USA Deaf Team Handball
Athlete Selection Criteria 2003-2005

Men's National and Development Teams

Dates and Locations

Qualifying events for the Men's Team Handball National and Development Teams will take place as follows:

Announcements

Each qualifying event will be advertised through deafness-related and other publications, the USADSF and USADTH websites, and by emailing all known elite Team Handball Athletes.

Eligibility

To be eligible for selection, an athlete must be a U.S. citizen who is eligible to represent the USA in the 2005 Deaflympics. Athletes must be members in good standing of USADTH and USADSF prior to participating in the qualifying event.

An eligible athlete will have a hearing loss of 55dB or greater in the better ear. Hearing aids may not be worn during tryouts or the Deaflympics, in accordance with CISS regulations.

Additionally, all Team Handball athletes will be required to:

  1. Sign and abide by USA Deaf Sports Federation Code of Conduct and any other applicable forms.
  2. Sign and abide by USOC Code of Conduct and General Release Forms.
  3. Submit himself without reservation to all doping control policies and procedures of USOC, USADSF, and CISS.
  4. Commit to train all year around from the time of selection to the 2005 Deaflympics.
  5. Maintain close contact with the US Team coaches and keep them informed about training regimens and competition results.
  6. Exhibit good sportsmanship, manners, and character.
  7. Attend projected training camps (January 1-4 in Colorado Springs, CO) and the US Deaf Games in the summer of 2004.

Performance Criteria

Evaluation of athletes will be based on six factors:
  1. Offensive skills (1-5 points)
  2. Defensive skills (1-5 points)
  3. Knowledge of the game (1-5 points)
  4. Attitude and character (1-5 points)
  5. Coachability (1-5 points)
  6. Attendance at qualifying events, i.e., weight will be given to the athletes who participate in all three qualifying events. (1-4 points, reflecting attendance)

Selection Committee

The Selection Committee for final selections will consist of the following individuals:

The Selection Committee will present the list of recommended athletes to the USADTH board of directors who will in turn make recommendations to the USADSF board for approval. The Head Coach will also notify each participant of his status on the National or Development team after each qualifying event. Players may be moved from the National to the Development team and vice versa after each qualifying event.

Athletes representing the USA at the 2005 Deaflympics will be those who are on the National Team at the end of all qualifying events.

Composition of National and Development Teams

The National team will be composed of 10 players and two goalies. The Development team will be composed of up to 14 athletes and two goalies.

Replacement Procedures

Any athlete may be withdrawn from the team if, for any reason (including injury or illness), that he is unable or unwilling to maintain a training regimen that is necessary for his peak performance in the 2005 Deaflympics or does not abide by the selection criteria requirements. Athletes may also be withdrawn from the team if they do not satisfactorily meet their fundraising duties for the 2005 Deaflympics. If an athlete is withdrawn from the team, the Selection Committee may recommend a player from the National or Development teams.

Due Process

All athletes have the right to obtain due process in accordance with the USA Deaf Sports Federation bylaws if they feel that the selection criteria was not properly followed. Athletes will be informed of due process procedures in writing prior to each qualifying event.