FAQ’s
 
 
Registration, Probation, Participation, Selection

Why do we need a FAQ sheet?
 
Commitment comes ONLY from within the athlete and cannot be provided by the coach – it needs to exist in the athlete BEFORE acceptance.
 
Athletic Directions needs to know YOUR commitment BEFORE registration and acceptance, not after.
 
What is the process?
 
Registration: Complete the application form and submit to Athletic Directions indicating your athletic status, background, and goals. All applications must originate with the athlete. The Registration is accepted ONLY if, in the opinion of the coach, the registrant has demonstrated the basis for commitment.
 
Probation: New Athletes, and young athletes who have yet to fully engage with living commitment have a 1.5 month trial probation.  If either side is not satisfied, the athlete is released (100$ withdrawl fees apply).
 
Acceptance - Training Group: Acceptance is offered only when training fees are paid and the coach is satisfied that the athlete has committed to Athletic Directions. Established, Senior, and Masters athletes who are accepted to the Training Group by Athletic Directions are expected to demonstrate ongoing commitment consistent with their background, experience, and goals. Change in commitment will be discussed with the coach and may be grounds for loss of membership at the coach’s discretion AT ANY TIME DURING THE YEAR (No Refund).
 
Acceptance - Ski Team: Athletes are selected to race with the Athletic Directions Ski Team only by the coach. Team selection is based on the athlete’s ability to consistently represent the values and standards of Athletic Directions throughout the year in training and in competitive events – growth over time; ongoing commitment to personal and physical growth, and improvement in competitive performances. All others compete with licenses issued through their home ski club.
 
Is Registration the same as Acceptance?
 
No. It is a privilege, not a right, to be accepted to the Athletic Directions Training Group. Athletes who register must first understand and demonstrate their responsibilities and their commitment BEFORE acceptance.

What are the athlete responsibilities?
 
All members of the Athletic Directions Training Group set athletic standards based on the following progression:
 
  1. •1.    LEARN TO TRAIN
  2. •2.    TRAIN TO IMPROVE
  3. •3.    IMPROVE TO RACE
  4. •4.    RACE TO ENJOY MANY SUCCESSFUL YEARS OF RACING
 
All members need to:
  1. •1.    Learn about the training and competitive programs required for Athletic Directions membership.
  2. •2.    Agree to participate fully in those programs.
  3. •3.    Learn about the team standards and core values, and agree to adhere to those standards and values at all times.

Why are these responsibilities important?
 
The Athletic Directions Training Group is the only sport organization in the National Capital region that follows a planned, year-round individual and team training program, every year.
The program can work to benefit individual Athletic Directions athletes and the Training Group as a whole, only if the standards and values are followed –the success of the endeavour depends on a willing commitment of each individual.

How do I learn about values, responsibilities, and commitment?
 
The Athletic Directions Coach will work with new athletes to teach the responsibilities and to discuss their commitment to themselves, to the Training Group, and to the sport. Each athlete will sign an agreement that specifically details their responsibilities, as stated in the Athletic Directions Athlete Manual.

You took my registration – am I in?
 
No athlete should assume they are accepted to the Athletic Direction Training Group on Registration. All athletes, from newcomers to masters, must agree to accept the responsibilities of being a member the Athletic Direction Training Group, and must demonstrate their commitment before they are formally accepted – every year.
 
When will the athletes know if they are accepted?
 
For the Athletic Directions Training Group, acceptance will be formally announced be mid-June, and for seasonal Masters athletes, either Mid-June or Mid-October, depending on their choice of summer or winter program.
The Athletic Directions Ski Team will be established at the coach’s discretion.

Do athletes within the Training Group train with the Ski Team?
 
In some cases, yes. Registered athletes who choose not to compete or who choose to not to accept their full responsibilities may train temporarily with the Athletic Directions Training Group with the coach’s permission. These situations may occur for athletes in other sports who different competitive goals; for athletes who may be recovering from injury or illness; and for young athletes who need to establish a basis for trust.
Athletic Directions is different. Acceptance is not automatic, it is earned. Athletic Directions is about coaching athletes who seek to achieve their athletic limits through personal commitment.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
AD1 - FAQ's