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SQUASH ONTARIO

Quest for Gold – Ontario Athlete Assistance Program 2011-2012

ATHLETE SELECTION CRITERIA

• Quest for Gold – Ontario Athlete Assistance Program 2011-2012 (OAAP) is funded by the Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport (MHPS), and operated through the Sport, Recreation & Community Programs Branch.  The overarching goal of the Quest for Gold – OAAP is directly related to the Enhanced Excellence goals of the Canadian Sport Policy – to improve the performance and number of Ontario athletes performing at the national and international level; thereby contributing to the improved performance of Canada at international competitions. Specific objectives of the program are:
• To help athletes continue their pursuit of athletic excellence at the highest levels of national and international competition;
• To encourage athletes to stay in Ontario to live and train;
• To compensate athletes for earnings lost while training;
• To enable athletes to successfully pursue excellence in sport while fulfilling their educational goals;
• To increase athlete access to improved high performance coaching; and
• To enhance training and competitive opportunities available to athletes.

The program will provide direct financial assistance to Ontario junior-aged athletes through an “Ontario Card” designation.  “Junior-aged athlete” is defined as those athletes who fall within the eligible age range for the Canada Games - 11 to 22 years of age.  A PSO/MSO with a NSO-approved Long Term Athlete Development Model (LTADM) that identifies older athletes in the “Train to Train” and “Train to Compete” categories may apply to MHPS for a variation to this 11-22 age range. A PSO/MSO may choose to allocate a maximum of 30% of it’s carding allotment to athletes older than 22 years of age who have been identified as a potential next generation national team athlete by the PSO/MSO’s selection process.

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 accordance with the OAAP guidelines SQUASH ONTARIO is responsible for developing sport specific selection criteria and forming a Selection Committee that will apply the criteria to select those athletes who will be awarded Ontario Card status in 2011-2012.  The Selection Criteria are approved by the Board of Directors and reviewed by MHPS staff.  Nominated athletes will be required to sign and comply with an Athlete Agreement between the athlete and SQUASH ONTARIO.  Carding status will be for one year starting April 1, 2011 ending March 31, 2012.

In 2011-2012, the MHPS allocated a certain amount of OAAP Ontario Cards to each eligible Provincial Sport / Multi-Sport Organization (PSO/MSO). SQUASH ONTARIO has been allotted a total of 8 Ontario cards (split evenly as 4 male and 4 female Cards).

SQUASH ONTARIO has also decided to exercise the option made available by MHPS to split up to 40% of its carding allotment (i.e. issue ½ cards in designated categories).

The Selection Committee, which has been approved by the PSO/MSO Board of Directors is comprised of the following members:

Richard Yendell, Level 3 Coach, LF, Member Squash Ontario Board of Directors

Jessica DiMauro, Level 3 Coach, National Junior Women’s Coach

Patrick Ryding, Level 3 Coach, former Canada Games Coach

Robert Brooks, Member Junior Advisory Committee, Past President Squash Ontario

Nicole Pirko, Level 3 Coach, former Canada Games Coach

Mark Sachvie, Board Liaison (president), Level 3 Coach, former Canada Games Coach

How much funding is available?

The exact level of funding for the 2011-2012 carding year will be determined by the MHPS after the total number of athletes nominated for Ontario Card status has been determined.  Funding will be released prior to March 31, 2012.

How will SQUASH ONTARIO Selection Committee decide who receives funding?

SQUASH ONTARIO Selection Committee will use both the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport Eligibility Criteria and the Sport Specific Selection Criteria detailed below to determine which athletes will be nominated for Ontario Card status in 2011-2012:

Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport Eligibility Criteria:

All athletes must meet the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport’s minimum athlete eligibility criteria:

• Athlete must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.
• Athlete must be a permanent resident of Ontario for one year prior to his/her nomination for carding status.
• Athletes must be living in and continuing to train in Ontario. Exceptions shall be made on a case specific basis by the PSO/MSO Selection Committee provided that the athlete can substantiate in writing at the time of application/nomination for carding status that:
• Athletes who have achieved Canada Card status are not eligible for Ontario Cards.

(a)     He/She cannot receive the required level of training in Ontario and is out of the province temporarily during the year (i.e. due to lack of facilities, coaching, competitions);

(b)     He/She must attend a post-secondary institution out-of-province either because the course of study is not offered by an Ontario institution: or

(c)     It is more financially feasible to attend a post-secondary institution out-of-province, or other extenuating circumstances that require the athlete to be out of the province.

The onus is on the athlete to demonstrate that he/she needs to be out-of-province for one of the above reasons.  Any documentation required to clarify this “residency exception” must be submitted in its entirety to SQUASH ONTARIO Selection Committee by no later than December 20, 2011in order to be considered.  Documentation related to exception (a) above may include, but shall not be limited to, a letter from the athlete’s NSO outlining the following, as well as any other pertinent information:

• why the athlete is training out of province;
• whether or not the athlete was formally invited by the NSO;
• what additional opportunities are being made available beyond those provided in Ontario; and
• any other information that will illustrate that the athlete is receiving enhanced training while still meeting all obligations of SQUASH ONTARIO.

• Athlete must be a member in good standing with PSO/MSO and NSO where applicable;
• Athlete must have entered into a Sports Organization - Athlete Agreement with his or her PSO/MSO and must be in full compliance with the terms and conditions of that agreement;
• Athlete must have met all terms and conditions of any previous Quest for Gold Sports Organization – Athlete Agreements to the satisfaction of the PSO/MSO in order to be eligible for consideration in 2011/2012;
• Athlete must demonstrate a commitment and dedication to a proper training and competitive program;
• Athlete’s coach must be minimum Level 2 NCCP certified or trained status Competition Stream or the sport’s equivalent in the Instruction Stream;
• Athlete must not be under a sanction that prohibits competition as per the Canadian Anti-Doping Policy;
• Athlete must be attending an educational institution full-time (i.e. elementary and secondary schools):
• Exceptions will be made provided that the athlete can substantiate that his/her training will not allow for full-time attendance or if an athlete requires special needs that preclude full or part-time attendance (e.g. Athlete with a disability (AWAD) athlete);
• Athletes who have completed their area of study at the secondary level (i.e. high school) and who continue to train towards participation in major national or international competitions will also be considered;
• If eligible, the athlete must compete, and continue to compete solely for Ontario and/or Canada for one year from the date of the Minister’s letter informing the athlete of acceptance into OAAP program, at Canada Games and other national competitions involving provincial team competitions;
• Athlete must not receive financial support from any other provincial/territorial athlete assistance program.  This does not include academic scholarships, bursaries, student grants, student loans, social assistance, disability pensions, and other forms of financial assistance that have nothing to do with competitive sport.
• Eligibility will be limited to Ontario junior-aged athletes, ages 11-22 (“junior-aged” refers to chronological age, not a sport’s specific age category - only exception is for PSO/MSOs using 30% of Ontario Card allotment for athletes older than 22 years of age who have been identified as a potential next generation national team athlete by the PSO/MSO’s selection process.

Residency Exemption for Military Families:  The one-year Ontario residency requirement is waived for any Ontario Card or Canada Card applicant who is a spouse or dependant of a: Regular Force member of the Canadian Forces; or Reservist currently deployed by the Canadian Forces into active service and who takes up residence in Ontario during the fiscal year.   This means that eligible military family members now qualify for OAAP funding immediately upon becoming residents of Ontario.  Please see the 2011-2012 Quest for Gold Athlete Handbook for details of this exemption, including a list of documents needed to verify eligibility for this waiver of the one-year Ontario residency requirement.

Important Notes:

• To be deemed a potential next generation national team athlete, the athlete must be age-eligible to compete on the national team in the year following receipt of Ontario Card funding.
• An athlete that received Sport Canada Carding during any part of MHPS’ fiscal year April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 and/or any part of fiscal year April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012 and is no longer in receipt of Sport Canada Athlete Assistance shall not be eligible to receive Quest for Gold funding during fiscal year 2011-2012 (April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.) The intent of this rule is to prevent athletes whose performance levels and rankings no longer qualify them for Sport Canada carding from taking an Ontario Card from a future national-level athlete.  However, exceptions may apply and will be considered by the MHPS on a case-by-case basis.  Exceptions may include, but may not be limited to logistical or administrative changes (ex. reduction in Sport Canada carding allocation), injuries, etc.  SQUASH ONTARIO must contact MHPS in writing prior to the submission of the Athlete Nominations to seek individual exceptions.
• All athletes under the age of 18 must have their parent or legal guardian sign their OAAP application form. Cheques will be processed in the name of the eligible athlete.
• An athlete can only be nominated to receive Quest for Gold funding in one sport.
• Athletes who are attending any foreign post-secondary educational institution (including NCAA institutions) and are receiving an athletic scholarship in any sport are not eligible to receive OAAP support.
• The onus is entirely on the athlete to determine the impact of accepting OAAP funding on current or future NCAA eligibility and to decide whether or not to accept OAAP funding. The athlete will be required to acknowledge this onus and responsibility when signing the OAAP Ontario Card application form and agreeing to the related terms and conditions of the program.  Athletes are strongly encouraged to contact the NCAA Eligibility Center to determine the impact of Quest for Gold - OAAP funding on current or future eligibility for a NCAA scholarship or on eligibility to compete in a non-scholarship NCAA sport.

National Collegiate Athletic Association                              www.ncaa.org

NCAA Eligibility Center mailing address:

NCAA Eligibility Center
P.O. Box 7136
Indianapolis, IN 46207
  
Customer service hours - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday.
 Toll-free phone number (U.S. callers) - Customer service line – 877-262-1492
 Phone number (international callers)  - Customer service line – 317-223-0700
                                                                Fax number - 317-968-5100

• In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between the MHPS eligibility requirements detailed in the MHPS binder provided to PSO/MSOs and duplicated in the Athlete Handbook provided to each nominated athlete and the eligibility requirements listed in the PSO/MSO Athlete Selection Criteria Document prepared by the PSO/MSO, the MHPS Binder/Athlete Handbook shall prevail.

Athletes funded through the Sport Canada AAP:

Ontario athletes who have been nominated and accepted for funding through Sport Canada’s AAP within the government of Ontario’s fiscal year (April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012) and who continue to meet AAP and OAAP eligibility requirements will automatically be considered for a Quest for Gold ‘Canada Card’.  MHPS will contact those athletes directly at the mailing and email addresses the athlete provided to Sport Canada.  Athletes are solely responsible for ensuring that their contact information is kept accurate and up to date at all times. 

Sport Specific Athlete Selection Criteria:

The following sport specific athlete selection criteria will be utilized in the identification, ranking and selection of athletes for Ontario Cards:

1)     Athlete must be eligible to participate in the 2015 Canada Winter Games (age as at 1 March 2015)

(2)     Athlete will be ranked according to the Ontario rankings as at 15 December 2011.  These rankings will reflect the results from junior sanctioned events over the past 12 months.

(3)     Athlete must participate in Dunlop/Jesters Gold # 2 – Mayfair Parkway Racquet & Fitness Club, Markham, Ontario – October 28 -30, 2011, results of which will be included in the December 15th 2011 Ontario rankings

(4)     Athlete must participate in BMO Nesbitt Burns Ontario Junior Closed Championships – Executive Fitness & Racquet Club, Concord, Ontario, November 25 – 27, 2011, results of which will be included in the December 15th Ontario rankings.

Breaking a Tie: 

If two athletes are tied in the rankings, the Committee may use head to head results between the two athletes in the tournaments over the last 12 months up to and including 15 December 2011.  If a tie still exists, then the last head to head result between the two athletes will be used to break the tie.

Alternates:  SQUASH ONTARIO will also nominate alternates to those athletes nominated for Ontario Card status.  Alternates will be those athletes who are ranked directly behind those athletes nominated for the allotment of Ontario Cards in a particular category/discipline.  The names of alternates will be published along with the names of nominated athletes.  If an athlete drops out or is removed from the OAAP an alternate will be substituted into that athlete’s position, provided that:

• Alternate is substituted within 2011-2012 fiscal year;
• An alternate is available from the same category/discipline/card level (Full/Half);
• Funding for athlete being substituted is still available within fiscal year (e.g. full funding for card has not already been paid out to athlete no longer in program).

To Apply:

The Squash Ontario Selection Committee will automatically rank all eligible athletes and contact them directly immediately following December 15th.  Athletes will be required to confirm acceptance of their nomination in writing within 5 business days.

The Sports Organization – Athlete Agreement will only come into effect if an athlete is selected and accepts carding status through the OAAP program.

SQUASH ONTARIO will publish or make known a draft list of athletes nominated for Ontario Card status by no later than January 13, 2012.

For more information:

Name:  Sherry Funston

Email:  sfunston@squashontario.com

Address: 3 Concorde Gate, Toronto, ON  M3C 3N7

Phone number, Fax number 416-426-7202; 416-426-7393

Appeals 

Athletes who have not been nominated for an Ontario Card by SQUASH ONTARIO Selection Committee or who have been nominated for a ‘Half Card’ versus a ‘Full Card’, where applicable will be allowed to appeal that decision by filing a “Notice of Appeal” with MHPS. Appeals will be heard by an Appeals Committee comprised of representatives from the sport community, selected by the MHPS.

Grounds for appeals will be limited strictly to issues related to:

A)  Whether or not the Selection Committee has completed the selection process in accordance with its

      own published selection criteria and related procedures;

B)  Whether or not the Selection Committee applied the selection criteria in a manner that was free from  

      bias, discrimination and/or conflict of interest. 

Please note that before an athlete can file a Notice of Appeal, he or she must first ask SQUASH ONTARIO for reasons explaining why he or she was not nominated for an Ontario Card.  

If the athlete is not satisfied with the PSO/MSO’s response, the athlete may submit a Notice of Appeal, found below.  A Notice of Appeal will only be accepted on the MHPS-provided template (typed or hand-printed, no hand-written entries) through email, regular post, registered mail, courier or delivered in person.  The Notice of Appeal must be received by MHPS by 4 p.m. on the deadline day.  Appeals that are delivered personally or by courier shall be deemed to be received on the date of delivery. 

Once MHPS has received the Notice of Appeal, it will share it with SQUASH ONTARIO, who will then have an opportunity to file a “Response” with MHPS by a specified deadline.  The Response will outline why SQUASH ONTARIO believes that the Selection Committee’s decision not to nominate the athlete should be upheld by the Appeals Committee.  MHPS will share the SQUASH ONTARIO Response with the athlete.  

If, after receiving the SQUASH ONTARIO Response, the athlete believes that SQUASH ONTARIO has raised new or additional reasons to justify the Selection Committee’s decision not to nominate the athlete for an Ontario Card, then the athlete will have an opportunity to file a “Reply” with MHPS, responding to these additional reasons.  The Reply must be limited to these additional reasons and cannot be used to make submissions already raised in the Notice of Appeal, or that the athlete neglected to include in the Notice of Appeal.  The Reply will only be accepted on the MHPS-provided template. 

Once MHPS receives the Notice of Appeal, the Response, and the Reply (if applicable), it will provide those materials to the Appeals Committee.  The Appeals Committee will discuss all appeals at once.   During its review of the appeals, the Appeals Committee reserves the right to request additional information from both the athlete and SQUASH ONTARIO.

After reviewing an appeal the Appeals Committee will have the authority to:

• Direct SQUASH ONTARIO to redo the selection process using the correct criteria/process and submit a new list of nominated athletes;

• Deny the appeal; or

• Allow the appeal and nominate the appellant for carding status. 

Once the Appeals Committee has reached its decision, it will contact the athlete and SQUASH ONTARIO in writing to communicate its decision and the reasons therefore. 

An athlete who has had his or her appeal denied is not permitted to submit a second appeal to the Appeals Committee on the same or different grounds. 

Note:  SQUASH ONTARIO  is encouraged to resolve disputes or disagreements informally with athletes who have not been nominated to avoid, wherever possible, formal appeals.

The deadline for athletes to submit an “Athlete’s Notice of Appeal” to the Appeals Committee is

Cycle Two:  January 26, 2012.

Appeals must be completed on the Notice of Appeal template below and will be directed to:

Quest for Gold Ontario Athlete Assistance Program Appeals Committee

c/o Sport, Recreation and Community Programs Branch

Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport

Suite 702, 777 Bay Street

Toronto,  Ontario  M7A 1S5

2011/2012 Quest for Gold – Ontario Athlete Assistance Program
Athlete’s Notice of Appeal Template

The deadline for an athlete to submit an appeal to the Appeals Committee is 4:00 p.m. on October 27, 2011 for Cycle 1 and 4:00 p.m. on January 26, 2012 for Cycle 2. Appeals will only be accepted on the MHPS-provided Notice of Appeal template.  Please refer to the appeals section of your PSO/MSO’s Athlete Selection Criteria document prior to completing this form.

Return form to:

Quest for Gold Appeals Committee

c/o Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport

777 Bay Street, Suite 702, Toronto ON  M7A 1S5

Fax: 416-314-6301                Email: Scott.Cooper@ontario.ca

Full Name 

Address                                                                                                                                                 City

Postal Code                                                                   Phone                                          Email

Sport / PSO SQUASH      

Reason for Appeal (Check all that apply):  

Reason for Appeal (Check all that apply):  

;

Whether or not the PSO/MSO applied the section criteria in a manner that was free from bias, discrimination and/or conflict of interest or

Whether or not Squash Ontario has completed the selection process in accordance with its own published selection criteria and related procedures.

Provide a two-line summary of the reason for the appeal: 

In the space below, (continue on to next page as needed) provide the reasons communicated to you by your PSO/MSO as to why you were not nominated for an Ontario Card.  (Note: If your PSO/MSO did not provide you with any reasons, please make a request to your PSO/MSO to see these reasons before completing this Appeal Template.)

In the space below (continue on to next page as needed), provide a detailed account of the situation to allow the Appeals Committee to understand the basis of the appeal (please submit additional pages/supporting documentation as necessary):   

PLEASE NOTE that all decisions of the Appeals Committee are final.

Print Name of Appellant                      Signature of Appellant                                         Date

Players who may play up effective 1 September 2011

TOURNAMENT RESULTS 2011 - 2012

Harrow Silver Event # 1

Hosted by Craig Schiele, Goodlife Parkview

Bu11 winner Jason Pizale, Finalist Amin Khan

Bu13 winner Luc Gowda, Finalist Sachin Ahuja

Bu15 winner Milo Macrae,Finalist Alec Sleeth

Gu11 winner Sara Khan, Finalist Zara Khan

Gu13 winner Rachel Copas, Finalist Kate Pitfield

Gu15 winner Charlotte Copas, Finalist Miriam Mansoor

Dunlop / Jesters Gold #1

Hosted by Mark Sachvie, The Club at White Oaks

Results

Girls U11 Champion Danica Deverill RU Patricia Ndebele

Girls U13 Champion Mariam Mansoor  RU Rhea Dhar

girls U15 Champion Sophie Mehta RU Amy Commisso

Girls U17 Champion Allsion Richmond RU Jill Baker

Gilrs U19 champion Hollie Naughton RU Michelle Gemmell

Boy's U11 Champion Scott Holtshousen RU Dylan Deverill

Boys U13 Champion Akasham Rajagopaul RU Ravi Seth

Boys U15 Champion Carter Robitaille RU Stephan Houbtchev

Boys U17 Champion Nick Guest RU Jarryd Osborne

Boys U19 Mohammed Hamour RU Cole Osborne

011 North American Junior Squash Championships

The North American Junior Squash championships were held over the weekend. Congratulations to all the winners. To view rest of the photos click here.

Boys U19: Mike McMcue
Girls U19: Michelle Gemmel
Boys U17: Claudio Pinto
Boys U15: Juan Camacho
Girls U15: Alison Richmond
Boys U13: Justin Ghaeli
Girls U13: Nicole Kendall

Click on thumbnail to view larger image

2011 Battle of the Border

Sometimes “David” takes on Goliath and wins – sometimes, not so much! On Sunday, August 14th, Team Ontario faced off against Team USA in the 8th annual Battle of the Border. Each side fields teams of 24 – 4 boys and 4 girls under 13, under 15, under 17. The matches are tough – they’re competitive – and they are key indicators for our young athletes as to their levels of play against international competition.

Representing Team Ontario were:

BU17: Joshua Hollings, Nick Guest, Thomas Blecher, Christian Riedelsheimer
BU15: Vince Commisso, Carter Robitaille, Alexi Gossett, Stefan Houbtchev
BU13: Justin Ghaeli, Ravi Seth, Jackson Kay, Julien Gosset
GU17: Hollie Naughton, Alyssa Mehta, Jillian Baker, Dileas MacGowan
GU15: Alison Richmond, Sophie Mehta, Madlen O'Connor, Sarah Hopton
GU13: Amy Commisso, Nicole Kendall, Gabrielle Renaud, Rhea Dhar

The Team had exceptional coaching in Maia Kirk, Chris Sachvie, Richard Yendell, David Heath, David Moorish (welcome David to Ontario!) and Mark Sachvie. Many thanks to them and also to Cindy Sachvie who co-ordinated all the socials for the weekend. There was a Friday night picnic at the Lake, a trip to the Falls on Saturday and of course lots of squash.

The outcome was important – Ontario lost 16– 8 but the overall weekend – the camaraderie and fun – that was major.

Many thanks to US Squash and White Oaks – we could not stage this event without you.



                                         Click on thumbnails below to see full image

Squash Ontario is pleased to announce the 2011

Battle of the Border Team

BU17: Joshua Hollings, Nick Guest, Thomas Blecher, Christian Riedelsheimer

BU15: Vince Commisso, Carter Robitaille, Alexi Gossett, Stefan Houbtchev

BU13: Justin Ghaeli, Ravi Seth, Jackson Kay, Julien Gosset

GU17: Hollie Naughton, Alyssa Mehta, Jillian Baker, Dileas MacGowan

GU15: Alison Richmond, Sophie Mehta, Madlen O'Connor, Sarah Hopton

GU13: Amy Commisso, Nicole Kendall, Gabrielle Renaud, Rhea Dhar

Black Knight T&D Junior League Finals

2011 Champions

Under 11:  Granite - Finalist:  Fabulous Fitness

Under 13:  Fabulous Fitness - Finalist:  Glendon

Under 15:  Fabulous Fitness - Finalist: Toronto Lawn Tennis Club

Under 17:  Toronto Lawn Tennis Club - Finalist: Glendon

Under 19:  Fabulous Fitness

**Click on thumbnails to view picture**

2011 Battle of the Border

Selection Criteria

Ontario vs United States

The Club at White Oaks, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

August 12, 13, 14, 2011

Selection Criteria

• must have participated in 2 of 4 Golds in the period 1 September 2010 and 1 March 2011
• must have participated in EITHER the 2010 Ontario Junior Closed Championships or the 2011 Ontario Junior Open Championships
• rankings as at 30 April 2011
• must be a member in good standing of Squash Ontario

NOTE:    The Boys’ Team will be selected based on the Boys’ Ontario Rankings as at 30 April 2011

               The Girls’ Team will be selected based on the Girls’ Ontario Rankings as at 30 April 2011

Age Eligibility

• Under 13 as at 14 August 2011
• under 15 as at 14 August 2011
• under 17 as at 14 August 2011

Team Composition

Top 4 boys under 13 who meet both the selection and age eligibility criteria

Top 4 boys under 15 who meet both the selection and age eligibility criteria

Top 4 boys under 17 who meet both the selection and age eligibility criteria

Top 4 girls under 13 who meet both the selection and age eligibility criteria

Top 4 girls under 15 who meet both the selection and age eligibility criteria

Top 4 girls under 17 who meet both the selection and age eligibility criteria

Selections

Will be made by the Junior Advisory Committee on or before 31 May 2011

POLICIES 2011 - 2012

Gold Events

Entry deadline will be 11:59 p.m. the Wednesday of the week prior to the tournament (10 days before the event).  Waiting lists will be established.

There will be absolutely no refunds after the draws have been done.

Juniors entering Gold or Ontario Championships

Juniors must play in their age group, unless they meet the following criteria:

Won any 2 (two) of the following junior events in their current age group

• National Championships
• Provincial Championships (Open or Closed)
• Junior Gold event.

Note:  If a player won 2 of the required events (as above) in their age group but then moves up an age category, they must then win 2 events in their new category before they can move up again.  For example, in 2010-2011, an Under 15 junior wins an Under 15 Gold and an Under 15 Ontario Championship, he/she may then play under 17 in the 2010-2011 year.  However, when he/she turns 15, he/she has to stay under 17 until he/she wins 2 of the required events in that age category.

Results from the 2010-2011 season will be used to determine eligibility for the 2011-2012 season.

Players will have to adhere to this policy each year in each age category that they are qualified to enter. The exception to this rule is when players are required by Squash Canada to play in a Core event in the under 19 age category.

Players who may play up effective 1 September 2011

Girls in Boys Events

"In order for a girl to participate in a boys' event, she must be ranked #1 or # 2 overall in Ontario at the time of entry and must have represented Canada as a national team member as selected by Squash Canada".

Silver Events  

Boys' Eligibility

The top 4 ranked under 11 boys may not participate in a Silver event; the top 8 ranked under 13 boys may not participate in a silver event; the top 12 under 15 and under 17 ranked boys may not participate in a silver
event.

Girls' Eligibility                                                                                                                                           

The top 4 ranked girls under 11 must move up a category;  The top 2 ranked girls under 13 and under 15 may not participate in a silver event.                                                                                                                                           

Our Philosophy on Fair Play

TO ALL JUNIOR SQUASH PLAYERS, JUNIOR PARENTS AND JUNIOR SQUASH COACHES

Fair play means treating everyone with respect – opponents, officials, coaches, organizers and spectators.  The game of squash has always prided itself on being an example of good sportsmanship and fair play; fair play is of the utmost importance to Squash Ontario.  Many years ago, it created the Jim Mason Fair Play awards which are presented to junior players who practice sportsmanship and fair play.

What is Fair Play?

Sincerely congratulating your opponent after they have defeated you. 

Thanking the official for a job well done, even if you lost the match.

Being mature enough to know that sometimes in sports, its not that you lost the match, your opponent won.

Believe in and practice the golden rule….treat your opponents in the same way you’d like to be treated. Keep this one simple rule in mind and you will always be looked upon as an athlete who understands and honours the rules of fair play. 

All squash coaches who are attending junior events will be asked to monitor behaviour both on and off the court and report bad behaviour to Squash Ontario in writing.  The first report received will result in a strongly worded letter of reprimand.  A second letter will result in Code of Conduct disciplinary action. We wish you as athletes every success on the courts this season. Play hard and play fair.

Mark Sachvie

President, SQUASH ONTARIO

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