SELECTION PROCEDURES FOR WOC & JWOC MTBO 2008 – Poland

The following Selection Procedures for WOC & JWOC MTBO 2008 have been discussed and agreed to by the High Performance Management Group MTBO.

Please read the procedures carefully as they provide all the relevant information on how to be selected.

Team size and composition
A team of 8 is likely to be selected Selection will be based primarily upon demonstrated potential to achieve a benchmark performance of a top 16 result.

Inclusion of a junior /juniors may occur if form indicates that they are likely to achieve a benchmark top 16 result.

All riders will be eligible to participate in the long distance, middle and relay race.

Only 4 from each sex can participate in the sprint distance. Selectors will preselect this four, though the coach (with OA chair of selector’s approval) may vary this if form in Polandwarrants.  Composition of relay teams will be left to the coach’s discretion.

It is desirable that athletes have the ability to perform in all disciplines. If, however, you can demonstrate performance in only one discipline then you must clearly be the best in this and preferably have strength in another.

Allocation of funding assistance to individual team members is dependent on team size.  Given Orienteering Australia’s limited resources it is likely that only the actual WOC /JWOC championship week accommodation, food, transport and entry fees will be paid.    Riders will be expected to meet in Poland approximately a week before the Championships for a training and familiarisation camp and this cost will need to be pre-paid to OA.  Airfares are also to be paid for by the individuals.    It is likely that state associations and clubs will financially support selected riders.   Additionally there will be a performance based fund of approximately $1500 to be split amongst riders who achieve benchmark performances.

Selection Criteria
Performance in all THREE selection races will be the major consideration when making team selections. Competing in only some races will require you to perform very well in those that you do contest, but will not preclude you from selection.

Factors other than the selection races may be considered.
These are:

• results in important 2007 events: these being the World MTBO Championships, Australian MTBO Championships and Oceania Championships..

• The selectors consider the best results for Australia are achieved when a team works well together in representing Australia, so a person’s contribution to the team environment is also a consideration.

Overseas based athletes who are unable to compete in the selection races will need to provide the selectors with evidence that they can achieve a performance equal to or preferably better than Australian based athletes. Overseas based athletes will need to provide selectors, in writing, of races they wish to be considered as meeting the requirements of selection. These must be races where there will be a number of WOC MTBO 2008 competitors present. It is however, in the interest of everyone to participate in the Australian selection races.

Any injury or illness will be given consideration provided notification of such is received by the Chair of Selectors prior to the relevant selection race and is supported by written evidence from a medical practitioner.

Similarly, consideration will be given to true mechanical failures during selection races.

All team members must hold an Australian passport.

Selection Trials
There will be one weekend of THREE selection races.

These will be held in Victoria on the weekend of April 19^th and 20^th 2008.

Entry details for these races will be available from the respective State Associations and on the OA website  It is the athlete’s responsibility to ensure that they have entered these events. Neither organisers nor selectors will be held responsible if an athlete fails to enter and therefore does not race.

Details of the format of the TRIALS weekend races AND THEIR LOCATIONS will be available at least 4 weeks prior.

Nomination Process
All athletes who wish to be considered for selection in the Australian team for WOC MTBO 2008 are required to submit an Expression of Interest, which should include all contact details (eg name, address, email, phone etc) to the Chair of Selectors by cob April. 2^nd 2008

Selection Panel
The selection panel for 2008 is
Peta Whitford VIC
Eric Andrews QLD
To be advised.

Peta Whitford
Chair of Selectors
voa@netspace.net.au
0428 358 588