ATHLETE IDENTIFICATION

There are 2 types of identification (NEXT GENERATION or DEVELOPMENT). Identified athletes can benefit from financial support and development opportunities (i.e., training camps and competitions). To do so, they must enter a contractual agreement with the Lifesaving Society. There are 2 different types of contracts:

  • Athletes identified at the NEXT GENERATION or DEVELOPMENT level
  • Team Québec

1. NEXT GENERATION OR DEVELOPMENT ATHLETE CONTRACTS

  • This contract officially defines the rights and obligations of athletes identified by the Lifesaving Society as being at the NEXT GENERATION or DEVELOPMENT level.
  • This contract applies to athletes officially identified at the NEXT GENERATION or DEVELOPMENT level for the current season.
  • This contract will be sent directly to the concerned athletes by e-mail.

2. TEAM QUÉBEC CONTRACT

  • This contract officially defines the rights and duties of athletes selected for a specific event at which they will represent Team Québec.
  • This contract is intended for athletes selected for a specific event.
  • This contract will be sent directly to the concerned athletes by e-mail.

IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA

Identification as a NEXT GENERATION or DEVELOPMENT athlete should not be seen as a reward forpast performances, but as a means of supporting future success.

Athletes are identified from the age of 14, as this is the minimum age for participation in national and international competitions. An athlete’s age is determined by his or her age on December 31st of the year in which he or she is to compete.

To be eligible for identification on Team Québec, each athlete must meet all mandatory criteria and demonstrate that they meet at least one of the identification criteria. Please note that meeting an identification criterion does not guarantee an athlete selection to the team. A combination of criteria will be used by the selection committee to make a final choice.

MANDATORY CRITERIA

To be eligible for identification, each athlete must first meet all of the following mandatory criteria:

  • Be between the ages of 14 and 21 as of December 31, 2025
  • Have a permanent address in Québec as of September 30 of the current season
  • Comply with anti-doping regulations (ILS and Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport—CCES/PCA)
  • Agree to abide by the Québec Lifesaving Society’s Code of Ethics and Athlete Contract
  • Have participated in regional and provincial lifesaving sport competitions in Québec between 2023 and 2025
  • Be a Canadian citizen or have valid permanent resident status in Canada on September 30 of the current season
  • Be a member in good standing of the Lifesaving Society and a member of a Québec lifesaving sport club on or before September 30 of the current season.

IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA

The athlete must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Have been selected to Canada’s Junior National Team in 2024
  • Have delivered an outstanding performance at the national or international level
  • Have medaled in an individual event at the Canadian Beach Lifesaving Championships (2023 or 2024)
  • Have achieved one of the best times in the 50 m pool at sanctioned competitions in 2023, 2024 or 2025
  • Have obtained a podium finish at the Québec Pool Lifesaving Championships in the 13–14 age category (2023, 2024 or 2025).
 

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

An athlete cannot be identified if they:

  • Do not meet one of the mandatory criteria
  • Are a member of Canada’s open national team
  • Are part of Canada’s open national team performance program

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA

The athletes on the team will be selected on the basis of their performance, in line with the identification criteria.

However, the selection committee reserves the right to use subjective criteria to guide its final decision, to ensure a balanced, committed and harmonious team. These criteria include:

  • Positive contribution to the development of the sport in Québec
  • Demonstrated willingness to progress and improve skills
  • Ability to collaborate and integrate into a team dynamic with coaches and teammates

SELECTION COMMITTEE

The selection committee will be made up of the Team Québec head coach, assistant coach and team manager.

IDENTIFIED NEXT GENERATION-LEVEL ATHLETES

Top-performing athletes according to the criteria set out below and who are not already identified at the DEVELOPMENT level.

The objective of a NEXT GENERATION identification is to prepare athletes for the Canadian Junior Team.

  • There may be a maximum of 5 athletes per gender identified at the NEXT GENERATION level on Team Québec.

IDENTIFIED DEVELOPMENT-LEVEL ATHLETES

The best-performing athletes according to the criteria set out below.

The objective of a DEVELOPMENT identification is to prepare athletes for the Canadian Open Team.

  • There may be a maximum of 5 athletes per gender identified at the DEVELOPMENT level on Team Québec.

IMPORTANT

The Lifesaving Society reserves the right, if necessary, and for reasons it deems imperative, to modify the content of the PDSSQ.

All communications relating to identifications are sent to athletes at the e-mail address given at the time of their accreditation in September. It is therefore important to keep this address up to date and to inform Lifesaving Society of any changes.

Depending on the calendar, participation in championships or a Team Québec activity may exempt athletes from the obligation to take part in a required competition. In such circumstances, a case-by-case study will be carried out.