The World Junior Championships are open to players aged 19 years and under. They include the Men’s Individual Championships, Men’s Team Championships, Women’s Individual Championships and the Women’s Team Championships. The events are held biennially, with men’s team and women’s individual events held together one year, and the men’s individual and women’s team event held together the following year.
In 2013, the World Junior Men’s Individual Championships and the World Junior Women’s Team Championships will be held in Wroclaw, Poland.
2013 World Junior Men’s Individual Championships Selection Criteria
U.S. Squash Selection Procedures
2013 World Junior Men’s Individual Championships
The World Squash Federation (WSF) grants each squash National Governing Body three (3) playing positions into Individual World Junior Men’s Individual Championships. Depending on the overall number of entries the WSF receives for the World Championships, additional playing positions may be made available to countries. The three (3) playing positions and any additional playing position that may become available to U.S. Squash will be offered based on the following criteria.
1. Eligibility Criteria
In order for players to be considered for selection they must:
- Maintain full United States citizenship
- Be age-eligible for the competition in question
- Maintain U.S. Squash membership from the start of the candidate process through the end of the competition
- Comply with all World Squash Federation eligibility requirements regarding international championships
- Have no documented serious on or off-court conduct violations of the U.S. Squash Code of Conduct
- Sign and comply with all U.S. Squash U.S. Junior Team policies and contracts
2. Compliance with U.S. Squash, USOC and USADA Rules and Regulations
Players must be willing to submit Athlete Location Forms to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and comply with all U.S. Squash, USOC and USADA regulations and requirements to remain eligible. Failure to comply will be met with disciplinary measures to be enforced by U.S. Squash up to and including removal from the eligible player pool.
3. Selection Process
The three (3) highest ranked U.S. Citizens competing in the Boys’ Under 19 Division, regardless of age eligibility to compete in future World Junior competitions, who confirm their interest will be selected to represent U.S. Squash at the 2013 World Junior Men’s Individual Championship.
Rankings to determine qualification for this World Championship will be based on the first rankings run that includes results from the 2013 U.S. Junior Championship (Closed).
See Appendix 1 for information on tiebreak rules.
4. Additional Positions
If WSF grants U.S. Squash additional playing positions, players will be invited based on the following criteria:
- Any players granted additional playing positions must meet the Eligibility Criteria in Section 1 and be age-eligible to compete in the 2014 World Junior Men’s Championships.
- The positions are opened to the highest ranked players finishing in the Top 10 in the BU19 Division. Rankings to determine qualification will be based on the first rankings run that includes results from the 2013 U.S. Junior Championship (Closed).
- If there are no players that meet the criteria above, the top ranked players in the BU17 Division will be invited in ranking order up to the #10 position. Rankings to determine qualification will be based on the first rankings run that includes results from the 2013 U.S. Junior Championship (Closed).
5. Replacement & Removal of Athletes:
Following final selection of the Team members, replacements will only be made if:
- An athlete voluntarily withdraws due to injury or illness, certified by a physician. If an athlete refuses verification of his illness or injury by a physician, the injury will be assumed to be disabling and the player may be removed.
- A qualifying Team member voluntarily submits his resignation from competition in writing to the National Coach at nationalteams@ussquash.com.
Removal of Team members:
- Any documented violations of the U.S. Squash’s Code of Conduct are potential grounds for removal from the Team.
7. International Disclaimer
These procedures are based on World Squash Federation rules and regulations as presently known and understood. Any change in the selection procedures caused by a change in World Squash Federation rules and regulations will be distributed to the affected athletes immediately. The selection criteria are based on the latest information available to the U.S. Squash. However, the selection process is always subject to unforeseen, intervening circumstances, and realistically cannot account for every possible contingency.
Appendix 1: Tiebreak Rules
In the event that two players are tied in points, the following criteria will be used to determine team qualification:
Two way tie:
- Season-long head-to-head match record between the two tied players in selection events during the 2012-2013 season (including the 2012 U.S. Junior Open); if tied then:
- The most recent head-to-head match result in a selection event during the 2012-2013 season (including the 2012 U.S. Junior Open); if tied then:
- The player with the highest BU19 ranking as of the first ranking run including the 2013 U.S. Junior Championships (Closed); if tied then:
- The player with the highest junior rating as of the first ranking run including the 2013 U.S. Junior Championships (Closed)
Three-player or above tie:
- Best overall winning percentage in head-to-head matches between the tied players in selection events during the 2012-2013 season (including the 2012 U.S. Junior Open); if tied then:
- The player that has the best record in the below categories in all head-to-head matches between the tied players in selection events during the 2012-2013 season (including the 2012 U.S. Junior Open), in order of priority:
- Percentage of Games Won to Games Lost
- Percentage of Points Won to Points Lost
2013 World Junior Women’s Team Championships Selection Criteria
2013 World Junior Women’s Championships
U.S. Squash Junior Women’s Team (USJWT) Selection Procedures
1. Eligibility Criteria
In order for players to be considered for the team, candidates must:
1. Maintain full United States citizenship
2. Be age-eligible for the competition in question
3. Maintain U.S. Squash membership from the start of the candidate process through the end of the competition
4. Comply with all World Squash Federation eligibility requirements regarding international championships
5. Have no documented serious on or off-court conduct violations of the U.S. Squash Code of Conduct
6. Sign and comply with all U.S. Squash U.S. Junior Team policies and contracts
2. Selection Process
There are two paths for selection to the USJWT
(Path A) Earning points by competing in Selection Events as listed in these criteria
Or
(Path B) Being a top 75 ranked WSA player on April 1, 2012
Details of these two paths are detailed below:
(Path A) Selection Event Points
- Six (6) players will represent the U.S. on the Junior Women’s Team in 2013.
- Points will be awarded for placing position in the following Selection Events: five (5) JCT events, the U.S. Junior Championships (Closed), and the Junior Women’s Team Playoff. Points earned in the U.S. Junior Closed and Playoff will count 1.5 times the point value of the JCT events. Points are only earned by players in the GU19 division.
- Participation in the U.S. Junior Open will earn players a standard point value regardless of finishing position (i.e. all participants get the same amount of points). This value will be added to the total points earned from the season before the point average is taken.
- After the conclusion of the U.S. Junior Championships (Closed), a player’s best three (3) out of six (6) event results will be averaged to determine the 16 players that will be invited to the Playoff. The player with the highest point average automatically earns a position on the USJWT and will not be invited to the playoff, unless a player has already earned a position on the team through Path B. If some players opt not to compete in the playoff, other players will be invited in order of point average, down to the player with the #32 point average. Seeding for the playoff will be based on a player’s individual tournament ranking points at the time of seeding.
- After the completion of the Playoff, the results from a player’s best four (4) of seven (7) tournaments will be averaged to determine the team. The top five players, regardless of age, and including the player(s) who already earned a position on the team through earning the #1 selection position or through Path B, will be selected to compete in World Championships based on the criteria outlined.
- The 6th spot of the team is designated for a “developmental” player. This spot will be filled by the player who finishes in the top ten (10) in the selection point standings in the GU19 division & is eligible to play in the World Championships in 2015. If no player qualifies by these criteria, the player with the highest ranking in the GU17 division who will be age-eligible for the 2015 World Championships will be selected. In this case, the first ranking period which includes the results from the 2013 U.S. Junior Championship (Closed) will be used.
Please see Appendix 1 for tiebreak information in the event that two or more players have tied point averages.
(Path B) WSA Ranking
- Any player who is ranked in the top 75 on the WSA Tour by April 1, 2013 is eligible for the USJWT provided she meets the Eligibility Criteria in Section 1. Should a position be accepted by a player based on this Path B, it would reduce the number of available positions on the USJWT via Path A.
3. Selection Events
Points are available in the following Tournaments:
- October 6-8, 2012 JCT – Philadelphia
- November 16-18, 2012 JCT – Connecticut
- December 7-9, 2012 JCT – Mid-Atlantic
- December 15-18, 2012 U.S. Junior Open (appearance point value only)
- January 19-21, 2013 JCT – West Coast
- February 16 – 18, 2013 JCT – Massachusetts
- March 15 – 17, 2013 U.S. Junior Championship (Closed)
- April 12 – 14, 2013 U.S. Junior Women’s Team Playoff (GU19 only)
Note: For ranking purposes the Junior Championship Tour (JCT) events are worth a total of 5,000 points each; while the U.S. Junior Championship and Junior Team Playoff are each worth a total of 7,500 points. The point breakdown for these events is enumerated in the table below.
The appearance value for participation in the U.S. Junior Open is 150 points.
Note: Points are only earned by playing in the U19 division.
4. Inability to Participate in a Selection Event
Event Cancellation:
If an event is cancelled and a player will not have the necessary number of results to compute her average then that player will be awarded the point equivalent of his/her most recent selection event result.
Injury or Illness:
If a player will not have the necessary results to compute his/her average as a result of injury then that player may be awarded a to be determined point equivalent at the National Team Committee’s discretion.
Other Circumstances:
The National Teams Committee shall have the discretion to evaluate other circumstances, other than injury or illness, which preclude an athlete from participating in a scheduled selection event. Supporting evidence of the circumstance(s) may be required.
Note: An athlete candidate citing extenuating or other circumstances must also advise U.S. Squash in writing or via email to the National Coach at nationalteams@ussquash.com
5. Team Order of Play
Once the Team has been selected, the Final Team order for the players will be at discretion of the National Team Coaches. Their criteria will be based on, but not limited to, the following:
- Results of challenge matches
- General performance
- Fitness Level
- On and Off-court behavior
6. Replacement & Removal of Athletes:
Replacement of Team members:
Following final selection of the Team members, replacements will only be made if:
- An athlete voluntarily withdraws due to injury or illness, certified by a physician. If an athlete refuses verification of his/her illness or injury by a physician, her injury will be assumed to be disabling and she may be removed.
- A qualifying Team member voluntarily submits her resignation from the USJWT in writing to the National Coach at nationalteams@ussquash.com.
Removal of Team members:
- Any documented violations of the U.S. Squash’s Code of Conduct are potential grounds for removal from the Team.
7. International Disclaimer
These procedures are based on World Squash Federation rules and regulations as presently known and understood. Any change in the selection procedures caused by a change in World Squash Federation rules and regulations will be distributed to the affected athletes immediately. The selection criteria are based on the latest information available to the U.S. Squash. However, the selection process is always subject to unforeseen intervening circumstances and realistically cannot account for every possible contingency.
8. Compliance with U.S. Squash, USOC and USADA Rules and Regulations
Players must be willing to submit Athlete Location Forms to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and comply with all U.S. Squash, USOC and USADA regulations and requirements to remain eligible. Failure to comply will be met with disciplinary measures to be enforced by U.S. Squash up to and including removal from the eligible player pool.
9. National Teams Committee
The committee is comprised of the following representatives:
- Committee Chair: CEO U.S. Squash (Kevin Klipstein)
- Chair of the U.S. Squash Board of Directors (Peter Lasusa)
- All U.S. Squash National Team Coaches
- Athlete Representative and Alternate (Richard Chin, Meredeth Quick)
Appendix 1: Tiebreak Rules
In the event that two players are tied in points, the following criteria will be used to determine team qualification:
Two way tie:
- Season-long head-to-head match record between the two tied players in selection events during the 2012-2013 season (including the 2012 U.S. Junior Open); if tied then:
- The most recent head-to-head match result in a selection event during the 2012-2013 season (including the 2012 U.S. Junior Open); if no result is available then:
- The player with the highest GU19 ranking as of the first ranking run including the 2013 U.S. Junior Championships (Closed); if tied then:
- The player with the highest junior rating as of the first ranking run including the 2013 U.S. Junior Championships (Closed)
Three-player or above tie:
- Best overall winning percentage in head-to-head matches between the tied players in selection events during the 2012-2013 season (including the 2012 U.S. Junior Open); if tied then:
- The player that has the best record in the below categories in all head-to-head matches between the tied players in selection events during the 2012-2013 season (including the 2012 U.S. Junior Open), in order of priority:
- Percentage of Games Won to Games Lost
- Percentage of Points Won to Points Lost
The World Team Squash Championships are a biennial international squash event organized by the World Squash Federation. Teams of three or four players from nations around the world compete in the championships, which are held in a different country each time. The men’s and women’s World Team Squash Championships are held in alternating years.
In 2012, the Women’s World Team Squash Championships are being held in Nîmes, France. In 2013, the Men’s World Team Squash Championships will be held in Mulhouse, France. In 2014, the Women’s World Team Squash Championships will be held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.
Since 1995, Squash has been a sport of the Pan American Games. The Pan American Games are a major sporting event held between athletes from nations of the Americas every four years in the year preceding the Olympic Games. Thousands of athletes participate in a variety of sporting competition. The Pan American Games were last held in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2011, and the next edition of the Games will be held in Toronto, Canada in 2015.
Regional Squads
U.S. Squash’s Regional Squads are a developmental pathway for junior players, providing elite coaching to top juniors within seven regions across the US. Groups of elite players will meet several times with National Team coaches for one-day training sessions throughout April, May and June, culminating in the Ontario-American Challenge taking place in August. In addition, U.S. Junior National Team players competing in the 2013 World Junior Squash Championships will gather for a National Squad Week at the end of June.
2013 Regional Squads Selection Criteria
ELIGIBILITY:
Age Divisions
Regional Squads are available for boys and girls in the U13, U15, U17, and U19 age divisions, with up to 4 players per region for Regional Squad Training events based on registered interest. These Regional Squads are designed for the players and coaches only. Parents are not allowed to be present during these sessions.
Regional Squad Qualification
A. Player is ranked within the top 50 in their age division as of the March 19th, 2013 Rankings Calculation. Note that for the Great Lakes and West Coast regions, players within the top 100 in their age division as of the March 19th, 2013 rankings calculation will be accepted.
B. Player must be age eligible for each Squad Training Session as of February 26th, 2013. Example: if a player is 12 years old as of February 26th, 2013, then they can participate in a U13 Regional Squad training event even if their birthday occurs between the February 26th deadline and the start of the Regional Squad training event.
C. Player has played the majority of accredited (sanctioned) High School Squash Matches at the #1 position during the current season.
D. Player is the best player in their age division in their Urban Program.
E. Players from each region will have priority over players from different regions for qualification, regardless of ranking. Example: if a CT player with the #1 ranking in the country applies to participate in the NY Regional Squad Training session, the CT player would only qualify to participate in the Regional Squads if less than four New York based qualified players apply within that given age group.
F. Other selections at the discretion of U.S. Squash.
G. All participants must be current U.S. Citizens.
DATES AND LOCATIONS:
Regional Squad Dates
Three Regional Squads will take place in the spring. Dates currently under consideration are April 13, May 4, May 11, May 18, and June 8.
Regional Squad Locations
1. The Great Lakes Region – To be determined. (This region may be split into smaller events in Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and/or Detroit )
• Includes players living in these states: IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, OH, SD, WI, WV
2. The Mid Atlantic Region – Baltimore
• Includes players living in these states: DC, DE, MD, NJ*, VA
*For New Jersey, up to four players per age group per gender may choose to participate in the NY, Mid-Atlantic, or Pennsylvania regional squad if they are rankings eligible. Players from NJ will not take the place in the squad of those qualified for that region.
3. The New England Region – Boston
• Includes players living in these states: MA, ME, NH, RI, VT
4. The Connecticut Region – To be determined.
• Includes players living in these states: CT
5. The New York Area Region – New York City
• Includes players living in these states: NY
6. The Pennsylvania Area Region – Philadelphia
• Includes players living in these states: PA
7. The Western States Region – To be determined. (This region may be split into smaller events in Seattle, the Bay Area, and/or SoCal)
• Includes players living in these states: AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY
8. Regional Squads will not be scheduled in 2013 in the Southeast or Central Regions.
• Includes players living in these states: AR, CO, KS, LA, NE, OK, TX, AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN
• Eligible players from these regions can sign up for Regional Squads in other locations
• Up to four players per age group per gender from these regions can waive into other regions.
• Players from these states will not take the place in the squad of those who have qualified for that region. Additional positions are available for these players.
COSTS AND BENEFITS:
Regional Squads
The cost to participate in a Regional Squad session is $195 per session per participant. This includes all coaching, meals, team apparel, and prizes. Participants are responsible for travel both to and from the venue.
REGISTRATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE:
Registration for Regional Squads will be available by March 20th, 2013. The deadline to sign up for all Regional Squads is Wednesday, April 10th, 2013, at 12:00pm EST NOON. Interested players can register for each event by finding their Regional Squad information page on the U.S. Squash Calendar.
Ontario-American Challenge
The Ontario-American Challenge started in 2004 and annually brings elite juniors from around the country together for a four-day team trip filled with friends, competition, and fun. The juniors participating gain valuable experience in an international competition along with playing the opportunity to play competitive team squash. The top U.S. Juniors compete against Ontario’s best in the U13, U15, and U17 age divisions in pursuit of national pride and the Ontario-American Challenge Trophy.
2013 Ontario-American Challenge Selection Criteria
Age Divisions
A total of 4 players are invited in each of the boys and girls divisions in the U13, U15, and U17 age divisions, bringing together 24 players total.
Qualification
A. The top 4 ranked players in their age division as of the March 19th, 2013 Rankings Calculation.
B. If one of the top players in unable to participate, the next ranked player from the March 19th, 2013 Rankings Calculation will be invited to the event.
C. Player must be age eligible throughout the Ontario-American Challenge tournament. Example: If a player is 12 years old leading up to the Ontario-American Challenge, but either right before or during the event they will turn 13 years old, they will be ineligible to participate in the U13 division.
D. All participants must be current U.S. Citizens.
Dates
The 2013 Ontario-American Challenge will occur from August 8-11 at the White Oaks Resort and Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.
Past Participants and Results: Click here
Ontario-America Challenge Blog
Players and parents can follow the action during the event on the Ontario-American Challenge Blog, which can be accessed by clicking here.
