SPORT FUNDING AND ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK (SFAF IV: 2009 - 2013)

National Sport Organizations* Eligibility Criteria - Summer Sports

* National Sport Organizations (NSOs) refer to national governing bodies of specific sports.

To establish the list of National Sport Organizations eligible for Sport Canada assessment under SFAF IV - Summer

OPEN APPLICATION

Sport Canada, September 2009

Introduction

The Sport Funding and Accountability Framework (SFAF) is the process used by Canadian Heritage to identify which National Sport Organizations (NSOs) are eligible for Sport Canada contribution programs, in what areas, at what level and under what conditions. The current document addresses National Sport Organizations: the Canadian governing bodies of specific sports.

This is the fourth edition of SFAF (SFAF IV) and applies to the funding cycle: April 01, 2009 to March 31, 2013.  SFAF is a four-step process: Eligibility, Assessment, Funding and Accountability. Decisions to provide funding to an organization are made upon completion of this process.

The first step in the SFAF process is Eligibility. Eligibility uses a set of criteria to identify NSOs that have reached a requisite level of development and capacity enabling them to provide technically and ethically safe and sound sport programs and activities that are accessible to all Canadians. In addition to being the entry point to the SFAF process, Eligibility provides direction and information for new and developing NSOs on the type and nature of requirements they will need to achieve in order to apply for Eligibility.

Application for Eligibility is a voluntary process. All NSOs, whether previously funded or not, must complete and submit an Eligibility application to access the SFAF process and eventually qualify for Sport Canada funding support for the 2009-2013 funding cycle. Eligibility does not imply funding, but rather identifies which NSOs access the next step in the process.

Eligible NSOs access the second step: the Assessment, which evaluates their size, scope, performance and potential, and ranks them according to their contribution to the goals of the Canadian Sport Policy in the areas of Participation, Excellence, Capacity and Interaction. Funding levels are based on the Assessment scores and are linked to the achievement of National Accountability Standards and to compliance with contribution guidelines. Upon completion of the SFAF process, funding decisions are made by the Minister.

There are 3 sections to the Eligibility Criteria:

• Section A: General Criteria
• Section B: National Scope
• Section C: International Scope

To achieve Eligibility, NSOs must meet all the criteria in Section A (General), plus all criteria in either Section B (National) or Section C (International). In Section C, NSOs should complete this section for both mainstream disciplines and disciplines for athletes with a disability, as applicable.

Special circumstances and additional information have been included as annexes to several criteria. Please read the annexes before answering the criteria.

NSOs are responsible for providing any supporting documentation that may be required.

Two authorized officers of the NSO must sign the Statement of Verification (p.15).

Each criterion will be assessed as: met/not met.

NSOs will normally be informed of their Eligibility status within 60 days following reception of their complete application and supporting documents. Appeals will be considered on the grounds of incorrect or misinterpreted information only.

Eligibility is an open process; applications can be received at any point during the upcoming funding cycle to qualify for funding.

Canadian Heritage reserves the right to modify or amend the Eligibility Criteria at any time during the funding cycle if needed to reflect changes in government priorities. 

Sport Funding and Accountability Framework
2009-2013 Eligibility Criteria

 

SECTION A:  GENERAL CRITERIA (Please refer to the relevant annexes for additional instructions)	Met / Not met
A1. The sport meets the criteria outlined in the Sport Canada "Definition of Sport".  (Annex A1)
As the Governing Body for its sport in Canada:
A2.   The NSO is the single national governing body for all aspects of the sport in Canada, including its disciplines and events.  (Annex A2)
A3.   The NSO has a volunteer leadership structure that is democratically elected by the membership. (Annex A3)
A4.   The NSO has a constitution, by-laws and objects that are written and available in both official languages.
A5. The NSO is incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act.  (Annex A5)
A6.   The NSO has independently audited financial statements for each of the last 4 fiscal years.  (Annex A6)
As the National Governing Body for its sport in Canada, the NSO is responsible and accountable at the national level for providing its members with technically and ethically sound and safe sport programs and services that can be accessed by all Canadians. This commitment is demonstrated through its policies, programs, procedures and practices.
A7* The NSO is committed to providing its members with technically and ethically sound and safe sport programs and content based on established long term athlete development principles.  (Annex A7)
A8*   The NSO has a multi-year plan, ratified by its Board of Directors.  This plan should address the full range of sport development from initiation to high performance, inclusive of measurable objectives and based on the long term athlete development principles. (Annex A8)
A9*. The NSO is formally committed to the principle of technically and ethically sound coaching education and conduct.  (Annex A9)
A10*.  The NSO is formally committed to the principle of technically and ethically sound officiating education and conduct. (Annex A10)
A11* The NSO has formally adopted the 2004 Canadian Policy Against Doping in Sport (CPADS) and the related Canadian Anti-Doping Program(CADP).  (Annex A11)
A12* The NSO has a formal policy on Official Languages, or equivalent, that complies with Sport Canada contribution guidelines on Official Languages.  (Annex A12)
A13* The NSO has a formal policy or policies demonstrating commitment to equity and access, notably for women, persons with a disability and Aboriginal peoples as participants, athletes, coaches, officials, and leaders.  (Annex A13)
A14* The NSO has a formal policy on athlete centeredness and can demonstrate the direct involvement of high performance athletes in decision-making.  (Annex A14)
A15* The NSO formally recognizes the fundamental role and importance of certified coaches through their involvement in athlete development programs and in the technical direction of national team programs. (Annex A15)
A16* The NSO has a formal policy on harassment and abuse, including procedures for the reporting and for the investigation of complaints.
A17* The NSO has a internal Appeal process consistent with established principles of due process and natural justice and containing a provision that allows disputes to be referred to the alternate dispute resolution services of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada.
* A7 to A17*: Non-funded NSOs that do not currently have these plans and policies are required to develop and formally adopt these requirements. Eligibility, and subsequent assessment, will be conditional on Sport Canada approval of documentation substantiating compliance in all these areas. Please contact Sport Canada for additional information on timelines.

In addition to the general criteria in the preceding Section A, the NSO must be able to verify that it meets all the criteria in at least one of the following two Sections: Section B:  National Scope Criteria, or Section C:  International Scope Criteria. 

SECTION B:  NATIONAL SCOPE CRITERIA NSOs that are national in scope, according to the criteria outlined below, have a significant number of active members and affiliated constituents across Canada. NSOs are actively engaged with their Provincial/Territorial constituents in aligning and harmonizing their strategic plans, programs and activities based on long term athlete development principles to provide a technically and ethically sound and safe sport experience for more Canadians.
B1. The NSO has a minimum of 3,000 registered members. (Annex B1)
B2. The NSO has a minimum of 8 affiliated and active Provincial and/or Territorial Sport Organizations (P/TSOs).  (Annex B2)
B3. The NSO has an annual National Championship in which a minimum of 6 P/TSOs compete regularly in the same category.  (Annex B3)

SECTION C:  INTERNATIONAL SCOPE NSOs that have an international scope, according to the criteria outlined below, have access to a significant level of international competition (regular calendar of competition) sanctioned by an International Federation that complies with the World Anti-Doping Code.  NSOs are actively involved, through their national team program(s), in the selection, long term development, coaching and support of Canadian athletes for the purpose of achieving podium performances at Olympic, Paralympic and/or World Championship (WC) levels and have a proven track record of success and/or a demonstrated potential for future success.
C1. The NSO is affiliated with the International Federation (IF) for its sport and recognized by the IF as the governing body for its sport/discipline in Canada. (Annex C1)
C2. For Olympic and WC-only sports: The IF has adopted and implemented the 2007 World Anti-Doping Code. (Annex C2)  And/Or For Paralympic sports: The IF or its IPC constituent has adopted and implemented the 2007 World Anti-Doping Code.  (Annex C2)
C3. For Olympic and WC-only sports:  The IF has a minimum of 35 member countries of which a minimum of 20 countries must have competed in each of the past 4 Senior World Championships, including qualifying competitions. (Annex C3a) And/Or For Paralympic and WC-only sports for athletes with a disability: The sport is on the official competition program of the 2008 Paralympic Games and since 2000, a minimum of 8 countries must have competed in each of the past 4 world competitions (Senior World Championships and/or Paralympic games).  (Annex C3b)
C4. For Olympic sports: The NSO has had at least one top 16 and top half finish in one Olympic event in 50% of all Olympic Games and Senior World Championships since January 2000. Or For non-Olympic sports: The NSO has had at least one top 16 and top half finish in one event in 50% of all Senior World Championships since January 2000. And/Or For Paralympic sports The NSO has had at least one top 8 and top half finish in one Paralympic event in 50% of all Paralympic Games and World Championships since January 2000. Or For non-Paralympic sports for athletes with a disability: The NSO has had at least one top 8 and top half finish in one event in 50% of all World Championships since January 2000.
(Refer to Annex C4 for additional details, including if C1, C2 and C3 are met but not C4)

A1: Sport Definition Parameters

Sports is a regulated formof physical activity organized as a contest between two or more participants for the purpose of determining a winner by fair and ethical means. Such contest may be in the form of a game, match, race, or other form of competitive event.

Sport is governed and sanctioned by a sport governing body (sport federation) that holds the responsibility for, notably, setting out the rules of play, either at the national level or at the world level, for awarding the organization of its championship(s), and designating the winner(s) of its championship(s). For the purpose of determining eligibility to its funding programs, Sport Canada has established that a sport should meet the following set of characteristics.

• Its primary activity involves physical interaction between participants and/or between participants and the environment: air, water, ice, snow, ground, special surface or apparatus, with or without the use of a special conveyance (e.g., bicycle, canoe, horse, luge, parachute, sailboat, skate, ski, wheelchair).
  
  
• It requires specialized neuromuscular and cardio-vascular skills - such as speed, strength, stamina, flexibility, balance, precision and coordination - that involve large muscle groups or those which the individual has the ability to utilize, and which can be taught, learned and improved.
  
  
• It relies on recognized general principles of long term athlete development that are adapted to the specific sport and are designed to provide a technically and ethically safe and sound sport experience at all levels of the continuum from initiation to playing, to training and competing up to and including performing at the highest levels of the sport, under the guidance of qualified coaches.
  
  
• It involves formal rules and procedures to ensure a safe and fair outcome for all participants.
  
  
• It requires fair, ethical and effective tactics and strategies.
  
  
• It requires a competitive format and structure, sanctioned by the recognized governing body for the sport, either at the national or world level, and open to all participants who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the rules of the sport.
  
  
• Its competitive events require the on site presence of officials sanctioned by the sport governing body to objectively, fairly and consistently apply the rules.

The main form of the sport may comprise two or more competitive sub-forms called events or disciplines that share the main characteristics of the sport with variations according to various parameters: different distances, styles, apparatus, weight categories, gender, etc. An event is a specific competition (specific distance, technique, gender) that is contested for the purpose of designating a winner or champion for a specific geographic region (country, continent, world) and for a specific period of time (year, Olympiad). Men’s 100m sprint, women’s Giant Slalom and men’s 8s in rowing are examples of events (also designated as medal events).

Events that are similar in nature or share common traits may be grouped under the heading of a “discipline”. Men’s freestyle wrestling, men’s Greco-roman wrestling and women’s freestyle wrestling are three disciplines within wrestling, each comprising various weight categories that make up the sport’s medal events. Similarly, road, track and mountain bike are three cycling disciplines.

Consistent with Sport Canada’s Policy for Persons with a Disability and in support of inclusion, forms or adaptations of sports that have been developed specifically for athletes with a disability are considered distinct disciplines within the mainstream sport and its governing body.

Limitations for funding purposes:

Certain categories of sports or competitive activities fall outside Sport Canada parameters for funding purposes and are therefore excluded:

• Sports in which athletes directly use and control motorized propulsion as a component of competition (e.g., racing of automobiles, motorcycles, power boats, aircraft, snow machines, etc.).
  
  
• Games of skill such as billiards, darts, board games (chess, bridge, scrabble), and electronic games.
  
  
• The professional or commercial component of sports, owned and/or operated outside the jurisdiction of the sport's recognized National or International Sport Federation by private enterprises, promoters, major professional leagues, franchises or other professional associations.
  
  
• Related forms, variations or adaptations of existing sports, disciplines and/or events will generally be considered as disciplines within the original sport and not be considered as a distinct sport for eligibility purposes, regardless of the fact that such related forms, variations or adaptations may be organized independently from or outside existing NSOs.
  
  
• Competitions (multi-event or multi-sport) and competitive activities developed as a variation, adaptation, combination or dimension of other non-sport or sport activities will not be eligible (e.g., police, firefighter, military games, life-saving competitions, ski patrol competitions, etc...)

These limitations are based on 2 principles:

1. Sport Canada is committed to providing support at the highest level of international competition, this means supporting the sport's most competitive events at the international level (i.e., Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship events) as well as their relevant developmental counterparts domestically as per each NSO's Long Term Athlete Development.
   
   
2. Given limited funding resources, it is not feasible to provide support to all sports, let alone all events.

Sport Canada reserves the right to determine whether an application falls outside its sport definition parameters.

Annex A2: Single National Governing Body

For purposes of Eligibility, Sport Canada will acknowledge a single Canadian sport governing body as the National Sport Organization (NSO) responsible for all aspects of a designated sport. This principle has been established in order to avoid unnecessary and inefficient duplication of structures and costs and to promote an integrated and coherent approach to sport development. By applying for, and accepting Eligibility, NSOs are therefore expected to be the governing body for their sport, for both genders, all age groups and levels, and all disciplines of the sport, including disciplines and events for athletes with a disability. Exceptions may include established disciplines in Canada that have developed separately through historic precedence. If more than one organization applies as the NSO in the same sport, Sport Canada will make a determination.

In applying for eligibility, the NSO assumes overall liaison responsibility, on behalf of all its disciplines, in any relation with Sport Canada.  Applications representing events or disciplines that may be forms, variations or adaptations of a sport for which there already exists an eligible NSO will not be considered for eligibility and will be encouraged to work with and within the existing NSO.  New or emerging disciplines that have not already done so are also encouraged to associate with a parent NSO, where applicable, to benefit from its organizational experience and expertise.

Sports that are modified or adapted to special populations are eligible for funding through the able-bodied NSO.  Sports for athletes with a disability that have no able-bodied equivalent will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

NSO Eligibility is further determined in terms of the sport's national scope and/or international scope. 

In terms of national scope, eligibility is based on the NSO's sport development and participation across Canada, as delimited by the criteria in Section B. Should an organization with more than one discipline/event meet the national scope eligibility, the actual discipline(s)/event(s) that would qualify for funding will be identified through the Assessment process. 

In terms of international scope, eligibility is based on NSO involvement in the disciplines and events that are competed at the highest international level and satisfy the criteria outlined in Section C. For Olympic/Paralympic sports, International Eligibility is limited to Olympic/Paralympic disciplines and events. For non-Olympic sports, International Eligibility is limited to discipline(s) and event(s) that represent the highest level of international competition, as verified and determined by Sport Canada in consultation with the NSO.

ANNEX A3: Volunteer Leadership

NSOs must demonstrate a governance structure led by volunteers who are elected in a fair and democratic manner.  NSOs are further expected to have a conflict of interest policy to ensure the fair and democratic process.

The organization’s membership usually consists of one or more of the following:  incorporated, not-for-profit, Provincial/Territorial Member Associations; clubs, leagues or other associations; and/or individual members. An organization may have commercial or for-profit categories of members, but the majority of voting members at the Provincial/Territorial level, or equivalent Sectional level, and at the National level should be volunteer-based and not-for-profit.

NSOs must provide a copy to Sport Canada of their conflict of interest policy.

ANNEX A4: Constitution / By-laws

NSOs must provide copies to Sport Canada of their constitution/by-laws in both official languages which will also be used to verify their volunteer leadership structure (Criteria A3).

Annex A5: Incorporation

NSOs not currently funded by Sport Canada must provide a copy of their letters patent or articles of incorporation including the following information:

Upon receipt of this information, Sport Canada will verify proof and active status of incorporation.

Annex A6: Financial Statements for last 4 years

NSOs not currently funded by Sport Canada must demonstrate their financial viability by meeting the following requirements:

• Demonstrate annual revenues of no less than $50,000 in each of the last 4 fiscal years and, if there is an accumulated deficit, that it be no greater than 20% of the annual operating budget;
  
  
• Provide Board-approved independently audited financial statements for each of the last 4 fiscal years or at a minimum have Board-approved independently audited financial statements for the most recent completed fiscal year and an auditor's letter covering the previous 3 fiscal years.

NSOs that are the result of a recent (less than 4 years) merger of 2 or more organizations must provide financial information for the past 4 years from the merging organizations. Such cases will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by Sport Canada in consultation with the NSO.    

Annex A7: Long Term Athlete Development

NSOs must demonstrate their commitment to providing their members with technically and ethically sound and safe sport programs and content based on long term athlete development principles.  Such principles should promote a greater integration and harmonization of NSO / P/TSO programs and competitive structures.  NSOs not currently funded by Sport Canada will need to demonstrate this through the inclusion of elements of Canadian Sport for Life or No Accidental Champions in their strategic/operational plans, while those currently funded by Sport Canada must demonstrate progress against their LTAD objectives.  Inclusion and progress will be evaluated by the LTAD experts and Sport Canada.

Annex A8: Multi-year plan

NSOs not currently funded by Sport Canada must provide Sport Canada with a copy of their current multi-year plan or copies of their annual reports for the past four years, or a summary of activities and actions of the past four years. This plan should address the full range of sport development from initiation to high performance, and should include measurable objectives and based on the long term athlete development principles. Organizations currently funded by Sport Canada do not need to provide their multi-year plan if the most recent version is already on file with Sport Canada.

Annex A9: Coaching Education and Conduct

NSOs must demonstrate their formal commitment to Coach Education and Conduct by having adopted the Coaching Association of Canada’s (CAC) National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). NSOs without NCCP recognition must apply for it. NSOs not currently funded by Sport Canada will need to demonstrate this through the inclusion of coach education in their strategic/operational plans. Those funded by Sport Canada must demonstrate progress against the CAC approved objectives regarding the transition to the new NCCP. This can be demonstrated by using the CAC transition tracker and will be evaluated by the CAC and Sport Canada.

NSOs must have a Coach’s Code of Conduct and must provide a copy to Sport Canada.

NSOs having programs for athletes with a disability will be expected to demonstrate progress in developing their coaching programs and/or modules for athletes with a disability.      This will be evaluated by the CAC.          

Annex A10: Officiating Education and Conduct

NSOs must demonstrate their formal commitment to Officiating Education and Conduct by having implemented a formal training and certification program for officials, including having classifiers in sports for athletes with a disability. NSOs must provide to Sport Canada a copy of their training and certification programs for officials.

ANNEX A11: Anti-doping

NSOs must demonstrate their formal endorsement of the most recent Canadian Policy Against Doping in Sport (CPADS) through the provision of Board Minutes or equivalent. NSOs are further required to adopt and comply with the most recent Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) administered by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. Program adoption will be confirmed by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. 

Annex A12: Official Languages

NSOs must demonstrate their formal commitment to Official Languages through their policies or equivalent instruments.  These policies or equivalent instruments should include how the organization commits to promoting Canada’s two official languages within its operations. These policies or equivalent should extend to the delivery of services in both French and English to athletes within the sport system and to communications with the public. Refer to the 2009-2011 Sport Canada Contribution Guidelines for detail on communications with and services to the public. NSOs must provide to Sport Canada a copy of their Official Languages policies or equivalent instruments.

Annex A13: Equity and Access

NSOs must demonstrate their formal commitment to equity and access for all persons through their policies or equivalent instruments. These policies or equivalent instruments should include in particular, reference to equity and access for women and girls, persons with a disability and Aboriginal peoples. A formal policy on women and girls and sport is not required for NSOs which exceed 40% female participation or representation in all areas (participants, athletes, coaches, officials, and leaders). NSOs must provide to Sport Canada a copy of their Equity and Access policies or equivalent instruments.

Annex A14: Athlete Centeredness

NSOs must demonstrate their formal commitment to athlete centeredness, where athletes are treated fairly and have substantive opportunities to be involved in decisions which affect them. This commitment to athlete centeredness may be demonstrated in a number of ways, either by reflecting it in the structure and organization of the NSO and/or making this commitment explicit in policies, or other instruments, or by having a policy or other instrument that outlines and confirms this commitment.This also includes ensuring opportunities and mechanisms exists for national team athletes to be informed and to provide input into matters affecting them, particularly in the area of  national team programming. NSOs must also provide national team athletes with access to due process.  NSOs must provide to Sport Canada a copy of documentation demonstrating this commitment.

Annex A 15: Coaches involvement in programming

NSOs must demonstrate their formal commitment to ensuring coaches are involved in program development and decisions, either through policies or other equivalent instruments such as job descriptions, committee terms of reference, organizational charts, etc. NSOs must provide to Sport Canada a copy of documentation demonstrating this commitment.

ANNEX A16: Policy on Harassment and Abuse

NSOs must demonstrate their formal commitment to an environment free of harassment and abuse through their policies. Their policy(ies) should apply to staff or other individuals acting on their behalf with respect to their dealings with each other, its membership or between its own or other coaches, athletes, or other athlete support personnel. The policy should also explain the formal process to report and investigate such complaints. This policy may be part of a larger policy / document (such as dispute resolution document).  NSOs must provide to Sport Canada a copy of their Harassment and Abuse policy.

ANNEX A17: Appeal Process

NSOs must demonstrate their formal commitment to fair and timely dispute resolution through an appropriate and formal internal dispute and appeal mechanism. These mechanisms/appeal processes must be consistent with established principles of due process and natural justice and contain a provision that allows disputes to be referred to the alternate dispute resolution services of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada. NSOs must provide to Sport Canada a copy of their Dispute Resolution Appeal mechanism / process.

Annex B1: Membership

NSOs must complete the attached membership forms (B1a-Mainstream athletes and B1b-Athletes with a disability).

A member is an individual athlete competitor, coach, official, or team, who is registered with the NSO directly, or with a Provincial or Territorial or Divisional sport organization affiliated to the NSO. Such membership must be associated with the payment of a fee, either directly to the NSO or through an affiliated provincial, territorial or divisional sport organization, or through a member club.

Membership information must be verifiable from the organization’s records and database.  If teams are affiliated as members, a standard team-size will be used for each team sport.

Annex B2: Provincial/Territorial Associations

NSOs not currently funded by Sport Canada must include a list of all affiliated and active Provincial/Territorial Organizations or equivalent Sections or Divisions that are members in good standing as per the By-laws of the NSO, with addresses, board members, website address, copy of most recent annual reports or any other relevant information substantiating the existence of active P/TOs.

NSOs that have Sections or Divisions that may comprise two or more provinces or territories must be able to demonstrate an equivalent level of activity in the requisite number of 8 provinces and/or territories.

Annex B3: National Championships

NSOs must submit National Championships results for one level for three of the last four years.  These competition levels should fit with the Training to Compete and Training to Win LTAD stages. 

The results of qualification events would also need to be submitted if the field at the National Championships is restricted to less than six (6) Provincial/Territorial Organizations. Qualification events must be an actual competition and not a paper ranking or similar process.

INTERNATIONAL SCOPE CRITERIA

As per the preamble to the international scope criteria, the NSO must be actively involved in a variety of areas through the national team programming. These areas may include, but are not limited to, the following national team characteristics:

• NSO selects qualified coaches in an open and transparent manner
• NSO selects teams based on criteria that has been developed and vetted by the NSO and is available to the public.
• HP officials of the NSO oversee the development of yearly training plan for athletes and/or team, which includes strategic and tactical considerations, sport science, IST, performance objectives, fitness testing and objectives and is based on principles that are in line with Canadian Sport for Life and the appropriate LTAD stage for the athletes
• High performance officials of the NSO monitor the progress of the athletes, their adherence to the training plan, achievement of benchmarks and objectives, and suggest changes to their training programs, competitions etc as appropriate
• NSO identifies which competitions athletes will attend and sets performance objectives for each competition and for the program overall.
• NSO does an annual evaluation and review on an individual and program basis for both athletes and coaches

These areas will be reviewed in the assessment phase. NSOs will only be considered eligible under the international scope criteria if they demonstrate this involvement. 

Annex C1:  Affiliation to the International Federation (IF)

Sport Canada will verify and confirm affiliation of each NSO with their International Federation.

If there are two (2) or more Canadian NSOs, each responsible for specific disciplines governed under the same IF, there must exist a formal mechanism allowing each NSO to represent its discipline at the IF.

Annex C2: 2007 World Anti-Doping Code

Sport Canada will verify and confirm the acceptance and implementation by the International Federation of the World Anti-Doping Code. This will be done through the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Code Acceptance status report. 

Annex C3a:  Participation in IF and World Championships for Olympic and World Championship-only sports

Member nations must have full IF membership or equivalent status entitling participation in World Championships and voting rights at IF Annual General Meetings. Member nations are considered to have at minimum a national governing body with regular national championships and a registered membership. If Associate, Affiliate and other partial membership categories do not entitle member nations to participate in the IF’s World Championship and vote at the IF AGM, they are not included in the member nation count.

Senior World Championships represent the highest level of World Championship sanctioned by the IF. Entries at Senior World Championships are typically restricted to the top athletes or teams that have met pre-requisite performance standards and/or have qualified through a qualifying process, as determined by the IF at the international level and by the NSO in terms of a national selections process.

Annex C3b Participation in IF and World Championships for Paralympic and World-Championship-only sports for athletes with a disability

Senior World Championships represent the highest level of World Championship sanctioned by the IF. Entries at Senior World Championships are typically restricted to the top athletes or teams that have met pre-requisite performance standards and/or have qualified through a qualifying process, as determined by the IF at the international level and by the NSO in terms of a national selections process.

Sports for athlete with a disability that are not on the Paralympic program will be considered on a case-by-case basis, provided they meet criteria C1, C2 and C4.

Annex C4:  Performance criteria

For Olympic and Paralympic sports, only results from events that are on the Olympic or Paralympic program of the current cycle will be considered (2000-2008). For new events added to the 2008 Olympic or Paralympic Games, World Championship results starting 3 years prior to the Olympic or Paralympic debut will be considered (e.g., as of 2005).

Eligible World Championship events for World Championship-only sports and World Championship-only sports for athletes with a disability will be determined by Sport Canada in consultation with the NSO, based on those events that meet performance criteria and are the most competitive in the sport – these events would be the ones the IF would normally propose for Olympic/Paralympic inclusion. At least 50% of counting results must have been achieved in events that have been on the official program of every Senior World Championship in the current cycle (2000-2008). There must also be demonstrated existence of a sustained and ongoing national team program and regular international calendar of competition to substantiate Canada’s participation in the World Championships.

If the field is restricted through a qualification competition, an adjusted field size that includes the qualification entries will be calculated by Sport Canada.

For Olympic sports and World-Championship-only sports, a top 16 / top half finish only counts from an event where entries represent at least 12 countries. For Paralympic sports and World Championship-only sports for athletes with a disability, a top 8 / top half finish only counts from an event where entries represent at least 8 countries. These results however, do not necessarily have to be from the same event at each Championship or Games.

NSOs not (previously) funded by Sport Canada must submit complete IF copies of all Senior World Championship event results since January 2000.

Statement of Verification

We the undersigned, as duly authorized officers of__________________verify that the information provided herein is accurate as of (date):________________________. We understand that this information may be subject to audit or further verification. Portions of the data provided may be used by Sport Canada for research and study purposes, the results of which may be published. We further understand that Eligibility for Assessment is provisional and conditional to the full compliance with all relevant criteria.

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Signature of NSO Officer

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Date:

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Title (please print)

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Signature of NSO Officer

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Name (please print)

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Date:

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Reminder: Review ALL Annexes

All NSOs must include the following documents with their application:

• Copy of Conflict of Interest Policy (A3)
• Copy of constitution/by-laws in both official languages (A4)
• Confirmation of incorporation information (A5)
• Copy of NSO Coaches Code of Conduct (A9)
• Copy of training and certification program for officials (A10)
• Copy of Board minutes endorsing the 2004 Canadian Policy Against Doping in Sport (A11)
• Copy of Official Languages policy or equivalent (A12)
• Copy of Equity and Access policy or equivalent (A13)
• Copy of Athlete Centeredness policy or equivalent (A14)
• Copy of document showing direct involvement of high performance athletes in decision-making  (A14)
• Documentation showing coaches involvement in athlete development programs and the technical direction of the national team programs (A15)
• Copy of Harassment and Abuse policy (A16)
• Copy of dispute resolution appeal mechanism/process (A17)
• Official membership figures from most recent annual report* (Form B1a for mainstream athletes and Form B1b for athletes with a disability)
• Official National Championships for one level for three of the last four years (B3)

Organizations not currently funded by Sport Canada must also include the following documents with their application:

• Audited Financial Statements for the last 4 fiscal years (A6)
• Current multi-year plan (A7 and A8)
• Official list of Provincial/Territorial affiliates and documentation that substantiates active and effective activity, e.g., provincial championship results for the last two years, website, annual reports, board members etc. (B2)
• Official Senior World Championship results since 2000 (C4)

Reference year:	NSO:
Form B1a: Membership(Mainstream) 1
Province/Territory	Athlete Competitors2		Coaches3		Officials3		Other: Club/League/ Recreational4 Members5		Total
	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	Total
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Quebec
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland
Yukon
North West Territories
Nunavut
Total

1) Definition of ''membership'': A member is an athlete competitor, coach or official or recreational/club-league participant who receives and/or provides services directly related to the mission and core objectives of a national sport organization. Such membership is traceable by the payment of a fee, either directly to a national sport organization, an affiliated provincial/territorial sport federation or an affiliated club. Member information must be verifiable from the NSO's records.

2) Athlete competitors are individuals who actively compete beyond their local club or local league.

3) Registered coaches and officials may be included in count even if no fee is applicable.

4) Club/League/ Recreational members  pay a fee through an affiliated club/league but do not compete in sanctions events beyond their local club/league.*

5) Non-affiliated adult participants (recreational, “masters”, etc.) and participants in school sports are not considered members unless directly affiliated.*

* Numbers must be verifiable through official club/league registrations at local, provincial or national level.

Reference year:	NSO:
Form B1b: Membership(Athletes  with a disability) 1
Province/Territory	Athlete Competitors2		Coaches3		Officials / classifiers3		Other: Club/League/ Recreational4 Members5		Total
	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	Total
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Quebec
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland
Yukon
North West Territories
Nunavut
Total

1) Definition of ''membership'': A member is an athlete competitor, coach or official or recreational/club-league participant who receives and/or provides services directly related to the mission and core objectives of a national sport organization. Such membership is traceable by the payment of a fee, either directly to a national sport organization, an affiliated provincial/territorial sport federation or an affiliated club. Member information must be verifiable from the NSO's records.

2) Athlete competitors are individuals who actively compete beyond their local club or local league.

3) Registered coaches and officials may be included in count even if no fee is applicable.

4) Club/League/ Recreational members  pay a fee through an affiliated club/league but do not compete in sanctions events beyond their local club/league.*

5) Non-affiliated adult participants (recreational, “masters”, etc.) and participants in school sports are not considered members unless directly affiliated.*

* Numbers must be verifiable through official club/league registrations at local, provincial or national level.