CANADIAN SHORT TRACK AGE CLASS AND NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The following guidelines pertain to the attendance at Canadian Short Track Championships and the North American Championships.  Team selection will be made by the Head Coach, Assistant Head Coach, and Assistant Competitive Coach.

General Information Regarding Eligibility Requirements and Selection Procedures

Each province is permitted to send up to four male and four female skaters in each eligible age category (see below) who are registered with Speed Skating Canada through their provincial branch.  This then requires a specific selection procedure for the top four skaters.  Apart from a limitation on the number of skaters per age/sex category, Speed Skating Canada sets no limitations on participation.  However, each province sets its own specific eligibility guidelines.  Speed Skate PEI guidelines are developed by the coaching staff and approved at the Annual General Meeting.

Eligibility requirements are established for the safety of our skaters and other skaters participating in the National Age Class Championships and to ensure appropriate athlete development.  If a skater is not skilled enough to participate at the National short track level, even if they are amongst the top four skaters in the province, they can become a danger to themselves and other skaters because of the difference in ability and speed.  Safety is not a paramount issue in long track because of the different nature of the sport.  In terms of athlete development, participation in National Championships can be a tremendous learning experience and a strong motivating force if skaters are at a competitive level.  However, if the skaters are not able to actively participate in the race because they are too far behind, they do not gain any useful experience and it can be sufficiently demoralizing to push skaters out of the sport.  The time standards are therefore set to ensure both a basic skill and speed level for safety and to ensure that the National Championships are a positive, building experience.  Further, the standards serve as a goal towards which the skaters can work.  The purpose of the time standards, therefore, is not to act as a barrier but as an indication of the capabilities of the skater and a marker of readiness to compete at the National level.

Participation standards are set for several reasons.  To get an adequate training effect, to ensure specific training sufficient to avoid injury, and to be prepared for National level competition, a minimum of 3 days of specific training per week is required.  Participation in the training program less than 75% of the time makes it very difficult for appropriate coaching to be delivered.  Speed Skate PEI and the coaching staff make a significant time and financial commitment to the National Championships.  This is both a team and an individual event, and so an equivalent commitment from the skaters is expected.   A minimum participation is required for skaters to feel “part” of the team.  It is very difficult for coaches to impart information to skaters and to connect with the other skaters when they do not attend sufficient practices.  Participation standards are also a way of ensuring that skaters who make time standards early in the year remain prepared at the time of the National Championships.  Meet attendance criteria are set to ensure that skaters have appropriate competition experience to participate at the National level.

Team selection and eligibility for selection will be made by the Head Coach in consultation with the appropriate coaching staff.  Any appeals are to be direct to the Executive of Speed Skate PEI following the procedure outlined below.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR PROVINCIAL SHORT TRACK TEAM

Skaters for the provincial short track team (participation in the Nationals/North Americans) will be selected from those skaters who meet the eligibility criteria as set out below.  The selection for the provincial teams for age class competitions shall be based on the Provincial Ranking List for short and long track competitions.  The provincial ranking list is based on the average personal best times of the four age class distances, expressed as a percent of the Canadian Records.  Personal best times may be skated at any provincially or nationally sanctioned meet.  Times skated outside of sanctioned meets are not used in establishing the provincial ranking list.

Team selection for the short track team will be made one week after the completion of the Eastern Canadian Championships; this may change following completion of the PEI Canada Games team schedule.  Speed Skate PEI has elected to select the team at an earlier date than many other provinces in order to allow travel, school, and work arrangements to be made with adequate lead time.  Skaters will be selected from those who have met the eligibility criteria at that time (except for meet attendance; see note below).  Up to four skaters and one alternate will be named to Provincial Team for each gender.  Additional skaters may be named to fill open spots up until the date that entry submission is required for the events.  If one or more skater fails to retain a spot due to injury, a decision not to compete, or failure to continue to meet eligibility requirements (e.g. fails to compete in four meets prior to the Canadian Championship), they may be replaced first by the alternate skater and then by the current next skater on the eligibility list.  Skaters who did not meet the eligibility criteria at the time of the first Team selection may be added to open spots at the time of the submission of entries provided they have subsequently met the eligibility criteria (e.g. time and/or participation standards).  If two skaters are competing for a single spot, the Provincial Ranking List will be used in the selection procedure as described above.

Because the long track championships are earlier in the year, the skating season is shorter, and fewer skaters involved, the team will be selected at the time of entry submission.  Normally, this will be the end of January.

Injured or sick skaters who have missed more than 3 weeks of practice following being named to the team must demonstrate the ability to skate the National standards in a sanctioned meet or, if a sanctioned meet is not scheduled in time, in time trials specified by the Head Coach, over two distances agreed with the skater and where the time is recorded on a minimum of three watches.  These times must be skated prior to the submission of entry forms.

Members of the relay teams will be selected by the most senior coach attending the National Championships, in consultation with the assistant coach.  The selection for the relay team will be based on speed, timing, exchange technique and effort, and general compatibility of the team.  Where possible, an alternate will be named.  The selection of the relay team will not normally be made more than two weeks prior to the Canadians or later than the completion of the first day of competition at the Canadians.  This is subject to change depending on the number of skaters attending the Nationals.

Age Eligibility

Canadian Championships are only sanctioned by Speed Skating Canada for skaters Midget and above.  Bantam and lower are considered exhibition.  Depending on the format of the Canadian Championships, senior skaters may or may not be eligible to participate. Bantam skaters may participate in Canadian Championships held in Atlantic Canada provided a bantam class is offered and they meet time standards set by the coaching staff and the other criteria set out below.  Participation of Bantam skaters in other Canadian Championships will not normally be approved.

All skaters under 13 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  All skaters must be capable of putting on their own equipment, including skates, and must either be capable of sharpening their own skates or accompanied by a parent who takes responsibility for this activity.

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Participation Eligibility

Skaters wishing to be considered for inclusion on the Provincial team to attend the Canadian Championships must be enrolled in the competitive program.  Skaters are expected to attend 90% of practices assigned by the coaching staff.  Skaters with an attendance record less than 75% of practices assigned by the coaching staff will not be eligible for selection to the Provincial team, except in exceptional circumstances.

All regularly scheduled practices are considered assigned practices.   Additional practices for which a week’s notice has been provided are also considered assigned practices.  This notice may be given by any of an announcement at practice, a hand-out, announcement on the hotline, or posting on the website.  Storm days on which schools are cancelled or that are severe enough to make travel risky are not considered part of practices for which attendance is required (even if most skaters attend).  They can however be counted towards attendance for those skaters who do participate.  Designated optional practices are not considered for attendance.  For skaters with injuries or illnesses that do not permit full participation in practices for a period of 2 weeks or longer, allowances will be made for attendance at the discretion of the coaching staff.  In all cases, a doctor’s certificate must be provided and the skater or their parents must remain in contact with the coaching staff regarding their condition.  Normally, the healing period or other substitute activities (e.g. off-ice training, etc) will be considered to be part of the training program for that skater.

Skaters who are skating at a National Training Centre or training with another Club because they are attending a school off Island must meet the 75% attendance criteria where they are training.  Skaters training off-Island must submit a letter or other documentation from their coach indicating compliance with 75% attendance.

Skaters must participate in at least four sanctioned meets over the course of the year, not including the Canadians or North Americans.  Participation in four sanctioned meets is required  prior to competing in the Canadians, but is not required at the time of selection to the team (in other words, a skater may only have competed in 3 meets at the conclusion of the Eastern canadian Championship, but misy participate in a fourth meet prior to attending the Canadians). Skaters training off Island must produce evidence of having competed in four sanctioned events.

For short track, participation in the Eastern Canadian Championships is considered obligatory unless permission is obtained in advance from the coaching staff for other legitimate obligations (e.g. important conflicting events, University examinations, attending University off Island) or for medical reasons for which a doctor’s certificate is provided.  Where possible, skaters are expected to participate in another meet of equivalent competitive level should they miss the Eastern Canadian Championships.  

For the long track championships, participation in at least one long track event (events include training camps, meets, or other special training assignments) plus three other events is required.

Exceptions may be made to the meet attendance requirements in exceptional circumstances such as injuries, illness, or other unavoidable events that prevent a skater from participating in four meets, provided they have sufficient competition experience as determined by the coaching staff.  

Time Standards

The time standards for participation in the North American and Canadian Age Class Championships are normally set at 115% of the previous year’s Canadian records (see Table below for 2005 standards; an updated version will be posted on the website in the fall of 2006).  Skaters must skate either two individual distances under 115% or two combined times (one short plus one long distance) under 115%.  Time standards must be set in sanctioned meets prior to the date of team selection to be automatically eligible for selection.  While times for attending the Nationals may be set at any meet during the year, those times must be maintained (i.e. the skater must still be capable of skating the time standards) at the time that final travel arrangements are made.

Time standards for Long Track are normally set at 120% of the previous year’s outdoor Canadian records (see Table below for 2005 standards) and follow the same regulations as short track, except that times skated in non-sanctioned meets (e.g. meets during training camps in Quebec) will also be considered.    

Time standards for the Senior Age category will be the same as those for the Intermediate Age category.

The responsibility for maintaining a record of times and making any decisions regarding the eligibility of time standards rests with the Head Coach or designated SSPEI recorder.

Because of the nature of the sport (mass start with potential interference from other skaters), the limited opportunities for high level competition prior to the Easterns in short track, and variable ice conditions that can influence skater’s times, the coaches may take into consideration additional performances during the year in making final decisions on eligibility for selection.  This discretion recognizes the purpose of the time standards and the fact that they are set as a per cent of National Records that are continually being lowered. The application of this discretion is the exception rather than the rule.  In applying discretion at the time of team selection, only those skaters who the coaches are confident are capable of skating the required time standards will be considered.  In general, a coach’s discretionary decision will be based on the following considerations:

1) the skater has an excellent attendance/participation record (e.g. 90%), an excellent training attitude, and an excellent competitive attitude, as determined by the Head Coach.

2) the skater is continuing to improve in technique and speed.

3) there are clear indications from performances in sanctioned meets that the skater is capable of meeting the time standards prior to the National Championships – e.g. relative placing to other skaters during meets; fall or interference at end of race where time standard would have been set. Normally, the skater will have made at least one time standard and be close on a second standard for discretion to be exercised.

4) discretion is more likely to be made in the case of skaters who are experienced, have experienced an injury or illness, or in the case where the inclusion of the skater has a significant positive impact on the team (e.g. allows entry of a relay team; a great team leader)

5) demonstration of the ability to skate required time standards during non-sanctioned meets (fun meets), time trials, Handicap races or other timed events will be considered in the decision.  However, skating of times in non-sanctioned meets without demonstration of skating ability in sanctioned meets is not normally considered sufficient evidence for discretion.  In no cases will times skated in non-sanctioned meets be used to determine provincial rankings.

6) a skater who is behind a skater on the Provincial Ranking list can not be moved ahead of another skater if that skater has met all other participation criteria. 

Late Addition of Skaters to the Provincial Team

Skaters who have not met the eligibility criteria at the time of initial team selection may be added to open spots on the team if they subsequently meet the time and participation criteria, but they can not displace skaters already named to the team.

Appeals Procedure

Decisions regarding the selection of the Provincial Team for the Canadians and other major events are made by the coaching staff.  Questions should therefore be first directed to the Head Coach.  If an agreement cannot be reached, the skater or their parent may appeal.  An appeal is to be directed to the Speed Skate PEI Executive.  There are two grounds for appeal:  first, that an incorrect time or attendance record has been used or recorded in the decisions regarding provincial team selection; and second, that incorrect procedure or information was used in considering eligibility of a skater.

The following appeal procedure is to be followed:

1) Within 48 hours of the naming of the team, a verbal or written notice of appeal outlining the reasons for the appeal is to be made to either the President or the Executive Director of Speed Skate PEI. If a verbal notice of appeal is made, a written notice of appeal (fax, e-mail, or hand-delivered) must be received within 24 hours of the verbal notice. The notice of appeal must state the basis of the appeal.

2) Within three days of the Notice of Appeal, the President or Executive Director will decide on the eligibility of the appeal and, if required, strike a 3-person Appeals Panel composed of three parents who do not have skaters that were competing for positions on the Provincial Team and with the Executive Director as a non-voting Chair of the Appeals Panel. The appeals panel and the coaching staff will be provided with the Notice of Appeal and a copy of this team selection process.

3) Within seven days of the Notice of Appeal, a hearing will take place.  The Appellant will present the complaint and provide any supporting documents for their case (e.g. meet protocols containing correct times).  The coach will present the rationale and basis for any decisions made. Both the Appellant and the Coach may be questioned by the Appeals Panel.  Normally, no additional witnesses will be called.  If the Appeals Panel feels additional witnesses are required, they should be invited prior to the sitting of the panel.

4) On completion of the hearing, the Appeals Panel will render a decision within 24 hours.  The Executive Director will deliver this decision to the Appellant and the coach within 48 hours of the completion of the hearing.  If the Appeal Panel finds that an error was made and that this has an impact on other skaters named to the team (e.g. displaces another team member), it is the responsibility of the Head Coach to notify the other skater.

Qualifying Times

The required qualifying times used for the 2007 games are presented below.  In case of an error in the qualifying times below, the correct percentage of the existing national record shall be taken as the qualifying time. If you have questions regarding the application of the qualifying times, please talk to your coach.

SHORT TRACK QUALIFYING TIMES
AGE	MEN			WOMEN
	115%	COMB	STD	115%	COMB	STD
MIDGET
333	37.16	1+3	112.21	38.53	1+3	115.34
500	55.64	1+4	126.11	56.75	1+4	129.07
666	1:15.05	2+3	130.69	1:16.81	2+3	133.56
777	1:28.95	2+4	144.59	1:30.54	2+4	147.29
JUVENILE
500	52.16	1+3	134.30	54.53	1+3	140.62
666	1:10.24	1+4	160.94	1:14.05	1+4	168.58
777	1:22.14	2+3	152.38	1:26.09	2+3	160.14
1000	1:48.78	2+4	179.02	1:54.05	2+4	188.10
JUNIOR
500	50.65	1+3	155.99	53.91	1+3	167.81
777	1:20.42	1+4	213.13	1:25.91	1+4	230.62
1000	1:45.34	2+3	185.76	1:53.90	2+3	199.81
1500	2:42.48	2+4	242.90	2:56.71	2+4	262.62
INTERM. & SENIOR
500	49.92	1+3	213.35	54.35	1+3	230.30
1000	1:44.98	1+4	399.11	1:53.77	1+4	429.18
1500	2:43.43	2+3	268.41	2:55.95	2+3	289.72
3000	5:49.19	2+4	454.17	6:14.83	2+4	488.60

LONG TRACK QUALIFYING TIMES
AGE	MEN			WOMEN
	120%	COMB	STD	120%	COMB	STD
MIDGET
300	34.16	1+3	124.47	35.33	1+3	128.58
500	59.47	1+4	152.21	56.90	1+4	152.57
800	1:30.31	2+3	149.78	1:33.24	2+3	150.14
1000	1:58.05	2+4	177.52	1:57.24	2+4	174.14
JUVENILE
300	31.49	1+3	135.15	33.26	1+3	142.51
500	49.63	1+4	198.94	52.79	1+4	216.06
1000	1:43.66	2+3	153.29	1:49.25	2+3	162.58
1500	2:47.45	2+4	217.08	3:02.80	2+4	235.59
JUNIOR
500	47.1	1+3	193.44	52.03	1+3	217.16
1000	1:36.28	1+4	384.14	1:46.13	1+4	408.62
1500	2:46.34	2+3	242.62	2:45.13	2+3	271.26
3000	5:37.04	2+4	433.32	5:56.59	2+4	462.27
INTERM. & SENIOR
500	47.68	1+3	203.93	52.87	1+3	227.07
1000	1:37.92	1+4	376.64	1:48.38	1+4	427.65
1500	2:36.25	2+3	254.17	2:54.20	2+3	282.58
3000	5:28.96	2+4	426.88	6:14.78	2+4	483.16

CANADA GAMES

The Canada Winter Games occurs every four years.  The next Games will take place in Nova Scotia in 2011.  The Canada Games are one of the highlights of competitive speed skating for provincial skaters.  In 2003, we competed only in the Short Track Speed Skating.  As the Club continues to grow in size and skill, we are also growing the Canada Games program.  In 2007, we competed with both long and short track teams.

The age eligibility for the next Canada Games is older than 14 but not yet having attained the age of 19 by June 30, 2010 (born between July 1, 1991 and June 30, 1996).  We expect to be able to send 5 male and 5 female skaters in short track and 4 male and 4 female skaters in long track.

The selection of the team is based on criteria established by the Canada Games Council, the Provincial Canada Games Committee, and Speed Skate PEI.   The criteria for participation in the 2011 games are being finalized and the training team will be named in early 2009 . Read  the 2007 Games selection criteria  by clicking here.