Guam National Tennis Federation Pacific Games Selection Guidelines
Selection Philosophy
The Guam National Tennis Federation is committed to selecting players whose current results and/or previous major event results indicate that the players are capable of performing at the highest level, taking into consideration the playing format of the competition and the playing surface on which the competition will be played. It is recommended that players selected should have competed in prior Pacific Games, Mini Pacific Games, Oceania Championships and Davis Cup (men only), representing Guam at one of these events immediately prior to the selection of the Pacific Games team. While playing in one of these events is not a prerequisite for selection it should be noted that preference will be given to players who do compete in one or more of these events, if all other considerations are to be equal.
Selection Committee
The selection committee will be comprised of three GNTF board members with assistance from the non-playing team captain. The non- playing team captain needs to be appointed at least 6 months out from the selection deadlines.
Team Composition
Where possible, the teams selected should comprise of four men and four women players with a non-playing team captain. Selection is aimed to maximize the performance of each team within the designated ITF competition structure.
To be eligible for Pacific Games selection players must:
- Complete and sign the application and declaration form including the approval section from their national federation (Appendix 1) and return it to the GNTF no later than the date specified;
- Meet all eligibility requirements as prescribed by the ITF including nationality and citizenship requirements;
- Not have represented another country in the last three years;
- Hold a relevant passport with at least 6 months prior to the expiration date of the passport;
- Be able to meet all travel, training and playing requirements as determined by the captain;
- Be of good standing with their national federation.
To be considered for selection for Pacific Games teams, representatives will be determined by any or all of the following:
a) ATP / WTA ranking;
b) Other considerations including but not limited to and not in any order of preference:
i) Player has represented Guam in the latest Pacific Games and/or Pacific Mini Games;
ii) Player has represented his/her Country in the latest Oceania Championships;
iii) Player has represented Guam in the latest Davis Cup;
iv) Players’ records versus other players in recent matches;
v) Player’s ITF Junior ranking;
vi) Player’s NCAA/NAIA/JC record;
vii) Player’s record, performance and behavior in previous Teams
The Selection Committee in their discretion, may consider any factor, or combination of factors that are relevant for consideration when selecting the best possible team to represent the Pacific Games team.
Players who consider that extenuating circumstances have prevented them from displaying satisfactory performances that they consider impacts their selection possibility should detail the circumstances and provide a written explanation for injury or illness, bereavement or personal misfortune or other reason and if possible provide supportive documentation, like medical certificates.
Requirements after selection
During the period between the announcement of the team and the date of departure, players must demonstrate that they are physically fit, performing well and likely to compete at a level appropriate to the competition.
If at any time prior to departure for the Pacific Games any team member is assessed as injured, ill or unfit, that player may be withdrawn from the team at the discretion of the non-playing captain.
All team members are expected to meet minimum standards of behavior for team members while assembled, travelling or training as part of the team. Any player who does not meet that minimum standard of behavior in the assessment of the non-playing captain may be dismissed from the team.
Appeals
1 Right of appeal
- An eligible player who fails to be selected for the team pursuant to the process and criteria set out in these guidelines may appeal against omission for the team as set out in this section.
- The sole grounds of any appeal are:
- The player’s omission from the team is a result of a failure by the selection committee to properly apply the selection criteria as set out in this policy, or
- There was no material on which the selection discussion could reasonably be based.
- Any appeal under this clause will proceed in accordance with the procedure set out below.
2 Notice of appeal
a) Any eligible player wishing to appeal against their omission from the team must lodge a notice of appeal in writing in the form set out (Appendix 2) to this policy to be received by the GNTF by 5.00pm (GST) on the second business day following the announcement of the team. The notice of appeal must set out the grounds on which the appeal is made.
b) After lodging the notice of appeal as set out in subclause 2(a) above, the player must file a summary of all the arguments and/or submissions that the player wishes to be considered in support of their appeal together with an outline of all the evidence that will be relied on in support of those arguments and/or submissions. The document must be received by the GNTF by 5.00pm (GST) on the fifth clear day following the announcement of the team.
c) The player can withdraw an appeal at any time.
d) The time limits for lodging the notice of appeal, summary of arguments and submissions and the appeal fee are mandatory. Failure to comply with these time limits will, at the absolute discretion of the appeals tribunal, result in the appeal being dismissed without consideration on the merits.
3 Constitution of appeals tribunal
a) The appeals tribunal shall be constituted by any three persons available to hear the appeal, which must include the following:
i) a person with a thorough knowledge of the sport and who preferably has had recent international competition experience in the sport
ii) another person of experience and skills suitable to the function of the appeals tribunal
iii) a member of the GNTF executive who is not a selector who will chair the appeals tribunal.
b) No member of the appeals tribunal may be a party to or directly interested in the matter under consideration.
4 Functions of the appeals tribunal
The appeals tribunal has no power of selection or re-selection. The appeals tribunal may review the matter/s set out in the appeal and may (as appropriate) refer the matter back to the selection committee for consideration. The decision of the appeals tribunal will be binding on the parties and neither party may institute or maintain proceedings in any court or tribunal other than the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
5 Hearing of the appeal
- The appeals tribunal shall, as soon as practical after receiving the appeal documents, investigate and consider the matter and determine whether:
i) the matter should be dismissed because, in the opinion of the appeals tribunal, there is no credible evidence, submission or argument on which the appeals tribunal could be satisfied that a ground of the appeal can be made out, or
ii) the appeal should be the subject of a hearing as set below.
- If the appeals tribunal determines the matter should be dismissed under clause 5(a)(i) above that decision is final and the appeal has failed. If the appeals tribunal determines that the appeal should be dismissed without a hearing, the player’s appeal fee, if applicable, is forfeited to the GNTF as the costs of the appeal. If the appeals tribunal determines the matter warrants a hearing, the appeals tribunal will advise the player and set the date for such a hearing as soon as practicable and necessary having regard to the timing of selection and the proximity of relevant events.
- The appeals tribunal must conduct any appeal hearing in accordance with clause 5(b) as follows:
i) it must observe the principles of natural justice
ii) it is not bound by the rules of evidence and may inform itself as to any matter in such manner as it thinks fit
iii) it will conduct its hearings with as little formality and technicality and with as much expedition as the proper consideration of the matter permits
iv) hearings may occur in such manner as the chair decides, including telephone or video conferencing
v) the player must establish one or more grounds of appeal to the reasonable satisfaction of the appeals tribunal having regard to the importance and gravity of the issue
- Following consideration of all information that the appeals tribunal considers relevant; the appeals tribunal shall arrive at a finding. A decision of the appeals tribunal may be by a majority decision:
i) the appeals tribunal shall notify the President of its finding as soon as practicable
ii) if the appeals tribunal considers the ground/s alleged by the player to be made out, it shall recommend that selection committee reconsider the selection of the relevant team position
iii) where the appeals tribunal considers that a ground of appeal has been made out, it may stipulate that all or part of the appeal fee, if applicable, be refunded to the player
iv) the selection committee shall comply with any direction of the appeals tribunal to reconsider the selection of the relevant team position
v) any further selection decision of the selection committee under the direction of the appeals tribunal shall be final and binding, and no other further appeal shall be available to the player in respect of that selection.
6 Power to amend
This policy can be amended at any time by the GNTF if it is of the opinion that such an amendment is necessary as a result of any change in the ITF guidelines, to give effect to the policy following discovery of a drafting error or oversight or for any other reason determined to be in the best interests of GNTF. The GNTF shall not be responsible or liable in any way to anyone as a result of any such amendment.
Appendix 1
GNTF Player Nomination form for representation of the Pacific Games Team
Player (Full Name)__________________________________________
Date of Birth______________________________________________
Nationality_______________________________________________
Recent Performances (players need to detail for consideration by the selection panel)
Player to sign: _____________________________________________ Date: ___________________________
National Federation Endorsement (Signature): __________________________________________________
(Name of NF signatory) _____________________________________________________________________
Appendix 2
GNTF Player Appeal Form
This form must be completed by the player appealing their non- selection and needs to be lodged with the GNTF by 5.00pm (GST) on the second business following the announcement of the team.
Player (Name)____________________________________________________________________________
Grounds of Appeal
Signed: ________________________________________________Date: _______________________
Appendix 3
GNTF Conflict of interest policy
1 Where, in the opinion of the selection panel, an actual conflict of interest arises for any selector with respect to any athlete under consideration by the selection panel, then the selector to whom that conflict attaches will not take part in any exercise of discretion with respect to that athlete.
a) ‘Conflict of interest’ is defined as a situation where a selector has a personal interest in any athlete under consideration for selection.
b) Where a selector has a potential or actual conflict of interest, the selector must immediately notify the chair of selectors.
c) Where a disclosure about a potential or actual conflict of interest is made to the chair of selectors, the chair may:
i) in the case of a potential conflict of interest, authorize the selector to continue involvement in the selection process as long as an actual conflict does not materialize
ii) require the selector to cease taking part in the selection process, or
authorize the selector to continue involvement in the selection process but not take part in any exercise of discretion with respect to the relevant athlete.
Appendix 4
GNTF Code of conduct policy
As a member of the GNTF, a member association or an affiliated club or a person required to comply with GNTF’s member protection policy, you must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct during any activity held or sanctioned by the GNTF, a member association or an affiliated club and in any role you hold within the GNTF, a member association or an affiliated club:
1 Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.
2 Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealings with others.
3 Be professional in, and accept responsibility for, your actions.
4 Make a commitment to providing quality service.
5 Be aware of, and maintain an uncompromising adhesion to, GNTF’s standards, rules, regulations and policies.
6 Operate within the rules of the sport, including national and international guidelines, which govern the GNTF, the member associations and the affiliated clubs.
7 Do not use your involvement with the GNTF, a member association or an affiliated club to promote your own beliefs, behaviors or practices where these are inconsistent with those of the GNTF, a member association or an affiliated club.
8 Demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility especially when dealing with persons under 18 years of age, as your words and actions are an example.
9 Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with persons under 18 years of age, wherever possible.
10 Refrain from any form of harassment of others.
11 Refrain from any behavior that may bring the GNTF, a member association or an affiliated club into disrepute.
12 Provide a safe environment for the conduct of the activity.
13 Show concern and caution towards others who may be sick or injured.
14 Be a positive role model.
15 Understand the repercussions if you breach, or are aware of any breaches of, this code of behavior.
