Multi Class Information

What is Multi Class ?

Multi-class is the format used to create meaningful competition, for athletes and swimmers with a disability, from multiple classification impairment categories. Multi-class events are held in Athletics, Cross Country and Swimming, with some minor modifications to the rules and regulations, where necessary.  

Who can compete in multi-class events?

Multi-class events are designed for athletes and swimmers with a disability.

To compete in multi-class events, competitors must have a current, eligible classification of either a provisional, national, international or review status. 

Classification Overview

Classification is an assessment process, which groups athletes and swimmers into a variety of categories based upon their limitations in a particular sport.

The classification system exists to provide a fair and equitable competition for students and athletes with disabilities. 

The sporting classification system is managed by the International Paralympic Committee who delegates this responsibility to national sporting associations.

Athletics Australia and Swimming Australia manage the sports of athletics, cross country and swimming, with assistance from national sporting bodies who coordinate classification eligibility applications, under guidance of the Australian Paralympic Committee.

Multi Class Events

Placings for competitors in Multi Class events will be determined using the Athletics Australia Multi Class scoring system. BASELINE uses a base time/distance/height in each class for each contestable event and measures this as a percentage against individual athletes’ performance to generate a percentage score.

Calculations

Each student’s performance will be calculated for their respective classification using the “Percentage Score Formula.”

The points are calculated using a percentage of the base time, distance or height.

For Track Events:

With the Time/Distance/Height (T) and the Base performance Time/Distance/Height (B) in seconds, the percentage is calculated with the following formula;

Percentage Point Score  = (B / T)* 100

For Field Events:

With the Distance (D) and the Base performance distance (B) in metres, the percentage is calculated with the following formula;

Percentage Point Score = (D / B)* 100

Percentage Point Score (%) results are then compared in the age division and placings allotted. First place will be the result with the highest percentage (%).

The highest 3 percentages in each event may qualify for the Polding Athletics Team to compete at the NSWPSSA State Athletics Championship provided the athlete is officially classified and meets the selection qualifying standards.

Classification Categories

Classification is split into five impairment categories:

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• Vision Impairment

• Intellectual Impairment

• Physical Impairment

• Transplant Recipients 

Disabilities

Not all disabilities fall within the sporting classification system.

Autism is only recognised in swimming but not athletics or cross country.