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2007-2008 Quest for Gold Athlete Assistance Program

August 30, 2007 – The Quest for Gold — Ontario Athlete Assistance Program 2007/2008 (OAAP) is funded by the Provincial Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Health Promotion. The Program will provide direct financial assistance to Ontario athletes through an “Ontario Card” designation. The intent of the OAAP is to provide funding to individual athletes based on their demonstrated commitment to high performance sport, allowing them to pursue athletic excellence at the highest levels of national and international competition.

How does it work?
In 2007-2008, the Sport and Recreation Branch, of the Ministry of Health Promotion, allocated a certain amount of OAAP Ontario Cards to each eligible Provincial Sport/ Multi-Sport Organization (PSO/ MSO).

In accordance with the OAAP guidelines the <> is responsible for forming a Selection Committee and sport specific selection criteria to nominate the athletes for Ontario carding status in 2007/2008.

How much funding is available?
The exact level of funding for the 2007/2008 carding year will be determined by the Ministry after the total number of athletes nominated for Ontario Card status has been determined and the total funding has been confirmed.

How did the OCA Selection Committee decide who receives funding?
The Ontario Cycling Association Selection Committee will use the following selection criteria to determine which athletes will be nominated by the OCA for Ontario Card status in 2007/ 2008:

2007/08 Quest for Gold Selection Criteria for the Ontario Cycling Association

Ontario Athlete Assistance Program
In order for athletes to be selected for the Quest for Gold (QFG) Ontario Athlete Assistance Program (OAAP) they must first meet the OCA’s provincial carding criteria (see chart below) and secondly, meet the OCA’s Quest for Gold Criteria.

There are 12 Cards available
(6 Male and 6 Female athletes are selected)

Athlete Quest for Gold Eligibility (Athletes must meet the below criteria to be eligible for OAAP)

A. Must be an athlete in an Olympic or Canada Games discipline to be eligible

B. Must hold current OCA license

C. Athletes cannot be Nationally Carded

D. Must meet the Automatic/Minimum Eligibility Criteria in the current OCA athlete coaching subsidy program in the athlete’s discipline and must be coached by an NCCP Certified Coach Level 2 or equivalent.

E. Eligible athletes must compete and continue to compete for Ontario for one year from the date of acceptance.

Athlete Quest for Gold Selection

A. Preference will be given in the following order:

I. Athletes who meet two or more Automatic criteria

II. Athletes who meet at least one Automatic criteria

III. Athletes who meet two or more Minimum criteria

B. Final selection will be made using a Category preference.

Category preference will be in the following order:

I. Espoir/Junior (8 cards)

II Senior (23-29)* (4 cards)

*Athletes 23 and older will be considered. Athletes in this age category will be considered only if the athlete has been identified in writing by the Canadian Cycling Association as being in the national development team or pool.

*2007 results will be used for selection purposes.

Priority Chart (12 Cards)

– Athletes will be selected based on their highest level of priority achieved
– Two or more automatic criteria
– One Automatic criteria met
– At least two or more minimum criteria

Espoir/Junior (8 )
1st priority
2nd priority
3rd priority

Senior (4)*
2nd priority
3rd priority
4th priority

*If there are fewer athletes that meet the criteria than cards available, the extra card(s) will be designated to the Espoir/Junior category.

If there is a tie based upon the established criteria and more than six women or men have qualified, the OCA’s High Performance Committee will determine final selection.

Any High Performance Committee members who have a conflict of interest will not participate in the ‘tie’ breaking decision.





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