Without the support of families and the wider community, the programme will not thrive, also without engagement and community, much of the benefit of sport is lost.

We need the support of clubs, hubs and the competition structure before, during and after inclusion within the performance programme. We also need to support them.

We all care deeply about what we do. Importantly we strive to demonstrate that we care.

Some of the key pillars of our programme that we care about every day.

• Athletes

• Performance

• Long view - doing what is in the best interest of the athlete for the long term

• Team

• Learning

• Innovation

Throughout an athlete's journey in the Performance Squad we will take a long term view of athlete development. Therefore achievement criteria will be applied with consideration of progression and where an athlete is in the journey. The four year approach for each individual athlete is described here:

Year 1 - Open

Flexibility in the attainment of the achievement criteria, based on the athlete's profile. This should support the feed of athletes in the different disciplines, with an aim to have athletes in all Olympic classes.

Year 2 - Confirm

Athlete’s retention based on proven progression toward World Class Programme standard even if racing achievement may not have been yet reached.

Year 3 & Year 4 - Raise the bar and deliver

Athlete's retention may be specifically based on progression in relation to racing & performance standard achievement. We may fully apply the selection criteria.

This provides an overview of the performance standards and athlete progression expectations required for programme qualification.

Squad inclusion is not based on the matrix in isolation; but it does present a primary, first filter. 

Click here to access the 2023 Achievement Matrix 

Technical

• • Range of techniques available

  • Appropriate use of techniques in environments

• Tactical 

  • Range of race tactics available

  • Managing competitive race plan vs achievable race plan

• Physical

  • Capacity to physically cope with the demand (training and racing programme)

  • Level of Strength and Conditioning aligned with racing level (world class benchmark)

• Psychological

  • Capacity to mentally cope with the demand (training and racing programme)

  • Capacity to apply the right mental skills during key phases of the competition

1. Please be aware that the cost of running SCA Performance is mainly met through sportscotland investment. The exact level of investment is set on a yearly period from April to the end of March the following year. The level of support and the design of the SCA Performance Programmes are strongly dependent on a number of factors including the level of investment and the evolution of our partnerships and the opportunities to progress from SCA into British programs. The size of each programme is based on the coaching resources, logistical constraints and programme investment available, based on available data. Achievement of performance standards represents only part of the criteria which will be applied in considering individual applications.

2. The Performance Group oversees the SCA Performance Programme operation in the relevant Olympic disciplines including athlete inclusion, performance support to selected athletes, progress against targets, pathway activities and targeted coach education.

3. The Inclusion Panel nominates athletes into the different programmes on a class by class basis in each discipline as detailed in its terms of reference. The priority for the Inclusion Panel is to build consistent groups of athletes to allow quality of work and a competitive environment among everyone. The Programme seeks to achieve a balance across classes to make sure it is competitive on all medal targets set by British Canoeing. All nominations for support will be based upon evidence demonstrating a clear profile for future World Class performance delivery. Support from partners such as sport science and medicine (SIS), winning students and international collaboration is provided through agreement negotiated with those organisations and meeting their T&Cs. 

4. Inclusion into SCA Performance programmes is primarily based on achievement in singles classes. The achievement criteria consider the overall athlete profile together with the notional achievement matrix 

5. Discretion may be used in case of injury or where an existing performance profile can be demonstrated.

6. At the discretion of the Head of Performance and Pathways, in exceptional circumstances and in consultation with coaches, an athlete can be nominated as an “invite” to participate in SCA Performance activities. Athletes can be invited based on proven progress towards performance standards or if they contribute to enhance the quality and the competitiveness of the training environment. The terms and conditions of the invitation will be agreed on a case by case basis.

7. In the exceptional case of cancellation of races leading to insufficient opportunities for athletes to demonstrate a performance standard in relation to the Notional Achievement Matrix, alternate results/competitions or assessment processes will be used. These will be determined by an emergency meeting of the Performance Group and the changes will be communicated through the SCA website

8. As part of the induction process 1:1 meetings with athletes, parents, local coaches and the performance staff will be organised to agree goals to be included in each athlete’s development and to support delivery for the coming year. Regular follow up will be organised to monitor progress and confirm the direction of support.

9. For athletes taking part in the SCA Performance Programme activities (Camps and Race support) a financial contribution will be required. The annual participation fee towards the cost of activities will be indicated by the end of November 2021 once a plan of activity has been designed. The annual participation fee and agreed instalments will be finalised at this point once the level of participation for the supported athlete has been agreed.

10. The final SCA Performance Programme summer activity planner (camps and race support) will be worked out during the early part of the racing season (before the Summer holidays) with SCA Performance Staff taking the results of GB selection into account. 

11. In addition to the SCA support areas, athletes should be aware of our close links with British Canoeing. For athletes that have made the GB team or with similar standards, we are keen to look at opportunities to join and train at British Canoeing High Performance Centres. Details will be worked out on an individual basis with athletes concerned.

12. Athletes, parents, coaches and provider behaviour should meet a high standard. All should act as role models following respective codes of conduct. In the event of a breach of the SCA Performance Code of Conduct, the Inclusion Panel can decide to withdraw athletes from the programme in which they are nominated with immediate effect. In case of deselection, participation fees paid towards the programme will be reimbursed after adjustment for the expenditure already incurred for activities.

13. Athletes, coaches and support staff should abide by all relevant British Canoeing policies when attending trips, events or programmes organised by British Canoeing

14. Athletes must hold a British passport or should be in the process of acquiring one. (British nationality is required to be on a UK funded programme and to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games.)

15. Appeals regarding decisions made by the Inclusion Panel, should be made to jon.schofield@canoescotland.org within 5 working days of being informed of the inclusion decision.