PARALYMPICS IRELAND NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION POLICY & STANDARDS VERSION: 3 NOVEMBER 2016 Table of Contents SECTION. 1 CLASSIFICATION POLICY .................................................................................................................. 3 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 3 2. Purpose ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 3. Articles ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 4. Roles & Responsibilities .............................................................................................................................. 4 5. Requirements to National Bodies and Local Organising Committee to Request Classification Day .......... 7 6. National Standards ..................................................................................................................................... 8 7. Terms and Conditions ................................................................................................................................. 8 8. Application .................................................................................................................................................. 9 Appendix. A Terminology ............................................................................................................................... 10 Appendix. B Sports Governance ........................................................................................................................ 12 SECTION. 2 NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS .............................................................................. 15 A. Eligible Impairments ..................................................................................................................................... 17 B. Athlete Evaluation ........................................................................................................................................ 21 C. Protest & Appeals ......................................................................................................................................... 33 Section.1 Protest .............................................................................................................................................. 33 Section. 2 Appeals ............................................................................................................................................ 36 D. Classifier Personnel & Training .................................................................................................................... 39 E. Classification Data Protection....................................................................................................................... 47 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ National Classification Policy & Standards – Version 3, November 2016 2 SECTION. 1 CLASSIFICATION POLICY 1. INTRODUCTION Classification is a defining feature of Paralympic Sport. It provides a structure for competition, ensuring fair and equitable field of play at all levels of sport. Paralympic athletes have an impairment in body structures and functions that leads to a competitive disadvantage in sport. Consequently, criteria are put in place to ensure that winning is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus, minimising the impact of impairment on the outcome of competition. The purpose of Classification is to define who is eligible to compete in Para-sport and to group eligible athletes into sport specific classes. In 2003 the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), global governing body of the Paralympic Movement, approved the Classification Strategy, leading to the publication of the first edition of the Classification Code & International Standards (“the Code”) in 2007, which is a universal code for classification that implements policies and procedures across all sports within the Paralympic Movement. The intent of the Code is to bring consistency to certain aspects of the classification process. In November 2015, the IPC General Assembly passed the second edition of the IPC Classification Code & International Standards, which takes effect on January 1st 2017 onwards, providing a clear statement of the purpose of Paralympic classification. This new edition, which is consistent with the first, is supplemented by five International Standards which provide specific, operational guidance in the following areas of classification: Eligible Impairments Athlete Evaluation Protests and Appels Classifier Personnel and Training Classification Data Protection (IPC Classification Code Article 1.4) 2. PURPOSE 2.1. The purpose of this policy is to outline the position, roles and responsibilities of Paralympics Ireland and its Member Organisations with regards to national classification, in accordance with the Code and its Standards. 2.2. To establish a framework for the management of classification activities in Ireland. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ National Classification Policy & Standards – Version 3, November 2016 3 3. ARTICLES 3.1. Declaration 3.1.1. All Irish athletes with physical, visual or intellectual impairments should have access to classification opportunities relevant to their level of competition. 3.1.2. Paralympics Ireland recognise the primacy of the Code and each International Federation’s Classification Rules and International Athlete Classifications over National Classification activities. In the event that this Policy and its associated National Standards fail to provide for a matter in respect of which there is provision in the Code, the provisions appearing in the Code shall apply. 3.1.3. Paralympics Ireland will only recognise National Classification activities that are conducted within the scope of this Policy and its associated National Standards. Any classification conducted outside this scope will neither be recognised nor upheld in any official proceedings. 3.2. Provision Paralympics Ireland will appoint a person who will be responsible for monitoring progress in implementing this policy and for providing advice to the Performance Director, CEO, Paralympics Ireland Board and their member organisations on its implementation. 4. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 4.1. Paralympics Ireland As an IPC member, Paralympics Ireland accepts the following roles and responsibilities under the Code: 4.1.1. Ensuring that its Classification Rules conform with the Code. 4.1.2. Ensuring the development and implementation of a National Classification Strategy and National Classification Standards, for its members that provide guidelines for requirements of classification in Ireland relating to: • Eligible Impairments; • Athlete Evaluation; • Protests and Appeals; • Classification Data Protection; and • Classifier Training and Certification. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ National Classification Policy & Standards – Version 3, November 2016 4 4.2.3. Ensuring the development of procedures to address non-compliance with the Code by its Member Organisations. 4.2.4. Ensuring the development of classification resources and education with reference to: • The Code and its Standards; • IF Classification Rules; and • Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities. (IPC Classification Code Article 12.3) 4.2. National Classification Committee The NCC shall provide advice to the Paralympics Ireland Board on all policy matters in the specific areas of classification and compliance with the Code. The NCC shall in particular have the following roles: 4.2.1. Guide the implementation and review of the National Classification Strategy, including the on- going development of the National Classification Policy and Standards; 4.2.2. Monitor compliance with the Code and the Sport Specific Classification requirements of the International Sport Federations in Ireland; 4.2.3. Develop a National Classification Infrastructure and Network that meets the demands for classification needs in Ireland; 4.2.4. Coordinate classification activities for Ireland with support of Paralympics Ireland Member Organisations; 4.2.5. Create strategic recommendations related to the on-going evaluation and further development of classification activities in Ireland; 4.2.6. Facilitate communication and education about Classification for Paralympic Sport; 4.2.7. Facilitate the identification, training and development of Classifiers in Ireland. 4.3. Member Organisations Paralympics Ireland Member Organisations shall accept the following roles and responsibilities: 4.3.1. Compliance with the Code, and relevant International Federation Classification Rules; 4.3.2. Acceptance of the National Classification Policy and Standards; _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ National Classification Policy & Standards – Version 3, November 2016 5 4.3.3. Implementation of the National Classification Policy and Standards at all events in which classification is being conducted; 4.3.4.