GB World Class Performance Programme 2015-16 Selection Policy This is the selection policy for the GB World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) effective from April 2015 (selection panel decisions to be taken in January 2015). It contains a brief description of the programme, the criteria athletes must achieve to be considered for and retained on the programme as well as the selection and review process. The policy is based on UK Sport s (UKS) guidelines for Athlete Performance Awards (APA). The policy will be amended from time to time subject to changes in UKS guidelines and to reflect the increasing demands of badminton at the highest International level. GB WCPP The objective of the GB WCPP is to deliver medal success at Olympic Games and World Championships. The programme consists of six progressive levels (A-F), each identified by a set of criteria, and provides selected athletes with training and tournament support as well as an APA. GB National Training Centre Management The National Badminton Centre (NBC) in Milton Keynes is the nominated GB National Training Centre and will be limited to a group of between 20-30 athletes with the numbers for each event dictated by performance objectives and potential to achieve. The programme is based on a centralised training model, that requires selected athletes to train at the NBC from Level D or earlier. Development level athletes not identified for NBC training will receive coaching from within the Home Countries performance networks and respective Home Countries will be responsible for the planning, delivery and reporting of annual and daily training programmes. Athletes on an appropriate development path to compete for 2016 Olympic qualification must commit to full time training at the NBC. Athletes who are unable to commit to full time training at the NBC due to education or other commitments, may remain on E/F level support providing a clear pathway and timescale for their relocation to the NBC has been agreed with GB management. All athletes will be coordinated centrally from the NBC and GB management will liaise closely with the relevant coaches and support staff in the Home Country performance networks to monitor and support the development of athletes based there. Selection policy The purpose of the selection policy is to identify athletes who are achieving or progressing towards and have the potential to achieve World and Olympic medal performance within the next 8 years. Eligibility In order for athletes to be selected they must meet the following: 1 2015-16 GB World Class Performance Programme Selection Policy
o o o o Be an affiliated member of and in good standing with one of the following governing bodies; BADMINTON England, BADMINTON Scotland, Badminton Wales or The Ulster Branch Badminton Union of Ireland Hold a current British passport Be eligible to represent Great Britain under the International Representation rules of the BWF Not currently be under disqualification or suspension under the rules of the BWF. Criteria Application Levels A, B and C are grouped under Podium and levels D, E and F under Podium Potential. The criteria consist of a combination of objective performance targets and more subjective development targets. Performance is weighted higher as the athlete progresses towards Podium level. From entry onto the programme, the athlete must demonstrate continued development towards World and Olympic medal level performances and there is expectancy from the programme that this can be achieved within 8 years or two Olympic cycles. It is difficult to map out exactly what the journey will look like for each individual athlete and while the selection criteria allow an athlete to remain on the same level for several years it is expected that the progression from Podium Potential to Podium level will be completed in 4-6 years. Late entry onto the programme will require athletes to complete the journey in a shorter period of time. The selection criteria define what standards eligible athletes need to achieve to qualify for each APA level, how long that qualification lasts for and what they must do to re-qualify. Performance criteria must be achieved in one category (e.g. Men s Doubles) Achieving entry criteria for the GB WCPP as set out in the selection policy only means that the player will be considered for the programme at the relevant level; it does not give the player absolute right to membership. Irrespective of previous performances, athletes will only be nominated for funding if they are considered to be progressing towards, or continuing to achieve, World or Olympic medal level performances. The age bands mentioned for each level are for guidance only and based on international benchmarking of world and Olympic medallists over the last three funding cycles. The use of age bands would only be a factor considered by the panel in the case of a combination of limited progress and the athlete being outside or at the upper end of the age band. If more players achieve the required criteria for (a level of) the GB WCPP than the number of places available, the selection panel will decide between the eligible players and this will include consideration of the rate of improvement and who is considered to have the highest medal potential in both the short and the long term. The selection panel may decide, at its own discretion, not to utilise the full allocation of places on the GB WCPP. Injuries and Illness For injuries and illnesses, where GB management is confident that the athlete will return to full training and performance standards within three months, the athlete can continue to receive APA at current level and is expected to return fully to training, competitions and the performance standards of the selection criteria. 2 2015-16 GB World Class Performance Programme Selection Policy
In the event of a long term performance limiting injury (i.e. injury or illness that results in partial or no training for at least three months, intermittent or continuous, in any 12-month period) the athlete must agree an appropriate rehabilitation programme with GB management that would be reviewed after three months. At the review, GB management must decide if the athlete has demonstrated the adequate commitment and progress against the agreed programme. If GB management can confirm that progress has been made and the athlete is on track to return to the required performance standards, the athlete can continue to receive APA funding. If the athlete has not demonstrated satisfactory commitment and progress, the athlete will be given up to three months notice before being removed from APA support. Selection and review process Appeals The selection panel will consist of: o GB Performance Director (Chair) o National Coaches GB o A nominated representative with relevant performance knowledge from each of the following governing bodies; BADMINTON England, BADMINTON Scotland, Badminton Wales and The Ulster Branch Badminton Union of Ireland The GB Talent Programme can nominate players for the GB WCPP who have been thoroughly assessed and demonstrate the required capabilities to achieve future world class success. In extraordinary circumstances players may be nominated without having been part of the GB Talent Programme and then only with prior approval from the GB Performance Director. All nominations must be supported by comprehensive and objective evidence. The selection panel will meet annually in January to review all athletes against the programme criteria and discuss nominations of new players for the GB WCPP effective from April. Extraordinary selection and review meetings may be held at other times of the year as required and agreed by UK Sport and the GB Board. All athletes will receive the decision of the selection panel, the rationale behind the decision and a feedback comment. The panel can make the following nominations and recommendations to UK Sport: o Inclusion on GB WCPP o Continued place on the programme and conditions applied where appropriate o Continued place on programme and change to APA level o Termination of place on programme Appeals procedure against GB World Class Performance Programme Decisions will be followed (please see separate document). Selection criteria PODIUM Level A Level B Criteria A player/pair should have achieved the following during the last two years: Won a medal at the BWF World Championships or the Olympic Games Players selected for this level will retain funding status for two years subject to maintaining competitive level and commitment to pursue major medal success Entry criteria 3 2015-16 GB World Class Performance Programme Selection Policy
Level C DEVELOPMENT Level D Reached quarter final at BWF World Championships or Olympic Games Reached quarterfinal at Superseries Premier tournament Reached semi final at Superseries tournament Won Grand Prix Gold tournament Won an individual gold medal in European Championships or Commonwealth Games Criteria to remain on funding level A player/pair should have achieved the following Year 1 Maintain entry level results Year 2 Achieve 4 criteria results Athletes can remain on Level B funding after Year 3 if they continue to meet upper level of criteria results and are considered to be progressing towards World or Olympic medal level performances. Entry criteria Won an individual medal in European Championships or Commonwealth Games Reached Quarter final at Superseries tournament Reached semi final at Grand Prix Gold tournament Won Grand Prix tournament Criteria to remain on funding level A player/pair should have achieved the following Year 1 Maintain entry level results Year 2 Achieve 4 criteria results In extraordinary circumstances the GB Management Team, with the approval of UK Sport, can select a player for podium level, who does not fulfil the criteria, however clearly justifies a place in this group on performance/ability (e.g. lack of opportunity to perform due to partnership issues). Selection based on this criterion can only be granted for a limited period (maximum of 6 months), by which time the athlete must meet the entry criteria to remain at this funding level. Age band 22-26 Player profile (50%) The athlete has a strong player profile with no significant weaknesses The athlete meets the upper level of the physical standards set by the programme The athlete has developed capabilities at world class level in one or more areas The athlete completes the agreed training plan and continues to achieve the set performance and development targets The athlete takes own initiative to maximise development towards medal level performance 4 2015-16 GB World Class Performance Programme Selection Policy
Level E Level F Entry criteria Performance (50%) Reached quarterfinal at Grand Prix Gold tournament Reached semi final at Grand Prix tournament Won International Challenge tournament in doubles or reached final for singles Criteria to remain on funding level Performance A player/pair should have achieved the following Year 1 Maintain entry level results Year 2 Achieve 4 criteria results Age band 20-24 Player profile (60%) All round improvement of the player profile The athlete either meets the upper level of the physical standards set by the programme or is progressing towards achieving these The athlete completes the agreed training plan and continues to achieve the set performance and development targets The athlete takes own initiative to maximise development towards medal level performance Entry criteria Performance (40%) Reached quarter final at Grand Prix tournament Reached final at International Challenge tournament in doubles or semi final for singles Reached final at International Series tournament in doubles or semi final for singles Criteria to remain on funding level Performance A player/pair should have achieved the following Year 1 Maintain entry level results Year 2 Achieve 4 criteria results Age band <21 Entry criteria The athlete must meet all of the below criteria to be considered for the GB WCPP: The athlete has a strong player profile (technically, physically etc) and meets the physical benchmark standards set by the programme There is evidence to support that identified weaknesses are being worked on and won t become a barrier for future development There is evidence to support that the athlete takes on board information and is a quick learner The training history of the player (volume, intensity and quality) supports that the player can make the necessary transition into full time training to take him/her to Level C within 4-5 years 5 2015-16 GB World Class Performance Programme Selection Policy
The athlete displays a high level of commitment to the sport and takes own initiative to maximise development towards medal level performance The athlete demonstrates clear potential to achieve Level C entry criteria within 4-5 years, supported by results achieved in International senior tournaments during the last 12 months as well as the rate of improvement in the last 24 months. Criteria to remain on funding level Year 1 Confirmation of the player profile and performance level to support that Level C entry criteria can be achieved within 3-4 years The athlete displays a high level of commitment in training and competition and takes own initiative to maximise development towards medal level performance Year 2 Player profile continues to improve and significant progress is being made in addressing identified weaknesses Progress on annual performance and development targets The athlete is committed to the agreed training plan There is evidence to support that the athlete takes own initiative to maximise development towards medal level performance Year 3 Achieve Level E entry criteria Where the selection panel find there is not enough evidence to support the nomination of an athlete, the panel may choose to reject the nomination altogether or give the athlete specific development targets to achieve within 6-12 months before the nomination will be considered by the panel again. 6 2015-16 GB World Class Performance Programme Selection Policy