Athlete Assistance Program

Purpose:

To identify and support Canadian athletes performing at or having the greatest potential to achieve top 16 results at the World Amateur Team Championships.

The GOLF CANADA Carding Cycle runs from November 1st to October 31st (commencing November 1, 2012) on a one-year basis. There will be the equivalent of seven (7) senior cards available to both male and female players each year. Each gender will be allocated the equivalent of 3.5 senior cards. These cards will be allocated based on the priority order established below. Please note that Sport Canada will be reviewing card quotas for all sports and new quotas will be announced in May. This exercise may affect the number of cards available to Golf Canada.

Should AAP resources (equivalent of 3.5 senior cards) allocated to a specific gender not be fully allocated following the application of the carding criteria for all National Amateur Team members of that gender, the remaining cards from that gender will be allocated to National Amateur Team members of the other gender, prior to the consideration of any National Development Team members.

Pre-requisite:

In order to be considered for nomination, an athlete must be selected to the GOLF CANADA National Amateur or National Development Teams (both genders).

ATHLETE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

The Athlete Assistance Program qualification criteria are as follows:

Senior International Criteria (SR1/SR2)

International Senior Criteria (SR1, SR2) Top 8 and top 1/2 of the field at the World Amateur Team Championships. Athletes who meet the Senior International criteria are eligible to be nominated by GOLF CANADA for two consecutive years, with the card for the first year referred to as SR1 and the card for the second year referred to as SR2. The second year of carding is contingent on the athlete being re-nominated by GOLF CANADA and a training and competitive program approved by GOLF CANADA and Sport Canada being maintained. The athlete must also sign an Athlete/NSO Agreement and complete an AAP Application Form for the year in question.

SENIOR OR DEVELOPMENT CARDS

Senior Criteria (SR/C1)

Athletes will be nominated based on the National Amateur Team Selection Criteria in order of selection (see National Amateur Team Selection Criteria).

Development Criteria (D)

Athletes will be nominated based on the National Development Team selection in order of selection (see National Development Team Selection Criteria).

Injury Considerations:

Athletes carded the previous year at SR2 level who are injured and fail to meet the criteria for re-nomination may be considered for carding based on the priority order for injured athletes as outlined in this document and provided the following conditions are met:

1. The athlete has fulfilled all reasonable training and rehabilitation requirements aimed at a speedy return to full high-performance training and competition during the period of his or her injury, illness or pregnancy and, despite making every reasonable effort to attain the applicable carding standards during the year in which the injury, illness or pregnancy occurred, has failed to do so, in the view of GOLF CANADA, for reasons strictly related to the injury, illness or pregnancy.

2. GOLF CANADA, based on its technical judgment and that of a GOLF CANADA approved physician or equivalent, indicates in writing the expectation that the athlete will achieve at the least the minimum standards required for carding during the upcoming carding period.

3. The athlete demonstrated and continues to demonstrate his or her long-term commitment to high-performance training and competition goals, as well as his or her intention to pursue full high-performance training and competition throughout the carding period for which he or she wishes to be renewed despite not having met the carding criteria.

Priority Order of Nominations per gender:

1. Athletes who meet the Senior International Criteria (SR1/ SR2)

2. Athletes carded the previous year at the SR2 level who meet the Injury Considerations

3. Remainder of National Amateur Team in order of selection. Should AAP resources (equivalent of 3.5 senior cards) allocated to a specific gender not be fully allocated following the application of the carding criteria for all National Amateur Team members of that gender, the remaining Senior cards from that gender will be allocated to National Amateur Team members of the other gender, prior to the consideration Development cards for any National Development Team members.

4. On an equitable basis to players, of both genders, named to the GOLF CANADA National Development Team in order of selection.

Athletes on Athletic Scholarships Outside of Canada:

Athletes who are attending any foreign post-secondary educational institution (including NCAA institutions) and receiving an athletic scholarship in any sport are not eligible to receive AAP support in the months in which they are attending the foreign post-secondary educational institution. These athletes may be nominated by GOLF CANADA for AAP support during the months they are involved in National Team training and competition activities in Canada and not attending the foreign post-secondary institution.

Maximum Number of Years for carding:

A golfer is eligible for six (6) years total at the Senior Card level (including C1). If the golfer does not advance to the Senior International level after this period he/she will undergo a stringent review. In order to be carded at Senior Card level for a seventh (7th) year and beyond GOLF CANADA must be satisfied that the golfer’s performances are progressing and he/she still has the potential to advance to the Senior International level.