7000-401 National Games: Team Sport Identification Criteria for Advancement to National Games
Review Date: February 2020 Effective Date: February 23, 2018
The following criteria shall determine how Special Olympics Ontario teams (Basketball, Bocce, Curling, Floor Hockey, Soccer, and Softball) advance to a National level of Special Olympics competition.
General Principles
Athletes must:
- Be registered and active athletes of Special Olympics Ontario.
- Be 13 years of age or older as of the first day of National Games.
- Have been training in the sport that they are competing in for a minimum of two sport seasons.
- Have competed in the Provincial Games immediately preceding the National Games.
Gender
Team divisions are designated as co-ed, and therefore, gender is not utilized as a factor in team selection.
Age
Team divisions are comprised of all age groups, and therefore, age is not utilized as a factor in team selection. All athletes must meet minimum age requirements for National Games, as established by Special Olympics Canada.
Performance
Special Olympics teams that compete in lower and middle skill levels will have as equal an opportunity to advance to a higher level of competition as those teams who participate in a more advanced skill level. To ensure that this opportunity is available, team selection is determined by the team’s performance relative to other teams of equal skill level.
Prior to the start of competition, teams participate in preliminary games to determine the ability level or division in which they will compete. During competition, teams play a round robin tournament to determine the first, second, third, etc. place teams within each division.
Team Identification
The process for team identification will incorporate the following parameters:
- all ability levels have equal opportunity for advancement.
- various ability levels will be identified from Provincial Games.
- the number of Provincial quotas allocated for National Games will be filled.
It is recommended that an objective process be used if identification is required for one team or several teams. It is critical to recognize the teams’ athletic achievement within each ability level, while not disregarding the varied ability levels.
Once team quotas have been determined by the Special Olympics Canada the following identification procedure will be used. Such identification is subject to all other eligibility conditions.
- If team quotas are equal to the number of divisions from the Provincial Games, then the first place teams from each division will be identified
- If team quotas are fewer than the number of division from the Provincial Games, then the first place teams from each division will be entered into the tie breaking process
- If team quotas are greater than the number of divisions from the Provincial Games, then the first place teams from each division will be identified, followed by second place teams. If the additional quotas are not equal to the number of divisions from the Provincial Games, then all second place teams will be entered into the tie breaking process
Tie Breaking Process
The following is the Tie Breaking process for team identification:
- Identify the teams which are tied from each of the divisions, as determined by the circumstances outlined above. Total each team’s win/tie/loss record from their tournament according to the following point system: 3 points for a win, 2 points for a tie, and 1 point for a loss). Divide this total of points by the number of games played to determine average points per game. Identify the team(s) with the highest average points per game
- If a tie still exists after step one, the first place teams with the lowest “goals/runs/points against” divided by the “number of games played in the tournament” will be identified*
- If a tie still exists after step two, the first place teams with the most “goals/runs/points for” divided by the “number of games played in the tournament” will be identified*
- If a tie still exists, teams will be placed in a draw and the team drawn will advance
*For Curling and Softball, points through 6 complete ends and runs through 4 complete innings will be considered. If all games did not reach a minimum of 6 ends or 4 innings, the highest equal amount of ends/innings that each team has played will be used.
Cancellation of Provincial Games
In the event a Provincial Games is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, team identification will be based on a draw from a hat.
Teams will be placed into divisions based on their results at their Provincial Qualifier.
If there is not sufficient quota for all divisions, a draw from a hat as to which divisions will advance.
One team will be drawn from each division until the quota is full.
Athlete/Team Endorsement
While point results may be available at the conclusion of the Provincial Games a final decision on athlete identification necessitates a great deal of consultation between SOO, Community Coordinators, Educators (for School Based Teams), Club Coaches, and Parents or Guardians. The athlete evaluation from the Provincial Games is also consulted.
Due to the demands that are put on athletes at National Games and the fact that the experience should be enjoyable for all involved, athletes should have demonstrated the ability to cope with the pressures involved in traveling, staying in the designated Athlete’s Village, competing and being removed from their usual environment for up to a one week period. With this in mind, athletes who have demonstrated uncontrollable problems with social adaptation or behaviour, in the past, should not be endorsed. These athletes may deprive other team members of a pleasant and rewarding experience and place undue stress and responsibility upon coaches assigned to their supervision.
Upon receipt of the Athlete Endorsement List from SOO, the District Developer will proceed with the endorsement of the athletes in consultation with Club Coaches, Parents and Guardians to determine each athlete’s suitability as a National Competitor.
Use of Athlete Assistants at National Games
Special Olympics Canada does not allocate a quota for the use of Athlete Assistants at National Games. Athletes who attended Provincial Games with an Athlete Assistant are eligible for selection to National Games but must be able to attend National Games without the Athlete Assistant.
Athlete Code of Conduct
Athlete must be a member in good standing within their sport club and community. He/ she must be willing to adhere to the Athlete Code of Conduct and Athlete Rights and Responsibilities.
Final Team Selection
Where the identification of athletes for National Games requires a decision which falls outside of circumstances outlined above, the Chef De Mission shall consult with the SOO Program Services Team and District Developer to make a final determination. All decisions of the Selection Committee are final.
No athlete, coach, volunteer or parent/guardian shall presume that an athlete has been identified to compete at National Games until an ‘OFFICIAL’ Team list is distributed by Special Olympics Ontario.
Any individual who informs the athlete that he or she has been identified prior to the official notification from SOO will assume responsibility for his/her actions.
Once Provincial Team members are announced, competitors will be registered in events according to their results achieved at the sport specific Provincial Games preceding the National Games.
Identification Appeal Process
Athletes will have the opportunity to appeal the identification process by submitting an appeal application to the Provincial Standing Appeal Committee. The decision of the Appeals Committee will be final and no further appeals will be considered.