2023 PAN AMERICAN GAMES & STAGE 1 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

(Revised Oct 6, 2022)

2023 WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION PROCESS

The Internal Nomination Procedures for the 2023 Pan American Games and Stage 1 World Cup Qualifier will be communicated through Softball Canada official publications, posted on the Softball Canada website and distributed by email to 2022 Softball Canada national team members.

Softball Canada is carefully following the evolution of the coronavirus on the global and domestic level and how it may impact obtaining quota spots for the 2023 Pan American Games and/or domestic nomination of athletes for the 2023 Pan American Games. Unless otherwise required by exceptional and unforeseen circumstances related to the impact of the coronavirus, Softball Canada will respect these published Internal Nomination Procedures as written.

However, situations related to the coronavirus pandemic may arise that require this Internal Nomination Procedure to be modified. Any modifications will be made promptly and as often as required following developments that directly impact the Internal Nomination Procedure. In such circumstances, any modifications will be communicated to all affected individuals as soon as possible.

Further, situations may arise that do not allow this Internal Nomination Procedure to be modified or applied as written due to time constraints or other exceptional and unforeseen circumstances. In such situations, any decision, including nomination decisions, will be made by the individual(s) with decision-making authority, as stated in this Internal Nomination Procedure, in consultation with the relevant individual(s) or committee(s) (as applicable), and in accordance with the stated performance objectives and selection philosophy and approach as stated herein. Should it be necessary to make any decision in this manner, Softball Canada will communicate with all affected individuals as soon as possible.

SECTION 1 – PURPOSE

The 2023 Women’s National Team Program will compete in the 2023 Pan American Games and Stage 1 World Cup Qualifier. The purpose of this document is to set out the process that will be used by Softball Canada to select athletes to both teams in 2023. This process will also be used to identify athletes eligible to be nominated for 2023-2024 carding (Athlete Assistance Program).

This selection process has three objectives:

1. Select eligible athletes to an Athlete Pool. Athletes in the Pool are those identified by Softball Canada as having demonstrated potential to earn a position on a current or future national team. At any given time, the Athlete Pool represents a ‘snapshot’ of Canadian talent in women’s softball.
2. From the Pool, select the best possible Teams for specific events. While some objective criteria will be used to select Teams, it is also recognized that there is a significant subjective element. Subjective elements include such factors as previous and current performance, experience, positional requirements, leadership qualities and team cohesion.
3. This selection process also forms the basis for nomination of athletes for Sport Canada’s Athlete Assistance Program (carding).

Contact: For clarifications or questions on the contents of the Internal Nomination Process (INP), please contact Kaleigh Rafter, Head Coach, krafter@softball.ca.

SECTION 2 – ELIGIBILITY

An athlete is eligible for selection to the Athlete Pool so long as they are: (1) in good standing with Softball Canada, and (2) a Canadian Citizen holding a Canadian passport, a person eligible for Canadian Citizenship who is actively pursuing Citizenship, or a person with a Canadian Citizenship card.

To be eligible to be selected to a National Team, the athlete must be a Canadian citizen as defined by the Pan American Games Regulations and the WBSC in case of the Stage 1 World Qualifier and have a valid Canadian passport that does not expire on or before May 5, 2024.

Once selected to the Athlete Pool or to a National Team, all athletes will be expected to be training towards, or to meet the physical standards outlined in Appendix B. These standards on their own will not be used to include or exclude an athlete from consideration for the Pool or a Team, but they will be used by Softball Canada to measure and monitor an athlete’s training, progress and preparation.

Athletes selected to the 2023 Pan American Games must submit the COC athlete agreement and conditions of participation form by September 15, 2023. Where the athlete is under the age of 19 years, the parent or guardian must also sign these agreements.

SECTION 3 – AUTHORITY FOR SELECTION

The Board of Directors has delegated authority for all decision making under this policy to the Head Coach.

The Head Coach has final authority for all selection decisions, including selecting athletes to the Athlete Pool, adding additional athletes to the Athlete Pool, selecting National Team from the Athlete Pool, removing athletes from the Athlete Pool or from a National Team, and selecting replacement athletes to a National Team where applicable. In making selection decisions, the Head Coach will consult with the Manager - Women’s National

Teams (WNT), and with coaching staff, defined for the purposes of this document to include assistant coaches, scouts and evaluators as designated by Softball Canada.

SECTION 4 – ATHLETE SELECTION PROCESS

Athlete Pool Selection

The Women’s National Team will hold three Regional Identification Camps and one Final Selection Camp in May/June 2023 in preparation for the 2023 Pan American Games and the Stage 1 World Cup Qualifier. Up to 30 athletes named to the 2023 Women’s National Team athlete pool will receive invitations to attend the selection camp. All remaining athletes in the Women’s National Team pool will continue to be a part of the Women’s National Team pool and will be eligible for consideration as well. In addition to the selection camp, the coaching staff will monitor those athletes competing in college/university. The selection of the pool will be based on:

• Previous and current performance
• Experience
• Positional requirements
• Present and projected development and/or improvement
• Leadership/Contribution to team chemistry
• Availability for competition and training AAP Nominations

The Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) carding cycle for Softball Canada begins June 1st and ends May 31st

of the following year. The initial group of athletes nominated for carding will be identified on or before June 30, 2023. Additional athletes may be nominated for carding based on the discretion of the Head Coach by September 30, 2023. The number of athletes nominated will depend on the allotment of cards by Sport Canada. Any athlete nominated for carding must meet the eligibility requirements of the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program.

National Team Selection

Athletes from the Athlete Pool will be selected to the National Team, with the goal being to put together the best possible team for any particular event. Factors that will be considered in this selection include physical and technical aspects of the game, as well as team dynamics.

These factors, which will be assigned weight by the Head Coach, as he or she deems appropriate for the decision-making process, include:

• Previous and current performance
• Experience
• Positional requirements (primary and backup)
• Present and projected development and/or improvement
• Leadership/Contribution to team chemistry
• Availability for competition and training
• The depth chart, as developed from the evaluation criteria in Appendix A

It is understood that in making selections to create the best possible Team, it is possible that the best individual athletes may not be selected. It is at the discretion of the Head Coach to name an athlete to a National Team even though that athlete may not have participated in evaluation camps, selection camps or other National Team events. 

The timelines that will be followed in selecting the Athlete Pool and selecting athletes for the 2023 Pan American Games and Stage 1 World Cup Qualifier teams are as follows. Note that specific events, dates and times may be subject to change.

• On or before March 24th, 2023 - The Head Coach will name up to 24 athletes to the Athlete Pool
• May/June, 2023 - Three Regional Identification camps to be held across Canada (dates and locations TBD).
• June, 2023 - Final Selection camp to be held with athletes named from the Regional Identification camps and any athletes directly invited by the Head Coach.
• On or before June 21, 2023 – The Head Coach WILL NAME THE FINAL ROSTER OF 16 ATHLETES TO THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES TEAM. The Head Coach has the discretion to name players to the team in stages, prior to this date. Additional players may be asked to participate in exhibition play, training and events leading up to the Pan American Games, scheduled for October 30-November 4 in Santiago, Chile. Player selection will be communicated directly to athletes and publicly through Softball Canada official publications, and posted on the Softball Canada website.
• On or before June 30, 2023 – The Head Coach will identify the initial list of athletes to be nominated for AAP.
• Players not selected to the Pan American Games team WILL REMAIN UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR THE STAGE 1 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER ROSTER OF 16 ATHLETES TO BE NAMED NO LATER THAN JULY 30th, 2023.
• Any athletes in the pool are eligible to be named to the roster for any events in

Athletes are required to attend all National Team events. Exemption from events may be granted for illness/injury (supporting documentation required) or special circumstances. The Head Coach, in consultation with the coaching staff and Manager - Women’s National Teams (WNT), has the discretion to consider any special circumstances.

Alternates may be added to the Team to replace an athlete removed from the team pursuant to section 5. The addition of alternates to the team is at the sole discretion of the Head Coach and will be in keeping with the philosophy of fielding the best possible team.

In addition to the above schedule, athletes are expected to follow the prescribed training regime, take the required regularly scheduled fitness tests and be available to meet with national team staff at agreed to times and locations throughout the year.

UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES/CHANGES TO THE DOCUMENT

If unforeseen circumstances arise which do not allow for this selection process or the above timelines to be implemented as outlined in this document, Softball Canada reserves the right to identify an alternate process or alternate timelines. Should this occur, all athletes in the Athlete Pool will be notified of these changes in a timely manner.

Should any event specified in this INP be canceled, postponed, rescheduled or replaced, Softball Canada shall update nomination procedures indicated in this INP, as applicable, as soon as reasonably possible and shall communicate any modifications to all impacted individuals, as well as publish the modified INP on its website prior to the postponed, rescheduled, or replacement event.

Softball Canada recognizes that athletes and staff may, for safety reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic, also decide not to travel to and participate in events indicated in this INP that will be used for nomination to the Santiago Pan American Games Team and Stage 1 World Cup Team, even in circumstances when the events may proceed as planned, and even when Softball Canada has decided that it will travel to and participate in the event because it has decided, following consultation with medical and public health safety experts, that it is safe to do so.

SECTION 5 – REMOVAL FROM THE ATHLETE POOL OR FROM A NATIONAL TEAM

• Upon selection to the Athlete Pool or Team, an athlete must:

1. Sign, submit and comply with a Softball Canada Team member agreement, Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) Athlete Agreement and PASO/Santiago 2023 Conditions of Participation Form for the Pan American Games team;
2. Provide Softball Canada and the COC with all required documents (passport information etc.);
3. Participate in Team events, activities and meetings, as directed by the Head Coach or his/her designate;
4. Ensure they wear proper equipment and clothing;
5. Obey all rules established by the Head Coach and/or Softball Canada;
6. Assist Softball Canada in public relations and fundraising projects where required;
7. Comply with off-season daily training environment training requirements as identified by the High Performance Director/Head Coach;
8. Not be under suspension or any other sanction by any recognized body for any doping or doping-related offence;
9. Be available for sample collection and have provided up-to-date whereabouts information on a regular basis as directed by Softball Canada, World Baseball Softball Confederation and/or Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) pursuant to the Canadian Policy.

• An athlete may be removed from the Athlete Pool or from a National Team where the athlete:

1. Is unable to maintain, or being working towards, to the Head Coaches satisfaction, the training standards set out in Appendix B;
2. Is unable to meet performance expectations – performing below the level and expected standards, on-field, that earned them the nomination to the Pan American Games team or the Stage 1 World Cup Qualifier team;
3. Is unable to perform due to injury, illness or for other medical reason as determined by Softball Canada’s medical staff;
4. Is unable to commit to National Team Program activities and events (note that an athlete may obtain an exemption from the Head Coach and Softball Canada);
5. Violates team rules and/or Softball Canada’s policies and procedures;
6. Exhibits conduct that is detrimental to the image of the National Team program of Softball Canada;
7. Breaches the Athlete Agreement;
8. Voluntarily withdraws;
9. Is removed by a Softball Canada Discipline and/or Appeal panel; or
10. Fraudulently misrepresents themselves.

SECTION 6 – SUBSTITUTION OF ALTERNATES

Where necessary and appropriate, an athlete removed from a National Team may be replaced by an alternate from the Athlete Pool. In the specific case of the Pan American Games, prior to the Pan American Games Team Nomination to the COC, the Head Coach will have the final authority over dismissal of an athlete from the team. Following nomination to the COC, any such removals are subject to the approval of the COC Team Selection Committee. Substitutions after September 29, 2023 are also subject to the Santiago 2023 Late Athlete Replacement Policy.

SECTION 7 – APPEALS

Softball Canada’s 2023 Pan American Games and World Championship Qualifier team selections may be appealed in accordance with the procedures set out in the Softball Canada Appeals policy.

Decisions of the Head Coach on AAP nominations may be appealed pursuant to the Appeals Policy of Softball Canada and the applicable provisions of Sport Canada’s Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) Policies and Procedures (Section 13). This process may be bypassed with the consent of all parties and referred directly to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC).

SECTION 8 – COACHING SELECTION

To be recognized as a coach in the National Team Coaching Pool, a coach must be a member in good standing with Softball Canada and Coaches of Canada (Pan American Games only), be selected by the Head Coach, and be approved by the Softball Canada Board of Directors. Coaches from the Coaching Pool are eligible to participate at National Team events as requested by Softball Canada and the Head Coach.

SECTION 9 – TEAM LEADER/SUPPORT STAFF SELECTION

The Board of Directors, after consulting with the High Performance Director/Head Coach, will select the Team Leader. The Team Leader must satisfy the expectations and requirements of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Leader Position Description.

The High Performance Director/Head Coach will recommend all other support staff positions to the Board of Directors for their approval. The support staff will be selected based on the principle of sending a team of specialists that is best capable of assisting athletes in achieving podium performances at the Games. All selections are subject to COC approval.

 Appendix A 

Tentative Schedule for 2023:

• May 15, 2023 - Regional Identification Camp, Saskatoon, SK
• June 10, 2023 - Regional Identification Camp, Lower Mainland, BC
• June 12, 2023 - Regional Identification Camp, GTA, ON
• June 14-18, 2023 - Final Selection Camp, Toronto, ON
• June 19-27, 2023 - Team Training Toronto, ON
• June 28-July 4, 2023 - Exhibition Series #2, Nashville, TN
• July 5-18, 2023 - Canada Cup & Team Training, Surrey, BC
• July 19-27 - Stage 1 World Cup Qualifier, Italy
• October 20-26, 2023 - Pre-Pan Am Training Camp, TBD
• October 27-Nov 4, 2023 - Pan American Games, Santiago, Chile

SOFTBALL CANADA WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM

ATHLETE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (AAP) CRITERIA FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2023-2024 CARDING CYCLE

1. GOAL

The goal of the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) is to provide financial support to athletes to train and compete successfully for Canada at major games (Olympics, Commonwealth, Pan American), and at World Championships. Athletes who are nominated for funding, and who are approved by Sport Canada for AAP financial support are referred to as ‘carded’ athletes. AAP funding is referred to as ‘carding’.

2.  CARDING QUOTA

Sport Canada has allocated the equivalent of 17 Senior Cards to the Women’s National Team Program. Sport Canada has the right to revise the number of cards allocated at their discretion.

Eligible athletes will be nominated to the AAP in the following priority order:

• Athletes that meet the Senior international card criteria;
• Athletes carded at the Senior international card level the previous year that meet the health related issue clause;
• Athletes that meet the Senior national card criteria;
• Athletes carded at the Senior national card level the previous year that meet the health related issue clause;
• Athletes that meet the Development card criteria;
• Athletes carded at the Development card level the previous year that meet the health related issue clause;

3. DURATION OF AAP CARDING

The carding cycle begins on June 1st and ends on May 31st of the following year. Initial carding nominations will be announced by the National Coach no later than July 1. Additional nominations may be made at a later date. In 2023 there will be a series of training and competition events in the May to July time period which will be used to determine 2023/24 carding status.

4. AUTHORITY FOR NOMINATION DECISIONS

The National Coach has the full and sole authority to decide:

• How the quota of 17 Senior cards will be allocated into Senior and Development categories, based on the goals and objectives for the National Team (NT) Program;
• Who will be nominated to receive Senior and Development cards.
• How many carding months are allocated to each player. It is not automatic for an athlete to receive a 12 month card. An athlete may be carded for a shorter period of time based on AAP requirements, position on the depth chart, commitment to the NT program and the number of days involved in NT activities.

Note that Softball Canada does not approve AAP funding for athletes; it makes nominations to Sport Canada, who has final approval of all AAP matters.

5. ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to be considered for AAP assistance, an athlete must:

• Be in good standing with Softball Canada
• Not be under suspension or sanction by Softball Canada or Sport Canada for a doping or doping-related offense;
• Be a Canadian citizen
• Agree to and sign any applicable Athlete Agreement as required by Softball Canada and Sport Canada.

In the event that an athlete is nominated for carding, and in order to maintain carding status, the athlete must continue to fulfill the above-listed requirements as well as any additional as set forth in the signed Athlete Agreement. Failure to satisfy the terms and conditions outlined above may result in the withdrawal of carding status.

6. CRITERIA FOR SENIOR CARDS

To be considered for a Senior Card, an athlete must:

• Have been selected to the Senior National Team athlete pool, or be added to the pool at a later date.
• Achieved the Minimum Training Standards for their position or, in the Coach’s discretion, be making suitable efforts towards achieving the standards (see Appendix B of the Women’s National Team Handbook). Note that athletes unable to meet, maintain or make suitable progress towards the Minimum Training Standards over the course of the carding cycle may have their carding support withdrawn.
• Demonstrate through training and international competition the ability, as defined by the National Team’s selection criteria, to compete at the international softball level.
• Improve performance (technical, tactical, physiological, and psychological) at training and in international competition, as communicated by the national coach and based on ongoing testing, performance monitoring and post-competition evaluations.
• Participate in training and performance monitoring programs as directed by the National Coach.
• Be available to play in all major events in the carding cycle including Pan American Games, World Championships and qualification tournaments, as applicable.

Position on the depth chart contributes to an athlete’s nomination for Senior National Carding. Depth chart position is determined by the National Coach and is dependent on the following criteria:

• Previous and current performance
• Experience
• Positional requirements (primary and backup)
• Present and projected development and/or improvement
• Leadership/Contribution to team chemistry
• Availability for competition and training
• The depth chart, as developed from the evaluation criteria in Appendix A of the 2023 Team selection criteria

The Depth chart may be periodically updated.

An athlete may be selected to the Senior National Team but may not receive a nomination for carding.

Senior Cards:

Senior International Card (SR1/SR2): for members of the Senior National athlete pool that were members of the team that placed in the top 8 and top ½ of the field at the most recent World Championships.

Athletes who meet the International Criteria are eligible to be nominated by their NSO for two consecutive years; the first- year card is referred to as SR1; the second, SR2. Eligibility for a SR2 card is contingent on the athlete maintaining a training and competitive program approved by the NSO, on being re-nominated by the NSO, on signing an Athlete/NSO Agreement and completing an AAP Application Form for that year.

Maximum number of years at the Senior National Card level:

An athlete is normally expected to improve each year to maintain a Senior Card based on the national criteria. Once an athlete has been carded for more than 5 years at the Senior National level, to be recommended for additional years of carding support, the athlete must meet the International Senior carding criteria or clearly demonstrate continued progress toward being selected on the final roster of the Senior National Team.

Athletes that have reached this maximum number of years at senior will be informed in writing by Softball Canada of the minimum standard they must meet to be eligible for an additional year of AAP support.

7. CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT CARDS

To be considered for a Development Card, an athlete must:

• Be identified by the National Coach or National Coaching Staff as demonstrating superior development potential through:
  1. Performance at the National level (ie. National Championships, Softball Canada hosted competitions, National Camps and/or Softball Canada training sessions)
  2. Recommendation by Provincial Associations/clubs or National Team contacts/scouts
• Achieve the Minimum Training Standards for their respective position, or in the Coach’s opinion, be making suitable efforts towards achieving the standards (see Appendix B, of the 2023 Team selection criteria when it is available). Note that athletes unable to meet, maintain, or make suitable progress towards the minimum training standards over the course of the carding cycle may have their carding support withdrawn.
• Participate in National Team Programs as directed by the National Coach.
• Participate in year-round training programs and in periodic testing and monitoring as directed by the National Coach and National Coaching Staff.

As described within Section 6, nominations for Development Card Status will be assigned based on an athlete’s position on the National Team Depth Chart, which can be periodically updated.

Maximum number of years at the Development card level:

• Athletes previously carded at the Senior international levels are generally not eligible for a D card unless they were of Junior age when awarded the SR1/SR2 card.
• After being carded at the Senior national level (SR/C1) more than 2 years, Athletes may be eligible for nomination at the Development Card level, only one (1) time in her career unless they were Junior age when awarded the Senior national level card;
• In general a senior age athlete may be eligible for the Development card for a maximum of 4 years. To be recommended for additional years of carding support, the athlete must meet the Senior national carding criteria or clearly demonstrate continued progress toward being selected on the final roster of the Senior National Team.
• While eligible for the Junior Program, there will be no limitation on the number of years an Athlete will be eligible at the Development Card Level (years during which an Athlete can be involved with the Junior Development Program);

8. HEALTH RELATED ISSUES

Should an athlete who has been approved for carding the previous year become injured, ill or pregnant to the extent that the athlete cannot sustain high performance training for a period longer than 30 days, the athlete must immediately notify the National Coach. To continue to receive carding assistance during the current carding cycle, the athlete must provide the National Coach with a detailed rehabilitation and recovery plan that includes the following:

• A medical doctor’s diagnosis of injury or illness;
• A medical doctor’s prognosis for the athlete’s return to high performance training and competition;
• Detailed rehabilitation and return-to-training schedule

The National Coach may consult the Softball Canada Team Physician in review of submitted documents.

An athlete who is eligible to be considered for carding and who is seeking carding, but who is injured or ill to the extent that she cannot fulfill the carding criteria described in this document may nonetheless be nominated for carding at the sole discretion of the National Coach. In exercising such discretion, the National Coach may require that the athlete supply a medical doctor’s diagnosis and prognosis for recovery, and may consult with the Softball Canada team physician for review. The National Coach will exercise his discretion in this manner only in very exceptional circumstances.

9. APPEALS

Appeals of Softball Canada AAP nomination/re-nomination decision or of a Softball Canada’s recommendation to withdraw carding may be pursued only through the Softball Canada’s review process, which includes an application to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC). Appeals of AAP Decision made under Section 6 (Application for and Approval of Cards) or Section 11 (Withdrawal of Carding Status) may be pursued through Section 13 of the AAP Policies, Procedures and Guidelines.