Deadline for applications  is December 12th

Athlete Selection Criteria Template 

 Full Criteria Template and application information on the download page

 Quest for Gold – Ontario Athlete Assistance Program 2009-2010 (OAAP) is funded by the Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Health Promotion (MHP), and operated through the Sport and Recreation Branch.  The overarching goal of the Quest for Gold – OAAP is directly related to the Enhanced Excellence goals of both ACTIVE2010 and the Canadian Sport Policy – to improve the performance and number of Ontario athletes performing at the national and international level; thereby contributing to the improved performance of Canada at international competitions. Specific objectives of the program are:
a) To help athletes continue their pursuit of athletic excellence at the highest levels of national and international competition;
b) To encourage athletes to stay in Ontario to live and train;
c) To compensate athletes for earnings lost while training;
d) To enable athletes to successfully pursue excellence in sport while  fulfilling their educational goals;
e) To increase athlete access to improved high performance coaching; and
f) To enhance training and competitive opportunities available to athletes.

The program will provide direct financial assistance to Ontario junior-aged athletes through an “Ontario Card” designation.  “Junior-aged athlete” is defined as those athletes who fall within the eligible age range for the Canada Games - 11 to 22 years of age.  (Consideration will be given to older junior-aged athletes if a PSO/MSO’s NSO-approved Long Term Athlete Development model (LTAD) identifies older athletes in the “Train to Train” and “Train to Compete” categories). The intent of the OAAP is to provide funding to individual athletes based on their demonstrated commitment to high performance sport, allowing them to pursue athletic excellence at the highest levels of national and international competition.
 How does it work?
In accordance with the OAAP guidelines, RUGBYONTARIO is responsible for developing sport specific selection criteria and forming a Selection Committee that will apply the criteria to select those athletes who will be awarded Ontario Card status in 2009-2010.  The Selection Criteria is approved by the Board of Directors and reviewed by MHP staff.  Nominated athletes will be required to sign and comply with an Athlete Agreement between the athlete and Rugby Ontario..  Carding status will be for one year starting April 1, 2009 ending March 31, 2010.
In 2009-2010, the Ministry of Health Promotion allocated a certain amount of OAAP Ontario Cards to each eligible Provincial Sport / Multi-Sport Organization (PSO/MSO). RUGBY ONTARIO has been allotted a total of 26 Ontario cards (split evenly as 13 male and 13 Female Cards).
A minimum of 70% of the Ontario cards will be allocated to what the Ministry of Health Promotion defines as junior-aged athletes (11 to 22 years of age).  A maximum of 30% of the Ontario cards may be allocated to athletes no longer eligible for "junior athlete" status, (athletes 23 and over). 
As a result, the 26 cards issued to RUGBY ONTARIO will be allocated as follows:
 Male Female
Full Cards – 26 13 13

Cards will be specifically allocated to the following categories/disciplines:
Category Number of cards
Athletes under 22 years 18 Full Cards (9 male, 9 female)
Athletes over 23 years 8 Full Cards (4 male, 4 female)

In accordance with the OAAP guidelines RUGBY ONTARIO is responsible for forming a Selection Committee and sport specific selection criteria to nominate the athletes for Ontario carding status in 2009-2010. This selection criteria has been approved by the RUGBY ONTARIO Board of Directors.  
The Selection Committee is comprised of the following members:
Allen Piggott, Executive Director
James Flynn, Technical Development Manager
Glenn Tarver, Director, Junior Men Representative Teams
Annemaree Peters, Director, Women’s Representative Teams
Advice from:
Kieren Crowley, Rugby Canada Senior Men Head Coach
John Long, Rugby Canada Senior Women Head Coach
Geraint John, Rugby Canada High Performance Director

How much funding is available?
The exact level of funding for the 2009-2010 carding year will be determined by the Ministry after the total number of athletes nominated for Ontario Card status has been determined.  Funding will be released prior to March 31, 2010.