BCWSA 2021 Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Team Selection Criteria

BC Wheelchair Sports Association is pleased to announce the  2021 Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Program Outline

**Please note – due to the COVID-19 pandemic changes to the details contained in this document – including but not limited to dates, criteria, selection guidelines, and protocols – may be required. All required changes will be communicated to athletes well in advance as necessary.**

General Information:

The purpose of the BCWSA Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Program is to support athletes competing in wheelchair tennis at the Train to Train stage and higher of the Long Term Athlete Development Model. Selection to the 2021 BC Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Program will be considered based on an athlete’s potential to represent BC at national and international levels of competition, demonstrated commitment to training, and ongoing development and improvement. Any questions regarding this program can be directed to Program Manager Michelle McDonell (michelle@bcwheelchairsports.com; 604-333-3520 x208) or Provincial Coach, Sarah Hunter, (tennis@bcwheelchairsports.com; 604-787-2703).

Members of the 2021 BC Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Program will receive the following services/benefits:

• Access to coaching support from Provincial Team Coach Sarah Hunter
• Invitation to Training Camps throughout the season (and travel support as appropriate)
• Access to IST Services including Strength & Conditions, Mental Performance Training & Nutrition Consults as available
• Select eligibility for additional funding to support ITF Tournament Travel
• Consideration to be selected to Team BC for competition at the Birmingham National Championships in Montreal, QC
• Eligibility for the Provincial Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) for the year following their selection.
• * All athletes nominated to the CSI Targeted Athlete List are eligible for AAP

​Athletes selected to compete at the National Championships will also receive the following:

• Coaching support at the Birmingham National Wheelchair Tennis Championships
• Funding to assist with travel expenses to the 2021 Birmingham National Wheelchair Tennis Championships in Montreal, QC
• Provincial Team Uniform

Selection Guidelines:

Selection to the 2021 BC Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Program will be determined based on an athlete’s potential to represent BC at national and international levels of competition, demonstrated commitment to training and ongoing development and improvement. Selection will be based on both objective and subjective selection criteria (i.e. commitment to training, provincial team potential, and training environment).

Athletes will be selected to the BC Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Program in either a performance or development pool following a selection camp at the beginning of the season. Development Pool members may qualify for similar or a reduced level of services based on availability as determined by the Program Manager and Provincial Team Coach. Final selections for the National Championships at the end of the season will be made ahead of that event based on completion of the following requirements and adherence to expectations throughout the season.

• Athletes who were already a part of the Provincial Team Program ahead of the pandemic but who do not wish a participate in in-person training or competition opportunities as they arise before the end of the pandemic will not be penalized and will remain a part of the Provincial Team Program but must still complete the written submission and indicate their interest.
  • NB. Once selected, players must still complete all other online or otherwise not in person requirements.
• There will be no competition requirements for the 2021 season with the exception of the Birmingham National Championships should they proceed as planned in the fall.
• Selection to the Provincial Team Program for 2021 will be made largely on a written goals and training plan submission from the player seeking selection (see below) and as well as a verbal or written consultation with their primary coach.
  • Selected players will then complete fitness testing individually with a coach to be used as a benchmark for their progress throughout the season.
  • There will be no selection camp in 2021.
• All in-person training and competition will be arranged only as is it is safe to do so and with the health and well-being of all coaches and players at the forefront of our decision making. This may result in training opportunities being planned with shorter warning than in previous seasons and we apologies for any inconvenience.

 Appeals

Athletes have the right to appeal decisions made regarding the 2021 BCWSA Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Program in accordance with BCWSA’s Appeal Policy.

An appeal may only be heard if there are sufficient grounds for the appeal (as outlined in BCWSA’s Appeals Policy) and must be submitted in writing within 7 days of the team selection to Michelle McDonell (michelle@bcwheelchairsports.com).
The BCWSA Appeal Policy is available on www.bcwheelchairsports.com 

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for selection to the Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Program athletes must:

• Be a current member in good standing with BCWSA
• Be a Canadian Citizen, or Permanent Resident (necessary in order to compete at the National Championships)
• Be eligible to compete in Wheelchair Tennis per the Minimum Impairment Criteria as outlined in ITF Wheelchair Tennis Classification Rules
  • OR for Quad Division players: hold an P (provisional) status Quad classification AND have a plan to attend classification and achieve a C (confirmed) status Quad classification within the next 12 months 

Selection Criteria

Tennis Canada Podium Pathway Checklist & Gold Medal Profile

Athletes will be assessed using the Tennis Canada Podium Pathway Checklist as well as on several components of the Wheelchair Tennis Gold Medal Profile which can be found at this link.

Testing
Tests will be conducted in alignment with the Tennis Canada Physiological GMP & Testing Protocol for Wheelchair Tennis. Testing protocols will be in line with those used by the Tennis Canada National High Performance Program and will be released ahead of scheduled testing events.

Written Submission
All athletes interested in selection to the Provincial Team Program will be requested to complete an Annual Objectives Sheet and Training Outline detailing their training and competitive goals for the season. Please see the end of this document for the blank forms.

BCWSA Athlete Code of Conduct
Athletes must sign an Athlete Agreement and are expected to adhere to all conditions of the BCWSA Athlete Code of Conduct.

Expectations

All members of the BC Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Program will be expected to complete the following throughout the 2021 season as possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic and must do so in order to be eligible for selection to the BC Provincial Team to compete at the 2021 National Championships. Training Camps/Clinics, Testing and Education Sessions will be arranged and/or scheduled by BCWSA however athletes who are unable to attend a particular session will be expected to make alternate arrangements. Please see the end of this document for more details on Special Considerations.

Testing
Athletes will be expected to attend at minimum one testing day upon selection to the Provincial Program and are expected to maintain or improve testing scores throughout the season. Athletes who are unable to attend pre-scheduled testing dates should contact Provincial Coach Sarah Hunter directly by email tennis@bcwheelchairsports.com, to arrange a time for testing or to make alternate arrangements.

Training Camps/Clinics
Athletes are expected to attend all Training Camps/Clinics throughout the season that they are invited to. All athletes selected to the 2021 National Championships Team must also attend the Nationals training camp. Details will be distributed following selection of the team.

Education
Athletes must have completed the True Sport Clean 101 Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sport online module and/or equivalent as indicated by the provincial team coach.

Tournament Requirements

Birmingham National Wheelchair Tennis Championships
All athletes selected to the BC Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Program are expected to be available to participate in the Birmingham National Wheelchair Tennis Championships as a member of the BC Team if selected. The 2021 Championships will be held in Montreal, QC in late October/early November. Details will be announced closer to the tournament date. Failure to participate in the National Championships will exempt players from receiving additional Provincial Team support and from eligibility for the Athlete Assistance Program.

Special Considerations

An athlete who is unable to meet the selection criteria due to acceptable special circumstances may still be considered for selection to the BC Provincial Wheelchair Tennis Program. Some accepted special considerations are listed below although this is by no means an exhaustive list.  The Program Manager and Provincial Team Coach reserve the right to determine acceptable special circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

Athletes who are unable to meet the selection criteria but still wish to be considered for the team must send written notification to Sarah Hunter (tennis@bcwheelchairsports.com) explaining their circumstances one week prior to the team selection (to be announced). Athletes who have not met all additional requirements without a valid exemption may be named to the Provincial Development team at the sole discretion of the Senior Program Coordinator and Provincial Team Coach.

Acceptable Special Circumstances may include:

• Competing on a Canadian Team at an International Competition and/or Training Event – proof of requirement to participate in National Team competition/training event may be requested (ex. YTP with identified events from personal coach, emails from National Team staff etc.)

• Injury or Illness – Provincial coach must be notified prior to the start of the competition/clinic and a letter from a medical doctor may be required.
  Domestic Affliction – defined as a personal or family tragedy, incident or emergency that does not allow you to attend.
  Education, Exam, or Graduation Commitment - schedule indicating classes, exams, or graduation ceremony may be requested
  Participation in an alternate approved ITF Tournament may be accepted in lieu of participation in one of the above required tournaments. Written approval from Provincial Team Coach Sarah Hunter must be obtained before the tournament registration deadline