NSW Judo Team Selection Criteria for 2009 Nationals

This document describes both the expectation on athletes seeking to represent NSW at the 2009 National Judo titles and the process to be followed in the selection of teams to represent NSW at the annual JFA National Championships. It is applicable to all members of the JFA (NSW) Inc.

• Medal in a minimum of 2 out of the 3 selection tournaments.
• Participate in the Technical Skills Session.
• Participate in the State Team Training Camp.
• Attend a minimum of 75% of squad training sessions. (Or in the event of Country athletes, attend 75% of Saturday sessions)
• Complete and forward the requested information and payments within the specified time frames.
• NSW Team Coaches and Managers will coordinate the training programme, record athlete attendance and recommend athletes for inclusion on the team using the 2009 Selection Criteria.
• In the case of exceptional circumstances, the onus is on the athlete to clearly document the circumstances in writing prior to commencement of squad training so that due consideration can be given to the situation.
• Based on recommendations from the State Coaching Coordinator, the NSW BOM finalise the list of members of the State Team.

• An athlete will be eligible for selection by gaining 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd in at least 2 of the 3 selections in the weight and age category chosen to participate in the Nationals.
  
  Selection Tournament dates for 2009 are:
   

• The JFA Inc. Sporting Code will apply for all NSW selection events.
   
•  The following Age Category restrictions will apply at all events:
  • Yonen competitors entering Shonen divisions must be 11 years old and 2nd Kyu on the day of the selection tournament. If successful in gaining state selection, they must be graded to 1st Kyu before participating in the Nationals and compete as a Shonen 3rd Kyu. (and therefore 12 years old).

    Due to these younger players “growth spurts”, weight categories will be agreed through discussion with player, parent (or guardian) and the relevant state coach during their squad-training period

    
     
  • Shonen competitors entering Junior Men/Women or Senior Men/Women divisions must be minimum 14 years old and 2nd Kyu on the day of the tournament.

    They may also be eligible for selection to the Junior Men/Women or the Senior Men/Women divisions only if they are graded to 1st Kyu (and therefore 15 years old), or Seinen (senior) 3rd Kyu (and therefore 16 years old), by the date of the Nationals. In these cases, athletes must compete in the divisions for which they are seeking selection.

• Seeding of athletes at Selection Competitions will be the responsibility of the relevant coach or representative of the NSW Athlete Support Team for selection events.

•  The Tournament Manager will oversee the process and arbitrate if necessary. If the relevant coach or representative of the NSW Athlete Support Team are not available then the Tournament Manager will take responsibility for this process.

• State squad sessions commence on Monday 20 April 2009.
• Squad sessions will run 3 times per week;
  • Please note, under 13 players will be required to attend at least one session per week at Junior Squad for the 7 week period leading up to the National Titles.
• To be included on the final state team for the 2009 nationals, athletes must attend a minimum of 75% of squad training sessions.
  • The 75% is in addition to the Technical Skills Session and State Training Camp which are compulsory.
  • Athletes living in NSW, outside a 100km radius of the Sydney GPO, may negotiate with the Coaching Coordinator, a suitable athlete training program, but are expected at 75% of weekend squad training sessions.
• State coaches will record athletes’ attendance at squad.
• A medical certificate provided by a doctor, stating the athlete’s fitness for squad training, is to be submitted to the relevant state coach by the first state squad training session attended.
• Club coaches are encouraged to attend sessions with their athletes and assist on the mat under the direction of the State Coaching Team. The State Coaching Team will be responsible for coaching NSW athletes at the National Championships.

• Injuries
  • A doctor’s certificate must be provided in the event of an injury preventing full participation at state squad training sessions.
  • If an injury is substantiated, the expectation is that the athlete participates within the constraints of the injury.
  • If the state coach believes that further medical opinion is needed from the nominated medical personnel, then the player concerned shall attend at their own expense.
  • In case of injury, the attendance criteria must still be met.
• Exceptional circumstance
  • It is acknowledged that adverse situations sometimes arise that impact on training commitments. To be fair and consistent for all, it is expected that the athlete communicate the circumstance formally, prior to the commencement of squad training or at the earliest opportunity, to the State Coaching Coordinator for consideration.

• Each country region may apply for a regional base training centre to support their athletes in preparation for the Nationals.
• The selection criteria in relation to squad training attendance must still be met by regional athletes. That is, regional athletes, even when training with regional squads, must still attend at least 75% of weekend squad training sessions with the main squad.

• Failure to complete or provide any requested documentation and associated fees by the due dates will result in the athlete being withdrawn from the state team.

• If an athlete has paid and then has to withdraw due to injury or exceptional circumstance prior to 11 May 2009, a full reimbursement will be provided by JFA (NSW) Inc. within a reasonable time frame.

• If an athlete has paid and has to withdraw, or fails to meet the 2009 State Selection Criteria and is withdrawn after 11 May 2009, reimbursement will made within a reasonable time frame, minus the entry fee cost and a $40.00 administration fee, by the JFA (NSW) Inc.

• If, via exceptional circumstance, an athlete is included in the state team after 10 May 2009, the athlete will be responsible for paying the late entry fee imposed by the JFA Inc.

• Athletes training or competing overseas will be granted exemption from NSW selection criteria 2009, for the duration of the time overseas provided that prior written permission has been sought from the State Coaching Coordinator.

• Athletes who are current senior national champions have automatic entry to the 2009 JFA Inc. National Championships.

• State Tracksuits. Only official members of the NSW team are permitted to wear the state tracksuit. Team members (athletes and officials) must wear their state tracksuits to, from and during the competition. It is mandatory that all selected players wear a current state tracksuit.

• JFA Inc. athletes from other states and territories may participate in the three selection events.

• Exemptions to the Selection Criteria are at the absolute discretion of the State Coaching Coordinator.
• The State Coaching Coordinator will submit the list of members of the state team to the NSW BOM for approval.