Whitemud West Evaluations Appeal Process

Whitemud West Appeal Process

The VP of Evaluations, alongside the Whitemud West Board of Directors, has developed an evaluation process that is fair, consistent, and comprehensive. This process ensures players are placed based on their skill level relative to athletes of the same age and category. Details of this process are outlined on the Whitemud West website under the Evaluations tab.

 

Extenuating Circumstances for Appeal:

Appeals may only be submitted in situations where extenuating and unavoidable circumstances have prevented the association from having up-to-date evaluation data to support the player’s team placement. Acceptable reasons for an appeal include:

 

1. Injury: The player has sustained an injury prior to or during the evaluation process and is unable to attend evaluation skates. A doctor’s note is required to support the appeal.

2. Illness: The player was ill and unable to attend evaluation skates. A doctor’s note is required to support the appeal.

3. Travel: The player was out of town and unable to attend evaluation skates. Proof of travel is required to support the appeal.

 

PLAYER PLACEMENT APPEAL GUIDELINES:

The following outlines the revised appeal process:

1. Initial Discussions: Players/parents are expected to attend 1-2 practices before initiating a formal appeal. We encourage dialogue with the VP Evaluations and the Category Director during this time to address concerns. An evaluation report will be provided (if available) to assist in the decision-making process.

2. Appeal Submission: If the player/parent wishes to advance the appeal, an appeal form must be submitted to the VP Evaluations within 7 days of receiving team placement notification. The appeal must be supported by documentation relevant to the extenuating circumstances (e.g., doctor's note or proof of travel) and accompanied by a $200 deposit, which will be refunded if the appeal is successful.

3. Appeal Review Process: The VP Evaluations, Category Director, and an independent third-party evaluator will review the appeal and assess the player based on the team placement evaluation scores, the player’s attendance at practices, and any other relevant data. The final decision will be made based on whether the player’s extenuating circumstances impacted the evaluation data and their eventual team placement.

4. Final Decision: The decision of the VP Evaluations and Category Director is final and binding. The player/parent will be notified as soon as possible after the review process.

 

Factors Considered by the Appeal Committee:

1. Is there room for player movement; such that team sizes remain in compliance with the Hockey Edmonton guidelines and requirements for team sizes. This includes the guidelines for team size and differentiation of team sizes within a community.

2. If the appeal is based on a player’s sickness, injury, or partial attendance, was notification of the sickness, injury or inability to attend a session, with supporting documentation, given by the player/parent?

3. The position of the player in relation to the desired team.

4. Was the appeal made in the timelines required by Whitemud West, in the required written form and accompanied by the required deposit as set out above in the Appeal Process?

 

Unacceptable Reasons for an Appeal:

Appeals cannot be made for any of the following reasons:

· Desire to play with or avoid particular players or coaches.

· Team placement based on the previous year’s performance alone.

· Comparisons to another specific player or players.

· Disagreeing with the evaluation data collected by third-party independent evaluators that supported the player's team placement. The evaluation process is designed to be fair and objective, and the data collected through this process will not be revisited unless extenuating circumstances prevented accurate evaluation.

 

Questions or concerns involving the placement of player(s) should be directed to VP Evaluations. vpevaluations@whitemudwest.com