2009-10 BC Athlete Assistance Program »

2009-10 BC Athlete Assistance Program (BC AAP) Selection Criteria

2009-10 RECIPIENTS:

Alysson Marshall (Larch Hills Ski Club)    $2,300\
George Grey (Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club)  $1,500
Allysson Cummings (Sovereign Lake Nordic Club)  $1,500
Joey Burton (Overlander Ski Club)  $1000

1.         BC ATHLETE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The BC Athlete Assistance Program (BC AAP) is an athlete-centred program of financial assistance funded by the Province of British Columbia and administered by the Sport and Recreation Branch of the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts.  The program seeks to recognize high performance athletes who are participating in programs offered through a provincial sport organization (i.e. Cross Country BC) and competing in recognized national and international competitions to relieve some of the pressures associated with training and competition needs.

Program Objectives

  • to focus support to athletes in the “Training to Compete” and “Training to Win” stages as identified in Cross Country Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Guide  “Cross Country Skiing – A Sport for Life” document;
  • to contribute to improved performances of Team BC athletes at the Canada Games; and
  • to help increase the number of BC athletes reaching federal carding status thus expanding BC representation on national teams and at eligible major international multi-sport Games.

2.         ATHLETE ELIGIBILITY

Athletes must meet the following minimum standards:

Training and Competition: 

Athletes must be involved in programs and competitions that are within the LTAD stages of “Training to Compete and/or Training to Win” as defined by Cross Country Canada.

Athletes who meet the eligible stages of the LTAD model must be involved in a year round training and competition plan, competing in an appropriate number of national and/or international competitions and regularly working with a Level 3 NCCP Coach (or a coach with equivalent training in the new NCCP system).

The athlete’s YTP and weekly reports must be submitted to the athlete’s personal coach on a regular basis.  These plans and reports must also be available to Cross Country BC on request.

Performance: 

Athletes are expected to be currently competing within the ‘training to compete’ and training to win’ stages.  Funding within these stages is based on the level at which the athlete is currently competing, regardless of past performance or funding level.

Citizenship and Residency: 

To be eligible for BC AAP funding, an athlete must be a Canadian citizen or be of landed immigrant status, and a resident of British Columbia for at least one year prior to his/her date of nomination.

Those BC athletes training and competing in an athlete development program outside the province may be eligible for BC AAP funding support:

  • if they are a current member of a National Ski Team program;
  • if they are currently attending a nationally recognized Training Centre program, for athletes in the Training to Compete stage of development, that is not available in BC; and
  • if there is a demonstrated commitment to the BC Ski Team. 

Use of Banned Substances and Methods:

BC’s Policy on Sport and Physical Activity clearly outlines the “ethical pursuit of excellence” – which includes competing without the use of banned substances – as one of its pillars of support to sport.   The Province of British Columbia strongly opposes the use of prohibited substances and methods as they are contrary to the ethics of sport and may be harmful to the health of athletes.

Since we look to our elite athletes to set the standards for all who aspire to be at the top level of competition, athletes who are suspended by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and/or their respective International Sport Federation for an anti-doping rule violation, will be declared permanently ineligible for BC Athlete Assistance Funding.

Coaching: 

Athletes must be regularly coached by a Level 3 NCCP Coach Coach (or a coach with equivalent training in the new NCCP system).

Professional / Semi-Professional Status: 

Athletes who receive or who have received funding in excess of normal living costs through exercising their skills as a professional or semi-professional athlete within the same sport as the one for which they wish to receive BC AAP funding, will not be eligible for BC AAP funding. The responsibility is on the athlete to prove that this eligibility criteria is met.

National Collegiate Athletic Association: 

It is the Ministry’s understanding that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) stipulates that any athlete who accepts direct funding from a provincial or state government run program will likely forfeit their eligibility for an NCAA scholarship and their eligibility to participate in that sport or to participate in a non scholarship NCAA sport.  It is the responsibility of the athlete competing for an NCAA institution to confirm this regulation on a yearly basis.

Commitment to the PSO/NSO: 

Athletes receiving financial assistance from the Province of British Columbia must be available for provincial team selections (BC Ski Team) and if selected, commit to train, travel with and represent Cross Country BC in applicable competitions including, but not limited to, the National Championships and Canada Winter Games.

PSO Membership: 

Athletes receiving financial assistance must be registered members of a Cross Country BC member club for the 2009-10 season.

Athletes must hold a 2008-09 CCC racing licence.

Athletes must be in financial good standing with their club, Cross Country BC and Cross Country Canada.  Awards may be withheld at any time if the athlete is not in financial good standing with the Association.

Withdrawal of BC AAP Sport Funding: 

The Sport and Recreation Branch has the authority to withdraw BC AAP support to any athlete if it is deemed that the athlete is no longer in compliance with the policies and requirements of the BC Athlete Assistance Program.

Federally Carded Athletes: 

Both athletes who receive S1/S2 funding (“Senior” carding) through Sport Canada’s Athlete Assistance Program and athletes below the S1/S2 Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program funding level (“Development” carding) may be considered to receive BC AAP funding if the athlete is available to represent the province in competition (unless made unavailable due to national program commitments).

Athletes who receive S1/S2 funding are eligible for an amount up to 25% of the total 2009-10BC AAP grant for the sport of cross-country skiing.

Note: Not all athletes who meet eligibility criteria are guaranteed to receive BC AAP funding. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Selection Committee

  • One member of the CCBC Board of Directors
  • CCBC Athlete Development Committee
  • CVTC Head Coach

Selection criteria

The following outlines athlete eligibility and their performance and training requirements for each level of funding:

Level 1 – up to a maximum of $2,500

  • National Ski Team member or member of a nationally recognized training centre program for athletes in the “training to compete” stage of development.
  • BC Ski Team member.
  • In the “training to compete” or “training to win” stages of athlete development
  • Meets athlete eligibility requirements listed above.
  • Ski specific technical, tactical and fitness training 9+ times a week.
  • Competes at national and international levels in an appropriate number of competitions annually.
  • A minimum of 90 points on the 2008-09 CPL or CSL.

Level 2 – up to a maximum of $1,500

  • 2009-10 National Junior Team member; member of 2008-09 World Jr/U23 Championships Teams.
  • BC Ski Team member that (1) has completed their 2009-10 BC Ski Team program requirements to date, or (2) is attending a nationally recognized training centre for athletes in the “training to compete” stage of development.
  • In the “training to compete” or “training to win” stages of athlete development
  • Meets athlete eligibility requirements listed above.
  • Ski specific technical, tactical and fitness training 9+ times a week.
  • Competes at national and international levels in an appropriate number of competitions annually.
  • A minimum of 85 points on the 2008-09 CPL or CSL.

Level 3 – up to a maximum of $1,000

  • BC Ski Team member that (1) has completed their 2009-10 BC Ski Team program requirements to date, or (2) is attending a nationally recognized training centre for athletes in the “training to compete” stage of development.
  • In the “training to compete” or “training to win” stages of athlete development
  • Meets athlete eligibility requirements listed above.
  • Ski specific technical, tactical and fitness training 9+ times a week.
  • Competes at national and international levels in an appropriate number of competitions annually.
  • A minimum of 85 points on the 2008-09 CPL or CSL.

  The nominated athlete must submit their application form to the CCBC Office no later than December 12th, 2009.  Only nominated athletes may apply.

1.   APPEAL PROCESS 

It is understood that athletes have an inherent right to submit an appeal regarding the BC Athlete Assistance Program if they believe that;

  • the award level or amount for which they have been selected does not meet the PSO ranking and selection criteria as published; or
  • the athlete has not been selected for an award, and they believe that, in accordance with the PSO published criteria for the ranking and selection of athletes, the athlete deserves to be included as a nominated athlete.

Appeals to the CCBC Athlete Selection Committee must be made in writing and submitted to the CCBC Office by December 12th, 2009.  Submission of the written appeal must include any supporting documentation.

Appeal Timelines:

December 3, 2009      Nominated athletes publicized\
December 12, 2009    Athlete appeal to CCBC Athlete Selection Committee
December 19, 2009    CCBC AAP Appeal Committee reply to the athlete
December 27, 2009    Final approval – AAP awards released. Note – if no appeals are received by December 12th, 2009, the AAP awards will be released at that time.

CCBC Appeal Committee:

  • One member of the 2009/10 CCBC Athlete Selection Committee
  • CCBC Chairperson
  • Cross Country Canada High Performance Coordinator

The athlete would be invited to make representation at the conference call of the CCBC AAP Appeal Committee.

Please direct any enquiries to Georgia Manhard at gmanhard@telus.net.