Introduction England Boxing Selection Policy Commonwealth Games 2018 Gold Coast, Brisbane, Australia 4 15 April 2018 1. This selection policy has been agreed by England Boxing (EB) and Commonwealth Games England (CGE). It provides detail on the process by which EB will arrive at athlete nominations, which will be submitted to CGE for consideration for final selection to Team England for Gold Coast 2018. 2. Achievement by an athlete of nomination by EB, as detailed in this document, is therefore the first step towards selection for the Commonwealth Games. The final decision in selection to the 2018 Games lies with CGE. 3. EB will nominate only those athletes that have qualified under both the boxing specific selection process stated below, and any CGE general selection or eligibility policies that should be considered in conjunction with this policy. Entry numbers per event are in accordance with Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) agreed numbers. EB General Selection Policy Aim 4. The reputation of EB is paramount and is the most important factor for any consideration when selecting any athletes, officers or support staffs to the Commonwealth Games. EB aims to select a world class team of athletes that is capable of maximising medal potential for CGE and has the best chance of winning medals across the events available. EB will aim to provide those athletes with the best support available and create an opportunity to deliver. This EB Selection policy is consistent with this aim. Athlete Eligibility 5. The eligibility criteria of the Commonwealth Games Federation Constitution at Commonwealth Games Federation Constitution at Article 25 & the eligibility criteria stated within the AIBA Technical & Competition rules, Rule 2.1 Nationality, Page 6 must be met by all nominees (see: http://www.thecgf.com/about/constitution.pdf). 6. To be considered for nomination and selection, athletes must also have submitted a signed copy of the CGF Eligibility Form and the relevant CGE Team Members Agreement to Darren Chapple, Team Leader prior to the selection date. 7. Where prospective team members do not automatically comply with the above, in terms of birth or parents birth, they will only be nominated for final selection if they receive prior approval from the CGF under their rules. 1
Games Competition Format 8. The competition format for the Gold Coast 2018 consists of individual events. They are competed at the following weight categories as per the AIBA Technical and Competition rules: Men: 49kg, 52kg, 56kg, 60kg, 64kg, 69kg, 75kg, 81kg, 91kg and 91+kg; Women: 51kg, 60kg and 75kg. 9. In accordance with CGF agreed entry numbers, up to a maximum of 10 athletes (in total, i.e. including both male and female athletes across all weight categories) may be entered, with a maximum of one competitor per weight category. 10. The CGF has considered adding additional weights to the women s programme as part of the equality for medal opportunity for both male and females. If any additional weights are added to the boxing schedule, an appendix covering such conditions shall be added by EB. 11. Athletes must compete in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in the weight category in which they were nominated by EB. Factors for Consideration within the Selection Decision 12. The Selection Panel is entitled to take its decisions based on all relevant considerations, including but not limited to: a. The potential and ability of the athlete to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games. b. Competitive performances, namely performances and results at AIBA international events and other international events entered by EB and the England Boxing 2016 and 2017 Elite National Championships. c. Technical and tactical performance of athletes in sparring. d. Fitness levels of athletes. e. Ability of athletes to make the required weight, effective weight management and adherence to other sport services provided to the athletes. 13. The Selection Panel may, in its absolute discretion, require a box-off between athletes in order to assist with or determine one or more nominations for selection. Box-offs will be officiated by neutral EB Officials. Box-offs will not be held in any other circumstances; athletes have no entitlement to request a box-off. The decision of the box off shall be a final decision to determine eventual selection if used. 2
The Selection Process and Panel 14. The selections will be made by a Selection Panel which will consist of the following; a. The Chairman of EB. This person will act as Chairman of the Selection Panel. They have no vote on the selection decisions. Their primary role is to chair the meeting(s) of the Selection Panel, take minutes, record the Selection Panel s decisions in writing and ensure generally that the selection process is carried out fairly. b. The Chair of EB s Performance & Talent Sub-Committee. This person will be a voting member of the Selection Panel, carrying one vote. c. Two registered EB coaches employed within the EB Talent Programme, nominated by the EB Performance Management Group Subcommittee. These individuals will be voting members of the Selection Panel, each carrying an individual vote. d. Two registered GB Coaches employed within the World Class Performance Programme. One of these also holding a three start (3*) AIBA Coach, nominated by the GB Performance Director of boxing. Note: There are a total of five votes for the selection process. To provide information that may assist the Panel or may be required by it in order to reach its decisions, the Selection Panel may, in its absolute discretion invite relevant WCPP Staffs, Support Staff including the Lead Performance Analyst and the Lead Medical Officer, along with the GB Performance Director of Boxing and other EB staffs if required; other staffs invited to join the Panel to the extent the voting members of the panel and the Chairman together consider that this would assist the decision-making process. These individuals will not have a vote on selection decisions. Their role is advisory only. Selection Decisions and Notification 15. The selection panel will meet in person (and/or by telephone), to determine nominations for selection to CGE by 31 January 2018. Nomination to CGE does not guarantee that an athlete will be selected. 16. Any Appeals against a selection panel decision must be carried out in accordance with the Appeals Procedure set out below. 17. The EB Team Leader, Darren Chapple will confirm athlete s selection/accreditation by entering full details into Zeus by 25 February 2018. 3
18. Final selection to the Commonwealth Games team will also be dependent on receipt by EB and/or CGE of any information and/or documents required by CGE. This will include the completion and signing of the CGF Eligibility Form and CGE Team Member Agreement. De-selection 19. Athletes may be deselected at any stage for the following reasons: a) Fitness: Where fitness issues are identified at or after nomination or selection, a fitness test may be used to determine whether the athlete is capable of performing to the level required for the Commonwealth Games. The format will be determined by Selection Panel after discussion with any relevant personnel such as WCPP management. The fitness test will require the athlete to demonstrate boxing specific fitness as well as general fitness to participate, and may include input from medical staff. Any selection or de-selection decision, following such a test, by will be final. b) Injury: Where injury issues are identified at or after nomination or selection, a medical panel should convene; consisting of two medical officers. One should be the Medical Officer of EB, Mr Mike Loosemore and a second independent doctor as detailed from EB. Any selection or de-selection decision, following such a medical examination, by will be final. c) Anti-doping: In line with the Aims of the selection Policy, the reputation of EB is paramount; athletes suspended as a result of on-going or concluded anti-doping charges, will not be considered for selection, and if previously selected, will be deselected. d) EB Policies: athletes in breach of EB or GB Boxing policies, codes of conduct or athlete agreements may be de-selected. e) Ineligibility: where information confirms that the athlete is not actually eligible to compete. f) Breach (es) of CGE Team Member Agreement: where athletes do not comply with the terms of the team member agreement and any other associated rules and regulations in relation to their participation (including the training programme), including a breach of the CGF Constitution. 20. Replacement of any athletes will be at the sole discretion of the Selection Panel who are entrusted to uphold the aims of this Selection Policy; reputation to EB being the most important factor for any consideration. Appeal Process 21. This Appeal Process is commenced when a boxer affected by a nomination decision submits a formal written appeal. ( the notice of appeal ) to the Chief Executive, England 4
Boxing, English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield S9 5DA. Such a notification can also be given in via e-mail to enquiries@englandboxing.org). 22. The notice of appeal, must be received to the Chief Executive of EB within 72 hours of the decision being announced or communicated to the boxer, whichever is later; the cost of such an appeal is 250, which is returned to the athlete is the appeal is successful. 23. If the boxer fails to submit the Notice of Appeal within the time limit set out in this Appeals Process he or she will have lost their right of appeal. 24. The Notice of Appeal must set out full details of the boxer s ground(s) of appeal and include: (a) (b) (c) Details of the decision which the boxer is appealing; Details of the ground(s) of appeal upon which the boxer relies, including the precise manner in which the boxer alleges that the selection criteria have not been applied or in which the procedure set out in the applicable Selection Policy has not been followed; Any documents or written evidence upon which the boxer relies in support of his or her appeal. These documents must be relevant specifically to the boxer s grounds of appeal. 25. Boxers should be aware that appeals are normally conducted by reference to the written Notice of Appeal and supporting documents and that the boxer (or his or her authorised representative) will not normally be allowed to attend the meeting of the Appeal Panel in person. The boxer should therefore ensure that the Notice of Appeal is as comprehensive as possible. The Appeal Panel 26. The Appeal Panel will be composed by three people as selected by Sports Resolutions. 27. In the event that any member of the Appeal Panel has any involvement with, or is related to an appellant or any boxer who might be affected by the outcome of the Appeal, or had any involvement with the selection decision under appeal, or is in any way placed in a position of conflicting interests in respect of the appeal, he or she shall be disqualified from sitting on the Appeal Panel and will be replaced by an independent alternate who shall be nominated by Sports Resolutions. Conduct of the Appeal 28. Upon receipt of the Notice of Appeal, Sports Resolutions will as soon as reasonably practicable circulate it to all members of the Appeal Panel. 29. The Chair of the Appeal Panel will convene a meeting to take place as soon as practical, and in any event within 5 working days of receipt of the Notice of Appeal, at which the Appeal Panel will consider the Notice of Appeal. 5
30. The Appeal Panel will investigate the grounds set out in the Notice of Appeal and establish to their reasonable satisfaction whether or not there has been a failure to apply the applicable selection criteria and/or that there has been a failure to adhere to the procedure set out in the applicable Selection Policy. 31. The Appeal Panel, when considering the Notice of Appeal, shall be entitled to take advice (including legal advice) as they see fit. 32. The Appeal Panel shall be entitled to: a. Confirm the selection decision under appeal and reject the Appeal; or b. Quash the selection decision under appeal and remit the matter back to the original decision maker identifying the errors they have identified in the conduct of the selection process and requesting that a new decision is made within 72 hours. 33. The decision of the Appeal Panel shall be reached by majority vote and all members including the additional member who shall have one vote. 34. The Chairman will in writing inform all parties about the Appeal Panel s decision to either uphold or reject the Appeal. 35. The decision of the Appeal Panel shall be final. Confidentiality 36. Except as permitted by law or by expressed authority of the Chairman of EB, all those involved in the nomination and selection process shall not disclose any confidential information or knowledge, relating to any aspect of the nomination and selection process, the nominated Athlete and/or the team selected. General 37. CGE and EB will work together to agree a media release and announcement of the selected team. 38. Subject to paragraph 36, EB (including any liability for the acts or omissions of its employees and authorised agents) are not liable for any pure economic loss, loss of opportunity, or damage (in each case whether direct, indirect or consequential) or any claims for consequential compensation whatsoever (howsoever caused) that may arise out of or in connection with this selection process (including anything arising from non-selection and/or ratification by CGE). 39. Nothing in this Selection Policy shall affect any statutory rights that are available to any individual or exclude EB s liability for death or personal injury caused by EB s negligence or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation. Definitions and Interpretation 40. The following definitions and rules of interpretation apply to the Selection Policy: 6
AIBA: means International Boxing Association (the World governing body for Amateur & Olympic Boxing); Appeal Panel: means the Appeal Panel formed by Sport Resolutions in accordance with paragraph 28; Athlete: means any boxer, who for the purposes of this Selection Policy will be known as an Athlete; CGF Eligibility Form: means Commonwealth Games Eligibility Form; CGF Team Member Agreement: means Commonwealth Games Federation Team Member Agreement; CGE: means Commonwealth Games England; CGF: means Commonwealth Games Federation; Chairman: means, unless stated otherwise, the Chairman of the Selection Panel; EB: England Boxing Limited (RCN: 02817909), English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA; EB Team Leader: means the England Boxing Team Leader, currently Darren Chapple; Gold Coast 2018: means the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Notice of Appeal: means the notice set out in paragraph 23 to be sent by any Athlete affected by a selection decision wishing to appeal such a decision; Selection Panel: means the persons set out in Paragraph 14 (a) to (d) who will make the selection decisions in accordance with this Selection Policy; Selection Policy: means this selection policy identifying the process and procedure in selecting Athletes for the Gold Coast 2018; Sport Resolutions: means Sports Dispute Resolution Panel Limited, (RCN: 03351039, 1 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8AE; WCPP: means World Class Performance Programme; Zeus: means the web-based data management platform operated by the Association of Multi-Sport Organisations (AMO). 41. Reference to a statute or statutory instrument or rule and/or regulation is a reference to it as it is in force for the time being and includes reference to any amendment, extension, application or re-enactment and includes any subordinate legislation, rule or regulation made under it. 42. Unless expressly stated otherwise, reference to one gender includes all genders. 7
43. Any words following the terms including, include, in particular, for example or any similar expression shall, except in relation to Paragraph 38, be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation, shall be construed as illustrative, and shall not limit the sense of the words, description, definition, phrase or term preceding such terms. 8