Selection Procedures for WOC 2006, Denmark

Background

The following selection procedures for WOC 2006 have been discussed with and agreed to by the High Performance Management Group.  They reflect input from Australian and overseas-based elite athletes, experience from past selection processes and general selection guidelines published by the Australian Sports Commission.  They also reflect Orienteering Australia’s rules and operational manual. 

The selection procedures are broadly similar to last year’s procedures however there are some important differences. Please read this document carefully it provides detailed advice on how to get selected in the Australian WOC team.

Team size and composition

As in previous years the WOC team will consist of at least four men and four women. Additional team members will be selected based upon the potential to meet the international benchmark performance of a top 16 result, up to a maximum of six men and six women. The minimum expectation is that all selected athletes will reach the final in the races in which they compete. The team will be announced at the end of April.

As occurred last year, the selectors will name the participants for each discipline of WOC when the team is named. This will give everyone an immediate and firm expectation of which races they will run, based upon the selection criteria. The WOC coaches, in consultation with the chair of selectors, can change the participants in each discipline as a result of unforseen circumstances such as major changes in form, injury or illness. The coaches will also determine the running order for the relay. All selected athletes will compete in at least one discipline. 

Given Australia’s limited resources to support a large team and the possibility of injury or change in form, it is desirable that athletes can perform at the international level in more than one discipline. Specialization in a single discipline will be supported where the athlete has outstanding ability in that discipline.

At the same time, given the rigours of the WOC week, only exceptional athletes will be considered for selection to run all four disciplines (sprint, middle, long and relay). 

Selection Criteria

Team selection in 2006 will be based on two criteria:

(i) the primary (ie most important) criteria: results in specific selection trials; and
(ii) the secondary criteria: past performance in high standard events, and particularly performance that provides evidence of having achieved or having the potential to achieve a benchmark performance of top 16 at WOC, or at a minimum qualify for the final.

Selection will be evidence-based. We will analyse event results to determine who is likely to achieve the best results at the WOC. The strongest cases for selection will come from those athletes that meet both of the above criteria. We will use past international results to show potential for a top 16 result, with excellent results at the trials to demonstrate that similar or better results can be expected in 2006, and that candidates deserve selection in the team in front of other contenders. Those athletes that do not have past international results that prove they are capable of benchmark performances will need to rely on results at the trials to demonstrate that they are better prospects at WOC 2006 than those who have performed well at WOC in previous years, or at least better than other athletes competing for inclusion in the team. 

While the primary selection criteria will remain pre-eminent, selection for the sprint discipline and the relay will focus slightly more on past performance than the long and middle races, as ability in these disciplines is best assessed across a number of races and it is impractical to organise sufficient specific trials.

The Primary Criteria - Selection Trials

The Australian selection trials for 2006 are all four races of Easter 2006, and the Australian middle distance championships to be held the week after Easter.  Overseas selection races will be scheduled by the selectors for athletes who choose not to return for the Australian selection trials, but see the comments below about use of overseas selection trial results. To give everyone a fair and open chance for selection, it is essential that all Australian-based athletes compete in the Australian selection trials and overseas based athletes are strongly encouraged to do so.

Absence at selection trials will be taken as an indication that the athlete is uncompetitive relative to others at the time. Exemptions to compete in trials will only granted in exceptional circumstances of injury, sickness or for personal reasons.  Athletes who seek such exemptions should advise the Chair of Selectors in writing at the earliest opportunity.

There are no absolute measures of performance (ie times and records) so relative performance compared to other athletes vying for selection is crucial to the selection process. Selection trials provide the best way of comparing everyone’s performance to each other in the most objective way possible. They also provide the most recent guide to form. Within practical constraints of timing and venue, the trials provide a situation of pressure to perform on the day, a feature of WOC.

In accordance with Orienteering Australia’s operational manual, the selection panel will take account of any exceptional circumstances affecting the performance of candidates in the selection trials.  However the onus is on the candidate to advise the Chair of Selectors in writing of these exceptional circumstances.  Given that some selection races will be run on areas previously used, the selection panel is also required to take into account competitors’ training or competition experience in these areas.

Overseas based athletes who are unable to return to Australia for the selection trials, will need to attend overseas selection trials as nominated by the selectors. Athletes will need to achieve results at the overseas trials that are clearly superior to those achieved by their Australian-based competitors. In essence, if you are at the margins of selection you are strongly encouraged to return for the Australian selection trials to demonstrate your position relative to your peers. This is the same principle that was used last year. It is also essential to consult with the Chair of Selectors over your plans to ensure there is no ambiguity over our expectations.

The Secondary Criteria – Past Performance

For the purposes of the second selection criteria, past performance includes results in the following events in order of reducing importance:

(i) World Championships;
(ii) World Games and Nordic Championships;
(iii) World Cup races;
(iv) World Ranking Events and the Australian Championships for each discipline;
(v) Other major international races such Jukola, Tio Mila, JWOC, Oringen, Park World Tour and
major elite series and sprint races;
(vi) NZ test results, Asia-Pacific Championships and other regional international championships;
and
(vii) Australian ranking scheme events with an event weighting of 1.0 or more.

‘Past performance’ includes both high levels of performance and performance that that has been below expectations.

The more recent the results, the more pertinent they are for selection.  In this regard, the selection panel will consider performance at the National Orienteering League events in NSW on March 11-12 2006.  It is important to understand that these events are not formal selection trials as such.  However as recent high standard events results they will be considered as part of the secondary selection criteria, particularly if athletes are very closely matched in terms of the primary selection criteria.

To avoid any perception of a need for athletes to endlessly prove themselves, no consideration will be given to results in the Christmas 5 days, training camp races, OY events, Badge events, and other lesser races and their equivalents overseas.

Finally, you are reminded that in accordance with Orienteering Australia’s operational manual, priority will be given to selecting a team which can be expected to behave in a harmonious and responsible manner.  Past unacceptable behaviour by an orienteer is required to be taken into account by the selection panel.

Nomination Process

All athletes who wish to be considered for selection in the Australian team for WOC 2006will be required to submit a nomination form to the Chair of Selectors by 5 March 2006. Forms will be available on the High Performance web page in early 2006. Nominees will be asked to provide details of past performance that meet the secondary selection criteria. The nomination form will also ask you to give details of the trials you expect to attend and any extenuating circumstances that may influence selection or attendance at trials. If you want to seek exemption from particular trials you should inform the chair of selectors as soon as possible, and before February 1, 2006 so that we can plan appropriate overseas trials and advise athletes of the implications of missing any trials . You are asked to nominate for particular disciplines in order of preference and name any disciplines for which you do not wish to be considered.

It is important that all athletes who wish to be considered for selection in national teams and squads inform the Chair of Selectors of their current contact details. Overseas athletes should also keep selectors informed of any pertinent results that do not receive international publicity.

Selection Panel

The selection panel for 2006 is:

Paul Liggins (Chair of Selectors)
Geoff Lawford
Karen Staudte 

Concluding Remarks

Good luck to everyone. We understand a number of team members in 2005 do not propose to nominate for selection in 2006 which opens up opportunities for newcomers to the team. We look forward to a high standard of competition at the selection trials.  As in past years, selection will be very close, so select yourself through exceptional performance, and do not leave yourself at the margins of the team.  Do not hesitate to contact myself or any members of the selection panel should you have any queries about matters relevant to the selection of the WOC team in 2006.

Best wishes
Paul Liggins
on behalf of the selection panel

Home phone: 03 9853 2834
Fax: 03 8613 2624
Mobile: 0408 417 335
Email: paul.liggins@au.pwc.com

Karen Staudte
11 B Maisie Cres, Wembley Downs, WA, Australia 6019
08 9445 3222 (home)
0417 519 241 (mobile)
k.staudte@murdoch.edu.au

Geoff Lawford
RMB H830 Swinglers Road,
Invermay
Victoria 3352
03 5333 7382 (home)
0423 739 571 (mobile)
lawford5@bigpond.net.au