Document 2.1.4 Approved (Oct 02)
SUPPORT TO NST ATHLETES
AT NATIONAL EVENTS
Preamble
1. At national level competitions, such as the Canadian Championships or World Junior Trials, athletes are normally coached and provided technical support by their Division or Club teams. The creation and operation of ad hoc coaching teams to provide leadership, coaching and technical support on a Division basis is complicated by the participation of members of the Senior or Junior National Ski Team (NST), who retain their original Club and Division affiliation for some national level events, and by the presence on site of NST coaches. NST athletes are potentially at a disadvantage in these circumstances, as they have been coached by NST coaches throughout the year, have not had the opportunity to work with Division and Club coaches and may not have the time before races begin to be properly integrated into the support plan established by their Division. Moreover, the status of NST coaches in these circumstances must be clarified.
Aim
2. The aim of this policy is to ensure that NST athletes receive an appropriate level of coaching and technical support at national level events.
Authority
3. This policy is established under the authority of the National Ski Team Committee (see Document 2.1, NST Committee Terms of Reference).
Principles
4. The policy is based on the following principles relating to fairness in sport:
a. The most deserving athletes must be selected for particular teams and trips.
b. Competitions must operate without bias, and in a manner that observes the principles of openness and transparency to the degree possible. Towards this end, all athletes should receive a high standard of coaching and technical support, so that selection is based entirely on the athletes’ performance.
Policy
5. At World Championship Trials, the Canadian Championships and any other national events where NST athletes are competing as members on of their Clubs and Divisions, NST coaches may provide support to their athletes in cooperation with the Division Head Coach and Divisional coaching team. In this support role, technical assistance will be limited to assisting with waxing, splits, feeds and athlete preparation. Notwithstanding this support, the Division Head Coach and the Division coaching team retain overall responsibility for their affiliated athletes.
6. At national level events where athletes are representing their Clubs and Divisions, NST coaches may fulfill all coaching and technical support functions for NST athletes who do not have a Club or Division coach in attendance to support them.
7. Where NST athletes are not representing their Clubs and Divisions at national level events (e.g. at NorAm events), NST coaches will have full responsibility for their athletes and will fulfill the entire coaching and technical support role.