ATHLETE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (AAP) CRITERIA

Qualification Period: 01 Nov 2000 to 31 Oct 2001 with the inclusion of the 2000 Olympic Games

New Sport Canada Carding Policy
 
Sport Canada has now simplified the carding categories and has only kept two levels of carding, the high performance and development card. The Former A, B and C cards are now regrouped into the High Performance category while the C1 and lower cards are regrouped into the Development card.
Note: Sport Canada names these two carding categories Senior (designated as SR, SR1 or SR2) and Development (designated as C-1 or D) cards, however to avoid any interpretation mistakes, the CFF has chosen the terms High Performance and Development. 
 
Women's Sabre
 
Pending the positive decision of the FIE to allow Women's Sabre into the Olympic games program in 2004, plus the approval of the IOC and upon recognition by the COA*. (All of which we expect during the 2000-2001 season.) Sport Canada will retroactively start to accept the international elite points of Women's Sabrest towards Sport Canada Carding from November 1, 2000. Each Woman's Sabrest will be required to achieve the same criteria for carding as all other weapons. This means that they will be eligible to earn their Junior Card for the first year and Senior Cards in the following years pending their successful completion of the Carding criteria. Please note that meeting carding criteria does not ensure carding, as the CFF only has access to a limited number of Sport Canada AAP Cards and cards are distributed on a prioritization basis (please see prioritization list below). 
 
*The Canadian Fencing Federation and Sport Canada will not accept any responsibility for the non-acceptance of Women's Sabre by any of the three above-mentioned organizations. 
 
"High Performance Card"
 
A "High Performance" card is awarded to those athletes who achieve "High Performance" card criteria and have been previously enrolled in the Athlete Assistance Program. Such an athlete receives $1,100 per month, ($13,200 a year) and payment of tuition fees at schools approved by Sport Canada. 
 
"Development Card"
 
A "Development" card is awarded to those athletes who achieve "Development" card criteria either through our Senior or Junior criteria, or are accepted on the Athlete Assistance Program for the first time. Such an athlete receives $500 per month, ($6,000 a year) and payment of tuition fees at schools approved by Sport Canada. 
 
Note:
    1) Please specifically note that even if an Athlete achieves a "High Performance Card" level of criteria
        in their first year they shall only receive the Development Carding Stipend the first year.
 
    2) Only an Athlete's best three international results from the pre-approved tournament list shall be
        counted towards carding. These three results will need to total the pre-determined point totals as
        described in the lists below.
 
    3) Athletes cannot be carded strictly on the basis of their results. They must participate in mandatory
        training camps and follow the annual programs as set out by the CFF Weapon Leaders.
        Participation at the National Championships is also compulsory.
 
    4) The weapons considered for carding purposes at this time are Men's Foil, Women's Foil, Men's
        Epee, Women's Epée and Men's Sabre. (Please refer to the comments made above in regards to
        Women's Sabre.)
 
    5) A Senior Athlete, can only be carded at the Development Card level for a maximum of three years
        without advancement to the Senior / High Performance Card or else they will be withdrawn from the
        carding program.
 
Special Qualification for Development Card for Junior and Cadet
 
A "Special Development" version of the card will be awarded to those athletes who reach the top 8 and the top 1/3 of the field individually at the Junior or Cadet World Championships. He or she will receive $500 per month, ($6,000 a year) and payment of tuition fees at schools approved by Sport Canada. This card is issued for a three (3) year maximum duration. To maintain the "Special Development" card, the athlete must earn another top 8, top 1/3 result at the Junior or Cadet World Championships.
 
Prioritization of the Distribution of Cards
 
    1) High Performance - International Criteria, Former A and B carded athletes (Applicable to Senior
        World Championships and Olympics Only). These cards will be melted into a single card at the
        High Performance level these cards will act in the same way as A's and B's did in that they will be
        good for 2 years instead of one and designated as SR1 and SR2 by Sport Canada. These
        cards are available for an athlete that achieves a top 16 result at the Senior World Championships
        or Olympic games.
    2) High Performance - National Team criteria - one card per weapon, provided that the minimum
        criteria are met, based on CFF weapon programs supported in the carding qualification period. This
        criteria can lead to a "High Performance Card" or a "Development Card" depending on prior carding
        status.
    3) Three cards for Junior/Cadet athletes, with the priority being as follows:
        a) The special "Development" Cards earned for Juniors and Cadet at the Junior / Cadet Worlds
        b) Junior/Cadet athletes are considered together independent of their weapon, based on the
            percentage achieved by relating their carding points earned against the minimum number of
            points required.
    4) Athlete(s) recommended for renewal of carding status who have not met the criteria for re-carding
        for reasons related to injury, illness or pregnancy.
 
After these levels of priority are taken into consideration, the remaining carding candidates will be compared together in one group, completely independently of their weapons,
    1) based on the total High Performance points earned at three international competitions.
    2) based on the total Senior Development points earned, and
    3) based on the total Junior Development points earned.
 
A maximum of five senior cards (exclusive of "top 16 card" cards) may be awarded in any weapon, plus earned junior/cadet cards.
 
Exceptional Circumstances
 
An athlete refusing a team selection without a medical or university exam reason (certificate required) will not be proposed for carding. However, if he/she has good reason, his/her case will be examined by the High Performance Committee, but he/she will not automatically be proposed for carding. In all cases where the athlete's carding nomination, or continuation of carding, is in question because of health problems, the athlete must meet the requirements as outlined within the Sport Canada policy on curtailment of training and competition for health-related reasons.
 
Duration of Carding Status
 
"High Performance" and "Development" Cards are for a one-year period with the exception of our top sixteen performers at the Senior World Championships and Olympic games whose cards are for two years.
 
"High Performance" or "Development" Card status cannot be awarded indefinitely. "Development" carded athletes must progress to the "High Performance" category. Senior Athletes at the "High Performance" level must also demonstrate potential to reach a top 16 Senior World Championship or Olympic games even if the athlete reaches the minimum criteria every season. After an athlete has been "High Performance" carded for five (5) years or "Development" carded for five (5) years, and this athlete achieves the carding criteria the following year, the CFF and Sport Canada, both require a very thorough examination of this athlete's file and training diary. This is in order to be assured that there is demonstrated progress in performance, warranting the maintenance of this athlete at the "High Performance" or "Development" Card level. The athlete's file will contain such details as historical data, World Championships results, other international results, on-going rankings, recommendations of the personal coach, CFF Weapon Leader, etc. It is conceivable that at some time in the future, athletes with 5+ years at one constant "Card" level without advancement may be required to meet additional criteria.
 
Commitment of Carded Athletes
 
The CFF recognizes that it is essential to monitor each carded athlete's involvement in our High Performance program. This implies that carded athletes must be accountable for their annual training and competitive performance, and agree to follow the training and competition program that they have designed in conjunction with their CFF Weapon Leader. Carded athletes must assume responsibility for ongoing reporting, also as outlined by their Weapon Leader. In extreme situations where the athlete demonstrates a lack of commitment to the High Performance program, the CFF may choose to recommend to Sport Canada that the athlete's carding status be withdrawn.
 
Carding Cycle and Qualification Period
 
The carding cycle is November 1st to October 31st, consistent with the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime Senior World Championships in October. The carding qualification period for the 2000/2001 season will be November 1st, 2000 to October 31st, 2001.
 
Athlete Agreement
 
All carded athletes must sign the CFF Athlete Agreement and return it to the CFF by a date established annually by the High Performance Committee. Failure to sign the agreement will result in suspension of financial support.
 
B) Description of "NEW" Athlete Assistance Program criteria as it relates to the 
    NEW INTEGRATED HP POINT GRID

Point Grid

  
* Competitions in this category would have to reach the minimum strength calculation based on 4-year average; that is to say there may be International "B" competitions included as well as some World cups excluded.
 
N.B. C.E.C. is Canadian Elite Circuit
** If the USFA decides to come back to Canada for a C.E.C. we will calculate the strength for these
   events.
 
Rationale for Change
 
The new HP point grid integrates points for all age categories.
This grid will be used to assess the International achievements of Juniors and Cadets - replacing the
  need for bonus points.
We used the principle of equating the results across competitions of differing status
  (W.C.'s, NAC's, etc.)
The splits between the top and bottom halves of quarters (e.g. 9 - 12 vs. 13 - 16) are meant to reflect a
  strong first round result.
As in the present grid, lower results in more difficult competitions are given equivalent points as some
  higher results in weaker competitions.
The grid will support carding assessment as delineated and explained below.

General information about Carding points:
 
Fencers of all ages will be able to vie for carding points of all types (HP card, Sr. Dev. card, etc.).
The CFF is using the term "HP Card" to represent the Senior card of Sport Canada, We are using
  Sr./Jr./Cad Development card to represent the Junior card of Sport Canada.

Grid for Carding Purposes 
 
HP Card = AAP Senior Card (180 International points required)

 
The highlighted point values, taken directly from the general grid, would be in effect for Senior (not an
   age restriction) cards. [Only the results and points shown here are eligible for this card.]
This standard is a little higher (between 5-10% higher) than our present "C" card standard. This reflects
   the higher standard being set by the CFF, the COA, and Sport Canada, as well as the greater funding
   represented by this card.
These point values reflect the HP Committee's adopted schedule for World Cup qualifying. Any fencer
   now qualifying (not grandfathered ) for World Cups would be getting points towards HP carding
   ($1100/ month).

Development Card (Senior athletes) = AAP Development cards card (140 International points required)