NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM POLICY

Purpose

The Purpose of this Policy is to set Ringette Canada’s procedures and guideline governing Ringette Canada’s National Team(s) as it fulfills its responsibility to organize, develop, and select ringette players and teams to represent Ringette Canada at International events.

Application of this Policy

This Policy applies to all parties who may be interested or engaged in any activities related to National Team(s) Programs as outlined herein.

Communication

This Policy and any amendments to this Policy will be published on Ringette Canada’s website.

Authority for High Performance Programs and Selection

The Board has delegated the authority for all decision-making under this Policy to Ringette Canada’s Executive Director and the High Performance Director when executing the duties outlined in this Policy. Reporting to the Board will occur on an as required basis.

Goals/Objectives of Team Selection

The team selection criteria shall be developed by National Team Coaches and approved by the High Performance Director, and are designed to select athletes who will create the best possible team in accordance with the designated goals, as determined by the High Performance Director in consultation with Ringette Canada’s Executive Director, of the selected team. These criteria and the team goals will be published on Ringette Canada’s corporate website.

Team Size

Team size will be dictated by the competition. When this is not the case, Ringette Canada’s Executive Director, in consultation with the High Performance Director, will have the discretion to name a larger team that will include a greater number of reserve athletes, or to name a smaller team due to resource constraints.

Team Announcement

Ringette Canada will announce the selected team as soon as feasible but within seven (7) days of the final selection camp by posting the team list on Ringette Canada’s website and by contacting selected athletes directly.

Athlete Eligibility

To be eligible to be considered for selection, an athlete must:
1. Have been identified and invited by Ringette Canada to selection camps;
2. Be registered and in good standing with Ringette Canada, the provincial ringette association, and the local ringette association (recommended AA calibre);
3. Be a citizen of Canada or have resided in Canada for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the event;
4. Pay any required fees;
5. Attend all selection camps as required; and
6. Be eligible to participate as per the rules of the applicable event.

Selection Camp(s)

Ringette Canada will host selection camp(s) for eligible athletes who want to be selected for the National Team(s).

Team Selection Process

The High Performance Director, in consultation with Ringette Canada’s Executive Director, will:
1. Appoint the Head Coach, Assistant Coach(s) and Team Manager;
2. Recommend the hiring of paid staff and consultants;
3. In conjunction with the Head Coach and Coaching Staff, develop a list of characteristics and physical tests to be completed by each eligible athlete which will be communicated to eligible athletes in advance of selection camp(s);
4. Ensure that in the event that one of the top ranked athletes decides not to join the team, the next highest ranked athlete will be asked as a replacement; and
5. Remove themselves from any discussions, ranking, and voting if there exists a conflict of interest.
Detailed selection criteria will be published in accordance with Section 5.

Exceptions

Athletes may be added to the team as authorized by the High Performance Director and the Ringette Canada Executive Director, upon their sole discretion, if an athlete(s) was unable to participate in mandatory events, competitions or evaluations due to illness, injury, other medical circumstance or personal, educational, or competitive commitments.
If unforeseen circumstances arise which do not allow for this selection process or its timelines to be implemented as planned, the High Performance Director reserves the right to identify an alternate process or alternate timelines. Should this occur, athletes will be notified of these changes in a timely manner.

Athlete Requirements to Remain Selected and Removal

Upon selection and in order to remain on the National Team, an athlete must:
1. Sign a National T eam Athlete Agreement;
2. Provide to Ringette Canada all required documents;
3. Participate in all team events, activities, and meetings;
4. Ensure proper equipment, clothing, and funds;
5. Obey all rules established by Ringette Canada; and
6. Assist Ringette Canada in public relations and fundraising initiatives when requested.
Once selected to a team, an athlete may withdraw or be withdrawn by the Ringette Canada Executive Director and High Performance Director in consultation with the Head Coach for the following reasons:
1. Failure to satisfy the minimum training standards set out by the Head Coach;
2. Failure to adhere to team rules and Ringette Canada’s Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy, and all other Ringette Canada policies;
3. Failure to remain competitive-ready leading up to the event. Athletes who do not remain competitive-ready by reason of lack of fitness, injury or illness may be removed from the team. It is the obligation of the athlete to immediately report any injury, illness or change in training that could affect their ability to compete at their highest level;
4. Voluntary withdrawal/retirement; or
5. Fraudulent misrepresentation.
The Ringette Canada Executive Director and High Performance Director will have the discretion to authorize the replacement of the athlete with another suitable candidate. Ringette will provide the athlete with a summary of the rationale for removal and opportunity to respond in advance of Ringette Canada making such decision.
Ringette Canada will notify the athlete in writing that the athlete has been removed from the team and the rationale for the removal.

Funding

Any money required to be contributed by the athlete must be paid to Ringette Canada as requested and by the predetermined and communicated timelines. Failure to pay such monies may result in the athlete not being in good standing with Ringette Canada and participate in any Ringette Canada sanctioned events.

Appeals

Any appeal against a decision can be made in accordance with the scope and application of Ringette Canada’s Appeal Policy.

This Policy is subject to review at least once every three years.

Date of last review: June 2020

The publication of Ringette Canada policies will be in the English and French languages. In the case of conflicting interpretations, the English version will prevail.