Classification Policy and Procedures The purpose of the Classification Policy and Procedures is to clearly define the systems of classification adopted by Athletics Australia and recognise the role of system partners. It will ensure the ongoing provision of a consistent and sustainable classification system nationally. August 2012 Developed in consultation with Australian Paralympic Committee | AUSRAPID │Deaf Sports Australia Transplant Australia│State & Territory Athletics Associations www.athletics.com.au 1 CONTENTS 1. Athletics Australia Classification System Overview 2 2. Paralympic Classification 4 3. Physical Impairment Classification 7 4. Vision Impairment Classification 11 5. Intellectual Impairment Classification 13 6. Hearing Impairment Classification 17 7. Transplant Classification 18 2 1 Athletics Australia Classification System Overview 1.1 Purpose The Australian Athletics Classification System (herein referred to as “Classification”) provides a structure for competition for athletes with a disability. Athletes with disabilities 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, the same factors that account for success in sport for athletes who are able-bodied. Classification is used to group athletes of similar physical, intellectual or sensory impairment into groups defined by the degree of activity limitation related to the impairment and/or specific to the tasks in the sport. In Australia classification is delivered as a free service, designed to ensure a fair environment for competition at all levels. 1.2 Minimal Disability Criteria Each classification system has a set of minimal disability criteria that must be met. In order to be eligible to compete in Athletics as an athlete with a disability, it is not sufficient simply to have a disability. Specific criteria and testing is used to determine whether a person’s impairment results in sufficient activity limitation of their ability to perform the core elements of Athletics. Only authorised individuals, termed classifiers, are able to determine whether a person meets the minimal disability criteria for a particular class. 1.3 The Classes There are several classes in the Australian athletics classification system. Athletes receive a class for both track and field. A prefix indicates which discipline the class applies to. The prefix ‘T’ indicates the class for Track events. The prefix ‘F’ indicates the class for Field events. The classes are: T/F 01 Hearing impairment (Non-Paralympic) T/F 11-13 Athletes with a vision impairment (Paralympic) T/F 20 Athletes with intellectual impairment (Paralympic) T/F 31-38 Athletes with Cerebral Palsy, & Acquired Brain Injury or similar. Athletes who use a wheelchair to compete are in classes 31-34 and athletes who compete standing are in classes 35-38. T/F 40-46 Athletes who are ambulant, with different levels of limb deficiency or limb loss, short stature, or congenital limb impairments. T 51-54 Athletes with spinal cord damage, amputees or other conditions leading to loss of muscle power who compete using a wheelchair. F 51-58 Athletes with spinal cord damage, amputees, or other conditions leading to loss of muscle power who throw from a seated position. T/F 60 Transplant Recipients (Non-Paralympic) 3 1.4 National Classification Master List The Australian Paralympic Committee manages the official Classification Master List of athlete’s classification details for those athletes eligible for Paralympic classes. The APC maintains the confidential data storage of all athlete classification information. AA will only recognise national classification decisions of Australian classifiers where those classifiers are certified by the APC. The APC and AA are responsible for making public and providing certain classification information (name, state, date of birth, classification and status) to relevant parties such as the state athletics associations, school sport or disability sport organisations for the effective conduct of competition. Hearing and Transplant classification details are maintained by Deaf Sports Australia and Transplant Australia; please refer to sections 6 & 7 below. 1.5 Multiple Classifications Athletes with more than one impairment type may be eligible for multiple classifications. Athletes must meet the minimal criteria for each relevant classification system. In competition athletes may only compete with one classification. The classification must be nominated when entering the meet and may not change throughout that Athletics meet. 4 2 Paralympic Classification 2.1 Australian Paralympic Committee The Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) is the peak body in Australia for Paralympic Sport. As the National Paralympic Committee and signatory to the IPC Classification Code and International Standards (2007), the Australian Paralympic Committee is ultimately responsible for all Paralympic classification processes and procedures occurring within Australia. Paralympic classification includes the systems for athletes with a physical, vision or intellectual impairment. 2.2 Athletics Australia Athletics Australia (AA) under the National Federation Deed of Agreement with the APC is responsible for the delivery of the Paralympic Preparation Program and for the establishment and facilitation of pathways for athletes in Athletics. This agreement outlines the obligations of AA to support the APC in delivery of a national classification strategy. Athletics Australia accepts its roles and responsibilities under the Agreement and in accordance with the IPC Athletics Rules and IPC Classification Code include: 2.2.1 Ensuring that any classifications conform to the Code. 2.2.2 In conjunction with the APC, developing a National Classification strategy and practice standards that relate to: athlete evaluation; protests and appeals; and classifier training and certification. 2.2.3 Structuring national competition in accordance with the classes defined by the IPC Athletics Classification Rules. 2.2.4 Developing and circulating classification information and education with reference to: the sport classification rules; and athlete's rights and responsibilities. 2.2.5 AA recognises the primacy of the IPC Classification Rules and associated athlete classifications over national classification activities. 2.2.6 AA will only recognise Australian classification activities that are conducted within the scope of this document. 2.3 National Classification Strategy AA and the APC have committed to working collaboratively in the management and development of Athletics classification for the Paralympic classes. This commitment is detailed in the National Classification Plan. The plan aims to outline areas for growth and development of Paralympic classification systems and drive the direction for the continued improvement of classification in athletics. 5 2.4 Head of Classification The Head of Classification is responsible to assist the APC and AA for developing the direction of Athletics Classification in Australia. The functions of the Head of Classification may be fulfilled by an individual or group of individuals designated as such by the APC and AA. The role of the Head of Classification includes: i. Assist to guide the development of the National Classification Strategy for Athletics in Australia ii. Facilitate compliance with the IPC Classification Code and strategy and the sport specific classification requirements of Paralympic Athletics in Australia iii. Assist to Coordinate the classification activities for Athletics in Australia iv. Assist in the identification, training, opportunities and development of classifiers for athletics in Australia v. Ensure that the APC and AA and all Australian athletics classifiers have the current classification manual and information at all times vi. Provide advice on borderline cases for National Classification where required. vii. Provide advice to the management of national & international athletics classification protests in a way which complies with IPC Athletics rules and the IPC Classification Code and International Standard 2.5 Certification and Training of Australian Classifiers Australian classifiers are volunteers who have completed all the required training and education to be recognised as a trainee, national or international classifier for Athletics and who have been certified by the Australian Paralympic Committee. All Athletics classifier training must be endorsed by the APC. AA recognises that Australian Certified Classifiers must adhere to the conditions laid out in the APC Classifier Agreement, the IPC Code and the IPC Athletics Classification Rules when involved in activities under the jurisdiction of APC. AA will recognise any disciplinary action taken by the APC against Australian Certified Classifiers who breach these policies or procedures when involved in APC activities. The Classifier pathway can be found at www.paralympic.org.au 2.6 Athlete and Representatives Code of Conduct Athletes and their associated representatives must conduct themselves according to the IPC Code and IPC Athletics Classification Rules when involved in activities under the jurisdiction of AA. Disciplinary action may be taken against members or athlete representatives who breach this policy when involved in AA activities. Details of the APC Classification Standard: Protests and Appeals can be found