Karate Canada - PARA National Team Athlete Agreement

WHEREAS the Athlete wishes to be an active competitor in Karate Canada’s sanctioned events with his or her rights and obligations clearly defined;

WHEREAS Karate Canada is recognized by the World Karate Federation and Sport Canada as the sole National Federation governing the sport of karate in Canada;

WHEREAS Karate Canada and the National Team Athletes recognize the need to clarify the relationship between them by establishing their respective rights and obligations;

WHEREAS the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (hereinafter referred to as “the AAP”) requires these rights and obligations to be stated in a written agreement to be signed by Karate Canada and the Athlete who applies for assistance under the AAP;

AND WHEREAS the World Karate Federation requires each NSO to certify the eligibility of the National Team Athlete to compete as a member in good standing;

NOW THEREFORE the parties agree to the following:

1. Obligations of Karate Canada

Karate Canada shall:

a) organize, select and operate teams of athletes, coaches and other necessary support staff to represent Canada in the sport of karate at selected events throughout the world;

b) communicate with athletes both orally and in writing in the language of their choice (French or English);

c) publish selection criteria for all national teams at least three months before the selection for any particular team and at least eight months before the selection of major games teams (e.g., Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and World Championship Teams);

d) conduct selection of members to all national teams in a manner that is in conformity with the generally accepted principles of natural justice and procedural fairness;

e) publish NSO approved, AAP compliant criteria for the selection of Eligible Athletes to be nominated for the AAP eight (8) months before the start of the AAP eligibility cycle for the sport of karate;

f) nominate all athletes who meet AAP criteria;

g) organize programs and provide funding for the development and provision of coaching expertise and officials in Canada, in accordance with the budget of Karate Canada;

h) as capacity permits, assist the Athlete in obtaining quality medical care and advice;

i) supply the Athlete selected to be a member of the National Team Roster with the option to purchase National Team apparel at a reasonable cost, in accordance to the budget of Karate Canada;

j) regularly provide National Team program information (training and competitions) to the Athlete in the form of emailed correspondence;

k) provide a formal review of the Athlete’s annual training and competition plan and program, for the Carded athletes;

l) provide funding for the Athlete for training camps and competitions in accordance with the budget of Karate Canada and the mainstream National Team Criteria;

m) provide for a representative elected by the athletes to sit as a voting member of the Board of Directors of Karate Canada; and

n) provide an appeal procedure that is in conformity with the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness, which shall include access to an independent dispute resolution process with respect to any dispute the Athlete may have with the NSO, other than those related to the Athlete Assistance Program, and publish the details of this procedure in a prominent manner so that it is freely available to all athletes or any person requesting this information by or on behalf of the Athlete.

o) invoice athletes for costs associated to training camps and competitions in a timely manner and within 4 weeks of the completion of the event. Invoices will include a clear breakdown of all fees and costs.

2. Athlete's Obligations

2.1 The Athlete shall:

a) recognize the responsibilities of the National Team Coaches and Team Leaders / Managers (or their appointed substitutes) in coaching and team management-related decisions, and follow the training and competitive program / plan provided by the National Team Coaches or their designate, when applicable;

b) avoid living in an environment not conducive to high-performance achievements or taking any deliberate action that puts the athlete’s ability to perform at risk or limits performance;

c) provide the National Team Head Coach or designate, by email, with an annual training chart and monthly updates of changes to the chart or any other appropriate information that Karate Canada may request, as applicable;

d) subject to paragraph 2(j), participate in all mandatory training camps and competitions as described in Appendices A and B of this Agreement;

e) notify Karate Canada immediately in writing of any injury or other legitimate reason that will prevent the Athlete from participating in an upcoming event referred to in Appendix B of this Agreement and ensure in the case of an injury that a certificate from a medical doctor setting out the specific nature of the injury is forwarded to Karate Canada, within three weeks of the injury;

f) dress in the National Team apparel / uniform and other official clothing, if applicable and as requested, while travelling or participating as part of the National Team;

g) avoid any action or conduct that would reasonably be expected to significantly disrupt or interfere with a competition or the preparation of any Athlete for a competition;

h) For Senior athletes: during or at National Team training camps and competitions, avoid alcoholic consumption to a level that would reasonably be expected to impair the Athlete’s ability to speak, walk or drive, or cause the Athlete to behave in a disruptive manner;

i) For Junior athletes: during or at National Team training camps and competitions, refrain from alcoholic consumption altogether;

j) avoid participating in any competitions where federal government sport policy has determined that such participation is not permitted;

k) participate in sport-related, non-commercial promotional activities on behalf of the Government of Canada, if and as requested. Karate Canada usually makes such requests for participation and arranges the activities. Unless supplementary compensation is arranged, these activities do not normally involve more than two working days per athlete per year;

l) adhere to and comply with Karate Canada’s Code of Conduct, policies and appeal procedure;

m) actively participate in all AAP evaluation activities, if and as requested. Athletes will co-operate fully in any evaluation of the AAP that may be conducted by the Minister or anyone authorized to act on the Minister’s behalf and provide such data as the person conducting the evaluation considers necessary for the proper conduct of the evaluation;

n) Respect and comply with the Canadian Anti-Doping Program of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport including but not limited to:

1. avoid the use of banned substances and methods that contravene the rules of International Olympic Committee (IOC), the rules of the respective International Federation and the Canadian Anti-Doping Program;
2. submit, without prior warning, to unannounced doping-control tests in addition to other prior-notice tests and submit at other times to doping control testing when requested by the NSO, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) or other authorities designated to do so;
   
3. avoid the possession of anabolic drugs and neither supply such drugs to others directly or indirectly nor encourage or condone their use by knowingly aiding in any effort to avoid detection of the use of banned substances or banned performance enhancing practices;

o) Junior and Senior National Team Rosters: Complete Karate Canada’s mandatory Safe Sport training including a concussion awareness course as required. Senior National Team Roster athletes only: complete the CCES on line anti-doping education program, which includes the “Clean Sport” courses as required, at the beginning of the season or as soon as named onto the Senior National Team Roster, as well as the UCCMS, as defined in Appendix A.

p) respect and abide by the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) as administered by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES); read, sign and adhere to the terms of Appendix C;

q) when using social media, avoid any messages that:

• May constitute harassment, discrimination, cyber bullying or violence;
• Are hurtful, malicious, degrading or otherwise offensive to an individual or group of individuals;
• Refer to controversial or potentially inflammatory subjects including, but not limited to, politics, sex, and religion;
• Are damaging to Karate Canada’s brand and/or relationships with our stakeholders and funding partners;
• Divulge confidential or proprietary information that belongs to Karate Canada;
• Fails to respect the privacy of others by disclosing personal information without consent.

r) pay in full invoices attributed to training camps or competitions by the required deadline. Unless otherwise agreed upon by Karate Canada on an exceptional basis, athletes owing past due outstanding amounts and invoices may not participate in subsequent Karate Canada events and activities.

(For Carded Athletes only:)

s) complete and submit biweekly training logs and reports to Karate Canada-appointed National Team Coaches, as requested, and agree to make use of services provided by Canadian Sports Centres (sports psychology / mental preparation, physical preparation, massage, physiotherapy, nutritionist services, etc.) as recommended and required by these appointed National Team Coaches;

t) complete the CCES online anti-doping education program’s two courses “True Sport Clean” and “Sport Canada - Athlete Assistance Program” at the beginning of each new carding cycle. Failure to do so will result in AAP payments being kept on hold until requirement is met.

u) comply with AAP policies and procedures, including Sport Canada and Federal government policies (e.g. Canadian Policy Against Doping in Sport, the Cannabis Act, the “UCCMS”), and those dealing with Sport Canada AAP Decisions as described in Section 13 of the AAP Policies and Procedures available online at: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/athlete-assistance.html

3. Default of Agreement

a) Where one of the parties to this agreement is of the opinion that the other party has failed to conform with its obligations under this agreement, the following shall occur forthwith:

i) The one party shall notify the other party in writing of the particulars of the alleged default.

ii) If there exists a reasonable opportunity to correct the default and the default is not so fundamental as to amount to a repudiation of this agreement, the notifying party shall indicate in the notice the steps to be taken to remedy the default and a reasonable period of time to complete the remedial steps.

iii) The parties agree that the giving of the above referred-to notice by a party will not prevent that party from later asserting that the default was so fundamental as to amount to a repudiation of this agreement.

b) If the party receiving the notice remedies the breach within the specified time, the dispute shall be considered resolved and neither party shall have any recourse against the other concerning the matter alleged to comprise the default. If the party receiving the notice fails to remedy the breach within the specified time and either party wishes recourse against the other concerning the matters alleged to comprise the default, that party shall use the dispute settlement mechanism of this agreement to resolve the differences between the parties.

Duration of Agreement

This Agreement comes into force on April 7th, 2025 and terminates on:

- SENIOR TEAM: February 20th, 2026 OR on the first date of the 2026 Senior National Championships 

- JUNIOR TEAM May 7th 2026 OR on the first date of the 2026 Junior National Championships.

Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP)

The objective of this section is to set out the respective obligations on the NSO and the Athlete regarding the advancement of a respectful sport culture that delivers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and safe sport experiences for all participants, including the athletes. The NSO and the Athlete understand and agree that they each play a part in fostering safe sport experiences and upholding the principles laid out in the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (the “UCCMS”), which are incorporated by references into the Canadian Safe Sport Program (“CSSP”). The CSSP recognizes the CCES as the body mandated to independently administer and enforce the UCCMS for sport organizations, by receiving and responding to reports of prohibited behaviour, and by developing and carrying out education, prevention and policy activities. 

 The NSO will:

(a) Expressly accept and adopt the CSSP and comply with the rights, obligations and responsibilities as outlined in the Adoption Contract (https://cces.ca/safe-sport-program);

(b) Ensure that all NSO policies, procedures or other actions are consistent with the UCCMS and the CSSP Rules;

(c) Ensure that none of this Agreement, any other NSO policy, procedure or other action, are used by the NSO to restrict the Athlete’s ability to exercise their rights, protections or responsibilities under the CSSP Rules;

(d) Obtain the informed consent of the Athlete to be subject to the CSSP Rules and its administration and enforcement processes through the CCES’s mandatory Safe Sport 2025 e-learning and track the completion of this training;

(e) Refer to the CCES on all applicable matters relevant to the CSSP Rules so that they may be addressed in accordance with the administration and enforcement under the CSSP Rules;

(f) Provide periodic safe sport and/or dispute resolution training opportunities to the Athlete and everyone interacting with or making decisions affecting the Athlete;

(g) Distribute and/or facilitate access, in a timely manner relevant information, tools, services and resources made available from time to time by the CCES for participants under the CSSP Rules, including the Athlete;

(h) Fully cooperate in good faith as part of any process related to the administration and enforcement of the CSSP Rules; and

(i) Ensure that any sanctions or provisional measures which are imposed in accordance with the CSSP Rules, are implemented, respected, and adhered to.

The Athlete will:

(a) Familiarize themselves with the UCCMS and the CSSP Rules through the completion of the mandatory Safe Sport 2025 e-learning module and consent;

(b) Act in a manner consistent with the CSSP Rules; and

(c) Fully cooperate in good faith as part of any relevant process for which Athlete participation is required in relation to the administration and enforcement of the CSSP Rules.

KARATE CANADA’S COMPETITIONS &

TRAINING FOR THE SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER ATHLETES

Karate Canada is carefully following the coronavirus pandemic's evolution on the global and domestic level and selecting athletes to participate in training camps and represent Canada at international competitions. During the continued course of the pandemic, Karate Canada will work conduct its high-performance program with agility and flexibility while putting the best interests of athlete wellness and safety and achieving performance objectives in the fore front.

Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of the mandatory and possible events which Senior National Team Roster athletes may be selected and invited to participate in during the course of the 2022 competitive season:

A.1 Competitions for Senior National Team Roster Athletes*:

A.1.1. Participation in international and domestic competitions to be announced, as applicable.

( *Exact dates and locations to be confirmed.)

A.2 Training Camps /Sessions

In order to remain members in good standing of the 2022-23 National Team Roster, athletes who will be invited must take part in the planned training camps (exact dates and locations to be confirmed) will make every attempt to do so.

Additionally, for National Team Roster member athletes residing in Ontario and in Quebec, participation in (one to two-day long) Training Camps is strongly recommended** (final dates and exact location to be announced).

Furthermore, invitational Regional Trainings will be offered in the following two regions **:

• BC/ Western Regional Trainings*** (one to two-day long; to be held in the Vancouver area - final dates and exact location to be announced):
• Atlantic Provinces Regional Trainings – Kumite only*** (one-to-two day long camps planned; exact dates and venues will be confirmed later)

**= Please note that this requirement applies, in the case of Ontario-Quebec Inter-Regional Trainings, only to invited athletes residing within 300km of the designated training venue, and in the case of all other Regional Trainings, only to invited athletes residing within 200 km of the designated training venue.

*** = Participation in these Regional Training Sessions will be mandatory for all invited Senior National Team kumite athletes residing in (or representing, at National Championships) the province of British Columbia (for BC Regional Trainings), or residing in (or representing, at National Championships) either New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia or Newfoundland / Labrador (for Atlantic Regional Trainings), if residing within 200 km of the designated training venue.

ATHLETE OBLIGATIONS AND CONSENT PERTAINING TO

CANADIAN ANTI-DOPING PROGRAM (CADP):

Athlete:

I understand that my national sport organization, Karate Canada, has adopted the 2023 Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP).

• I specifically agree that as a member of the National Athlete Pool (NAP) in my sport, I am subject to the CADP and accordingly shall be bound by all the anti-doping rules and responsibilities contained in the CADP.
• I agree that I have been educated regarding the anti-doping rules and violations contained in the CADP.
• I acknowledge that information, including personal information about me, can be shared between anti-doping organizations for anti-doping purposes and such information will be used only in a fashion that is fully consistent with the limitations and restrictions contained in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information.
• With the understanding that any disclosure is for the sole purpose of assisting the CCES in enforcement of the CADP, I consent to having police and law enforcement agencies, border services agencies, Sport Organizations of which I am a member and sporting clubs and athletic associations to which I belong, in Canada and elsewhere, disclose to the CCES information in their possession relating to me that is directly relevant to potential anti-doping rule violations contained in the CADP that may be asserted against me.

By signing this Athlete Agreement and Appendix, I acknowledge that I agree with and remain subject to the clauses outlined above until such a time as I am removed from the NAP.

To remain on the Para-Karate National Team Roster each athlete must:

• Sign and adhere to the Karate Canada Athlete Agreement within one month of being named to the roster.

• Have and maintain a valid Canadian passport

• Complete all mandatory courses and certifications as required

• Pay the required annual National Team Package Fee in full and on time within one month of being named to

the roster.

• Participate in all mandatory training camps individually required of them unless an exemption has been

granted.

• Demonstrate an appropriate maintenance of fitness and health level consistent with a high-performance athlete

on a Para-Karate National Karate Team. The Para-Karate Head Coach may call for an independent fitness or

health assessment in cases of concern about fitness and health.

• Always report any performance limiting injuries or physical conditions to the National Para-Karate Head Coach,

no later than 2 (two) weeks prior to the next upcoming camp or competition, or within 1 (one) week of the

occurrence of the illness or injury.

• Provide appropriate medical information on the injury and its treatment. This includes diagnosis and proposed

treatment protocol and estimated return to full training and/or competition.

• Keep the National Para-Karate Head Coach informed on the progress of their recovery plan and progress

according to that plan.

• Provide an accurate mailing address, an active e-mail address and all phone numbers at which they can be

reached. Any changes must be sent to the Karate Canada Head Office in a timely manner.

• Provide an additional responsible contact for communications, parent, guardian, support worker, dojo coach,
etc. This person will be carbon copied (cc) on all communications in order to assist with deadlines,
transparency, language, etc.
• Athletes in K21 & K22 divisions must provide Karate Canada (STL) the name, contact details, and confirmed
event availability of a volunteer para support worker to accompany* the athlete for targeted events.
o Para support person will be required to provide a VSC, complete Karate Canada’s designated safe sport
educational module, sign the UCCMS, indicate in writing that they agree to abide by and be subject to
the KC Code of Conduct and all other relevant and applicable KC policies, rules and regulations, and be
certified in first aid.
o Funding related to support person will be the responsibility of the individual athlete; however, where
possible, Karate Canada may provide financial support depending on the event and its available
budget.
o Up to two athletes may share the same para support person; however, KC is not responsible for any
logistics or expenses (except where expressly agreed otherwise) related to sharing of para support
person.
o Karate Canada teamwear is required and is the financial responsibility of the supporter or the athlete
(as applicable based on any agreement between the supporter and the athlete).
* Accompany – includes all travel with the athlete, accommodations in same room or adjacent room, assistance with daily
needs as required.
Note: it is an athlete’s responsibility to update Karate Canada of any change to any and all relevant addresses for
communication of important data. Karate Canada is not responsible for missed deadlines or failure to comply by an athlete if
information is sent to an incorrect or inactive address(es) if Karate Canada was not notified of such changes.