Tennis Newfoundland & Labrador
– Revised and Approved December 4, 2024 –
OVERVIEW / INTRODUCTION
Tennis Newfoundland and Labrador (TNL) is the sanctioning body for the sport of tennis in Newfoundland and Labrador and is mandated with the responsibility to oversee the selection and training of the Canada Games team. TNL is governed by the duly elected Board of Directors and the named selection committee has prepared this document to inform all interested athletes and parents on its selection criteria and program outline for the 2025 Canada Summer Games.
The Canada Summer Games are held every four years and are meant to showcase provincial athletes in the various sanctioned sports including the sport of tennis. The protocol and specific team composition is mandated by the Canada Games technical package and all Provinces and Territories must adhere to this. The composition of the team and the actual event are controlled by The Canada Games. TNL’s mandate is to develop a training program and selection criteria for the team that is fair and transparent while meeting the stated objectives and values as determined by the TNL board.
The TNL board in cooperation with the coaching staff has designed this program to ensure a fair and transparent process that respects the individual’s right to participate and the objectives and values that TNL has presented.
Enclosed please find our selection criteria and training program outline. We publish this with the intention to ensure a high level of transparency and fair selection criteria for all interested athletes and parents.
OBJECTIVES AND VALUES
TNL desires to develop a competitive team with the objective to improve our results from previous years and to do so in a manner that provides for a fair and inclusive process. The values that TNL wishes to bring to the Canada Games team are, to field the most competitive team from the eligible athletes, to develop a positive team experience for all our potential athletes, and to provide a positive experience for all potential athletes.
TNL values the competitive nature of the Canada Games and our athletes’ ability to succeed but also believes that a cooperative and team building experience is part of that process for the long-term benefit of the sport.
QUESTIONS
The purpose of this document is to provide all potential participants with a clear understanding of the selection criteria and expectations of participants. Any questions should be directed to the TNL President, Thomas Hawkins
EMAIL: president@tennisnl.ca
TELEPHONE #: 709-689-0237 (email or text preferred)
COMPETITION DATES
The Canada Games will take place from August 9 to August 24 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. With the Tennis competition taking place in the first half of the games from August 9 to 16. There will be no cost to participate at the Canada Games.
TEAM COMPOSITION
TNL will choose its initial training pool by February 2025 and this full roster will participate in training sessions through various Canada Games camps and tournaments.
The final team will consist of four (4) male and four (4) female players. The rules for age eligibility are as follows:
- Two (2) Males and Two (2) Females 16 and under as of December 31, 2025
- Two (2) Males and Two (2) Females 18 and under as of December 31, 2025
There will be two (2) singles players and two (2) doubles players within each gender as this is the format of play prescribed by the Canada Games Technical package for tennis.
There will be one (1) male and one (1) female alternate selected to train with the team but under Canada Games protocol the alternate shall not travel to the event or be eligible for official Canada Games team uniforms.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
In addition to players meeting age eligibility criteria, players must also meet residence requirements. For more information on the residence requirements, please visit the Canada Games Sport Technical Package.
The Selection Committee will use objective criteria to base their selection eligibility/section for the 2025 Canada Games Team. They will consider the following criteria for Stage 1-3:
- Canadian & Provincial Junior Rankings (U16 and U18)
- Tournament Results at Atlantics and National Championships
- Head-to-Head Results – against NL players
- Notable Head-to-Head Results – against players from other provinces
- Daily Training Environment – meeting minimum training hours (commitment)
- Weekly Training Program (commitment)
- Player’s demonstrated commitment, work ethic, team spirit, positive attitude and attendance at Canada Games training programs and selection events.
- Other Factors
- Player proficiency in both singles and doubles
- Development Factors – e.g., availability to play 2029 Canada Games
TEAM STAFF
- One coach and one manager. At least one of these positions shall be held by a female. The selected coaches must meet the applicable Canada Games coaching selection criteria.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
The Board of Tennis Newfoundland & Labrador (TNL) has established a three (3) person selection committee for the 2025 Canada Summer Games Tennis Team. The Committee is comprised of the following members:
- TNL Canada Games Team Head Coach – Daniel Henschel
- TNL Canada Games Team Manager – Parisa Mirzaei
- Representative of TNL’s Board or member of TNL’s Technical Committee – TBD
The Selection Committee will make their final selections for the 2025 TNL Canada Games Team by May 25, 2025. Final Selection Decisions will be announced on the TNL website by May 31, 2025.
SELECTION CRITERIA
TNL has created a three-stage selection process to select the 2025 Canada Games Team.
STAGE 1: TRAINING POOL
TNL will organize a series of camps and training opportunities to prepare eligible NL athletes for the 2025 Canada Games. The camps and training opportunities are meant to develop player competitiveness and support the daily training environment for the Canada Games eligible athletes.
- Camp / Training Opportunity #1: Halifax Training Opportunity & Tournament (December 3 – 8, 2024)
- Camp / Training Opportunity #2: St. John’s – Camp (April 21 – 23, 2025)
- Camp / Training Opportunity #3: St. John’s – Camp (June 20 – 23, 2025)
NOTE: Due to funding limitations TNL will select a total up to 16 total players to support during the training opportunities. Please refer to the player eligibility section for more information.
STAGE 2: EXCELLENCE CRITERIA
- Newfoundland & Labrador’s Top ranked Boy U18 and Top ranked Girl U18 player in the National Bank Canadian Rankings as of May 1st, 2025, will automatically be selected to the 2025 Canada Games Team.
NOTE: The National Bank Canadian Junior rankings is calculated by a player’s best 5 results from the last 52 weeks.
STAGE 3: NL CANADA GAMES SELECTION TRIAL
- The remaining Top eight (8) eligible players under 18 based on National Bank Canadian Rankings as of May 1st will be invited to participate in the NL Canada Games Selection Trial (May 16-19) to fill the remaining six (6) spots.
- The Selection Trial will consist of players competing in a round-robin, pool based event. Depending on the number of players in the trials, the tournament may consist of 1 or 2 pools with playdowns to determine team spots. Each match will consist of a best-two-out-of-three set with a third-set tiebreaker. Regular scoring will apply.
- The top 3 players from the selection trial will be selected to the 2025 Canada Games Team.
TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURES FOR THE NL SUMMER GAMES SELECTION TRIAL
- If 2 players are tied with the same overall match win/loss record, then the head to head match played in the round robin between the 2 tied players will determine the winner.
- If 3 or more players are tied with the same overall match win/loss record the following will be applied, in the order as listed, until a winner is determined:
- The player with the best sets won/loss ratio in matches played between the tied players will determine the winner; if still tied
- The player with the best games won/loss ratio in matches played between the tied players will determine the winner; if still tied
- If the players are still tied, then a 1-match playoff will be played to determine the winner.
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT & CANADA GAMES PREPARATIONS
Following the announcement of TNL’s Canada Games Team on May 31, 2025. Additional camps and competitive opportunities will be provided to prepare the Canada Games Team.
SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS
A Special Exemption will be considered for athletes under the following circumstances:
- The athlete was injured and unable to participate in the programs and can provide evidence from a recognized medical professional.
- The athlete is living and or training out of province, but still meets the eligibility criteria for participation in the Canada Games as outlined in the protocol.
REQUEST FOR SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS
Athletes can by written notice to the Selection Committee apply for and be considered for a Special Exception within 30 days of public distribution of this selection criteria if an out of province student or if in the instance of an injury within 10 days of such injury. Any request for Special Exemption shall be considered by the Selection Committee and written notice shall be provided to the athlete within 20 days of the request. Granting of a Special Exemption does not determine the selection of an athlete to the team but only allows for the athlete to be considered for selection under the selection criteria as stated in the selection criteria section. Any athlete granted a Special Exemption will have to demonstrate that he or she will be available and/or injury free to participate in the Canada Games and be available for a reasonable period of time to train with the team if required.
Appendix 1: Appeal Procedure
An appeal shall be heard ONLY on the grounds that the process and/or final decision were flawed, and not because the athlete did not agree with the selection.
The following scenarios would be eligible for appeal if an athlete felt that:
- The Canada Games Selection Committee failed to follow the procedures outlined in the Tennis Newfoundland and Labrador Selection Criteria.
- The Canada Games Selection Committee made a decision that was influenced by bias.
- The Canada Games Selection Committee failed to consider relevant information or considered irrelevant information in making a decision.
- The Canada Games Selection Committee exercised its discretion for an improper purpose.
APPEAL TIMELINES
The entire appeal process will allow for the hearing and completion of the appeal no more than 14 days after receipt of the appeal request. The athlete must present their request in writing to the Chair of Appeals Committee of Tennis Newfoundland and Labrador. This written request must be forwarded to the Tennis Newfoundland and Labrador office by mail, courier, or e-mail.
Tennis Newfoundland’s Appeals Committee shall review the letter and decide whether the request has basis for a hearing. They shall also review all selection documentation from the Canada Games Staff. If there are no legitimate grounds, the Chair of the Appeals Committee shall call the athlete advising him/her of the decision. This will be followed up by a formal letter to the individual.
If the Appeals committee feels there are grounds for an appeal hearing, the following procedures will take place:
- The Chair of the Appeals Committee shall select a designated location, date, and time to hear the appeal. This will be completed no more than 48 hours after receipt of the appeal request.
- The Appeal Committee shall hear the athlete’s complaint. He/she may be accompanied by an advocate (parent, guardian, legal advisor)
The Appeals Committee shall hear from the Canada Games Staff.
- The Appeals Committee shall make a final decision within three (3) days of the appeal hearing and the decision shall be final and binding.
- The Chair of the Appeals Committee will contact the coach no later than 24 hours after the decision has been rendered to advise him/her of the outcome. This will be followed by a copy of the formal letter sent to the athlete and a copy of the appeal findings and recommendations.
The Appeal committee shall be comprised of:
- Chair (TNL Board member) (with no conflict of interest)
- One Athlete Representative (former Canada Games Player)
- One other impartial individual as appointed by Tennis NL’s Board
