Athlete Classification
Procedure
This page is being revised. Please check back on 1st March 2010
There are two levels of classification for athletes in the UK:
(1) UK (for competitions in the UK only)
(2) International (for INAS-FID events and some other international events, including the Paralympic Games and IPC sanctioned events)
You are strongly advised to speak to your Home Country Association or UKSA before you conduct any assessments or begin to complete any classification application form in order to ensure you get the best advice on which level of classification is most appropriate for you.
UK Classification
This is mainly for athletes who are starting out in their sport, or have been competing for a while but not yet reached GB or international standards. It is valid for athletes from the UK who are competing in UK competitions only. Not all UK competitions require classification so if you are unsure you should check the entry form or ask the event organizer.
All applications should reach the UK Sports Association for People with Learning Disability at least 4 weeks prior to any closing date of competitions at which the athlete is seeking entry. Application is no guarantee that a classification will be granted.
Only athletes who have been classified on the UK system since January 1st 2009 will hold a valid UK classification.
Download the UK Classification Form and Guidance Notes here (PDF)
Further Guidance on UK Classification
Read the UKSA Guide for Psychologists; it's available here.
International Classification
This is for athletes who have reached national standards and are about to reach international standards in their sport or who are demonstrating particular talent and progression along the performance pathway.
International classification is currently also required to compete in long course swimming competitions at Disability Sport Events (DSE).
All applications should reach UKSA at least 5 months prior to the closing date of any competition at which the athlete is seeking entry. Application is no guarantee of being granted a classification.
In February 2010, INAS-FID published a new international classification form for the primary eligibility check (Stage 1 application). There are 2 documents required to complete the international application which are detailed below.
Each athletes coach will also be required to complete the Training History & Sport Activity Limitations Questionnaire (TSAL). The TSAL replaces the previous SIC-Q. The TSAL does not form part of the eligibility checking process but is an important tool to aide the development of the sports specific classification process.
INAS-FID has produced a TSAL online version. Where possible, the athletes coach should use the online version, however where access to the online facility is not available a paper version can be completed. If you required the TSAL paper version please download, complete and submit with the classification application.
Document 1 - INAS Classification Application Form (February 2010) (PDF)
Document 2 - INAS Classification Data Protection Statement for UK applicants (PDF)
Complete the TSAL online version here or download the TSAL paper version. (PDF)
Further Guidance on international classification
Read the INAS-FID International Classification Guidance Notes (PDF)
To download and read the UKSA Guide for Psychologists, visit the Information and Guidance sheets page in the Resources section of this site.
Read the INAS-FID Eligibility and Classification Policy. (PDF)
What happens if an athlete is seeking classification in more than one sport?
At present this is only relevant for international classification. To compete in more than one sport at international level, an athlete will need to apply for a separate classification in each sport. To do this, an athlete will need to complete the additional sport application form and pro-forma and submit in the normal way. Both document one and two are required to complete this application process.
Document 1 - INAS-FID Additional Sport Application Form (PDF)
Document 2 - UKSA Pro-forma for Additional Sport Application (PDF)
Valid or Not?
The UK Sports Association for People with Learning Disability (UKSA) holds the central database for any athlete from Great Britain who has been classified at UK or international level.
If you are in any doubt about whether a card or classification number is valid or you need further guidance or would like to chat through the classification procedures then contact the UK Sports Association on 020 7490 3057.
The downloads on this page require Adobe Acrobat Reader, if you don't have it, you can Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here
