Section 6: Application for and Approval of Cards

This section describes the overall procedure for obtaining approval of NSO carding nominations. It also describes in detail how to prepare an application package for AAP support.

6.1 Procedures

The NSO determines who is eligible to be nominated or renominated for AAP support at a given carding level.
The NSO decides which eligible athletes to nominate for AAP support.
The NSO provides an AAP Application Form to the athletes it has decided to nominate. The athlete fills in the AAP Application Form, which includes the Declaration to Accept/Decline AAP Financial Support, and submits it to the NSO.
The NSO prepares an application package for review by Sport Canada. See below for a description of the contents of the application package.
Sport Canada reviews and may approve nominations of eligible athletes, given the published sport-specific carding criteria and the policies and procedures of the AAP.
Irregular nominations (i.e., nominations of ineligible athletes) will not be considered and will be returned to the NSO.
If Sport Canada does not approve an NSO carding nomination and there are valid reasons for appeal pursuant to Section 13 of this document, the athlete or the NSO may request a review of this decision by following the appeal procedures in Section 13.

Note: For funding to be granted and processed, Sport Canada must receive the AAP Application Form within the carding cycle for which AAP funding is approved.

Renomination Issues

Maintaining carded status depends on

the NSO renominating the athlete. Renomination is based on the athlete meeting approved carding criteria and continuing to improve performance.
Sport Canada approving the renomination during the NSO’s annual AAP Review Meeting.

If the NSO does not renominate the athlete at the end of the carding cycle, the NSO must

advise the athlete in writing that he or she has not been renominated. The reasons for the decision must be included in the notice.
advise the athlete who is not being renominated about opportunities that are available, such as National Team program activities (camps, competitions, etc.).
ensure that all athletes who are not nominated or renominated have access to an appeals process culminating with the right for the athlete to refer the issue to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC).
notify Sport Canada, following the completion of the NSO appeal procedure, of the outcome of the appeal and make its recommendation to Sport Canada.

Following the annual AAP Review Meeting, Sport Canada will inform, in writing, those athletes who have not been recarded.

Application Package

NSOs prepare an application package and schedule a review of this package with their Sport Canada Program Officer. These review meetings occur annually, and NSOs nominate eligible athletes annually.

It is the NSO’s responsibility to schedule the review meeting. To ensure that funding to carded athletes is not interrupted, the NSO and Sport Canada should schedule this meeting so that it occurs at least three weeks before the end of the NSO carding cycle.

NSOs must send a copy of the entire application package to both their Sport Canada Program Officer and the Manager of the AAP no later than five working days before the annual AAP Review Meeting.

What’s in the Application Package?

The application package contains the following:

Covering letter
Table of contents
Summary of athletes’ results
National Team depth chart (team sports only)
List of eligible athletes being nominated for carding
List of athletes not being renominated for carding
Outline of the National Team’s competitive and training program
Changes to carding criteria
Recommendations for changes in carding-cycle dates
Athlete/NSO Agreement
Copy of the NSO’s National Team Handbook or comparable document

Covering Letter

Prepared by the NSO contact responsible for managing the NSO’s AAP.
Indicates any changes from previous submissions (changes in carding criteria, requests for changes in carding-cycle dates, etc.).
Outlines any AAP issues that could be contentious in the upcoming year.

Table of Contents

Lists the entire contents of the application package.

Summary of Athletes’ Results

Includes results of all Canadian athletes—whether or not they are members of the National Team, whether or not they are nominees for carding — at World Championships and major games.
Includes results from applicable world championships (Senior, Junior, or Espoir) and major games.
May include results of other major international events.
Presents results on the generic Sport Canada form or any other form that provides the same information.

National Team Depth Chart

Provides a depth chart of the National Team by position that includes all athletes selected to the National Team and nominated for carding.
If possible, includes all athletes who are carded at the Development Card level.
Includes a description of the method used to select the athletes and a ranking summary.

List of Eligible Athletes Being Nominated for Carding

Lists eligible athletes nominated for carding according to published carding criteria. Includes athletes nominated for carding for the first time and those being nominated for recarding. Indicates the level of card for which an athlete is being nominated, as well as the rationale for carding. For team sports, this list must reflect the National Team depth chart.
Includes the following in the rationale for carding an eligible athlete:
- A complete summary of the athlete’s competitive results (important international and domestic results, including National Championships) in the previous year. Results must be in chronological order, and the summary must highlight results demonstrating that the athlete has met the approved carding criteria.
- A written appraisal of the athlete.
For team sports, use the form Athlete Nomination for Team Carding, Team Sport.

List of Athletes Not Being Renominated for Carding

Lists all athletes who were carded in the previous year and are not being renominated for carding, as well as the reason(s) for this decision (the athlete did not meet the carding criteria, the athlete retired, etc.).

Outline of the National Team’s Competitive and Training Program

Includes a detailed outline of the National Team’s competitive and training program for the next year, as outlined in the NSO’s multi-year and annual plans. If applicable, includes the programs for those carded at the Development Card (Team Sports) level.
Includes individual athletes’ competitive and training programs if they are available. Specifies how carded athletes’ training and competitive programs are monitored.

Changes to Carding Criteria

Includes all changes to carding criteria for the next carding cycle, along with the rationale for these changes.

Recommendations for Changes in Carding-Cycle Dates

Includes all recommendations for changes in the dates of the next carding cycle, along with the rationale for these changes.

Athlete/NSO Agreement

Includes the current Athlete/NSO Agreement, including any changes in the Agreement as approved by the appropriate NSO committee and endorsed by the athletes’ designated representative.

Copy of the NSO’s National Team Handbook or Comparable Document

Includes the NSO’s National Team Handbook or comparable document.

Generic Sport Canada Form

Top of Page

Athlete Nomination for Carding, Team Sport

Athlete's name: ____________________________________________

Athlete's date of birth: ______________________________________

Number of years athlete carded: ______________________________

Athlete's present carding status: _____________________________

Athlete's playing position: ___________________________________

Athlete's rank at position: ____________________________________

Athlete's rank on team: ______________________________________

Athlete's personal coach: _____________________________________

Athlete's training location: ____________________________________

Athlete's club/team: _________________________________________

Athlete's occupational status: __________________________________

Athlete's university/school (if applicable): ________________________

How will the athlete's training be monitored? _______________________________

____________________________________________________________________

The following information may also be presented, depending on the sophistication of the NSO’s team-selection process and ability to gather relevant game statistics:

Any relevant physical statistics (height, weight, etc.); and
Any relevant “game stats” for each athlete.

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