 slot per qualified team, including host nation 2 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals from NPC not qualified for Team 1 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals remaining from a qualified Team Slots allocated through automatic qualification 1 slot to World Champion 1 slots per qualified team, including host nation 3 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals from NPC not qualified for Team 8 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals remaining from a qualified Team Slots allocated through automatic qualification 1 slot to World Champion 1 slots per qualified pair, including host nation 5 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals from NPC not qualified for Pair 10 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals remaining from a qualified Pair Slot allocated through automatic qualification 1 slot to World Champion 1 slot per qualified pair, including host nation 2 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals from NPC not qualified for Team 5 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals remaining from a qualified Team Format: 4 pools of 4 to Quarter-Final 8 pools of 3 to Quarter-Final 8 pools of 3 to Quarter-Final 4 pools of 4 to Quarter-Final 10
2016 Individual World Championship This event has been introduced to provide a world level event late in the qualification period for individuals and offers the winner of each classification automatic qualification in to the Paralympics The qualification process uses the Team & Pair world rankings to award eligible nations with up to two wildcard slots for each nation to award to their preferred athletes The remaining slots are then allocated using individual rankings. If a nation has nominated an athlete who would qualify via the ranking slots, the position will pass to the next highest ranked player on the world ranking list until the slots are full No nation can have more than 3 athletes in any classification There will be a maximum entry of 160 athletes Individual BC1 BC2 BC3 BC4 Entries: Up to 32 Up to 48 Up to 48 Up to 32 Automatic Ranking 1 host slots 2 host slots 2 host slots 1 host slots 1 wildcard slots to each Nation ranked 1-15 in Team World Rankings 12 slots to athletes ranked 1-12 in individual world rankings 4 slots to highest ranked athletes from nations ranked 16 th or lower in Team World Rankings No nation can have more than 3 athletes entered 2 wildcard slots to each Nation ranked 1-15 in Team World Rankings 12 slots to athletes ranked 1-12 in individual world rankings 4 slots to highest ranked athletes from nations ranked 16 th or lower in Team World Rankings No nation can have more than 3 athletes entered 2 wildcard slots to each Nation ranked 1-15 in Pair World Rankings 12 slots to athletes ranked 1-12 in individual world rankings 4 slots to highest ranked athletes from nations ranked 16 th or lower in Pair World Rankings No nation can have more than 3 athletes entered 1 wildcard slots to each Nation ranked 1-15 in Pair World Rankings 12 slots to athletes ranked 1-12 in individual world rankings 4 slots to highest ranked athletes from nations ranked 16 th or lower in Pair World Rankings No nation can have more than 3 athletes entered Format: Pools of 4 preferred Pools of 3 preferred Pools of 3 preferred Pools of 4 preferred 11
2015 Regional Team & Pair Championship This event has been introduced to provide an opportunity for nations to qualify for the Paralympics from a regional event The winner of the championship from each region will receive an automatic qualification slot for the Paralympics All other nations will receive ranking points that will carry a relatively high weighting in the world ranking list The number of entries reflects the strength of each region and will provide a minimum of 24 nations with the opportunity to qualify for the Paralympics Team & Pair BC1-2 Team BC3 Pair BC4 Pair Entries: America & Africa: 8 nations Asia & Oceania: 8 nations Europe: 8 nations America & Africa: 8 nations Asia & Oceania: 8 nations Europe: 8 nations America & Africa: 8 nations Asia & Oceania: 8 nations Europe: 8 nations Athletes: 40 [5 per nation] 24 [3 per nation] 24 [3 per nation] Automatic Ranking 1 host slot [subject to ranking] 1 host slot [subject to ranking] 1 host slot [subject to ranking] Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable All remaining slots allocated to the highest ranked nations remaining per region All remaining slots allocated to the highest ranked nations remaining per region All remaining slots allocated to the highest ranked nations remaining per region Format: Pools of 3-4; qualify to Semi-Final Pools of 3-4; qualify to Semi-Final Pools of 3-4; qualify to Semi-Final 12
2014 World Championship There will be 164 athletes, plus 16 athlete from nations who have not qualified a Team or Pair. The target number for the total number of athletes is 180. Team & Pair BC1-2 Team BC3 Pair BC4 Pair Entries: 16 16 12 Athletes: 80 [5 per nation] 48 [3 per nation] 36 [3 per nation] Automatic Ranking 1 host slot [subject to ranking] 1 host slot [subject to ranking] 1 host slot [subject to ranking] 9 slots to each of the nations who finish 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd at Regional Championships 6 slots allocated to the highest ranked nations remaining from the world ranking list 9 slots to each of the nations who finish 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd at Regional Championships 6 slots allocated to the highest ranked nations remaining from the world ranking list 9 slots to each of the nations who finish 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd at Regional Championships 2 slots allocated to the highest ranked nations remaining from the world ranking list Format: 4 pools of 4 nations; qualify to Quarter-Final 4 pools of 4 nations; qualify to Quarter-Final 4 pools of 3 nations; qualify to Quarter-Final Individual BC1 BC2 BC3 BC4 Entries: 32 48 48 32 Automatic Ranking Format: Slot allocated through automatic qualification 9 slots to 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd at Regional Championships 1 slot per qualified team, including host nation 4 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals from NPC not qualified for Team 3 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals remaining from a qualified Team 8 pools of 4; qualify to Round of 16 Slots allocated through automatic qualification 9 slots to 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd at Regional Championships 2 slots per qualified team, including host nation 4 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals from NPC not qualified for Team 3 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals remaining from a qualified Team 16 pools of 3; qualify to Round of 16 Slots allocated through automatic qualification 9 slots to 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd at Regional Championships 2 slots per qualified pair, including host nation 4 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals from NPC not qualified for Pairs 3 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals remaining from a qualified Pair 16 pools of 3; qualify to Round of 16 Slots allocated through automatic qualification 9 slots to 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd at Regional Championships 1 slot per qualified pair, including host nation 4 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals from NPC not qualified for Pairs 7 slots allocated to highest ranked individuals remaining from a qualified Pair 8 pools of 4; qualify to Round of 16 13
2013 Regional Championship The Regional Championship will be an open entry event, with as many nations and athletes included as possible They will provide an automatic entry slot in to the 2014 World Championship for athletes and nations who finish 1 st, 2 nd or 3 rd in their respective events Team & Pair BC1-2 Team BC3 Pair BC4 Pair Entries: No quota set No quota set No quota set Athletes: 5 per nation 3 per nation 3 per nation Automatic Ranking Format: 1 host slot 1 host slot 1 host slot Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Pools of 3,4 or 5; qualify to Quarter-Final if possible (i.e. BISFed elimination rule - between 30-70%) Pools of 3,4 or 5; qualify to Quarter-Final if possible (i.e. BISFed elimination rule - between 30-70%) Pools of 3,4 or 5; qualify to Quarter-Final if possible (i.e. BISFed elimination rule - between 30-70%) Individual BC1 BC2 BC3 BC4 Entries: No quota set No quota set No quota set No quota set Automatic Ranking Format: Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Pools of 4 or 5; qualify to Quarter-Final if possible (i.e. BISFed elimination rule - between 30-70%) Pools of 4 or 5; qualify to Quarter-Final if possible (i.e. BISFed elimination rule - between 30-70%) Pools of 4 or 5; qualify to Quarter-Final if possible (i.e. BISFed elimination rule - between 30-70%) Pools of 4 or 5; qualify to Quarter-Final if possible (i.e. BISFed elimination rule - between 30-70%) 14
World Open Event There should be a minimum of 2 Open Events per region from 1 st Jan 2014 to 31 st Mar 2016 An Open Event will be sanctioned by BISFed providing there are at least 3 nations participating in the event. Each classification should have at least 6 individuals entered For a member to hold an Open Event they will need an expression of interest from 3 nations before BISFed will consider sanctioning the event. Ranking points will only be awarded if the entry requirements are subsequently met at the competition. Each Open Event should include Team, Pairs and Individual competitions. An additional event will be sanctioned if an Open Event does not include all types of competition or the minimum number of nations is not met. The further event will only include the type of competition not held in the previous event Team & Pair BC1-2 Team BC3 Pair BC4 Pair Entries: Minimum of 3 Full BISFed Members Minimum of 3 Full BISFed Members Minimum of 3 Full BISFed Members Athletes: 5 per nation 3 per nation 3 per nation 1 host slot 1 host slot 1 host slot Pools of 3,4,5; qualify to minimum of Semi- Pools of 3,4,5; qualify to minimum of Semi- Pools of 3,4,5; qualify to minimum of Semi- Format: Final or equivalent Final or equivalent Final or equivalent Individual BC1 BC2 BC3 BC4 Entries: 6-36 6-48 6-48 6-36 Format: 2 wild card slots 3 wild card slots 3 wild card slots 2 wild card slots Pools of 3,4,5; qualify to minimum of Semi-Final Pools of 3,4,5; qualify to minimum of Semi-Final Pools of 3,4,5; qualify to minimum of Semi-Final Pools of 3,4,5; qualify to minimum of Semi-Final 15
2014-2015 Continental Cup The Continental Cups are single region events, and where possible align with larger multi-sport events held in each region. BISFed will agree the quota for the Para-Asian Games and Para-Pan American Games with the local organising committee. BISFed will organise events in Europe and a Combined event for Africa & Oceania The quota s for all Continental Cups will be aligned with each other and are designed to reflect the number of active athletes in each region. Event America Asia Europe Combined BC1-2 Team 4 8 12 4 BC3 Pair 4 8 12 4 BC4 Pair 4 8 12 4 BC1 Individual 6 10 24 24 6 12 BC2 Individual 10 14 36 36 8 16 BC3 Individual 14 36 36 8 16 BC4 Individual 14 24 24 6-12 16
Ranking System: Summary The Competition Committee have concluded their investigations in to developing and implementing a revised world ranking system. The committee have concluded that: specific adjustments are required to the existing ranking system (formerly used by CPISRA) developing a new world ranking system would take significant time and resources The Competition Committee therefore used the following principles to supplement the existing world ranking system that BISFed inherited from CP-ISRA: event co-efficient values should be aligned with the competition system tiers and the values will decay on a consistent basis each calendar year until they reach a minimum value of one (1). events will have a limited period of eligibility, in part to assist BISFed in complying with the IPC s policy that only results achieved after 1 st Jan 2014 are eligible for qualification to Rio 2016. the period of eligibility should be two (2) calendar years following the year of the event. for specific events, qualification deadlines will be set where the world ranking list will be captured and used to determine qualification for the identified event. the existing points system will be adapted and a minimum and maximum points total for 1 st place will be defined that will be specific to the competition system tier of an event a licensed athlete or member nation s team / pair will be ranked on up to their best four results, where a best result is defined as the result(s) which provide the greatest number of points after an event co-efficient value has been applied. 17
Ranking System: Principles Event Co-Efficient Values The following event co-efficient values will be applied to the related BISFed events: Tier A: Major World Events = co-efficient value of 2 Tier B: Regional Qualification Events = co-efficient value of 1.5 Tier C: BISFed Sanctioned Events = co-efficient value of 1 Period of Eligibility This is defined from completion of the event during the year it is held, plus two additional calendar years. The event retains it s initial co-efficient until 30 th December of the 1 st additional calendar year Qualification Deadlines The following deadlines will apply for the specified events: 2014 World Championships 1 st January 2014 2014 Asian Continental Cup (Para-Asian Games) 31 st August 2014 2015 Regional Qualifier 30 th April 2015 2015 Americas Continental Cup (Para-Pan Americas) TBC 2015 European Continental Cup TBC 2015 Combined Continental Cup TBC 2016 World Individual Championships 1 st January 2016 2016 Paralympic Games 30 th April 2016 18
Ranking System: Principles Ranking Point Allocation The Competition Committee have proposed some specific alterations to the existing ranking point allocation system and they have specified the upper and lower allocation limits for an event depending on the event s competition system tier (i.e. A, B or C). The changes suggested are detailed in the world ranking system proposal document and summarised below: Tier A: Major World Events Based on the existing points allocation formula, a bonus of 1 point is awarded at each level. Therefore, in an event with eight (8) entries (i.e. BC3 Pair at Paralympics), 1 st place will be worth 12 points rather than 11 points, as was the case the previous system. The maximum points available will be 16 points, where the event has 24 or more entrants. Tier B: Regional Qualification Events The maximum points allocation to a Team or Pair events is 13 points, where there are 14 or more entries in the events. For individual events, the maximum points allocation will be 15 points, where there are 28 or more entries in the event. Tier C: BISFed Sanctioned Events A maximum of 11 points will be awarded to 1 st place in any Team, Pair or Individual event with seven (7) or more entrants. 19