INVICTUS GAMES 2017: ADF ATHLETE SELECTION POLICY

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1 INVICTUS GAMES 2017: ADF ATHLETE SELECTION POLICY Introduction This policy refers to Permanent and Reserve ADF personnel who meet the ADF Adaptive Sports Program (ADFASP) eligibility criteria (see below in Eligibility), and provides guidance to the selection of competitors taking part in the Invictus Games (IG). IG is an international sporting event for wounded, injured and ill (WII) Servicemen and women, both serving and veterans and was instigated by His Royal Highness, Prince Harry. IG uses the power of sport to inspire recovery, support and rehabilitation and also generate a wider understanding and respect of all those who serve their country and their loved ones. The word Invictus means unconquered. It embodies the fighting spirit of the WII service and veteran personnel, and what these tenacious men and women can achieve, post injury. Adaptive sport provides competitive and participatory sporting events for individuals with disabilities. It closely resembles the sport played by able-bodied athletes, but with some modifications to the rules and equipment to better meet the needs of participants. In forming competitive teams, disabilities are generally classified by broad groups, such as physical, cognitive/developmental delays or both, allowing participants to compete against players with similar skill levels. Adaptive sport competitions like the IG help serving members and veterans in overcoming their physical or mental health illness or injury. Through adaptive sport, these men and women: - develop a sense of belonging; - show increased self-esteem; - create an outlet for excess energy; - foster a sense of camaraderie with other WII service and veteran members; and - experience an improved quality of life. IG 2017 (IG17) will be held in Toronto, Canada over the period Sep17. It will host more than 600 competitors from 16 nations for five days of both participation and fierce competition. All competitors will be active duty and veteran service members from participating allied nations who have become ill or injured during or as a direct consequence of their service. IG17 athletes will compete in 12 adaptive sports including wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, a variety of track and field events and, new to the 2017 Games, ball hockey and golf. ADF will partner with the Returned Service League (RSL) to enter an Australian team for IG17. Aim of the Selection Process To embrace the spirit of Invictus and observe the ADF policy of Sport for all, not for a few, the aim of the selection process will be to select competitive personnel for all IG sports.

2 The selectors shall identify applicants for selection to the squad and team based on ensuring a mixture of talent, with particular regard to an applicant s demonstrated ability for teamwork, work ethic and team cohesion for the overall wellbeing and success of the team. Applicants will be expected to display sportsmanlike behaviour and adhere to Defence values at all times. All personnel applying for selection in IG17 and IG 18 teams must nominate the sport/s they would like to be considered for as part of their selection. Athletes are encouraged to nominate more than one sport as selection to the team does not necessarily mean athletes will compete in their preferred sport/s. Pre-Selection Eligibility. ADF personnel will be deemed eligible based on two criteria. First, they must meet the eligibility criteria for participation in ADF sports as detailed in MILPERSMAN Part 11 Chap 7 para Second, they must meet the required medical classifications, as detailed in HLTHMAN Vol 3 Chap 1 para 1.16 (personnel with a current, stable MEC of J3 or lower). Applicants are required to submit a completed ADF Expression of Interest (EOI) form through their Chain of Command, ensuring all attachments have also been signed and attached. EOI application forms for ADF personnel will be available on or via request at adf.invictusgames@defence.gov.au. Application forms for RSL applicants can be sourced via the RSL Queensland website. Applicants must: - complete and submit IG EOI s to Service/RSL representative as detailed on website; - meet the medical requirements for eligibility for IG; - complete and submit the IG Australian Code of Conduct form along with the EOI form; - at all times abide by the Code of Conduct and act in a manner that does not bring the ADF, RSL, IG or Australian team into disrepute; - sign documentation understanding illegal substance testing may occur during selection and training camps; - inform the Coaching Coordinator of any illness or injury that could impact on the member s ability to perform at selection or training camps; and - understand and acknowledge misleading information regarding the manner in injuries and/or illnesses occurred may result in being removed from the Australian IG team. Nominations/Expressions of Interest (EOI). Calls for expressions of interest will occur no later than 01 Dec 16 for the Australian IG 17 squad. Information will be placed on ADF and RSL Adaptive Sport websites, in RSL and ADF newspapers and on social media pages. Single

3 services will be notified and requested to advise personnel through the Commanding Officer (CO) networks. ADF applicants under the care of a psychologist will be required to obtain comments regarding their suitability for attendance at the Games from that specialist. CO s are requested to comment on the availability of their personnel for the following IG camps (as applicable): - Selection Camp 5 days (incl weekend) late Nov/early Dec - Team Training Camps x 2 (Feb and Jul) 5 days (incl weekend) - Team Sport Training Camps x 5 (Mar Jun and Aug) 3 days (incl weekend) - Team Concentration and IG17 Toronto 15 Sep - 04 Oct 17 EOIs are required to be submitted via to adf.invictusgames@defence.gov.au no later than 01 Dec 16. The ADF SO1 IG will distribute applications to relevant Service representatives and meet with them to ensure all applicants meet the eligibility requirements, and to proceed with approval for applicants to attend Selection Trials. Selection for IG17 Selection Trials. Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will then be required to attend Selection Trials at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra Jan 16. Team management and coaching staff will run trials for all sports in order to select a team to represent Australia at IG17. Selection Committee. The selectors will comprise of the following: - a specialist coach contracted by ADF/RSL for IG17 for each sport - IG17/18 the Head Coach - an ADF Team Management representative - a RSL Team Management representative - IG17 Medical Officer The Selection Committee Chair of will be the ADF or RSL representative, depending on the classification of the applicant (eg. ADF for serving member, RSL for veteran). Declaration of Interests. All interests of the selection board must be declared prior to the selection process. Interests include (but are not limited to): - applicant is a friend; - applicant is a family member; and/or - selector has previously coached, or is providing coaching, to the applicant.

4 If the Chair believes the declared interest requires the selector to step aside from the decision, another representative from the team management may be asked to fill their position. All selectors are to be cognisant their decision regarding selections and recommendations will be formally recorded in order to provide transparency and feedback to each applicant. Selection Notifications. Notification of squad selection will occur no later than eight months prior to IG17. Notification of final team selections will occur no later than eight weeks prior to the IG17. Responsibility and Method of Selections. Selections will occur during or immediately after Selection Trials are conducted. Specific sport coaches with qualifications and experience in the sports will consult with ADF and RSL team management during the selection process. Sport coaches will advise on technical, developmental and competitive aspects of the applicant s performance. ADF/RSL team management and coaching staff will consider the applicant s performance in relation to adherence to team values, ability to meet team requirements regarding squad and team camps, work/training ethic and ability to work with the coaching and management staff in a constructive manner. Single Service representatives will be consulted with the outcomes from the trials immediately. Discretionary Powers of Selection. The ADF/RSL Team Management may use discretionary selection powers if they feel an applicant that may not be competitive will benefit physically or psychologically (or both) from exposure to the team environment and the IG competition while displaying they are able to represent Australia at IG in the expected manner. The ADF/RSL Team Management may use discretionary selection powers to remove an applicant/squad/team member if that member does not subsequently adhere to the values of Invictus and the Australian team. Prior to this power being triggered, a formal, written warning must be issued to the member so that they have the opportunity to amend their behaviour. Selection Criteria. Personnel wishing to apply for IG selection must be advised of the minimum performance standards by which selection will be judged. These standards are to be readily available on the website for viewing by athletes prior to applications being submitted. It is requested that the applicant s Chain of Command comment within the EOI on whether the applicant has achieved the minimum performance standard prior to attending selection camp. In the case of team sports, selections will be competitive. Selections for individual sports will be a mix of participatory and competitive. The former is to ensure the ADF policy of Sport For All is observed, and to introduce new members into the team. Applicant s

5 sporting performance will be viewed alongside their sportsmanship, teamwork, work ethic and adherence to Defence values. In the case of team sports, selections will be predominantly competitive. Notification of Selections. All selections must be formalised in writing. SO1 IG is required to obtain final Service approval (if not already obtained at pre-selection board) for those applicants selected for the IG squad. Following this, Service Chiefs will be advised of personnel selected for the IG 17 squad. Each member will be notified of their selection/non-selection via the normal Single Service chain of command/commanding Officer. Notification of non-selection is to take into account the impact of the notice on the applicant, and ensure appropriate medical/psych/family/pti support is in place to maintain a positive outlook regarding sport and future Games. Applicants who are not successful for selection for IG17 will be referred to ADF Adaptive Sports programs, and monitored by the Head Coach for potential selection in IG18 and other ADFASP events. Extenuating Circumstances. If an applicant is unable to attend a selection trial for any reason, they are to inform the ADF/RSL team management immediately. Applicants may still be considered for selection if the following extenuating circumstances occur: - injury, illness (medical certificate required); - equipment failure; - any legitimate unexpected reason that results in an applicant being unable to compete in trials or other events used as the basis of selection criteria (eg. family bereavement); and/or - failure to complete a selection trial or event for any legitimate, unexpected reason. Post Selection Additional requirements. Following selection of the squad and team, all personnel will be required to comply with the following additional requirements: - at all times abide by the Code of Conduct and act in a manner that does not bring the ADF, RSL, IG or Australian team into disrepute; - all personnel selected for the Australian squad will be required to sign documentation permitting illegal substance testing upon notification of selection;

6 - all personnel selected for the Australian squad and team will are required to inform the Coaching Coordinator of any illness or injury that could impact on the member s ability to perform at the Games; Right of Appeal. Any appeal shall be submitted to the selection board in writing within 21 days of notification of non-selection. Point of Contact SO1 ADF Invictus Games WGCDR Sonia King, sonia.king@defence.gov.au, adf.invictusgames@defence.gov.au PD Winter BRIG DG INVICTUS GAMES ADF Oct 16