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World Para Volley Discipline Regulations

(Accepted by the WOVD General Assembly 23 September 2004, adapted for the 2014 Constitution)


 

1           Introduction

 

These regulations define how disciplinary matters are to be handled within World Para Volley and its zones. They set out: the bodies within World Para Volley which may impose disciplinary sanctions; the duties and obligations of zones, member nations, teams, groups, delegations and individuals; definitions of the kinds of offences which lead to disciplinary sanctions; definitions of the sanctions which may be imposed, and which bodies may impose them; the procedures for disciplinary hearings, the application of sanctions, and appeals.

 

2           Bodies with disciplinary powers

 

The following bodies have powers to hear cases and to impose disciplinary sanctions. (See section 6 below for explanation of which sanctions each body may impose.)

 

·     The Technical Committee and Jury of Appeal of any World Para Volley, Zonal competition or other World Para Volley sanctioned event

·     The World Para Volley Referee Commission (and Zonal Referee Commissions)

·     A Zonal Committee

·     The World Para Volley Board of Directors

·     The World Para Volley Judicial Commission

·     The World Para Volley General Assembly

 

3           The duties and obligations of zones, member nations, teams and individuals

 

In general, all member nations, teams, groups and individuals associated with World Para Volley have a duty and obligation to act with honesty, responsibility and integrity, and in a manner which respects the dignity of others and is loyal to World Para Volley and their zone.

 

3.1          Zones of World Para Volley have a duty and obligation to follow strictly the World Para Volley Constitution, Zonal Regulations, and all other regulations of World Para Volley and their zone, including the Classification, Medical and Anti-Doping Codes as required by IPC and WADA. The zone may be held responsible, even on the basis of presumed responsibility, for the actions of the Zonal Assembly, Zonal Committee/Board, any sub-committee or Commission of the Zonal Committee/Board, or any individual or group acting on behalf of the zone.

 

3.2          Member nations of World Para Volley have a duty and obligation to follow strictly the World Para Volley Constitution and all other regulations of World Para Volley and their zone. The national federation which is a member of World Para Volley may be held responsible, even on the basis of presumed responsibility, for the actions of member clubs and national teams (including their players, coaches and delegation members), referees, spectators, the organisers of national or international competitions held in the member nation, and any individual or group acting on behalf of the national federation.

 

3.3          National and club teams, and members of delegations to official World Para Volley or Zonal events (e.g. tournaments, championships, assemblies) have a duty and obligation to follow strictly the World Para Volley Constitution and all other regulations of World Para Volley and their zone. A club or national team may be held responsible, even on the basis of presumed responsibility, for the actions of any individual or group acting on behalf of the team, club or delegation, including spectators.

 

3.4          World Para Volley officials (including members of the Board of Directors, World Para Volley Commissions or Committees, International and Candidate International referees, International Classifiers, and any other individuals or groups acting on behalf of World Para Volley), have a duty and obligation to follow strictly the World Para Volley Constitution and all other regulations of World Para Volley and their zone, including the Classification, Medical and Anti- Doping Codes as required by IPC and WADA, and any relevant Code of Conduct.

 

4           Definitions of the kinds of offences which lead to disciplinary sanctions

 

4.1          Sports offences

 

Sports offences are in general any improper actions or words which occur in match play or immediately surrounding a match or competition. They include the following (but this list should not be considered exhaustive):

 

(i)      dishonesty or cheating in order to benefit an individual or team;

 

(ii)      use of forbidden substances (doping) (for fuller definition, see the relevant World Para Volley and WADA Anti-doping regulations);

 

(iii)     use of unauthorised or unqualified team members;

 

(iv)     active or passive obstruction of the normal playing of a match or competition, including: refusal to play, delaying a match or matches, obstructing competition officials in the organisation of the competition;

 

(v)     improper, abusive or violent words or actions, or any form of harassment towards match or competition officials;

 

(vi)     biased officiating by referees, scorers, line judges or any other match officials.

 

4.2          Administrative offences

 

Administrative offences are in general any improper actions or words which occur outside the immediate match context. They include the following (but this list should not be seen as exhaustive):

 

(i)      dishonesty or cheating, including financial impropriety, in order to benefit an individual, group, team, member nation or zone;

 

(ii)      failure to provide information reasonably required in time (e.g. registration details of players, officials);

 

(iii)     neglect or abuse of the duties and responsibilities of a zonal or World Para Volley office;

 

(iv)     failure to pay fees (e.g. World Para Volley membership fees, competition entry fees, etc.);

 

(v)     failure to pay a fine or serve any other form of disciplinary action;

 

(vi)     failure by a zone or national federation to enforce disciplinary action taken against an individual, group, team or member nation;

 

(vii)    withdrawing from a competition without adequate reason;

 

(viii)   failure to provide facilities for a competition as agreed in the competition contract between World Para Volley or the zone and the organiser.

 

4.3          Bringing the sport into disrepute

 

Bringing the sport into disrepute means in general any actions or words, including electronic communication, which are likely to harm the reputation of World Para Volley, a zone, or the sport’s disciplines of Standing and Sitting volleyball, and Standing and Sitting Beach Volleyball. They include the following (but this list should not be seen as exhaustive):

 

(i)      dishonesty or cheating, including financial impropriety, in order to benefit an individual, group, team, member nation or zone;

 

(ii)      improper, abusive or violent words or actions, or any form of harassment towards officials of World Para Volley or the zone;

 

(iii)     discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnic origin, religious, philosophical or political beliefs, marital status or other grounds;

 

(iv)     failure to maintain confidentiality;

 

(v)     receiving or giving personal gifts in order to obtain privileges or position within World Para Volley  a zone or a member nation;

 

(vi)     actions or words, in a public forum or in writing (including by electronic means), which are likely to damage the relationships of World Para Volley or a zone with a member nation, international sports governing body, or national or regional government;

 

(vii)    failure to declare a conflict of interest affecting World Para Volley, a zone or activities within World Para Volley or a zone.

 

5           Disciplinary sanctions

 

The following disciplinary sanctions may be imposed on individuals, groups, member nations or zones:

 

5.1          Warning letter which admonishes the individual, group, member nation or zone concerning its conduct, and warns against any future misconduct.

 

5.2          Fine.

 

5.3          Suspension of an individual player, team official or referee from matches in a competition.

 

5.4          Reversal or amendment of match results, or penalising of a team’s position in a competition.

 

5.5          Suspension of an individual, team, club, group or member nation from membership or activity within World Para Volley, or a Zone for a specified period or from specified competition(s). A suspended individual, team, club or member nation is not permitted to take any part in World Para Volley or Zonal competitions, Commissions, meetings or assemblies during the period of suspension.

 

5.6          Expulsion of an individual, group or member nation from World Para Volley.

 

6           Powers of disciplinary bodies

 

6.1          A competition Technical Committee may impose the following disciplinary sanctions against teams and team members (including delegation members): warning letter; fine up to 250 (for an individual) or 500 (for a group, club or team); suspension of an individual player or team official from matches in that competition; reversal or amendment of match results, or penalising of a team’s position in that competition. A competition Technical Committee may also recommend a further suspension to the relevant Zonal Committee/Board (if it is a zonal competition) or the World Para Volley Sport Director, or Board of Directors (if it is a World Para Volley competition).

 

6.2          A competition Jury of Appeal may impose the same sanctions as a competition Technical Committee and, in the case of an appeal, has the further power to cancel, reduce or increase the disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Technical Committee. A competition Jury of Appeal may also recommend a further suspension to the relevant Zonal Committee/Board (if it is a Zonal competition) or the World Para Volley Sport Director, or Board of Directors (if it is a World Para Volley competition).

 

6.3          The World Para Volley Referee Commission and a properly constituted Zonal Referee Commission may impose the following disciplinary sanctions on Referee Delegates, Referee Observers and Referees: warning letter; fine up to €250; suspension from activity within World Para Volley and its zones for up to three years. A Zonal Referee Commission or the World Para Volley Referee Commission may also recommend a further suspension, or expulsion, to the World Para Volley Sport Director or Board of Directors.

 

6.4          A Zonal Committee/Board may impose the following disciplinary sanctions on individuals, groups, teams, clubs and member nations: warning letter; fine up to €500 (for an individual) or €1000 (for a group, team, club or member nation); suspension of an individual, group, team, club or member nation for up to three years. A Zonal Committee/Board may also recommend a further suspension, or expulsion, to the World Para Volley Sport Director or Board of Directors.

 

6.5          If a meeting of the Board of Directors is to take place within the 30 days following an event/action which requires further investigation, the Board of Directors shall normally decide about any further disciplinary sanctions required. The Sport Department has power to decide disciplinary cases at other times within the limits of its powers (see 6.6).

 

6.6          The Sport Department may impose the following disciplinary sanctions on individuals, groups, teams, clubs and member nations: warning letter, fine up to €500 (for an individual) or €1000 (for a group, club, team or member nation); suspension of an individual, group, team, club, team or member nation for up to five years.

 

6.7          The World Para Volley Board of Directors may impose the following disciplinary sanctions on individuals, groups, teams, clubs and member nations: warning letter; fine up to 500 (for an individual) or €1000 (for a group, team, club or member nation); suspension of an individual, group, club, national team or member nation for up to five years; expulsion from World Para Volley.

 

6.8          The World Para Volley Judicial Commission may impose the following disciplinary sanctions on individuals, groups, teams, clubs and member nations: warning letter; fine up to 500 (for an individual) or €1000 (for a group, team, club or member nation); suspension of an individual, group, club, team or member nation for up to five years; expulsion from World Para Volley  The Judicial Commission may cancel, reduce or increase any disciplinary sanction imposed previously concerning the particular case, in its absolute discretion

 

6.9          The World Para Volley General Assembly has unlimited power to sanction individuals, groups, teams, clubs, member nations and Zones. Such sanctions must be agreed by simple majority vote of the member nations voting on the sanctions.

 

7           Disciplinary procedures

 

7.1          World Para Volley and Zonal disciplinary procedures are designed to be fair and in tune with the principles of natural justice. An individual, team, group, club, member nation or other body accused of an offence should be given opportunity to explain their actions, orally or in writing. Reasonable time must be given to allow this to happen. Decisions must be communicated clearly and promptly by the disciplinary body concerned.

 

7.2          A disciplinary hearing shall be convened by the relevant body on the basis of information from a team member, match report, match referee, Jury member or Referee Observer, Technical Delegate or Referee Delegate, Chief Classifier, Zonal or World Para Volley official.

 

7.3          If the matter concerns an event or issue within a competition, the competition Technical Committee shall convene a hearing within 24 hours of the information being received. The Technical Committee may announce its decision orally at the close of its meeting. The Technical Committee must announce its decision in writing, in English, to the parties concerned, within 6 hours of the close of its meeting. A party receiving a disciplinary sanction from a competition Technical Committee has up to one hour from receiving the decision in writing to appeal against the decision. Any appeal must be in writing, in English, stating the grounds for the appeal, and must include the relevant fee.

 

7.4          A competition Jury of Appeal shall convene a hearing within 24 hours of an appeal being received. The Jury of Appeal may announce its decision orally at the close of its meeting. The Jury of Appeal must announce its decision in writing, in English, to the parties concerned, within 6 hours of the close of its meeting.

 

7.5          If the matter concerns an event or issue outside a competition, or a recommendation from a competition Technical Committee or Jury of Appeal, the relevant disciplinary body (see 6.3-8 above) shall arrange a disciplinary hearing within 30 days of the information being received. This hearing may be ‘virtual’ (electronic) or may take place by telephone. The disciplinary body shall announce its decision in writing, in English, to the parties concerned, within 48 hours of the close of its meeting.

 

7.6          If any member of the disciplinary body is a party to the matter under consideration, they must exclude themselves from taking part in the hearing.

 

7.7          Parties to the matter may submit evidence to the hearing. An individual, group, team or member nation which is accused of improper conduct is entitled to a copy of any evidence submitted which is relevant to the hearing, in enough time so that they may take it into account in their evidence.

 

7.8          If the hearing takes place during a competition or assembly, the parties may request an oral hearing, which must take place in English. Otherwise, the parties’ evidence must be submitted in writing in English by the deadline set by the disciplinary body.

 

7.9          After receiving the evidence from the parties, whether orally or in writing, the relevant disciplinary body shall come to a decision. This decision shall be announced in writing in English to the parties concerned, and may be sent in writing to others, at the discretion of the disciplinary body.

 

8           Application of sanctions

 

8.1          All disciplinary decisions made shall be regarded as executed and in force from their publication in writing by the disciplinary body concerned.

 

8.2          A fine shall be paid within 30 days of the notification of the disciplinary body’s decision. If a fine is not paid within that period, 10% is added to the fine. If the fine remains unpaid after 40 days, the case is subject to further disciplinary action by the relevant body (see 4.2.iv), which may include immediate suspension until the fine + 10% is paid.

 

8.3          Failure to pay other fees within the period specified when the fees are requested (see 4.2.iv) may be penalised by a Zonal Committee or the Board of Directors or Sport Department by an immediate suspension of an individual, group, team, club or member nation until the fees are paid.

 

8.4          A suspension’s nature, length, start and end date and time, shall be notified in writing to the individual, team, group or member nation concerned, and also to their national federation. In the case of an individual, team or club, the national federation, or its relevant Commission in the case of an individual, shall be responsible for ensuring that the suspension is served. In the case of a member nation, the Zonal Committee/Board, World Para Volley Sport Department and the Board of Board of Directors shall be responsible for ensuring that the suspension is served. Failure to serve a suspension is subject to further disciplinary action by the relevant body (see 4.2.iv).

 

8.5          Expulsion means that the individual, group, team, club or member nation is excluded permanently from membership of World Para Volley and its zones. This is a severe sanction, only to be used in very serious cases.

 

9           Appeal procedures

 

9.1          For disciplinary decisions taken by a competition Technical Committee, there is a right of appeal to the competition Jury of Appeal. The appeal must be handed in writing in English to an officer of the Jury of Appeal within one hour of the decision being received by the appellant, accompanied by the appeal fee of 600 Euros. If the appeal is successful, the appeal fee is returned to the appellant. (See 7.4 for the Jury of Appeal’s procedure.)

 

9.2          There is no appeal within a competition above the decision of the Jury of Appeal.

 

9.3          An appeal against a decision made by a Zonal body or a World Para Volley Commission or officer may be made to the Board of Directors or World Para Volley Sport Department where relevant. This appeal must be received in writing in English within 30 days of the decision being received by the appellant, accompanied by the appeal fee of €200. If the appeal is successful, the appeal fee is returned to the appellant. The appeal body shall hold a hearing within 30 days of the appeal being received, and shall notify parties to the original hearing of the nature of the appeal and invite them to submit any relevant further evidence. The appeal body shall announce its decision in writing in English to the parties concerned within 48 hours of the close of its meeting.

 

9.4          For any other decision made by a World Para Volley disciplinary body, including those appealed unsuccessfully under 9.2, an individual, group, team, club or member nation has the final right of appeal to the Judicial Commission. This appeal must be received in writing in English within 30 days of the decision being received by the appellant, accompanied by the appeal fee of €200. If the appeal is successful, the appeal fee is returned to the appellant. (See the Judicial Commission regulations for the procedures for such an appeal.)

 

10         Conclusion and entering into force

 

10.1        In cases not covered by these regulations, the Judicial Commission shall have the power to give a ruling which is binding on all parties concerned.

 

Organization

 

Organization                                                                                                                                                              2

 

Part One: General Provisions                                                       5

 

1    Scope and Application                                                                    5

 

2    Roles and Responsibilities                                                                                                                     6

 

Part Two: Classification Personnel                                                                                                  8

 

3    Classification Personnel                                                                                                                  8

 

4    Classifier Competencies, Training and Certification                                           9

 

5    Classifier Code of Conduct                                                                 10

 

Part Three: Athlete Evaluation                                                    11

 

6    General Provisions                                                                                                                                                    11

 

7    Eligible Impairment                                                                           11

 

8    Minimum Impairment Criteria                                                       14

 

9    Sport Class                                                                                   14

 

10  Classification Not Completed                                                15

 

Part Four: Athlete Evaluation and the Classification Panel         16

 

11  The Classification Panel                                                               16

 

12  Classification Panel Responsibilities                                       16

 

13  Evaluation Sessions                                                                     17

 

14  Observation in Competition                                                         18

 

15  Sport Class Status                                                                        19

 

16  Notification                                                                               21

 

Part Five: Sport Class Not Eligible                                              22

 

17  Sport Class Not Eligible                                                                22

 

Part Six: Protests                                                                       24

 

18  Scope of a Protest                                                                                                24

 

19  Parties Permitted to Make a Protest                                          24

 

20  National Protests                                                              24

 

21  National Protest Procedure                                                               24

 

22  World Para Volley Protests                                                          25

 

23  World Para Volley Protest Procedure                                                  26

 

24  Protest Panel                                                                                                                   26

 

25  Provisions Where No Protest Panel is Available                       27

 

26  Special Provisions                                                                       27

 

27  Ad Hoc Provisions Relating to Protests                                                                            28

 

     Part Seven: Misconduct during Evaluation Session                    29

 

28  Failure to Attend Evaluation Session                                            29

 

29  Suspension of Evaluation Session                                                                     29

 

Part Eight: Medical Review                                                                                                           31

 

30  Medical Review                                                                                                      31

 

Part Nine: Intentional Misrepresentation                                                               32

 

31  Intentional Misrepresentation                                                         32

 

Part Ten: Use of Athlete Information                                               34

 

32  Classification Data                                                           34

 

33  Consent and Processing                                                                     34

 

34  Classification Research                                                              34

 

35  Notification to Athletes                                               34

 

36  Classification Data Security                                                         35

 

37  Disclosures of Classification Data                                        35

 

38  Retaining Classification Data                                                                                                                                    35

 

39  Access Rights to Classification Data                                            35

 

40  Classification Master Lists                                                                                                                                              36

 

Part Eleven: Appeals                                                                                                                37

 

41  Appeal                                                                                                                                                                                                                          37

 

42  Parties Permitted to Make an Appeal                                                         37

 

43  Appeals                                                                                              37

 

44  Ad Hoc Provisions Relating to Appeals                                             37

 

Part Twelve: Glossary                                                                    38

 

Appendix One                                                                                          44

 

1    Eligible Impairment Types                                                                   44

 

Appendix Two                                                                                                  46

 

1    Non-Eligible Impairment Types for all Athletes                                                                        46

 

2    Health Conditions that are not Underlying Health Conditions
for all Athletes                                                                             46

 

Appendix Three                                                                                                                                                 47

 

1    Minimum Impairment Criteria                                                                                                                                       47

 

2    Assessment Methodology                                                      54

 

3    Assessment Criteria for Allocation of a Sport Class                71

 

Appendix Four                                                                           75

 

1    Observation in Competition Assessment                                    75

 

 

 

 

Part One: General Provisions

 

1          Scope and Application

 

Adoption

 

1.1          These Classification Rules and Regulations are referred to throughout this document as the ‘Classification Rules’. They have been prepared by World Para Volley to implement the requirements of the 2015 IPC Athlete Classification Code and International Standards.

 

1.2          The Classification Rules have been adopted by World Para Volley on January 1, 2018.

 

1.3          These Classification Rules refer to a number of Appendices. These Appendices form an integral part of the Classification Rules.

 

1.4          These Classification Rules form part of the World Para Volley Rules and Regulations.

 

1.5          The Classification Rules are supplemented by a number of Classification forms that have been prepared to assist Athlete Evaluation. These forms are available from World Para Volley  and can be amended by World Para Volley from time to time.

 

Classification

 

1.6          Classification is undertaken to:

 

a)   Define who is eligible to compete in Para Volley and consequently who has the opportunity to reach the goal of becoming a Paralympic Athlete; and

b)  group Athletes into Sport Classes which aim to ensure that the impact of Impairment is minimized and sporting excellence determines which team is ultimately victorious.

 

Application

 

1.7          These Classification Rules apply to all Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel who are registered with World Para Volley  and/or participate in any Events or Competitions organized, authorized or recognized by World Para Volley

 

1.8          These Classification Rules must be read and applied in conjunction with all other applicable rules of World Para Volley  including but not limited to the sport technical rules of World Para Volley  In the event of any conflict between these Classification Rules and any other rules, the Classification Rules shall take precedence.

 

International Classification

 

1.9          World Para Volley will only permit an Athlete to compete in an International Competition if that Athlete has been allocated a Sport Class (other than Sport Class Not Eligible) and designated with a Sport Class Status in accordance with these Classification Rules.

 

1.10       World Para Volley will provide opportunities for Athletes to be allocated a Sport Class and designated with a Sport Class Status in accordance with these Classification Rules at Recognized Competitions (or other such locations as defined by World Para Volley). World Para Volley will advise Athletes, National Bodies and National Paralympic Committees in advance as to such Recognized Competitions (or other such locations).

 

Interpretation and Relationship to Code

 

1.11       References to an ‘Article’ mean an Article of these Classification Rules, references to an ‘Appendix’ mean an Appendix to these Classification Rules, and Capitalized terms used in these Classification Rules have the meaning given to them in the Glossary to these Classification Rules.

 

1.12       References to a ‘sportin these Classification Rules refer to both the sport and disciplines within a sport (for example Para Volleyand Sitting Volleyball”).

 

1.13       The Appendices to these Classification Rules are part of these Classification Rules both of which may be amended, supplemented and/or replaced by World Para Volley from time to time.

 

1.14       Headings used in these Classification Rules are used for convenience only and have no meaning that is separate from the Article or Articles to which they refer.

 

1.15       These Classification Rules are to be applied and interpreted as an independent text but in a manner that is consistent with the 2015 IPC Athlete Classification Code and the accompanying International Standards.

 

2          Roles and Responsibilities

 

2.1          It is the personal responsibility of Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel, and Classification Personnel to familiarize themselves with all the requirements of these Classification Rules.

 

Athlete Responsibilities

 

2.2          The roles and responsibilities of Athletes include to:

 

a)   be knowledgeable of and comply with all applicable policies, rules and processes established by these Classification Rules;

b)   participate in Athlete Evaluation in good faith;

c)   ensure when appropriate that adequate information related to Health Conditions and Eligible Impairments is provided and/or made available to World Para Volley;

d)   cooperate with any investigations concerning violations of these Classification Rules; and

e)   actively participate in the process of education and awareness, and Classification research, through exchanging personal experiences and expertise.

 

Athlete Support Personnel Responsibilities

 

2.3          The roles and responsibilities of Athlete Support Personnel include to:

 

a)             be knowledgeable of and comply with all applicable policies, rules and processes established by these Classification Rules;

 

b)   use their influence on Athlete values and behaviors to foster a positive and collaborative Classification attitude and communication;

c)   assist in the development, management and implementation of Classification Systems; and

d)   cooperate with any investigations concerning violations of these Classification Rules.

 

Classification Personnel Responsibilities

 

2.4          The roles and responsibilities of Classification Personnel include to:

 

a)   have a complete working knowledge of all applicable policies, rules and processes established by these Classification Rules;

b)   use their influence to foster a positive and collaborative Classification attitude and communication;

c)   assist in the development, management and implementation of Classification Systems, including participation in education and research; and

d)   cooperate with any investigations concerning violations of these Classification Rules.

 

 

 

Part Two: Classification Personnel

 

3          Classification Personnel

 

3.1          Classification Personnel are fundamental to the effective implementation of these Classification Rules. World Para Volley will appoint a number of Classification Personnel, each of whom will have a key role in the organization, implementation and administration of Classification for World Para Volley

 

Head of Classification

 

3.2          World Para Volley must appoint a Head of Classification. The Head of Classification is a person responsible for the direction, administration, co-ordination and implementation of Classification matters for World Para Volley

 

3.3          If a Head of Classification cannot be appointed, World Para Volley may appoint another person, or group of persons collectively (provided such person or group of persons agrees to comply with the Classifier Code of Conduct), to act as the Head of Classification.

 

3.4          The Head of Classification is required to be a certified Classifier.

 

3.5          The Head of Classification may delegate specific responsibilities and/or the transfer specific tasks to designated Classifiers, or other persons authorized by World Para Volley

 

3.6          Nothing in these Classification Rules prevents the Head of Classification from also being appointed as a Classifier and/or Chief Classifier.

 

Classifiers

 

3.7          A Classifier is a person authorized as an official and certified by the World Para Volley to conduct some or all components of Athlete Evaluation as a member of a Classification Panel.

 

3.8          Classifiers are responsible to be present and available to perform classification duties during the competition within the dates outlined by World Para Volley

 

Chief Classifiers

 

3.9          A Chief Classifier is a Classifier appointed to direct, administer, co-ordinate and implement Classification matters for a specific Competition or at such other location as defined by World Para Volley  In particular, a Chief Classifier is required by World Para Volley to do the following:

 

3.9.1       Identify those Athletes who will be required to attend an Athlete Evaluation Session;

 

3.9.2       Supervise Classifiers to ensure that the these Classification Rules are properly applied during Classification;

 

3.9.3       Manage Protests in consultation with World ParaVolley; and

 

3.9.4       Liaise with the relevant Competition organizers to ensure that all travel, accommodation and other logistics are arranged in order that Classifiers may carry out their duties at the Competition.

 

3.10        A Chief Classifier may delegate specific responsibilities and/or transfer specific tasks to other appropriately qualified Classifiers, or other appropriately qualified World Para Volley officers or representatives, and/or appropriately qualified persons in the local organizing committee of a Competition.

 

Trainee Classifiers

 

3.11        A Trainee Classifier is a person who is in the process of formal training by World Para Volley

 

3.12        World Para Volley may appoint Trainee Classifiers to participate in some or all components of Athlete Evaluation under the supervision of a Classification Panel, to develop Classifier Competencies.

 

4           Classifier Competencies, Training and Certification

 

4.1          A Classifier will be authorized to act as a Classifier if that Classifier has been certified by World Para Volley as having the relevant Classifier Competencies.

 

4.2          World Para Volley must provide training and education to Classifiers to ensure Classifiers obtain and/or maintain Classifier Competencies.

 

4.3          World Para Volley must specify and publish Classifier Competencies in a manner that is transparent and accessible. The Classifier Competencies must include that a Classifier has:

 

4.3.1       A thorough understanding of these Classification Rules;

 

4.3.2       An understanding of Sitting Volleyball and other Para Volley sport disciplines including an understanding of the technical rules of those sports;

 

4.3.3       An understanding of the Code and the International Standards; and

 

4.3.4       A professional qualification(s), level of experience, skills and/or competencies in order to act as a Classifier for World Para Volley  These include that Classifiers must be a certified health professional in a field relevant to the Eligible Impairment category that World Para Volley at its sole discretion deems acceptable, such as a physician or physiotherapist.

 

4.4          World Para Volley must establish a process of Classifier Certification by which Classifier ompetencies are assessed. This process must include:

 

4.4.1       A process for the certification of Trainee Classifiers;

 

4.4.2       Quality assessment for the period of certification;

 

4.4.3       A process for handling substandard performance, including options for remediation and/or withdrawal of certification; and

 

4.4.4       a process for Re-certification of Classifiers.

 

4.5          World Para Volley must specify Entry-Level Criteria applicable to persons who wish to become Trainee Classifiers. World Para Volley will provide Entry-Level Education to Trainee Classifiers.

 

4.6          World Para Volley must provide Continuing Education to Classifiers for the purposes of Certification and Re-certification.

 

4.7          World Para Volley may provide that a Classifier is subject to certain limitations, including (but not limited to):

 

4.7.1       A limitation on the level of Competition or Event that a Classifier is authorized to act as a Classifier;

 

4.7.2       The maximum time that a Classifier Certification is valid;

 

4.7.3       That Classifier Certification is subject to review within a specific time frame by reference to the Classifier Competencies;

 

4.7.4       That a Classifier may lose Classifier Certification if World Para Volley is not satisfied that the Classifier possesses the required Classifier Competencies; and/or

 

4.7.5       that a Classifier may regain Classifier Certification if World Para Volley is satisfied that the Classifier possesses the required Classifier Competencies.

 

5           Classifier Code of Conduct

 

5.1          The integrity of Classification in World Para Volley depends on the conduct of Classification Personnel. World Para Volley has therefore adopted a set of professional conduct standards referred to as the ‘Classifier Code of Conduct’.

 

5.2          All Classification Personnel must comply with the Classifier Code of Conduct.

 

5.3          Any person who believes that any Classification Personnel may have acted in a manner that contravenes the Classifier Code of Conduct must report this to World Para Volley

 

5.4          If World Para Volley receives such a report it will investigate the report and, if appropriate, take disciplinary measures.

 

5.5          World Para Volley has discretion to determine whether or not a Classifier has an actual, perceived and/or potential conflict of interest.

 

Part Three: Athlete Evaluation

 

6           General Provisions

 

6.1          World Para Volley has specified in these Classification Rules the process, assessment criteria and methodology whereby Athletes will be allocated a Sport Class and designated a Sport Class Status. This process is referred to as Athlete Evaluation.

 

6.2          Athlete Evaluation encompasses a number of steps and these Classification Rules therefore include provisions regarding:

 

6.2.1       An assessment of whether or not an Athlete has an Eligible Impairment for the sport;

 

6.2.2       An assessment of whether an Athlete complies with Minimum Impairment Criteria for the sport; and

 

6.2.3       the allocation of a Sport Class (and designation of a Sport Class Status) depending on the extent to which an Athlete is able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport

 

7           Eligible Impairment

 

7.1          Any Athlete wishing to compete in a sport discipline governed by World Para Volley must have an Eligible Impairment and that Eligible Impairment must be Permanent.

 

7.2          Appendix One of these Classification Rules specifies the Eligible Impairment(s) an Athlete must have in order to compete in a sport discipline governed by World Para Volley

 

7.3          Any Impairment that is not listed as Eligible Impairment in Appendix One is referred to as a Non-Eligible Impairment. Appendix Two includes examples of Non-Eligible Impairments.

 

Assessment of Eligible Impairment

 

7.4          World Para Volley must determine if an Athlete has Eligible Impairment.

 

7.4.1       In order to be satisfied that an Athlete has an Eligible Impairment, World Para Volley may require any Athlete to demonstrate that he or she has an Underlying Health Condition. Appendix Two lists examples of Health Conditions that are not Underlying Health Conditions.

 

7.4.2       The means by which World Para Volley determines that an individual Athlete has an Eligible Impairment is at the sole discretion of World Para Volley  World Para Volley may consider that an Athlete’s Eligible Impairment is sufficiently obvious and therefore not require evidence that demonstrates the Athlete’s Eligible Impairment.

 

7.4.3       If in the course of determining if an Athlete has an Eligible Impairment World Para Volley becomes aware that the Athlete has a Health Condition, and believes that the impact of that Health Condition may be that it is unsafe for that Athlete to compete or there is a risk to the health of the Athlete (or other Athletes) if that Athlete competes, it may designate the Athlete as Classification Not Completed (CNC) in accordance with Article 10 of these Classification Rules. In such instances World Para Volley will explain the basis of its designation to the relevant National Body and/or National Paralympic Committee.

 

7.5          All Athletes are required to submit a Medical Diagnostics Form and must (if requested to do so) supply additional Diagnostic Information to World Para Volley as follows:

 

7.5.1       The relevant National Body and/or National Paralympic Committee must submit a Medical Diagnostics Form to World Para Volley (classification@worldPara Volley org), upon completing the registration of a new Athlete

 

7.5.2       The Medical Diagnostics Form must be completed in English and dated and signed by a certified health care professional with expertise in the relevant impairment type and who has not been associated with the team in any capacity within the last five years.

 

7.5.3       The Medical Diagnostic Form must be submitted to the World Para Volley Head of Classification. For some athletes that will be enough. Some athletes will be required by World Para Volley to provide supportive Diagnostic Information.

 

7.5.4       World Para Volley will establish an Eligibility Assessment Committee that will support the work of the Head of Classification in review of Medical Diagnostic Forms and supporting Diagnostic Information.

 

7.6          World Para Volley may require the relevant National Body and/or National Paralympic Committee to re-submit an Athlete’s Medical Diagnostics Form (with necessary supporting Diagnostic Information) if World Para Volley at its sole discretion considers the Medical Diagnostic Form and/or the Diagnostic Information to be incomplete or inconsistent.

 

7.7          The process by which the Eligibility Assessment Committee considers the Medical Diagnostic Form & Diagnostic Information is as follows:

 

7.71        The Head of Classification will notify the relevant National Body or National Paralympic Committee that Diagnostic Information must be provided on behalf of the Athlete. The Head of Classification will explain what Diagnostic Information is required, and the purposes for which it is required.

 

7.72        The Head of Classification will set timelines for the production of Diagnostic Information.

 

7.73        The Eligibility Assessment Committee will be comprised of, at least, the Head of Classification and two other experts with appropriate medical qualifications. These experts may or may not be World Para Volley International Classifiers, and will have expertise relevant to the impairment.

 

 

7.74        All members of the Eligibility Assessment Committee must sign confidentiality undertakings.

 

7.75        Wherever possible all references to the individual Athlete should be withheld from the Eligibility Assessment Committee. Each member of the Eligibility Assessment Committee will review the Diagnostic Information and decide whether such information establishes the existence of an Eligible Impairment.

 

7.76        If the Eligibility Assessment Committee concludes that the Athlete has an Eligible Impairment the Athlete will be permitted to complete Athlete Evaluation with a Classification Panel.

 

7.77        If the Eligibility Assessment Committee is not satisfied that the Athlete has an Eligible Impairment the Head of Classification will provide a decision to this effect in writing to the relevant National Body or National Paralympic Committee.

 

7.78        The National Body or National Paralympic Committee will be given an opportunity to comment on the decision within 10 business days of receipt of the decision and may provide further Diagnostic Information to the Eligibility Assessment Committee for review.

 

7.79        If the decision is subsequently revised, the Head of Classification will inform the National Body or National Paralympic Committee by issuing a final decision letter to that body no later than 10 days after receipt.

 

7.80        If the decision is not changed, the Head of Classification will issue a final decision letter within 10 business days to the National Body or National Paralympic Committee.

 

7.81        The Eligibility Assessment Committee may make its decisions by a majority.   As the Chair of the Committee, if the Head of Classification does not agree that the Diagnostic Information supports the decision regarding the Eligible Impairment, he or she may request that the Eligibility Assessment Committee reconsiders its decision and seeks additional information and expertise.

 

7.9          In exceptional circumstances and at the sole discretion of the Head of Classification, one or more of the functions above may be delegated to the Chief Classifier for a specific event

 

8           Minimum Impairment Criteria

 

8.1          An Athlete who wishes to compete in a sport must have an Eligible Impairment that complies with the relevant Minimum Impairment Criteria for that sport.

 

8.2          World Para Volley has set Minimum Impairment Criteria to ensure that an Athlete’s Eligible Impairment affects the extent to which an Athlete is able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport.

 

8.3          Appendix Three of these Classification Rules specifies the Minimum Impairment Criteria applicable to each World Para Volley sport and the process by which an Athlete’s compliance with Minimum Impairment Criteria is to be assessed by a Classification Panel as part of an Athlete Evaluation Session.

 

8.4          Any Athlete who does not comply with the Minimum Impairment Criteria for a sport must be allocated Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) for that sport.

 

8.5          A Classification Panel must assess whether or not an Athlete complies with Minimum Impairment Criteria. This will take place as part of an Athlete Evaluation Session. Prior to participating in an Athlete Evaluation Session, an Athlete must first satisfy World Para Volley that he or she has an Eligible Impairment.

 

8.6          In relation to the use of Adaptive Equipment, World Para Volley has set Minimum Impairment Criteria as follows:

 

8.6.1       for Eligible Impairments, Minimum Impairment Criteria must not consider the extent to which the use of Adaptive Equipment might affect how the Athlete is able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport;

 

9           Sport Class

 

9.1          A Sport Class is a category defined by World Para Volley in these Classification Rules, in which Athletes are grouped by reference to the impact of an Eligible Impairment on their ability to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to a sport.

 

9.1.1       An Athlete who does not have an Eligible Impairment or does not comply with the Minimum Impairment Criteria for a sport must be allocated Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) for that sport in accordance with the provisions of Article 17 of these Classification Rules.

 

9.1.2       An Athlete who complies with the Minimum Impairment Criteria for a sport must be allocated a Sport Class (subject to the provisions in these Classification Rules concerning Failure to Attend Athlete Evaluation and Suspension of Athlete Evaluation).

 

9.1.3       Except for the allocation of Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) by World Para Volley (in accordance with Article 18.1), the allocation of a Sport Class must be based solely on an evaluation by a Classification Panel of the extent to which the Athlete’s Eligible Impairment affects the specific tasks and activities fundamental to sport. This evaluation must take place in a controlled non-competitive environment, which allows for the repeated observation of key tasks and activities.

 

9.2          Appendix Three of these Classification Rules specifies the assessment methodology and assessment criteria for the allocation of a Sport Class and the designation of Sport Class Status.

 

9.3          In determining Sport Class, the extent to which the use of an orthosis or upper limb prosthesis might affect the execution of specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport must not be considered. Wearing any kind of orthosis or upper limb prosthesis on court cannot change the athlete’s class. The dimensions of any prosthesis or orthosis worn on court must be equivalent to the dimensions of the unaffected side or within the anthropometric norms.

 

10     Classification Not Completed

 

10.1        If at any stage of Athlete Evaluation World Para Volley or a Classification Panel is unable to allocate a Sport Class to an Athlete, the Head of Classification or the relevant Chief Classifier may designate that Athlete as Classification Not Completed (CNC).

 

10.2        The designation Classification Not Completed (CNC) is not a Sport Class and is not subject to the provisions in these Classification Rules concerning Protests. The designation Classification Not Completed (CNC) will however be recorded for the purpose of the World Para Volley Classification Master List.

 

10.3        An Athlete who is designated as Classification Not Completed (CNC) may not compete in the sport disciplines of World Para Volley

 

 

 

Part Four: Athlete Evaluation and the Classification Panel

 

11         The Classification Panel

 

11.1        A Classification Panel is a group of Classifiers appointed by World Para Volley to conduct some or all of the components of Athlete Evaluation including as part of an Evaluation Session.

 

General Provisions

 

11.2        A Classification Panel must be comprised of at least of two certified Classifiers. In exceptional circumstances The Head of Classification or a Chief Classifier may provide that a Classification Panel comprise only one Classifier.

 

11.3        A Trainee Classifier may be part of a Classification Panel in addition to the required number of certified Classifiers, and may participate in Athlete Evaluation.

 

12     Classification Panel Responsibilities

 

12.1        A Classification Panel is responsible for conducting an Evaluation Session. As part of the Athlete Evaluation Session the Classification Panel must:

 

12.1.1     Assess whether an Athlete complies with Minimum Impairment Criteria for the sport and discipline;

 

12.1.2     Assess the extent to which an Athlete is able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport; and

 

12.1.3     Conduct (if required) Observation in Competition.

 

12.2        Following the Athlete Evaluation Session the Classification Panel must allocate a Sport Class and designate a Sport Class Status, or designate Classification Not Completed (CNC).

 

12.3        Prior to the Athlete Evaluation Session, the assessment as to whether an Athlete has an Eligible Impairment must be undertaken by World Para Volley  unless World Para Volley requests this to be undertaken by a Classification Panel.

 

12.4        The Athlete Evaluation Session must take place in a controlled non-competitive environment that allows for the repeated observation of key tasks and activities.

 

12.4.1     Although other factors such as low fitness level, poor technical proficiency and aging may also affect the fundamental tasks and activities of the sport, the allocation of Sport Class must not be affected by these factors.

 

12.5        An Athlete who has a Non-Eligible Impairment and an Eligible Impairment may be evaluated by a Classification Panel on the basis of the Eligible Impairment, provided the Non-Eligible Impairment does not affect the Classification Panel’s ability to allocate a Sport Class.

 

12.6        The Sport Class allocated to the Athlete will be in accordance with the processes specified in Appendix Three.

 

13     Athlete Evaluation Sessions

 

13.1        This Article applies to all Athlete Evaluation Sessions.

 

13.2        The Athlete’s National Body or National Paralympic Committee is responsible for ensuring that Athletes comply with their duties in relation to the provisions in this Article.

 

13.3        In respect of Athletes:

 

13.3.1     Athletes have the right to be accompanied by a member of the Athlete’s National Body or National Paralympic Committee when attending an Athlete Evaluation Session. The Athlete must be accompanied if the Athlete is a minor or has Intellectual Impairment in addition to a physical impairment.

 

13.3.2     The person chosen by the Athlete to accompany the Athlete at an Evaluation Session should be familiar with the Athlete’s Impairment and sport history.

 

13.3.3     The Athlete and accompanying person must acknowledge the terms of the Athlete Evaluation Consent (Agreement) Form as specified by World Para Volley

 

13.3.4     The Athlete must verify his or her identity to the satisfaction of the Classification Panel, by providing a document such as a passport, or other nationally recognized photo ID card if a passport is not available. The chief classifier may, at his/her sole discretion, accept a formal photo ID of the athlete issued by the nation where the event takes place.

 

13.3.5     The Athlete must attend the Athlete Evaluation Session with any sports attire or equipment relevant to the sport for which the Athlete wishes to be allocated a Sport Class.

 

13.3.6     The Athlete must disclose the use of any medication and/or medical device/implant to the Classification Panel.

 

13.3.7     The Athlete must comply with all reasonable instructions given by a Classification Panel.

 

13.4        In respect of the Classification Panel:

 

13.4.1     The Classification Panel may request that an Athlete provide medical documentation relevant to the Athlete’s Eligible Impairment if the Classification Panel believes that this will be necessary in order for it to allocate a Sport Class.

 

13.4.2     The Classification Panel will conduct Athlete Evaluation Sessions in English unless otherwise stipulated by World Para Volley  If the Athlete requires an interpreter, a member of the Athlete’s National Body or National Paralympic Committee will be responsible for arranging for an interpreter. The interpreter is permitted to attend the Athlete Evaluation Session in addition to the person referred to in Article 13.3.1 above.

 

13.4.3     The Classification Panel may at any stage seek medical, technical or scientific opinion(s), with the agreement of the Head of Classification and/or a Chief Classifier if the Classification Panel feels that such opinion(s) is necessary in order to allocate a Sport Class.

 

13.4.4     In addition to any opinion(s) sought in accordance with Article 13.4.3, a Classification Panel may only have regard to evidence supplied to it by the relevant Athlete, National Body, National Paralympic Committee and World Para Volley (from any source) when allocating a Sport Class.

 

13.4.5     The Classification Panel may make, create or use video footage and/or other records to assist it when allocating a Sport Class.

 

14         Observation in Competition

 

14.1        A Classification Panel may require that an Athlete undertake Observation in Competition Assessment before it allocates a final Sport Class and designates a Sport Class Status to that Athlete.

 

14.2        The methods by which Observation in Competition Assessment may be undertaken, and the matters to be observed, are set out in Appendix Four.

 

14.3        If a Classification Panel requires an Athlete to complete Observation in Competition Assessment, the Athlete will be entered in the Competition with the Sport Class allocated by the Classification Panel after the conclusion of the initial components of the Athlete Evaluation Session.

 

14.4        An Athlete who is required to complete Observation in Competition Assessment will be designated with Tracking Code: Observation Assessment (OA). This replaces the Athlete’s Sport Class Status for the duration of Observation in Competition Assessment.

 

14.5        Observation in Competition Assessment must take place during First Appearance. In this regard:

 

14.5.1     First Appearance is the first time an Athlete competes during a Competition in a particular Sport Class.

 

14.5.2     An Athlete who competes in a World Para Volley Sport must make First Appearance during the preliminary rounds of a Competition. First Appearance must not take place in the elimination rounds of a Competition.

 

14.6        If an Athlete is:

 

a)       Subject to a Protest following Observation in Competition; and

 

b)       The second Athlete Evaluation Session is conducted at that same Competition; and

 

c)        Pursuant to the second Athlete Evaluation Session the Athlete is required to undergo Observation in Competition,

 

Observation in Competition must take place at the next opportunity within the Sport Class allocated to the Athlete by the Protest Panel with Tracking Code Observation Assessment (OA).

 

14.6.1     The Classification Panel must allocate a Sport Class and replace the Athlete’s Tracking Code Observation Assessment (OA) by designating a Sport Class Status upon completion of First Appearance (or completion of any Observation in Competition conducted as part of a Protest). If changes to an Athlete’s Sport Class or Sport Class Status are made following Observation in Competition, the changes are effective immediately.

 

14.7        The impact of an Athlete changing Sport Class after First Appearance on medals, records and results is detailed in the World Para Volley Rules and Regulations.

 

15         Sport Class Status

 

15.1        If a Classification Panel allocates a Sport Class to an Athlete, it must also designate a Sport Class Status. Sport Class Status indicates whether or not an Athlete will be required to undertake Athlete Evaluation in the future; and if the Athlete’s Sport Class may be subject to Protest.

 

15.2        The Sport Class Status designated to an Athlete by a Classification Panel at the conclusion of an Athlete Evaluation Session will be one of the following:

 

·     Confirmed (C)

·     Review (R)

·     Review with a Fixed Review Date (FRD)

 

Sport Class Status New

 

15.3        An Athlete is allocated Sport Class Status New (N) by World Para Volley prior to attending the Athlete’s first Evaluation Session. An Athlete with Sport Class Status New (N) must attend an Athlete Evaluation Session prior to competing at any International Competition, unless World Para Volley specifies otherwise.

 

Sport Class Status Confirmed

 

15.4        An Athlete will be designated with Sport Class Status Confirmed (C) if the Classification Panel is satisfied that both the Athlete’s Eligible Impairment and the Athlete’s ability to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport are and will remain stable.

 

15.4.1     An Athlete with Sport Class Status Confirmed (C) is not required to undergo any further Athlete Evaluation (save pursuant to the provisions in these Classification Rules concerning Protests (Article 19), Medical Review (Article 31) and changes to Sport Class criteria (Article 15.7).

 

15.4.2     A Classification Panel that consists of only one Classifier may not designate an Athlete with Sport Class Status Confirmed (C) but must designate the Athlete with Sport Class Status Review (R).

 

Sport Class Status Review

 

15.5        An Athlete will be designated Sport Class Status Review (R) if the Classification Panel believes that further Athlete Evaluation Sessions will be required.

 

15.5.1     A Classification Panel may base its belief that further Athlete Evaluation Sessions will be required based on a number of factors, including but not limited to situations where the Athlete has only recently entered Competitions sanctioned or recognized by World ParaVolley; has a fluctuating and/or progressive Impairment/Impairments that is/are permanent but not stable; and/or has not yet reached full muscular, skeletal or sports maturity.

 

15.5.2     An Athlete with Sport Class Status Review (R) must complete Athlete Evaluation prior to competing at any subsequent International Competition, unless World Para Volley specifies otherwise.

 

Sport Class Status Review with Fixed Review Date

 

15.6        An Athlete may be designated Sport Class Status Review with a Fixed Review Date (FRD) if the Classification Panel believes that further Athlete Evaluation will be required but will not be necessary before a set date, being the Fixed Review Date.

 

15.6.1     An Athlete with Sport Class Status Review with a Fixed Review Date (FRD) will be required to attend an Athlete Evaluation Session at the first opportunity after the relevant Fixed Review Date.

 

15.6.2     An Athlete who has been allocated Sport Class Status Review with a Fixed Review Date (FRD) may not attend an Athlete Evaluation Session prior to the relevant Fixed Review Date save pursuant to a Medical Review Request and/or Protest.

 

15.6.3     A Classification Panel that consists of only one Classifier may not designate an Athlete with Sport Class Status Review with a Fixed Review Date (FRD) but must designate the Athlete with Sport Class Status Review (R).

 

Changes to Sport Class Criteria

 

15.7        If World Para Volley changes any Sport Class criteria and/ or assessment methods defined in the Appendices to these Rules, then:

 

15.7.1     World Para Volley may re-assign any Athlete who holds Sport Class Status Confirmed (C) with Sport Class Status Review (R) and require that the Athlete attend an Athlete Evaluation Session at the earliest available opportunity; or

 

15.7.2     World Para Volley may remove the Fixed Review Date for any Athlete and require that the Athlete attend an Athlete Evaluation Session at the earliest available opportunity; and

 

15.7.3     in both instances the relevant National Body or National Paralympic Committee shall be informed as soon as is practicable.

 

16     Notification

 

16.1        The outcome of Athlete Evaluation must be notified to the Athlete and/or National Body or National Paralympic Committee and published as soon as practically possible after completion of Athlete Evaluation.

 

16.2        World Para Volley must publish the outcome of Athlete Evaluation at the Competition following Athlete Evaluation, and the outcomes must be made available post Competition via the Classification Master List at World Para Volley website.

 

Part Five: Sport Class Not Eligible

 

17     Sport Class Not Eligible

 

General Provisions

 

17.1        If World Para Volley  or the Eligibility Assessment Committee of World Para Volley  determines that an Athlete:

 

17.1.1     Has an Impairment that is not an Eligible Impairment; or

 

17.1.2     Does not have an Underlying Health Condition,

 

World Para Volley must allocate that Athlete Sport Class Not Eligible (NE).

 

17.2        If a Classification Panel determines that an Athlete who has an Eligible Impairment does not comply with Minimum Impairment Criteria for a sport that Athlete must be allocated Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) for that sport.

 

Absence of Eligible Impairment

 

17.3        If World Para Volley  or the Eligibility Assessment Committee, determines that an Athlete does not have an Eligible Impairment, that Athlete:

 

17.3.1     Will not be permitted to attend an Athlete Evaluation Session; and

 

17.3.2     Will be allocated with Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) and designated with Sport Class Status Confirmed (C) by World Para Volley

 

17.4        If another International Sport Federation has allocated an Athlete with Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) because the Athlete does not have an Eligible Impairment World Para Volley may likewise do so without the need for the process detailed in Article 7 of these Classification Rules.

 

17.5        An Athlete who is allocated Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) by World Para Volley or a Classification Panel (if delegated by World ParaVolley) because that Athlete has

 

17.5.1     An Impairment that is not an Eligible Impairment; or

 

17.5.2     A Health Condition that is not an Underlying Health Condition;

 

Has no right to request such determination be reviewed by a second Classification Panel and will not be permitted to participate in any sport.

 

Absence of Compliance with Minimum Impairment Criteria

 

17.6        A second Classification Panel must review by way of a second Evaluation Session any Athlete who is allocated Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) on the basis that a Classification Panel determines that the Athlete does not comply with Minimum Impairment Criteria. This must take place as soon as is practicable.

 

17.6.1     Pending the second Athlete Evaluation Session the Athlete will be allocated Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) and designated Sport Class Status Review (R). The Athlete will not be permitted to compete before such re-assessment.

 

17.6.2     If the second Classification Panel determines the Athlete does not comply with Minimum Impairment Criteria (or if the Athlete declines to participate in a second Evaluation Session at the time set by the Chief Classifier); Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) will be allocated and the Athlete designated with Sport Class Status Confirmed (C).

 

17.7        If an Athlete makes (or is subject to) a Protest on a previously allocated Sport Class other than Not Eligible (NE) and is allocated Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) by a Protest Panel, the Athlete must be provided with a further and final Evaluation Session which will review the decision to allocate Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) made by the Protest Panel.

 

17.8        If a Classification Panel allocates Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) on the basis that it has determined that an Athlete does not comply with Minimum Impairment Criteria for a World Para Volley sport the Athlete may be eligible to compete in another sport, subject to Athlete Evaluation for that sport.

 

17.9        If an Athlete is allocated Sport Class Not Eligible (NE), this does not question the presence of a genuine Impairment. It is only a ruling on the eligibility of the Athlete to compete in the sport of World Para Volley

 

 

 

Part Six: Protests

 

18     Scope of a Protest

 

18.1        A Protest may only be made in respect of an Athlete’s Sport Class. A Protest may not be made in respect of an Athlete’s Sport Class Status.

 

18.2        A Protest may not be made in respect of an Athlete who has been allocated Sport Class Not Eligible (NE).

 

19 Parties Permitted to Make a Protest

 

A Protest may only be made by one of the following bodies:

 

19.1        A National Body (see Articles 20-21); or

 

19.2        World Para Volley (see Articles 22-23).

 

20     National Protests

 

20.1        A National Body or a National Paralympic Committee may only make a Protest in respect of an Athlete under its jurisdiction at a Competition or venue set aside for Athlete Evaluation.

 

20.2        If the outcome of Athlete Evaluation is published prior to the first match of a Competition (pursuant to Article 16 of these Classification Rules) a National Protest must be submitted within one (1) hour of that outcome being published. If the outcome of Athlete Evaluation is published following Observation in Competition (after First Appearance), a National Protest must be submitted within sixty (60) minutes of that outcome being published or the team being notified.

 

20.3        If an Athlete is required by a Classification Panel to undergo Observation in Competition Assessment, a National Body or a National Paralympic Committee may make a Protest before or after First Appearance takes place. If a Protest is made before First Appearance takes place the Athlete must not be permitted to compete until the Protest has been resolved.

 

21         National Protest Procedure

 

21.1        To submit a National Protest, a National Body must show that the Protest is bona fide with supporting evidence and complete a Protest Form, that must be made available by World Para Volley at the Competition and via World Para Volley website, and must include the following:

 

21.1.1     The name of the Protested Athlete;

 

21.1.2     The details of the Protested Decision and/or a copy of the Protested Decision;

 

21.1.3     An explanation as to why the Protest has been made and the basis on which the National Body or National Paralympic Committee believes that the Protested Decision is flawed;

 

21.1.4     Reference to the specific rule(s) alleged to have been breached; and

 

21.1.5     The Protest Fee (200 Euro) set by World Para Volley

 

21.2        The Protest Documents must be submitted to the Chief Classifier of the relevant Competition within the timeframes specified by World Para Volley  Upon receipt of the Protest Documents the Chief Classifier must conduct a review of the Protest, in consultation with World Para Volley  of which there are two possible outcomes:

 

21.2.1     The Chief Classifier may dismiss the Protest if, in the discretion of the Chief Classifier, the Protest does not comply with the Protest requirements in this Article 21; or

 

21.2.2     The Chief Classifier may accept the Protest if, in the discretion of the Chief Classifier, the Protest complies with the Protest requirements in this Article 21.

 

21.3        If the Protest is dismissed the Chief Classifier must notify all relevant parties and provide a written explanation to the National Body as soon as practicable. The Protest Fee will be forfeited.

 

21.4        If the Protest is accepted:

 

21.4.1     the Protested Athlete’s Sport Class must remain unchanged pending the outcome of the Protest but the Protested Athlete’s Sport Class Status must immediately be changed to Review (R) unless the Protested Athlete’s Sport Class Status is already Review (R);

 

21.4.2     the Chief Classifier must appoint a Protest Panel to conduct a new Athlete Evaluation Session as soon as possible, which must be either at the Competition the Protest was made or at the next Competition; and

 

21.4.3     World Para Volley must notify all relevant parties of the time and date the new Athlete Evaluation Session is to be conducted by the Protest Panel.

 

22     World Para Volley Protests

 

22.1        World Para Volley may, in its discretion, make a Protest at any time in respect of an Athlete under its jurisdiction if:

 

22.1.1     It considers an Athlete may have been allocated an incorrect Sport Class; or

 

22.1.2     A National Body makes a documented request to World Para Volley regarding an Athlete from another nation that is not under its jurisdiction. The assessment of the validity of the request is at the sole discretion of the World Para Volley Chief Classifier.

 

23         World Para Volley Protest Procedure

 

23.1        If World Para Volley decides to make a Protest, the Head of Classification must advise the relevant National Body of the Protest at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

23.2        The Head of Classification must provide the relevant National Body with a written explanation as to why the Protest has been made and the basis on which the Head of Classification considers it is justified.

 

23.3        If World Para Volley makes a Protest:

 

23.3.1     the Protested Athlete’s Sport Class must remain unchanged pending the outcome of the Protest;

 

23.3.2     the Protested Athlete’s Sport Class Status must immediately be changed to Review (R) unless the Protested Athlete’s Sport Class Status is already Review (R); and

 

23.3.3     a Protest Panel must be appointed to resolve the Protest as soon as is reasonably possible.

 

24         Protest Panel

 

24.1        A Chief Classifier may fulfill one or more of the Head of Classification’s obligations in this Article 24 if authorized to do so by the Head of Classification.

 

24.2        A Protest Panel must be appointed by the Head of Classification in a manner consistent with the provisions for appointing a Classification Panel in these Classification Rules.

 

24.3        A Protest Panel must not include any person who was a member of the Classification Panel that:

 

24.3.1     Made the Protested Decision; or

 

24.3.2     conducted any component of Athlete Evaluation in respect of the Protested Athlete within a period of 12 months prior to the date of the Protested Decision, unless otherwise agreed by the National Body, National Paralympic Committee or World Para Volley (whichever is relevant).

 

24.4        The Head of Classification must notify all relevant parties of the time and date for the Evaluation Session that must be conducted by the Protest Panel.

 

24.5        The Protest Panel must conduct the new Evaluation Session in accordance with these Classification Rules. The Protest Panel may refer to the Protest Documents when conducting the new Evaluation Session.

 

24.6        The Protest Panel must allocate a Sport Class and designate a Sport Class Status. All relevant parties must be notified of the Protest Panel’s decision in a manner consistent with the provisions for notification in these Classification Rules.

 

24.7        The decision of a Protest Panel in relation to both a National Protest and a World Para Volley Protest is final. A National Body or World Para Volley may not make another Protest at the relevant Competition.

 

25     Provisions Where No Protest Panel is Available

 

25.1        If a Protest is made at a Competition but there is no opportunity for the Protest to be resolved at that Competition:

 

25.1.1     the Protested Athlete must be permitted to compete in the Sport Class that is the subject of the Protest with Sport Class Status Review (R), pending the resolution of the Protest; and

 

25.1.2     All reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that the Protest is resolved at the earliest opportunity.

 

26     Special Provisions

 

26.1        In exceptional circumstances, World Para Volley may make arrangements (subject to the approval of the Head of Classification of World Para Volley and the IPC for some or all of the components of Athlete Evaluation to be carried out at a place and a time away from A World Para Volley Sanctioned Competition. In this case, the following provisions must be made:

 

26.1.1     There must be a minimum of one classification panel (in which case no protests or Second Panel Evaluations can be completed at that time, and the Athlete must be seen at the next available opportunity at a World Para Volley Sanctioned Competition.

 

26.1.2     All classification procedures related to the Special Provision of Athlete Evaluation shall be followed as per Articles 6-17 of the World Para Volley Classification Rules, including procedures concerning determination of an Eligible Impairment and whether the Athlete’s Impairment meets the Minimum Impairment Criteria;

 

26.1.3     Athletes that have impairments that do not fall under the Eligible Impairments of amputation or Limb-length Deficiency must be given a Sport Class status of Review, in which case the athlete must attend all components of Athlete Evaluation at the next competition;

 

26.1.4     Athletes given a Sport Class Status of Confirmed must not have the requirement to have an Observation Assessment on Court to complete the Athlete Evaluation.

 

26.2        No protest can be resolved under Special Provision Athlete Evaluation, and must be resolved at a World Para Volley Sanctioned Competition.

 

26.3        Classification Panels for Special Provisions MUST be approved by the World Para Volley Head of Classification. Any Sport Class Status allocated through such an arrangement is required to be validated by the Head of Classification.

 

Application during Major Competitions

 

27         Ad Hoc Provisions Relating to Protests

 

27.1        The IPC and/or World Para Volley may issue special ad hoc provisions to operate during the Paralympic Games or other Major Competitions.

 

Part Seven: Misconduct during Evaluation Session

 

28         Failure to Attend Evaluation Session

 

28.1        An Athlete is personally responsible for attending an Athlete Evaluation Session.

 

28.2        An Athlete’s National Body or National Paralympic Committee must take reasonable steps to ensure that the Athlete attends an Athlete Evaluation Session.

 

28.3        If an Athlete fails to attend an Athlete Evaluation Session, the Classification Panel will report the failure to the Chief Classifier. The Chief Classifier may, if satisfied that a reasonable explanation exists for the failure to attend and subject to the practicalities at a Competition, specify a revised date and time for the Athlete to attend a further Evaluation Session before the Classification Panel.

 

28.4        If the Athlete is unable to provide a reasonable explanation for non-attendance, or if the Athlete fails to attend an Athlete Evaluation Session on a second occasion, no Sport Class will be allocated and the Athlete will not be permitted to compete at the relevant Competition.

 

  

29     Suspension of Evaluation Session

 

29.1        A Classification Panel, in consultation with the Chief Classifier, may suspend an Athlete Evaluation Session if it cannot allocate a Sport Class to the Athlete, including but not limited to, in one or more of the following circumstances:

 

29.1.1     A failure on the part of the Athlete to comply with any part of these Classification Rules;

 

29.1.2     A failure on the part of the Athlete to provide any medical information that is reasonably required by the Classification Panel;

 

29.1.3     The Classification Panel believes that the use (or non-use) of any medication and/or medical procedures/device/implant disclosed by the Athlete will affect the ability to conduct its determination in a fair manner;

 

29.1.4     The Athlete has a Health Condition that may limit or prohibit complying with requests by the Classification Panel during an Athlete Evaluation Session, which the Classification Panel considers will affect its ability to conduct the Athlete Evaluation Session in a fair manner;

 

29.1.5     The Athlete is unable to communicate effectively with the Classification Panel;

 

29.1.6     the Athlete refuses or is unable to comply with any reasonable instructions given by any Classification Personnel to such an extent that the Athlete Evaluation Session cannot be conducted in a fair manner; and/or

 

29.1.7     The Athlete’s representation of his or her abilities is inconsistent with any information available to the Classification Panel to such an extent that the Evaluation Session cannot be conducted in a fair manner.

 

29.2        If an Evaluation Session is suspended or deemed not completed by a Classification Panel, the following steps must be taken:

 

29.2.1     An explanation for the suspension and details of any remedial action that is required on the part of the Athlete will be provided to the Athlete and/or the relevant National Body or National Paralympic Committee;

 

29.2.2     If the Athlete takes the remedial action to the satisfaction of the Chief Classifier or Head of Classification, the Evaluation Session will be resumed; and

 

29.2.3     If the Athlete fails to comply and does not take the remedial action within the timeframe specified, the Athlete Evaluation Session will be terminated, and the Athlete must be precluded from competing at any Competition until the determination is completed.

 

29.3        If an Athlete Evaluation Session is suspended by a Classification Panel, the Classification Panel may designate the Athlete as Classification Not Completed (CNC) in accordance with Article 10 of these Classification Rules.

 

29.4        A Suspension of an Evaluation Session may be subject to further investigation into any possible Intentional Misrepresentation.


 

Part Eight: Medical Review

 

30         Medical Review

 

30.1        This Article applies to any Athlete who has been allocated a Sport Class with Sport Class Status Confirmed (C) or Review with Fixed Review Date (FRD).

 

30.2        A Medical Review Request must be made if a change in the nature or degree of an Athlete’s Impairment changes the Athlete’s ability to execute the specific tasks and activities required by a sport in a manner that is clearly distinguishable from changes attributable to levels of training, fitness and proficiency. This applies whether the change is an improvement or deterioration of the Athlete’s Impairment. A medical review request regarding an increase in the level of impairment or an additional type of impairment regarding a class allocation that has been made in the past two years must include clear evidence that this change has been caused by a specific mechanism such as accident or trauma. A medical review request within two years of the last classification decision will be denied unless there is clear evidence provided.

 

30.3        A Medical Review Request must be made by the Athlete’s National Body or National Paralympic Committee (Medical Review Request form completed in English together with a €100 non-refundable fee and any supporting documentation). The Medical Review Request must explain how and to what extent the Athlete’s Impairment has changed and why it is believed that the Athlete’s ability to execute the specific tasks and activities required by a sport has changed. All documentation must be in English.

 

30.4        A Medical Review Request must be received by World Para Volley as soon as reasonably practicable and at least 3 months before the next competition where the athlete intends to compete, or 6months prior to the Paralympic Games. This allows time for a proper review of all documentation and, if necessary, a request for further information so a considered decision can be made about whether the review request will be granted. Failure to observe these timeframes and provide complete documentation may result in a delay in processing the medical review.

 

30.5        The Head of Classification must decide whether or not the Medical Review Request is upheld as soon as is practicable following receipt of the Medical Review Request.

 

30.6        Any Athlete or Athlete Support Personnel who becomes aware of a decrease in their level of impairment or other such changes as outlined in Article 30.2 but fails to draw those to the attention of their National Body, National Paralympic Committee or World Para Volley by not sending a Medical Review Request form may be investigated in respect of possible Intentional Misrepresentation. Relevant sanctions may apply.

 

30.7        If a Medical Review Request is accepted, the Athlete’s Sport Class Status will be changed to Review (R) with immediate effect.

 

Part Nine: Intentional Misrepresentation

 

31         Intentional Misrepresentation

 

31.1        It is a disciplinary offence for an Athlete to intentionally misrepresent (either by act or omission) his or her skills and/or abilities and/or the degree or nature of Eligible Impairment during Athlete Evaluation and/or at any other point after the allocation of a Sport Class. This disciplinary offence is referred to as ‘Intentional Misrepresentation’.

 

31.2        It will be a disciplinary offence for any Athlete or Athlete Support Personnel to assist an Athlete in committing Intentional Misrepresentation or to be in any other way involved in any other type of complicity involving Intentional Misrepresentation, including but not limited to covering up Intentional Misrepresentation or disrupting any part of the Athlete Evaluation process.

 

31.3        In respect of any allegation relating to Intentional Misrepresentation a hearing will be convened by World Para Volley to determine whether the Athlete or Athlete Support Personnel has committed Intentional Misrepresentation.

 

31.4        The consequences to be applied to an Athlete or Athlete Support Personnel who is found to have been guilty of Intentional Misrepresentation and/or complicity involving Intentional Misrepresentation will be one or more of the following:

 

31.4.1     Disqualification from all events at the Competition at which the Intentional Misrepresentation occurred, and any subsequent Competitions at which the Athlete competed;

 

31.4.2     Being allocated with Sport Class Not Eligible (NE) and designated a Review with Fixed Review Date (FRD) Sport Class Status for a specified period of time ranging from 1 to 4 years;

 

31.4.3     suspension from participation in Competitions in all sport for a specified period of time ranging from 1 to 4 years; and

 

31.4.4     publication of their names and suspension period on the World Para Volley website.

 

31.5        Any Athlete who is found to have been guilty of Intentional Misrepresentation and/or complicity involving Intentional Misrepresentation on more than one occasion will be allocated Sport Class Not Eligible with Fixed Review Date Status for a period of time from four years to life.

 

31.6        Any Athlete Support Personnel who is found to have been guilty of Intentional Misrepresentation and/or complicity involving Intentional Misrepresentation on more than one occasion will be suspended from participation in any Competition for a period of time from four years to life.

 

31.7        If another International Sports Federation brings disciplinary proceedings against an Athlete or Athlete Support Personnel in respect of Intentional Misrepresentation which results in consequences being imposed on that Athlete or Athlete Support Personnel, those consequences will be recognized, respected and enforced by World Para Volley


 

31.8        Any consequences to be applied to teams, which include an Athlete or Athlete Support Personnel who is found to have been guilty of Intentional Misrepresentation and/or complicity involving Intentional Misrepresentation, will be at the discretion of World Para Volley

 

31.9        Any disciplinary action taken by World Para Volley pursuant to these Classification Rules must be resolved in accordance with the applicable Board of Appeal of Classification Bylaws.

 

Part Ten: Use of Athlete Information

 

32         Classification Data

 

32.1        World Para Volley may only Process Classification Data if such Classification Data is considered necessary to conduct Classification.

 

32.2        All Classification Data Processed by World Para Volley must be accurate, complete and kept up-to-date.

 

33         Consent and Processing

 

33.1        Subject to Article 34.3, World Para Volley may only Process Classification Data with the consent of the Athlete to whom that Classification Data relates.

 

33.2        If an Athlete cannot provide consent (for example because the Athlete is under age) the legal representative, guardian or other designated representative of that Athlete must give consent on their behalf.

 

33.3        World Para Volley may only Process Classification Data without consent of the relevant Athlete if permitted to do so in accordance with National Laws.

 

34         Classification Research

 

34.1        World Para Volley may request that an Athlete provide it with Personal Information for Research Purposes.

 

34.2        The use by World Para Volley of Personal Information for Research Purposes must be consistent with these Classification Rules and all applicable ethical use requirements.

 

34.3        Personal Information that has been provided by an Athlete to World Para Volley solely and exclusively for Research Purposes must not be used for any other purpose.

 

34.4        World Para Volley may only use Classification Data for Research Purposes with the express consent of the relevant Athlete. If World Para Volley wishes to publish any Personal Information provided by an Athlete for Research Purposes, it must obtain consent to do so from that Athlete prior to any publication. This restriction does not apply if the publication is anonymized so that it does not identify any Athlete(s) who consented to the use of their Personal Information.

 

35         Notification to Athletes

 

35.1        World Para Volley must notify an Athlete who provides Classification Data as to:

 

35.1.1     That fact that World Para Volley is collecting the Classification Data; and

 

35.1.2     The purpose for the collection of the Classification Data; and

 

35.1.3     The duration that the Classification Data will be retained.

 

36         Classification Data Security

 

36.1        World Para Volley must:

 

36.1.1     protect Classification Data by applying appropriate security safeguards, including physical, organizational, technical and other measures to prevent the loss, theft or unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification or disclosure of Classification Data; and

 

36.1.2     Take reasonable steps to ensure that any other party provided with Classification Data uses that Classification Data in a manner consistent with these Classification Rules.

 

37         Disclosures of Classification Data

 

37.1        World Para Volley must not disclose Classification Data to other Classification Organizations except where such disclosure is related to Classification conducted by another Classification Organization and/or the disclosure is consistent with applicable National Laws.

 

37.2        World Para Volley may disclose Classification Data to other parties only if such disclosure is in accordance with these Classification Rules and permitted by National Laws.

 

38         Retaining Classification Data

 

38.1        World Para Volley must ensure that Classification Data is only retained for as long as it is needed for the purpose it was collected. If Classification Data is no longer necessary for Classification purposes, it must be deleted, destroyed or permanently anonymized.

 

38.2        World Para Volley must publish guidelines regarding retention times in relation to Classification Data.

 

38.3        World Para Volley must implement policies and procedures that ensure that Classifiers and Classification Personnel retain Classification Data for only as long as is necessary in order for them to carry out their Classification duties in relation to an Athlete.

 

39         Access Rights to Classification Data

 

39.1        Athletes may request from World Para Volley:

 

39.1.1     Confirmation of whether or not World Para Volley Possesses Classification Data relating to them personally and a description of the Classification Data that is held;

 

39.1.2     A copy of the Classification Data held by World ParaVolley; and/or

 

39.1.3     correction or deletion of the Classification Data held by World Para Volley

 

39.2        A written request may be made by an Athlete or a National Body or a National Paralympic Committee on an Athlete’s behalf and must be complied with within a reasonable period of time.


 

40         Classification Master Lists

 

40.1        World Para Volley must maintain a Classification Master List of Athletes, which must include the Athlete’s name, gender, year of birth, country, Sport Class and Sport Class Status. The Classification Master List must identify Athletes that enter International Competitions.

 

40.2        World Para Volley must make available the Classification Master List to all relevant National Bodies on the World Para Volley website.

 

40.3        It is the responsibility of the NPC/NF to formally notify World Para Volley through the appropriate mechanism when an athlete has retired from National Competition or has had a name change (need to provide evidence of the name change).

 

Part Eleven: Appeals

 

41     Appeal

 

41.1        An Appeal is the process by which a formal objection to how Athlete Evaluation and/or Classification procedures have been conducted is submitted and subsequently resolved.

 

42     Parties Permitted to Make an Appeal

 

42.1        An Appeal may only be made by one of the following bodies:

 

42.1.1     A National Body; or

 

42.1.2     A National Paralympic Committee.

 

43         Appeals

 

43.1        If a National Body or National Paralympic Committee considers there have been procedural errors made in respect of the allocation of a Sport Class and/or Sport Class Status and as a consequence an Athlete has been allocated an incorrect Sport Class or Sport Class Status, it may submit an Appeal.

 

43.2        World Para Volley has procedures that include timelines for submission and resolution of Appeals. To obtain the procedures for an Appeal: contact World Para Volley at: generalmanager@worldPara Volley org .

 

43.3        The Appeal must be made and resolved in accordance with relevant World Para Volley Appeal Procedures and Judicial Commission Regulations, as well as the IPC International Standard for Protests and Appeals.

 

44     Ad Hoc Provisions Relating to Appeals

 

44.1        The IPC and/or World Para Volley may issue special ad hoc provisions to operate during the Paralympic Games or other Major Competitions.

 

Part Twelve: Glossary

 

Adaptive Equipment: Implements and apparatus adapted to the special needs of Athletes, and used by Athletes during Competition to facilitate participation and/or to achieve results.

 

Appeals: The means by which a complaint that World Para Volley has made an unfair decision during the Classification process is resolved.

 

Athlete: For purposes of Classification, any person who participates in sport at the international level (as defined by World ParaVolley) or national level (as defined by each National Federation) and any additional person who participates in sport at a lower level if designated by the person's National Federation.

 

Athlete Evaluation: The process by which an Athlete is assessed in accordance with these Classification Rules in order that an Athlete may be allocated a Sport Class and Sport Class Status.

 

Athlete Support Personnel: Any coach, trainer, manager, interpreter, agent, team staff, official, medical or para-medical personnel working with or treating Athletes participating in or preparing for training and/or Competition.

 

BAC: The IPC Board of Appeal of Classification.

 

Chief Classifier: A classifier appointed by World Para Volley to direct, administer, co- ordinate and implement Classification matters for a specific Competition according to these Classification Rules.

 

Classification: Grouping Athletes into Sport Classes according to how much their Impairment affects fundamental activities in each specific sport or discipline. This is also referred to as Athlete Classification.

 

Classification Data: Personal Information and/or sensitive Personal Information provided by an Athlete and/or a National Body and/or any other person to a Classification Organization in connection with Classification.

 

Classification Intelligence: Information obtained and used by an International Sport Federation in relation to Classification.

 

Classification Master List: A list made available by the World Para Volley that identifies Athletes who have been allocated a Sport Class and designated a Sport Class Status.

 

Classification Not Completed: the designation applied to an Athlete who has commenced but not completed Athlete Evaluation to the satisfaction of Para Sport.

 

Classification Organization: Any organization that conducts the process of Athlete

Evaluation and allocates Sport Classes and/or holds Classification Data.

 

Classification Panel: A group of Classifiers, appointed by World Para Volley  to determine Sport Class and Sport Class Status in accordance with these Classification Rules.

 

Classification Personnel: Persons, including Classifiers, acting with the authority of a Classification Organization in relation to Athlete Evaluation, for example administrative officers.

 

Classification Rule: Also referred to as Classification Rules and Regulations. The policies, procedures, protocols and descriptions adopted by World Para Volley in connection with Athlete Evaluation.

 

Classification System: The framework used by World Para Volley to develop and designate Sport Classes within a Para sport.

 

Classifier: A person authorized as an official by World Para Volley to evaluate Athletes as a member of a Classification Panel.

 

Classifier Certification: The processes by which World Para Volley must assess that a Classifier has met the specific Classifier Competencies required to obtain and maintain certification or licensure.

 

Classifier Competencies: The qualifications and abilities that World Para Volley deems necessary for a Classifier to be competent to conduct Athlete Evaluation for sport(s) governed by World Para Volley

 

Classifier Code of Conduct: The behavioural and ethical standards for Classifiers specified by World Para Volley

 

Code: The Athlete Classification Code 2015 together with the International Standards for: Athlete Evaluation; Eligible Impairments; Protests and Appeals; Classifier Personnel and Training; and Classification Data Protection.

 

Competition: An event conducted under one ruling body.

 

Compliance: The implementation of rules, regulations, policies and processes that adhere to the text, spirit and intent of the Code as defined by the IPC. Where terms such as (but not limited to) 'comply', 'conform' and 'in accordance' are used in the Code they shall have the same meaning as 'Compliance.'

 

Continuing Education: The delivery of higher knowledge and practical skills specified by World Para Volley to preserve and/or advance knowledge and skills as a Classifier in the sport(s) under its governance.

 

Diagnostic Information: Medical records and/or any other documentation that enables World Para Volley to assess the existence or otherwise of an Eligible Impairment or Underlying Health Condition; may include specialist consultations, MRI, X-ray reports, CT reports and other documents relevant to the impairment.

 

Eligible Impairment: An Impairment designated as being a prerequisite for competing in Para sport, as detailed in these Classification Rules.

 

Eligibility Assessment Committee: An ad hoc body formed to assess the existence or otherwise of an Eligible Impairment.

 

Entry Criteria: Standards set by World Para Volley relating to the expertise or experience levels of persons who wish to be Classifiers. This may be, for example, former Athletes or coaches, sports scientists, physical educators and medical professionals, all of whom have the qualifications and abilities relevant to conduct all, or specific parts of, Athlete Evaluation.

 

Entry-level Education: the basic knowledge and practical skills specified by World Para Volley to begin as a Classifier in the sport(s) under its governance.

 

Evaluation Session: the session an Athlete is required to attend for a Classification Panel to assess that Athletes compliance with the Minimum Impairment Criteria for a sport; and allocation of a Sport Class and Sport Class Status depending on the extent to which that Athlete is able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to that sport. An Evaluation Session may include Observation in Competition.

 

Event: A single race, match, game or singular sport contest.

 

First Appearance: The first time an Athlete competes in an Event during a Competition in a particular Sport Class.

 

Fixed Review Date: A date set by a Classification Panel prior to which an Athlete designated with a Sport Class Status Review with a Fixed Review Date will not be required to attend an Evaluation Session save pursuant to a Medical Review Request and/or Protest.

 

Head of Classification: A person appointed by World Para Volley to direct, administer, co-ordinate and implement Classification matters for World Para Volley

 

Health Condition: A pathology, acute or chronic disease, disorder, injury or trauma.

 

Impairment: A Physical Impairment.

 

Intellectual Impairment: A limitation in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills that originates before the age of eighteen (18).

 

Intentional Misrepresentation: A deliberate attempt (either by fact or omission) to mislead an International Sport Federation or National Body as to the existence or extent of skills and/or abilities relevant to a Para sport and/or the degree or nature of Eligible Impairment during Athlete Evaluation and/or at any other point after the allocation of a Sport Class.

 

International Competitions: A Competition where the IPC, an International Sport Federation or a Major Competition Organization is the governing body for the Competition and/or appoints the technical officials for the Competition.

 

International Sport Federation: A sport federation recognized by the IPC as the sole world- wide representative of a sport for Athletes with an Impairment that has been granted the status as a Para sport by the IPC. The IPC and the International Organizations of Sports for the Disabled act as an International Sport Federation for certain sports.

 

International Standards: A document complementing the Code and providing additional technical and operational requirements for Classification.

 

IPC: International Paralympic Committee.

 

Maintaining Certification: The advanced training, education and practice necessary for continued competency as a Classifier.

 

Major Competition Organizer: An organization that functions as the ruling body for an International Competition.

 

Medical Diagnostics Form: a form that a National Body or National Paralympic Committee must submit in order for an Athlete to undergo Athlete Evaluation, identifying the Athletes Health Condition if so required.

 

Medical Review: The process by which World Para Volley identifies if a change in the nature or degree of an Athletes Impairment means that some or all of the components of Athlete Evaluation are required to be undertaken in order to ensure that any Sport Class allocated to that Athlete is correct.

 

Medical Review Request: A request made by a National Body or National Paralympic Committee for Medical Review, made on behalf of an Athlete.

 

Models of Best Practice: An ad hoc guidance document prepared by the IPC to assist in the implementation of the Code and International Standards.

 

National Body: Refers to the national member of an International Sport Federation or National Paralympic Committee.

 

National Laws: The national data protection and privacy laws, regulations and policies applicable to a Classification Organization.

 

National Paralympic Committees: The national member of the IPC who is the sole representative of Athletes with an Impairment in that country or territory. These are the national members of the IPC.

 

National Protest: A Protest made by a National Body or a National Paralympic Committee in respect of an Athlete under its jurisdiction.

 

Non-Competition Venue: Any place or location (outside of a Competition) designated by World Para Volley as being a place or location where Athlete Evaluation is made available to Athletes in order that they may be allocated a Sport Class and designated with a Sport Class Status.

 

Observation in Competition: The observation of an Athlete in a Competition by a Classification Panel so that the Classification Panel can complete its determination as to the extent to which an Eligible Impairment affects that Athletes ability to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport.

 

Paralympic Games: Umbrella term for both Paralympic Games and Paralympic Winter Games.

 

Permanent: The term Permanent as used in the Code and Standards describes an

Impairment that is unlikely to be resolved meaning the principle effects are lifelong.

 

Personal Information: Any information that refers to, or relates directly to, an Athlete.

 

Physical Impairment: an Impairment that affects an Athletes biomechanical execution of sporting activities, comprising Ataxia, Athetosis, Hypertonia, Impaired Muscle Power, Impaired Passive Range of Movement, Limb Deficiency, Leg Length Difference and Short Stature (short stature is on the IPC Eligible Impairment List, but is not an Eligible Impairment for World Para Volley

 

Process/Processing: The collection, recording, storage, use or disclosure of Personal Information and/or sensitive Personal Information.

 

Protested Athlete: An Athlete whose Sport Class is being challenged.

 

Protested Decision: The Sport Class decision being challenged.

 

Protest Documents: The information provided in the Protest Form together with the Protest Fee.

 

Protest Fee: The fee prescribed by World Para Volley  payable by the National Body or National Paralympic Committee when submitting a Protest.

 

Protest Form: The form on which a National Protest must be submitted.

 

Protest: The procedure by which a reasoned objection to an Athletes Sport Class is submitted and subsequently resolved.

 

Protest Panel: A Classification Panel appointed by the Chief Classifier to conduct an Evaluation Session as a result of a Protest

 

Re-certification: The process by which World Para Volley must assess that a Classifier has maintained specific Classifier Competencies.

 

Recognized Competition: a Competition that is sanctioned or approved by World Para Volley

 

Research Purposes: Research into matters pertaining to the development of sports within the Paralympic Movement, including the impact of Impairment on the fundamental activities in each specific sport and the impact of assistive technology on such activities.

 

Signatories: Any organization that accepts the Code and commits to implement it and the International Standards by way of its Classification Rules.

 

Sport Class: A category for Competition defined by World Para Volley by reference to the extent to which an Athlete can perform the specific tasks and activities required by a sport.

 

Sport Class Status: A designation applied to a Sport Class to indicate the extent to which an Athlete may be required to undertake Athlete Evaluation and/or be subject to a Protest.

 

Team Sport: a sport in which substitution of players is permitted during a

Competition.

 

Tracking Code Observation Assessment (OA): a designation given to an Athlete that replaces the Athletes Sport Class Status until Observation in Competition has been completed.

 

Underlying Health Condition: a Health Condition that may lead to an Eligible

Impairment.


 

Appendix One

 

1           Eligible Impairment Types for World Para Volley Sport Disciplines

 

The following 7 impairment types are eligible in World Para Volley:

 

 

Appendix Two

 

1          Non-Eligible Impairment Types for all Athletes

 

Examples of Non-Eligible Impairments include, but are not limited to the following:

 

·     Pain;

·     Hearing impairment;

·     Low muscle tone;

·     Hypermobility of joints;

·     Joint instability, such as unstable shoulder joint, recurrent dislocation of a joint;

·     Impaired muscle endurance;

·     Impaired motor reflex functions;

·     Impaired cardiovascular functions;

·     Impaired respiratory functions;

·     Impairment metabolic functions; and

·     Tics and mannerisms, stereotypes and motor perseveration.

 

2          Health Conditions that are not Underlying Health Conditions for all Athletes

 

A number of Health Conditions do not lead to an Eligible Impairment and therefore are not considered to be Underlying Health Conditions (see Glossary).

 

Health Conditions that primarily cause pain; primarily cause fatigue; primarily cause joint hypermobility or hypotonia; or are primarily psychological or sychosomatic in nature do not lead to an Eligible Impairment.

 

Examples of Health Conditions that primarily cause pain include myofascial pain- dysfunction syndrome, fibromyalgia or complex regional pain syndrome. An athlete may have these Health Conditions, but the presence of these Health Conditions in isolation, do not lead to an Eligible Impairment.

 

An example of a Health Condition that primarily causes fatigue is chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

An example of a Health Condition that primarily causes hypermobility or hypotonia is Ehlers- Danlos syndrome.

 

Examples of Health Conditions that are primarily psychological or psychosomatic in nature include conversion disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder.


 

Appendix Three

 

Sitting Volleyball

 

1       Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC)

 

1.1      Minimum Impairment Criteria define how severe an athletes impairment must be in order to be eligible for World Para Volley Sport Disciplines.

 

1.2          World Para Volley has Minimum Impairment Criteria for Sitting (and Sitting Beach) Volleyball in Appendix 3:

 

    Impairments described in this section are considered to alter the biomechanical execution of the core skills related to sitting volleyball in a way that is demonstrable and which will adversely affect performance.

·     The functions to be considered in Sitting Volleyball are as follows:

O  Serving

O   Digging

O   Overhead Passing/Setting

O  Spiking

O  Blocking

O  Diving/Stretching

O   Moving on court in the sitting position

 

1.3          Minimum Impairment Criteria for Sport Discipline of Sitting Volleyball

 

1.3.1       Limb Deficiency

 

Limb deficiency may result from amputation (e.g. acquired due to trauma or diseases such as bone cancer) or dysmelia, which is defined as a congenital abnormality characterized by missing or foreshortened extremities. Each of the criteria below has two components:

 

·                A description of amputation meeting minimum impairment criteria

·                A description of dysmelia meeting minimum impairment criteria.

 

 

1.3.1.1  Limb Deficiency – Lower Limb

1.3.1.2    Limb Deficiency – Upper Limb

1.3.2       Impaired Passive Range of Movement (PROM)

 

Unless otherwise indicated, PROM should be assessed using the protocols described by Clarkson (2). In brief, measurement of PROM requires the athlete to relax completely while the classifier moves the joint of interest through the available range. The athlete should be relaxed and not attempting voluntary movement during these tests (reference).

 

1.3.2.1    Impaired PROM – Lower Limb

 

The Minimum Impairment Criteria for impaired PROM in the lower limbs is met if one lower limb meets the following criteria:

Impairment Type

 

Impaired Passive Range of Motion (PROM)

 

Minimum Impairment Criteria

 

Hip flexion deficit of ≥ 30 degrees

 

With neutral hip position being 0, the normal anatomical range of hip flexion is 120˚ (6). A hip flexion deficit of ≥ 30 degrees criterion must be met (max hip flexion to 90˚ from 0˚). 90 degrees is the maximum amount of hip flexion permissible in order to meet this criterion.

 

 

 

49 Knee flexion deficit of ≥45˚

 

Normal anatomical range of motion of the knee is from the neutral position of 0˚ (straight knee) to 135˚ knee flexion (6) The figure shows a knee flexion deficit of ≥45˚ (max knee flexion is 90˚). The maximum amount of knee flexion ROM that is permissible in order to meet this criterion is 90˚.

 

 

 

Alternate Test Position in Sitting if Hip flexion Contracture Present

 

 

 

Ankylosis in one ankle (≤ 5˚ combined Ankle dorsi / plantar flexion available).

 

 

The test is conducted with the knee in 90. A 5˚ arc of motion within the anatomical ROM is the maximum PROM is that is permissible in order to meet this criterion. Normal anatomical PROM is 20˚ dorsiflexion to 45˚ plantar flexion (6).

 

1.3.2.2    Impaired PROM –Upper Limb

 

The Minimum Impairment Criteria for impaired PROM in the upper limbs is met if one upper limb meets the following criteria:

 

Impairment Type

 

 

Impaired Passive Range of Motion

 

Minimum Impairment Criteria

 

Shoulder abduction or flexion ≤ 90˚ available in the range between 0˚ and 90˚ abduction or flexion.

 

Test is conducted with athlete in supine. With the start position of 0˚ (arm by the side), the figure shows 90˚ of abduction and flexion, the maximum amount of PROM that is permissible in order to meet this criterion. The diagram does not illustrate the full anatomical PROM of the shoulder from 0-180 degrees.

 

 

Elbow extension deficit of ≥ 45˚

 

The normal passive range of motion (PROM) of elbow extension is from full elbow flexion (150˚) to full elbow extension of 0˚ (elbow straight). The lines show an extension deficit of 45˚ from the straight elbow position.

 

 

 

Wrist ankylosed in any position

 

From neutral 0 degree position of the wrist with the hand in line with the forearm, Normal Passive Range of motion for the wrist is full wrist extension (70 degrees) and full wrist flexion (80 degrees). An athlete with a wrist ankylosed (stiff or <5 degree arc of motion) in any position is eligible. 

Fingers on one hand stiff/afunctional 

 

1.3.3       Impaired Muscle Power

 

Muscle power will be assessed according to the Daniels and Worthingham (D&W) scale published in 2007 (3). See Appendix 2.2 for more detailed assessment methodology.

 

1.3.3.1    Impaired muscle power - Lower limb

 

 

Athletes are eligible if they meet the following criteria:

 

1.3.3.2    Impaired muscle power – Upper limb

 

 

Athletes are eligible if they meet the following criteria:

 

1.3.4       Limb Length Difference

 

The difference in length between right and left legs must be 7% or more, as measured from the ASIS to the most inferior (caudal) point of the medial malleolus.

 

1.3.5      Hypertonia

 

Spasticity grades used in the World Para Volley Rules & Regulations refer to the

Ashworth scale (1):

 

·                Grade 0: No increase in tone

·                Grade 1: Slight increase in tone giving a “catch” when the limb is flexed or extended

·                Grade 2: More marked increase in tone, but limb is easily flexed or extended

·                Grade 3: Considerable increase in tone with passive movement difficult

·                Grade 4: Limb rigid in flexion or extension

 

Hypertonia is defined as increased muscle tone which is caused by central nervous system impairment and which results in increased resistance to passive lengthening of the muscle (4).

 

One of the following types of hypertonia must be clearly clinically detectable – (i.e., grade 1 on the Ashworth scale (1) at the wrist, elbow, or shoulder for the upper limb, or grade I at the ankle plus the knee or hip).

 

·                Spastic Hypertonia

·                Rigidity

·                Dystonia

 

An athlete who does not have one of the three types of Hypertonia – Spasticity, Rigidity or Dystonia – is not eligible.

 

The Classification Panel should be satisfied that the resistance to passive lengthening of the muscle is due to central nervous system impairment and the following signs may be useful in this regard:

 

·                Presence of non-damping clonus on the side on which the tone is increased;

·                Abnormally brisk reflexes in the limb in which the tone is increased;

·                Mild atrophy in the limb in which the tone is increased;

·                Positive Babinski on the side in which the tone is increased.

 

1.3.6       Ataxia

 

Ataxia refers to an unsteadiness, incoordination or clumsiness of volitional movement (4). Eligible ataxias must result from either motor or sensory nervous system dysfunction. Motor ataxias most frequently result from malformation or damage to the cerebellum and are often associated with hypotonia (4). Motor ataxias are poorly compensated for by visual input.

 

Sensory ataxias most frequently result from lower motor neuron damage or spinal cord disease, affecting vestibular function or proprioceptive function. Visual input can help compensate for sensory ataxia and so sensory ataxias are often more evident when eyes are closed (4).

 

When evaluating an athlete the Classification Panel should be satisfied that the ataxic movement is demonstrable and clearly evident during classification and that the observed ataxia is due to motor or sensory nervous system dysfunction as described. Tests that may be useful for determining this include but are not limited to:

 

·                Finger-to-nose test (athlete touching own nose from the crucifix position);

·                Finger-to-finger test (classifier presents his/her index finger and asks the athlete to touch it with his/her own index finger);

·                Toe-to-finger test (classifier presents his/her index finger and asks the athlete to touch it with his/her toe);

·                Heel shin test (i.e., draw the heel of one leg along the length of the contralateral shin, from ankle to knee and then in the reverse direction);

·                Tandem walk;

·                Gait.


 

1.3.7       Athetosis

 

Athetosis refers to unwanted movement and posturing resulting from damage to motor control centres of the brain, most frequently the basal ganglia. When evaluating an athlete the Classification Panel should satisfy itself that athetosis is clearly evident and that it is neurological in origin. Clearly evident athetosis is unwanted movement and posturing that is characteristically athetoid and is observable as at least one of the following:

 

·                Involuntary movement of the fingers or upper extremities despite the athlete trying to remain still;

·                Involuntary movement of the toes or lower extremities despite the athlete trying

·                to remain still;

·                Inability to hold the body still – swaying of the body. Swaying should not be due to other neurological deficits such as vestibular or proprioceptive impairments

·                and therefore should not be exacerbated by closing of the eyes;

·                Characteristic athetoid posturing of limbs and/or trunk;

 

The Athlete will not be eligible if athetoid movements of the face are the sole impairment.

 

For 1.3.5 – 1.3.7: The Athlete must demonstrate an activity limitation based on evidence of spasticity (increased tone), ataxic, athetoid or dystonic movements both off court and while performing core volleyball functions on court.

 

e.g. CP-ISRA - Class 8

 

Athletes are minimally affected diplegic, hemiplegic, and monoplegic or have minimal movement control patterns. They will run without noticeable limp but disability will be more evident on exertion, however the athlete must demonstrate evidence of a functional disability during testing. Players with minimal involvement may appear to have near normal function when running but the player must demonstrate a limitation in function to classifiers based on evidence of spasticity (increased tone), ataxic, athetoid or dystonic movements while performing on the field of play. Some players with an acquired brain injury, the dominant side may be the impaired side.

 

2          Assessment Methodology

 

2.1          Limb Deficiency

 

2.1.1       Note: In terms of Anthropometric measurements, the average of two (2) measures is taken. If the difference between these two (2) measures is greater than 1%, one additional measure is taken, and the median measure is recorded on the Classification sheet as the measurement.

 

2.1.2       In measuring the upper limb deficiency, a measurement is taken from the acromion to the tip of the longest finger (or radial styloid if assessing length of BEA stump)


 

2.2          Impaired Passive Range of Movement (PROM)

 

2.2.1       Unless otherwise indicated, PROM should be assessed using the protocols described by Clarkson (2). In brief, measurement of PROM requires the athlete to relax completely while the classifier moves the joint of interest through the available range. The athlete should be relaxed and not attempting voluntary movement during these tests. PROM testing must be conducted using a goniometer.

 

2.3          Impaired Muscle Power - Manual Muscle Testing

 

 

2.3.1       The following movements should be tested by the classifiers when conducting testing for impaired muscle power involving the upper or lower limbs:

2.3.2       Muscle power will be assessed according to the Daniels and Worthingham (D&W) (3) scale published in 2007. The scale has 6 levels, from 0-5:

 

·                5: normal muscle power through available ROM

·                4: active movement through available ROM, against gravity plus some resistance

·                3: active movement through full available ROM against gravity but no resistance

·                2: active movement with gravity eliminated (some movement against gravity may be possible, but not full range);

·                1: trace muscle activity but no movement of the limb

·                0: No muscle activity


 

This scale will be used with one modification: The Scores 0,1 and 2 of the Daniel and Worthingham scale are all captured as a score of 0. As well, ankle plantarflexion strength testing has been modified.

 

2.3.3    The above grades of muscle power are based on the concept that the grades are given for full active/passive ROM with the given amount of resistance, while loss of ROM (active or passive) does affect the ability of a muscle to generate force and function. The guidelines below should be considered for adjustments to the muscle grade with testing:

 

·                ¾ - full ROM – muscle grade given

·                ½ - ¾ ROM – muscle grade minus 1 point

·                ¼ - ½ ROM - muscle grade minus 2 points

·                0 – ¼ ROM – muscle grade minus 3 points

·                 

2.3.4    PAIN cannot be taken into account in classification grading.

Muscle strength must be graded as a 5/5 if pain interferes with the testing.

 

2.3.5       Measurements are to be taken in the primary test position unless athlete is unable to be tested in the primary position. In this case, an alternative position may be used.

 

2.3.6

 

2.3.6.1   Hip Flexion

 

Position: Athlete sits with thighs fully supported on table, with the legs hanging over the edge. Athlete may use hands for support.

 

Classifier: Standing next to the Athlete with hand on distal knee.

 

Test: Flex hip to end of range, holding against Classifier’s resistance.

 

Instruction: Lift your leg off the table and do not let me push it down.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Thigh clears table, athlete tolerates maximum resistance.

 

Grade 4 = Hip flexion holds against strong to moderate resistance, there may be some “give” at the end position.

 

Grade 3 = Athlete completes test range and holds the position without resistance.


 

 

2.3.6.2    Hip Extension

 


 

Position: Athlete prone; if hip flexion contracture exists, then the modified test should be performed

 

Classifier: Standing at side of limb, opposite side. Hand providing resistance on the posterior leg just above the ankle.

 

Test: Athlete extends hip through entire available range of motion. Resistance is given straight down towards the floor.

 

Instruction: Lift the leg of the table as high as you can without bending the knee.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Athlete completes available range and holds test position against maximum resistance

 

Grade 4 = Athlete completes available range against strong to moderate resistance

 

Grade 3 = Completes range and holds the position without resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6.3    Modified Hip Extension Test for Athlete with a hip Flexion Contracture

 

Position: Athlete stands with hips flexed and places torso prone on the table.

 

Classifier: Standing at side of limb on opposite side. Hand placed over posterior thigh Just above the knee, the opposite hand stabilizes the pelvis laterally to maintain posture.

 

Test: Athlete extends hip through available range, which is less with bent knee.

 

Instruction: Lift your foot off the floor as high as you can.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes available range of hip extension; holds against maximum resistance

 

Grade 4 = Completes available range of hip extension. Limb position can be held towards heavy to moderate resistance.

 

 

Grade 3 = Completes available range and holds end position without resistance.

 

2.3.6.4    Hip Abduction

 

Position: Side lying with test leg uppermost, slightly extended with pelvis rotated slightly forward, lower leg bent for stability.

 

Classifier: Standing behind Athlete, hand contoured across the lateral surface of the knee. The other hand just proximal to the greater trochanter.

 

Test: Abduction through available range of motion without flexion or rotation of hip in either direction.

Instruction: Lift your leg and do not let me push it down.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes available range of motion and holds against maximal resistance.

 

Grade 4 = Completes available range of motion and holds against heavy to moderate resistance.

 

Grade 3 = Completes range of motion available but takes no resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6.5    Hip Adduction

 

Position: Side lying with test limb lower most resting on the table. Upper leg in 25 degrees of abduction, supported by the examiner.

 

Classifier: Standing behind Athlete at knee level, the hand giving resistance to the test limb (lowermost) is placed on the medial surface of the distal femur just proximal to the knee joint. Resistance is directed straight downward to the table.

 

Test: Adducts hip until the lower limb contacts the upper one.

 

Instruction: Lift your bottom leg towards the upper one and do not let it drop.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes full range, holds against full resistance.

 

Grade 4 = Holds against strong to moderate resistance.

 

Grade 3 = Completes range of motion but takes no resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6.6    Knee Flexion

 

Position: Prone with limbs straight and toes hanging over the edge of the table.

 

Classifier: Standing next to limb to be tested, hand contoured around the posterior surface of the leg

just above the ankle, the other hand over the hamstring tendons.

 

Test: Athlete flexes knee while maintaining leg in neutral rotation.

 

Instruction: Bend your knee, hold it and do not let me straighten it.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Resistance maximal and the end knee flexion position cannot be broken.

 

Grade 4 = End position holds against strong to moderate resistance.

 

Grade 3 = Holds end range position but unable to hold against any resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6.7    Knee Extension

 

Position: High sitting; hand supporting under knee, other hand on ankle do not hyperextend knee,

 

Classifier: Standing at side of limb to be tested, pressure over ankle in a downward direction.

 

Test: Extend through available range of motion but not beyond O degrees.

 

Instruction: Straighten your knee and do not let me bend it.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Holds end position against max resistance.

 

Grade 4 = Holds end position against strong to moderate resistance

 

Grade 3 = Completes range and holds position but unable to hold with any resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6.8    Ankle Dorsiflexion

 

Position: High sitting with foot resting on examiner’s knee.

 

Classifier: Hand supporting around ankle and the other cupped over the dorsal foot.

 

Test: Athlete dorsiflexes ankle and inverts foot, keeping toes relaxed.

 

Instruction: Bring your foot up, hold it, and do not let me push it down.

 

Scoring:

Grade 5 = Able to hold at endrange with maximal resistance.

 

Grade 4 = Able to hold at endrange against strong to moderate resistance.

 

Grade 3 = Able to hold at endrange but not with any resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6.9    Ankle Plantar Fiexion

 

Position: Stand on limb to be tested with knee extended, not more than 2 fingers for support.

Classifier: Standing or sitting with lateral view.

 

Test: Heel raises from floor through full available range of motion.

 

Instruction: Go up and down on your tiptoes.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Maintaining heel off floor through >6 reps on single leg

 

Grade 4 = Maintaining heel fully off floor through 3-5 reps only and subsequent attempts result in decreased range (single leg)

 

Grade 3 = maintaining heel off floor through 1-2 reps only and subsequent attempts results n decreased range. Both feet on ground.

 

Grade 2 = unable to complete 1 heel raise

 

Grade 1 = trace contraction, but no actual movement

 

 

 

2.3.6.10  Shoulder Flexion

 

Position: High Sittings arm at side with elbow slightly flexed and forearm pronated.

 

Classifier: Stand at test side. Hand giving resistance is contoured over the distal humerus Just above the elbow. The other hand may stabilize the shoulder.

 

Test: Athlete flexes shoulder to 90 degrees without rotation or horizontal movement, The scapula should be allowed to abduct and upwardly rotate.

 

Instruction: Raise you arm forward to shoulder height. Hold it and don’t let me push it down.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Holds end position (90 degrees) against maximal resistance

 

Grade 4 = Holds end position against strong to moderate resistance

 

Grade 3 = able to complete test range (90 degrees) but unable to hold against any resistance.

 

 

 

23.6.11   Shoulder Extension

 

Position: Prone with arms at sides and shoulder internally rotated (palm up)

 

Classifier: Stand at test side, Hand used for resistance is contoured over the posterior arm Just above the elbow.

 

Test: Athlete raises arm off the table, keeping the elbow straight.

 

Instructions: Lift your arm as high as you can. Hold it. Don’t let me push it down.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes available range and holds against maximal resistance.

 

Grade 4 = Completes available range but yields against strong

Grade 3 = Completes available range with no additional resistance,

 

 

 

2.3.6.12  Shoulder Abduction

 

Position: High sitting with arm at side and elbow slightly flexed.

 

Classifier: Stand behind athlete. Hand giving resistance is contoured over arm just above the elbow.

 

Test: Athlete abducts arm to 90 degrees.

 

Instruction: Lift your arm out to the side to shoulder level. Hold it. Don’t let me push it down.

 

Scoring:

Grade 5 = Holds end test position against maximal downward resistance.

 

Grade 4 = Holds end test position against strong to moderate downward resistance.

 

 

Grade 3 = Completes range of motion to 9- degrees with no manual resistance.

 

 

2.3.6.13  Shoulder Adduction

 

Position: Supine lying; Shoulder at 90 degrees and elbow in 90 degrees flexion

 

Classifier: Stand on side of shoulder to be tested. Hand used for resistance is contoured around the elbow or distal humerus. The other hand can stabilize the shoulder

 

Test: Motion begins in abduction and moves diagonally down and in toward the opposite hip.

 

Instructions: Move your arm down and across your body. Hold it. Don’t let me pull it back.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes available ROM and takes maximal resistance.

 

Grade 4 = Completes available range of motion and takes strong to moderate resistance, but muscle exhibits some *given at end.

 

Grade 3 = Completes available range of motion with no resistance

 

 

 

2.3.6.14  Elbow Flexion

 

Position: High sitting with arms at sides, forearm in mid-position:

 

Classifier: Stand in front of athlete toward the test side. Hand giving resistance is contoured over the flexor surface of the forearm proximal to the wrist. The other hand applies counterforce by cupping the palm over the anterior superior surface of the shoulder.

 

Test: Athlete flexes elbow through ROM. Instruction: Bend your elbow. Hold it. Don’t let me pull it down.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes available range and holds firmly against maximal resistance.

 

Grade 4 = Completes available range against strong to moderate resistance, but the end point may not be firm.

 

Grade 3 = Completes available range but unable to hold against any resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6       15 Elbow Extension

 

Position: High sitting with shoulder in full flexion above head

 

Classifier: In front of athlete toward test side. Hand giving resistance ¡s contoured over the dorsal surface of the forearm proximal to the wrist. The other hand applies counterforce by cupping the palm over the distal humerus.

 

Test: Athlete extends elbow through full ROM. Instruction: Straighten your elbow. Hold it and don’t let me bend it.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes available range and holds firmly against maximal resistance

 

Grade 4 = Completes available range against strong resistance, but there is a give to the resistance at endrange.

 

Grade 3 = Completes available range but is unable to hold against any resistance.

 

NOTE: if athlete cannot get arm in full overhead position, alternative test position is prone lying with forearm over edge of table.

 

 

 

2.3.6.16  Forearm Supination

 

Position: High Sitting; arm at side and elbow flexed to 90 degrees and in pronation

 

Classifier: Stands at side or in front of athlete. One hand supports the elbow. For resistance grasp the forearm on the volar surface at the wrist.

 

Test: Athlete begins in pronation and supinates the forearm until the palm faces the ceiling. Classifier resists motion in the direction of pronation.

 

Instruction; Turn your palm up. Hold it. Don’t let me turn it down.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes available range of motion and holds against maximal resistance

 

Grade 4 = Complete ROM against strong to moderate resistance.

 

Grade 3 = Completes available ROM without resistance.

 

 

 

2.16.17   Forearm Pronation

 

Position: High Sitting; arm at side and elbow flexed to 90 degrees and in supination

 

Classifier: Stands at side or in front of athlete. One hand supports the elbow. For resistance grasp the forearm on the dorsal surface at the wrist.

 

Test: Athlete begins ¡n supination and pronates the forearm until the palm faces the floor. Classifier resists motion in the direction of supination.

 

Instruction; Turn your palm down. Hold it. Don’t let me turn it up.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes available range of motion and holds against maximal resistance

 

Grade 4 = Complete ROM against strong to moderate resistance.

 

Grade 3 = Completes available ROM without resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6.18  Wrist Flexion (volar flexion)

 

Position: Sitting. Elbow is flexed to 90 degrees.

Forearm is supinated. Wrist ¡s in neutral position or slightly extended.

 

Classifier: One hand supports the athlete’s forearm under the wrist. Manual Resistance is applied over the MC heads on palmar surface of the hand

 

Test: Athlete flexes the wrist, keeping the digits and thumb relaxed.

 

Instruction: Bend your wrist(s). Hold it. Don’t let me bend it down.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes available wrist flexion ROM and holds against maximal resistance,

 

Grade 4 = Completes available wrist flexion ROM and holds against strong to moderate resistance.

 

Grade 3 = Completes available wrist flexion ROM but is unable to hold against any resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6.19  Wrist Extension (dorsiflexion)

 

Position: Sitting. Elbow is flexed to 90 degrees. Forearm is pronated. Wrist is in neutral position.

 

Classifier: Sit or stand at a diagonal in front of athlete. The hand used for resistance is placed over the dorsal surface of the metacarpal heads.

 

Test: Athlete extends the wrist straight up through the full available range. Do not permit extension of the fingers.

 

Instruction: Bring your wrist up. Hold it. Don’t let me push it down.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes available wrist extension ROM and holds against maximal resistance

 

Grade 4 = Completes available wrist extension ROM and holds against strong to moderate resistance

 

Grade 3 — Completes available wrist extension ROM but is unable to hold against any resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6.20  Finger 2-5 Flexion

 

Position: Sitting with forearm supinated and wrist not flexed beyond neutral. All IP joints are flexed.

 

Classifier: Resistance is applied on the palmar surface of the phalanges to all fingers at once as a whole group

 

Test: Athlete flexes the MCP and IP joints of digits 2-5

 

Instruction: Curl your fingers toward your palm. Hold them. Don’t let me straighten them out.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes available ROM and can hold against maximal resistance

 

Grade 4 = Completes available ROM and can hold against strong to moderate resistance.

 

Grade 3 = Completes available ROM without resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6.21  Finger 2-5 Extension

 

Position: Sitting with forearm pronated and wrist not extended beyond neutral.

 

Classifier: Resistance is applied to dorsal surface of all fingers at once.

 

Test: Athlete extends all fingers simultaneously

 

Instruction: Bend your fingers back. Hold them. Don’t let me bend them.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes ROM against maximal resistance

 

Grade 4 = Completes ROM against moderate resistance

 

Grade 3 = Completes ROM without resistance.

 

 

 

2.3.6.22  Thumb Opposition

 

Position: Sitting with forearm in supination, wrist in neutral.

 

Classifier: stabilizes hand by placing the dorsal aspect of his/her fingers on the palmar aspect of the athlete’s fingers, and the same with the thumb. Resistance s applied to the palmar side of the thumb in the direction of extension.

 

Test: The athlete actively flexes the thumb toward the little finger.

 

Instruction: Bring your thumb to your little finger and touch the two pads, forming the letter O with your thumb and little finger.

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes ROM against maximal resistance

 

Grade 4 = Completes ROM against moderate resistance.

 

Grade 3 = Moves thumb and 5th digit through full ROM without resistance

 

 

 

2.3.6.23  Thumb Extension

 

Position: Sitting with elbow flexed, forearm in midposition, and wrist neutral with thumb extended.

 

Classifier: Resistance is applied to the dorsal surface of the thumb in the direction of flexion.

 

Test: Athlete extends the IP joint of the thumb

 

Instruction: Straighten the end of your thumb. Hold it. Don’t let me bend it down

 

Scoring:

 

Grade 5 = Completes full range of motion against maximal resistance.

 

Grade 4 = difference between grades 5 and 4 is based on comparison with normal hand

 

Grade 3 = Completes full range of motion with no resistance.

 

 

 

 

2.4          Leg Length Difference

 

2.4.1     To measure, the athlete should lie supine with legs relaxed and fully extended. Measure from the inferior aspect of the anterior superior iliac spine to the inferior aspect of the tip of the medial malleolus on each leg and then compare.

 

2.4.2    The difference in leg length is expressed as a percentage: (SHORT LIMB/UNAFFECTED LIMB) x 100

Note: In terms of Anthropometric measurements, the average of two (2) measures is taken. If the difference between these two (2) measures is greater than 1%, one

additional measure is taken,

and the median measure is recorded on the Classification sheet as the measurement.

 

2.5          Hypertonia

 

Spasticity grades used in the World Para Volley Rules & Regulations refer to the Ashworth scale (1):

 

·                Grade 0: No increase in tone

·                Grade 1: Slight increase in tone giving a “catch” when the limb is flexed or extended

·                Grade 2: More marked increase in tone, but limb is easily flexed or extended

·                Grade 3: Considerable increase in tone with passive movement difficult

·                Grade 4: Limb rigid in flexion or extension

 

Hypertonia is defined as increased muscle tone which is caused by central nervous system impairment and which results in increased resistance to passive lengthening of the muscle (4).

 

One of the following types of hypertonia must be clearly clinically detectable – i.e., grade

1 on the Ashworth scale (1) at the wrist, elbow, and shoulder for the upper limb, or grade I at the ankle and knee or hip.

 

2.5.1    Spastic hypertonia: Is defined as a velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement with a clasp-knife type of resistance (4). Clasp-knife resistance is resistance that is initially high and followed by a sudden relaxation. Velocity dependence increases as the speed of the passive movement increases, the resistance becomes greater and starts earlier in the range.

 

Spastic hypertonicity tends to predominate in the antigravity muscles particularly the flexors of the arms and extensors of the legs and may affect certain parts of the body more than others. In classification, testing for Spastic hypertonicity involves rapid, passive movement through the principal ranges of movement at the wrist, elbow, shoulder, ankle, knee or hip.

 

When testing for Spastic hypertonicity at the ankle or wrist, clonus may be elicited. Clonus is rapid, involuntary alternation of muscle contraction and relaxation and typically occurs in the ankle plantar flexors in response to rapid, passive dorsiflexion or the wrist flexors in response to rapid, passive wrist extension.

 

Clonus that lasts for 4 beats or more and which can be reliably reproduced during a single classification session (i.e., is non-damping clonus) is considered to indicate presence of Spastic hypertonicity that meets the MDC.

 

2.5.2    Rigidity: Is defined as a heightened resistance to passive movement of a limb that is independent of the velocity of stretch and relatively uniform throughout the range of motion of that limb (4). The uniform resistance is often referred to as ‘lead pipe’ type of resistance. Usually has a predominant pattern with a flexor pattern being more common.

 

2.5.3       Dystonia:Is resistance to passive movement that may be focal (affecting muscles of one limb or joint) or general (affecting the whole body). Contractions are powerful and sustained and cause twisting or writhing of the affected areas*. The pattern is highly variable – contractions may be fast or slow; painful or not; and the direction of greatest resistance may change regularly (e.g., a limb may move regularly from an extreme flexion pattern to an extreme extension pattern) (4, 10).

 

*As the description indicates, Dystonia may equally be classified as a type of Hypertonia

OR a type of involuntary movement pattern.

 

An athlete who does not have one of the three types of Hypertonia – Spasticity, Rigidity or Dystonia – is not eligible.

 

The Classification Panel should be satisfied that the resistance to passive lengthening of the muscle is due to central nervous system impairment and the following signs may be useful in this regard:

 

·                Presence of non-damping clonus on the side on which the tone is increased;

·                Abnormally brisk reflexes in the limb in which the tone is increased;

·                Mild atrophy in the limb in which the tone is increased;

·                Positive Babinski on the side in which the tone is increased.

 

2.6          Ataxia

 

Ataxia refers to an unsteadiness, incoordination or clumsiness of volitional movement (4). Eligible ataxias must result from either motor or sensory nervous system dysfunction. Motor ataxias most frequently result from malformation or damage to the cerebellum and are often associated with hypotonia (4). Motor ataxias are poorly compensated for by visual input.

Sensory ataxias most frequently result from lower motor neuron damage or spinal cord disease, affecting vestibular function or proprioceptive function. Visual input can help compensate for sensory ataxia and so sensory ataxias are often more evident when eyes are closed (4).

 

When evaluating an athlete the Classification Panel should be satisfied that the ataxic movement is demonstrable and clearly evident during classification and that the observed ataxia is due to motor or sensory nervous system dysfunction as described. Tests that may be useful for determining this include but are not limited to:

 

·                Finger-to-nose test (athlete touching own nose from the crucifix position);

·                Finger-to-finger test (classifier presents his/her index finger and asks the athlete to touch it with his/her own index finger);

·                Toe-to-finger test (classifier presents his/her index finger and asks the athlete to touch it with his/her toe);

·            Heel shin test (i.e., draw the heel of one leg along the length of the contralateral shin, from ankle to knee and then in the reverse direction);

·            Tandem walk;

·                Gait.

 

2.7          Athetosis

 

Athetosis refers to unwanted movement and posturing resulting from damage to motor control centres of the brain, most frequently the basal ganglia. When evaluating an athlete the Classification Panel should satisfy itself that Athetosis is clearly evident and that it is neurological in origin. Clearly evident Athetosis is unwanted movement and posturing that is characteristically athetoid and is observable as at least one of the following:

 

·            Involuntary movement of the fingers or upper extremities despite the athlete trying to remain still;

·            Involuntary movement of the toes or lower extremities despite the athlete trying to remain still;

·            Inability to hold the body still – swaying of the body. Swaying should not be due to other neurological deficits such as vestibular or proprioceptive impairments and therefore should not be exacerbated by closing of the eyes;

·            Characteristic athetoid posturing of limbs and/or trunk;

 

The athlete will not be eligible if athetoid movements of the face are the sole impairment.


 

3           Assessment Criteria for the Allocation of a Sport Class and the

Designation of Sport Class Status

 

3.1          The Sport Discipline of Sitting Volleyball has two sport classes, VS1 and VS2.

 

3.1.1       Athletes in the Sport Class VS1

 

 

These athletes have impairments that more significantly affect the core functions in sitting volleyball.

 

3.1.2       Athletes in Sport Class VS2

 

 

These athletes have impairments that minimally affect the core functions in sitting volleyball.

 

 

Appendix Four

 

1           Observation in Competition Assessment

 

Athletes that play with Eligible Impairments of Amputation or Limb Shortening are not required to undergo observation in Competition Assessment.

 

Athletes who are borderline between classes and who have Eligible Impairments that are not from amputation or Limb Shortening must undergo observation in competition Assessment. Athletes are observed on court to ensure that the athlete demonstrates abilities on court that are consistent with the measures of muscle strength, passive range of motion, coordination, signs of spasticity, athetosis and ataxia that were demonstrated in bench testing.

 

The objective clinical signs and measures are observed across the core sitting volleyball skills, including all of the following:

 

·                    Serving

·                    Digging

·                    Overhead Passing/Setting

·                    Spiking

·                    Blocking

·                    Diving/Stretching

·                    Moving on court in the sitting position

 

2           OBSERVATION FORM

 

Player Name:                      Team:                   Shirt No:                                                 

 

 

Tournament:                       Date:                                                  

 

 

Classification  Results

 

Classifier 1 Name:                                                                                                 Classifier 2 Name:                                                                                                                 


 

REFERENCES

 

1             Ashworth Scale. www.rehabmeasures.org

 

2             Clarkson, H. M. Musculoskeletal assessment : joint range of motion and manual muscle strength. 2nd ed. ed. Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000

 

3             His lop, H. J. and J. Montgomery. Daniels and Wort Hingham’s Muscle Testing: Techniques of Manual Examination. 7th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 2002

 

4             Fredericks, C. M. and L. K. Saladin. Pathophysiology of the Motor Systems, 1996