Rowing Ireland International Teams' Selection Policy
Objective
Rowing Ireland’s objective is to participate with distinction at the World Championships, Paralympics and Olympic Games. For Juniors and Under 23s the objective is to establish young rowers on the pathway to success at senior level.
Rowing Ireland will select crews with the best prospects, drawing together the best crew combinations. This selection policy is designed so that rowers, coxes and coaches must demonstrate their ability and suitability when required to do so.
Scope
This policy applies to all teams representing Ireland at a World Championships (or equivalent), Paralympic, or Olympic Games. These will include:
- World Rowing Championships including Adaptive events
- Olympic Games
- Paralympic Games
- World Under 23 Championships
- European Rowing Championships
- World Junior Championships
- World University Rowing Championships
From time to time other Championships are held and in this case a specific selection policy for the event will be prepared.
In the case of Junior events other than the World Junior Championships (e.g. Coupe de la Jeunesse) the emphasis will be on providing a development pathway.
In the case of other representative events/matches the criteria will be drawn up by the Performance Director.
Selection
Selection will be made only from registered rowers who have complied with the requirements of the Lead Coach as set out in the annual strategy and with the registration agreement.
The Lead Coach is responsible for crew formation and selection in each squad. In forming crews, the Lead Coach will base his/her judgement of an rower’s performances:
- in small boats (2-,1X,2X)
- in the racing boat
These performances may be assessed:
- at a squad training session
- at formal trials, tests and assessments
- at international regattas
While the Lead Coach will take all reasonable steps to base his/her decisions on the objective criteria available, s/he will also use his/her own experience and judgement when forming crews, assessing crew compatibility and making selections.
Lighweights & Coxes
Lightweights and coxes will be expected to weigh in at Assessments, Trials and Regattas within the weights set out in the Annual Strategy, and demonstrate that they can race within their summer racing weight without impairing their performance or health.
Selection of coxes will be based on their skills in steering and on the contribution the Lead Coach and crew coach believe they can make to the crew’s performance.
Factors Affecting Performance
A rower will be expected to produce his or her best performance at any trial, assessment, or in a race. If there is a medical or exceptional personal reason (such as bereavement) why a rower or crew cannot perform at their best the Performance Director must be notified in writing at the Rowing Ireland office in advance, together with a medical certificate if appropriate. The nature of any illness will be established and monitored at an early stage by the Team Doctor or nominee, who will advise the Lead Coach and Performance Director accordingly. While the Lead Coach will take account of an illness affecting performance, s/he is not bound to delay or alter the selection process as a consequence.
Deterioration in Performance
If the performance of an rower deteriorates after selection the Lead Coach may replace him or her at any time prior the Championship Regatta.
Selection Standard
The predicted Gold Medal Times for each event will be reviewed annually. Rowing Ireland will prioritise the selection of crews who perform at or very close to the Gold medal standard. Boats will therefore be prioritised to achieve this end, and the best available talent will be concentrated in the leading boats.
To be selected to represent Ireland at World Championships a boat must in the opinion of the Lead Coach, be of at least a standard to finish in the top half of the predicted entry. Where the entry is likely to be 8 or less they must be capable of contending for a medal.
Where there is no boat in a particular event capable of achieving these standards, a single or crew comprised of rowers with future potential may be selected.
Exemptions and Exceptional Circumstances
Where a crew or sculler has represented Ireland in the previous year with exceptional results, the Lead Coach may waive part of the selection criteria. However, such crews or scullers will not automatically be assured of selection.
Appeals Procedure
The appeals procedure is published as a separate document which is available from the Performance Director.
Club Representation
At the time of registering rowers are required to nominate the Club they wish to represent at International Regattas during the season which may then not be changed for that season. Wherever possible the name of the nominated Club will appear on communications with the media and in regatta entries.
Sponsorship
Rowing Ireland has the sole right to determine the use of advertising or sponsorship in association with any Rowing Ireland squad or team. An rower or team official may not associate a sponsor or organisation with a Rowing Ireland squad or team, nor enter into a personal sponsorship agreement if this results in a connection with a Rowing Ireland squad or team, without the prior agreement of the Performance Director.
