2019 Athlete Carding Scheme - Applications Open
Applications are now open for 2019 Athletics Ireland Athlete Carding Scheme.
Athletics Ireland will manage and administer the athlete carding scheme for all levels of carding. The carding scheme is a selection process whereby athletes must achieve performance criteria laid out within a selection policy to be considered for membership to the programme.
The carding scheme outlines Athletics Ireland’s High Performance Carding support programme, know as the Operation Gold Performance Programme or ‘OGPP’. The OGPP document outlines the programme support structures, selection process and policy, the selection panel, appeals process, and how athletes will be considered for carding at the various levels of the programme.
Programme Structure
The Operation Gold Performance Programme will select and invest in athletes to provide “more opportunities” and to “achieve performance results” that will be supported on two levels:
1. Performance - Individual Carding: support athletes who can deliver on our performance goals and meet with the individual selection criteria set out within the different levels and age groups (see Carding Categories section 11) of: Podium - World-Class -International, Development, Emerging Talent, Discretionary and Relay Team categories.
2. Opportunity - Team Ireland Carding: support athletes who do not meet with the criteria for individual carding but are given an opportunity (identified as a potential and/or selected) to represent Athletics Ireland at a major championship. Each year Athletics Ireland will identify and publish on its website the High Performance calendar of selected ‘Team IRL’ major championships.
Process of Carding
All current carded and any newly considered athletes must (re)apply for carding each year. The applications for individual athlete carding will be available in October on HP section of AAI website. After selection, athletes will be notified and provided with additional information around carding support and other application requirements as needed for the OGPP.
The Selectors retain the discretion to consider an athlete for carding where an Application has inadvertently not been made. The process for individual carding:
1- Applications available on HP website (athletes will reapply and/or open to apply) – November 2018 (NB - No application is needed for Team Carding)
2- Athletes will submit application for consideration to the OGPP – November 2018
3- Selectors meeting to consider carding applications – November 2018
4- AAI will notify athletes who have/have not been selected for the OGPP – December 2018
5- AAI/SI will collectively publish the 2019 carding list - 1st quarter of 2019
Carding Resources
2019 Operation Gold Performance Programme Selection Policy (linked from here)