News

Introduction:

Participation in the Pan American Junior Badminton Championships is important for Badminton Canada for the following reasons:

• It provides a benchmark to compare the level of junior development in Canada with the rest of the Pan American Zone.
• It is an excellent development experience for athletes and coaches.
• It is important politically for Badminton Canada to remain active in key BWF international competitions.
• There may be funding opportunities

The 2012 Pan Am Junior Badminton Individual Event Championships, the pinnacle junior event for all elite provincial athletes will be held 25-29 July in Sherwood Park, AB.

As the host province, Alberta has been granted the opportunity to select 66.6 % of the event entries in the u11 and u13 age categories. The remaining spots will be utilized by Badminton Canada as they determine.

A maximum of four entries in boy’s singles, girl’s singles and mixed doubles and two pairs in boys and girls doubles will be selected to represent Team Canada-Alberta Host. Selected Alberta athletes will receive:

• Invitation to pre-competition training camp at Olds College from 15-20 July;
• Personalized on-court team uniform from Badminton Alberta.

Eligibility:

1. Badminton Alberta competitive member in good standing;
2. Canadian citizen or landed immigrant;
3. Eligible athletes must have competed in at least one AJC or AJS tournament in the u12 age category during the 2011-12 season.
4. To be eligible for u11 age category, athletes must be born in 2002 or later and to be eligible for u13 age category, athletes must be born in 2000 or later.   

Selection Process

Badminton Alberta will host trials on June 1-2, 2012 in Edmonton at the Derrick Golf & Winter Club. Competition will begin at 5:00 pm on June 1st and will be completed by 4:00pm on June 2^nd.

Competition will be held in each of the five individual events (boys’ singles, girls’ singles, boy’s doubles, girl’s doubles and mixed doubles) in both u11 and u13 age categories. Athletes may only compete in one singles, one doubles and one mixed doubles event, regardless of age category.

FINAL selection to Team Canada - Alberta 2012 will be as follows:

• The top four finishers in boys and girls singles and mixed doubles at the 2012 Alberta Trials will be eligible for selection;
• The top two doubles teams at the 2012 Alberta Trials will be eligible for selection.

The list of qualifying athletes will be announced on Monday, June 4th. Badminton Alberta will assign a male and female coach, that will provide coaching support for the u11 & u13 Alberta selected athletes.

Team Canada - Alberta registration deadline will be June 15^th. 2012.  Any potential appeals must be resolved no later than 01 June, 2012.

Athletes selected to Team Canada 2012 will be expected to make themselves available for all team commitments including sparring sessions and training. A final tune-up camp will be held July 15-20, 2012 at Olds College. Team Canada - Alberta 2012 coaching/managerial staff in consultation with the Executive Director and Board of Directors will approve the final tournament roster including final determination of doubles and mixed doubles partnerships.

If for any reason, a position becomes vacant (i.e. injury, lack of commitment to the program, etc.), the spot may be filled at the discretion of Badminton Alberta.

Athlete Entry:

• Badminton Canada reserves the right to determine athlete entry by event.
• Badminton Canada reserves the right to modify athlete pairings in doubles/mixed doubles events.
• Athletes will be self-funded for all expenses unless Badminton Canada and or Badminton Alberta is able to secure sponsorship for the event.

Appeal Process:

Athletes may launch an appeal to the President, Badminton Alberta for non-selection based on the following grounds:

1. selection was not made according to the published rules;
2. there was reasonable apprehension of bias or conflict of interest by selector(s).

A deposit of $50.00 is required for an appeal, refundable if the appeal is won. Appeal must be made in writing to Badminton Alberta and post-marked within two weeks of the selection date.