The OCF confirmed they are adopting the exemption policy, and it is honestly hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that this is actually happening. This victory belongs entirely to the people who spoke up for these athletes because I never could have moved the needle on …
June 8, 2022
Final supporters
This season has been hard on us all, and currently the athletes who have had the toughest journeys are being penalized for it. Because our truncated season included only one local per discipline, athletes who had the misfortune to miss a competition due to injury or illness are not eligible for provincials in that discipline, no matter how much athletic promise they show. This is particularly troubling seeing as provincials is the pathway to CEC Nationals and international competition.
The OCF is aware of the issue, but indicates that they will not change their decision. One reason they stated is that they'd like to keep a maximum of 20 athletes per category for the sake of logistics. This doesn't make much sense considering many categories have fewer than 20 athletes total (Jr girls only has 4 lead and 7 boulder athletes, for example).
Please sign this petition to force the board to act on this issue. Possible solutions include adding an injury/illness exemption policy. Our draft policy:
"APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for an injury/illness exemption, the athlete, parent of the athlete, or coach of the athlete, must provide the following to the OCF Head Coach:
- Proof of injury/illness resulting in an inability to train regularly through a signed letter from a medical professional
OR
- Proof of positive covid test administered by medical professional
And one of the following:
- OCF sanctioned competition result from a previous season placing the athlete in the top 15 of their category in the discipline for which they are applying for an exemption (BEST)
OR
- Competition result from the past year in the discipline for which they are applying for an exemption that demonstrates a level of skill that could place them top 10 in their division
SELECTION PROCESS
All required information must be submitted to the OCF Head Coach. Applications will be reviewed by our selection committee (including Head coach & 1-2 other objective industry professionals) and a decision will be made and communicated to the athlete and/or coach no later than 2 weeks prior to the competition.
The number of exemptions granted will be capped in order to maintain a reasonable number of competitors at the competition (currently with 20 per category the max number of competitors is 200)."
Mathematics on category size:
20 athletes per category x 5 age categories x 2 gender categories = 200 athletes total
Please email liz.maffett @ gmail.com for more information.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
March 30, 2022
March 29, 2022
I am truly overwhelmed by the messages I have received from families who are facing the exact same struggle. While I am still trying to find the right person at the OCF to actually sit down and listen to our proposal, please know that your stories are the only reason this conversation is still happening.
Reached 100 supporters
March 29, 2022
27 Comments
My son has competed in every OCF competition since he started climbing competitively 6 years ago. He trains twice, sometimes three, times per week. He won silver in his last OCF provincial competition. Unfortunately he tested positive for Covid a few days prior to the only local competition and was unable to compete. It would seem wholly unfair if would be unable to compete in provincials this year simply because he missed one competition due to Covid. I urge you to reconsider
It would be great to see the provincials filled with the athletes who deserve to be there. Based on their skill levels and not just who could make it to one competition.
ridiculous to not take bys, with covid and the fact there has only been 1 local this year, there should be even more room for bys to provincials. As a previous competitor in the youth circuit i’d be furious and as a coach right now it’s unacceptable. super unprofessional and ridiculous.
Let the kids compete! Why limit their ability to progress? So many other sports changed eligibility due to covid. Why not you?
Respectfully, and thanking the OCF for staying alive through covid, I hope we can have climbers with a valid reason for exemption, competing at provincials.
Let Molly Climb!
Molly needs to be compete at this competition. Fought through injury and now ready to win!
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The OCF confirmed they are adopting the exemption policy, and it is honestly hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that this is actually happening. This victory belongs entirely to the people who spoke up for these athletes because I never could have moved the needle on …
June 8, 2022
Final supporters
This season has been hard on us all, and currently the athletes who have had the toughest journeys are being penalized for it. Because our truncated season included only one local per discipline, athletes who had the misfortune to miss a competition due to injury or illness are not eligible for provincials in that discipline, no matter how much athletic promise they show. This is particularly troubling seeing as provincials is the pathway to CEC Nationals and international competition.
The OCF is aware of the issue, but indicates that they will not change their decision. One reason they stated is that they'd like to keep a maximum of 20 athletes per category for the sake of logistics. This doesn't make much sense considering many categories have fewer than 20 athletes total (Jr girls only has 4 lead and 7 boulder athletes, for example).
Please sign this petition to force the board to act on this issue. Possible solutions include adding an injury/illness exemption policy. Our draft policy:
"APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for an injury/illness exemption, the athlete, parent of the athlete, or coach of the athlete, must provide the following to the OCF Head Coach:
- Proof of injury/illness resulting in an inability to train regularly through a signed letter from a medical professional
OR
- Proof of positive covid test administered by medical professional
And one of the following:
- OCF sanctioned competition result from a previous season placing the athlete in the top 15 of their category in the discipline for which they are applying for an exemption (BEST)
OR
- Competition result from the past year in the discipline for which they are applying for an exemption that demonstrates a level of skill that could place them top 10 in their division
SELECTION PROCESS
All required information must be submitted to the OCF Head Coach. Applications will be reviewed by our selection committee (including Head coach & 1-2 other objective industry professionals) and a decision will be made and communicated to the athlete and/or coach no later than 2 weeks prior to the competition.
The number of exemptions granted will be capped in order to maintain a reasonable number of competitors at the competition (currently with 20 per category the max number of competitors is 200)."
Mathematics on category size:
20 athletes per category x 5 age categories x 2 gender categories = 200 athletes total
Please email liz.maffett @ gmail.com for more information.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
March 30, 2022
March 29, 2022
I am truly overwhelmed by the messages I have received from families who are facing the exact same struggle. While I am still trying to find the right person at the OCF to actually sit down and listen to our proposal, please know that your stories are the only reason this conversation is still happening.
Reached 100 supporters
March 29, 2022
27 Comments
Young injured athletes who have proven their talent and unique ability should not be disqualified if recovered.
My son has competed in every OCF competition since he started climbing competitively 6 years ago. He trains twice, sometimes three, times per week. He won silver in his last OCF provincial competition. Unfortunately he tested positive for Covid a few days prior to the only local competition and was unable to compete. It would seem wholly unfair if would be unable to compete in provincials this year simply because he missed one competition due to Covid. I urge you to reconsider
It would be great to see the provincials filled with the athletes who deserve to be there. Based on their skill levels and not just who could make it to one competition.
ridiculous to not take bys, with covid and the fact there has only been 1 local this year, there should be even more room for bys to provincials. As a previous competitor in the youth circuit i’d be furious and as a coach right now it’s unacceptable. super unprofessional and ridiculous.
Let the kids compete! Why limit their ability to progress? So many other sports changed eligibility due to covid. Why not you?
Respectfully, and thanking the OCF for staying alive through covid, I hope we can have climbers with a valid reason for exemption, competing at provincials.
Let Molly Climb!
Molly needs to be compete at this competition. Fought through injury and now ready to win!
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Young injured athletes who have proven their talent and unique ability should not be disqualified if recovered.