2015 Celtic Games Under-16 Team

2015 Celtic Games – Under-16 Team

1st August 2015, Falkirk, Scotland

Selection Policy – published May 2015

Overview

The overall objective of the international competitions programme is to prepare Welsh athletes to perform at the best of their ability at major, senior Championship events (e.g. the Commonwealth Games). As part of that strategy, Welsh Athletics is committed to providing international competition opportunities to developing and aspirational Welsh athletes. International competitions are categorised as one of the following:

1. International Matches (where a Welsh team is fielded in a competitive fixture against other teams)

2. International Overseas Fixtures (an international, overseas competition that provides Welsh athletes of the appropriate standard with a conducive environment to achieve a good performance outcome)

The Celtic Games is classified as an International Match.

Selection Policy Aim

The selection panel will attempt to select the best U16 team possible to represent Wales. It will prioritise athletes who were born in the year 2000 but will also consider those who were born in the year 2001, as appropriate.

Athlete Eligibility

To be considered for selection, athletes must satisfy the following:

1. Be eligible to compete for Wales by either:

a. Birth

b. Parentage

c. Retention

1 d. Residence (minimum 2 years)

2. Be born in either 2000 or 2001

Competition Format

In 2015, this fixture provides an U16 age group competition for Wales (1 per event) against U16 teams from Scotland and Ireland.

The following events will be contested:

U16 Boys:

100m, 800m, 100m Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot Putt, Javelin, 4x100m relay (mixed – 2 boys, 2 girls)

U16 Girls:

200m, 1500m, 80m Hurdles, High Jump, Discus, 4x100m relay (mixed – 2 boys, 2 girls)

Note: Events alternate between boys and girls on alternating years of competition

Additional Information

The following event specific information is relevant;

Hurdle Heights and Spacings:

Event Height Approach Interval Finish U16 Girls 80m Hurdles 76.2cm 12.00m 8.00m 12.00m U16 Boys 100m Hurdles 83.8cm 13.00m 8.50m 10.50m

Implement Weights:

Shot Putt Discus Javelin U16 Girls N/A 1 kg N/A U16 Boys 4 kg N/A 600g

Selection Criteria

2 The selection panel will attempt to select a full team, but will use its discretion in deciding whether an athlete is at an appropriate standard to represent Wales and / or whether an international competition is in the athlete’s best interests at that particular stage of their development. Athletes can only be selected in the mixed relay event if they are already selected as part of the team in an individual event (i.e. no additional athletes can be selected to the team as a relay member).

Selection Process

The selection meeting will take place on the 7th July 2015. The International Match Selection Panel (“the Panel”) will comprise of 5 voting members (2 members of the Coaching and Performance team, 2 independent members nominated by the Track and Field committee and 1 of the nominated team managers for the event) and an independent observer (non-voting).

There is no obligation to fill all available positions – as per the selection criteria.

There is no automatic selection for this event. In coming to its decision, the Panel will consider the following (in priority order):

1. Current form (2015 season’s best performance and depth of performances)

2. Position and performance at the 2015 Welsh U17 Championships on the 27th / 28th June

3. Position and performance at the 2015 Welsh Schools Championships on the 4th July

4. Head to head competitive records

5. Injury status

6. Any other factors that, in the panel’s opinion, give Wales the best chance of success in the match

Please note that a high importance will be placed on athlete attendance at the Welsh U17 Championships.

Selected athletes will be informed by e-mail by Friday 10th July. The team will be announced on Friday 17th July.

Appeals Process

There shall be no right of appeal to the selection of the Welsh team made by the Panel.

De-Selection Process

De-selection of an athlete may occur following:

1. Failure to achieve the standard fitness testing protocols

3 2. Failure to adhere to the Welsh Athletics athlete code of conduct

In the event that an athlete sustains an injury following acceptance of their position on the team, they are required to inform the Team Leader immediately.

Confirmation of Team Staff

The following positions will be confirmed by the Panel following the selection of the athletes:

1. Team Leader

2. Team Managers

3. Team Coaches

4. Team Medical Staff

Amendment

Welsh Athletics reserves the right to amend this Selection Policy at its sole discretion and will make any amended version publically available (including the date on which the amendment was made) at www.welshathletics.org