Overview of 2006 Athlete Financial & Medical Support (AFMS):

USRowing, in conjunction with the USOC, has provided a system of athlete support designed to both allocate assistance throughout the year and provide for evaluation of athletes on a regular basis. Although USRowing developed this program in 2005, funding was delayed until mid-year as the USOC completed its budgeting process. The 2006 AFMS process continues to evolve from what we have learned in previous years and is based on the USOC mandated prioritization and focus of the funding. Performance incentives for small boats and sculling will continue to be a part of the 2006 athlete support program.

Based on athlete input, USRowing, working with the USOC, has adjusted the AFMS for 2006. Specific highlights of the 2006 plan are to:

1. Prioritize financial support to the returning 2004 Olympic medalists and 2005 World Championship small boat finalists  (Tier One) 
2. Support the non-medalists/other athletes who are training toward priority events in 2006 (Tier Two)
3. Continue using a period of support evaluation beyond a monthly basis to allow more consistent funding expectations for athletes.
4. Funding decisions for Tier Two and EAHI allocation are to be determined by a committee comprised of: USRowing Executive Director, HPC Chair, the two AAC Representatives, and head coach for that specific discipline.

The 2006 process continues to use a tiered system focused on prioritization. Most athletes will fall into tier two or three. The total 2006 funding amounts and number of slots will be similar to 2005 but fewer than in pre-2004 years. This may result in funded athletes rowing in boats with colleagues who are not funded. This is the unavoidable reality of our Olympic funding and support.

Keeping these changes in mind, below you will find an outline of 2006 USOC Athlete Support.

Basis: Two tiers in funding

Tier One 

Tier one funding will go to:

1. Small boat finalists from Gifu Worlds (W2-, LW2x, W1x, W4x, M4-)
2. Returning Athens Games medalists who took a sabbatical in 2005
3. 2005 Tier 1 who fulfilled their contractual obligations
4. Coxswains from 2005 World Championship

Funding is available to athletes who meet these criteria and who are returning to train and race at the Eton World Championships in the following Olympic priority events: [M2-, M4-, M4x, W2-, W2x, W1x and LW2x.]

Athletes will be asked to sign a contract stating their intention to train, participate In speed orders, erg testing, NSRs, and compete in one of the listed Olympic small boat or sculling events. Funding will continue throughout 2006 at a rate of up to $1,500/month, unless the athlete fails to adhere to the agreement or make the 2006 World Championship team, at which point the funding ceases.
 
Tier Two - Athletes Training for Priority Events (no duplication of athletes from Tier One)

Available for up to 14 athletes who are actively training for priority events: [M2-, M4-, M4x, LM2x, W4x, W2x, W2- ]

Up to $1,000/month is available per athlete. There will be four funding periods in 2006 for this tier of athlete support:

• Winter Training: January through  March (based on 2006 priority boats)
• Spring Preparation: April through June
• Team Selection: July through August
• Competition: September through December

Selection Criteria for Tier Two

From January to August, athletes will be selected for Athlete Support based on the following criteria:

• Performance at 2005 World Championships
• 2005-06 National Team Testing results and other trials held throughout the racing year
• Performance at the 2005-06 Identification Camps
• Performance at 2006 National Team Training Camps
• Competition results during the 2006 season Performance
• 2006 National Selection Regatta I and II Results
• 2006 European World Cup racing (if applicable)

Once all athletes have been named to the team, the allocations made for September through December will be made based on which athletes have earned seats in priority event boats for the 2006 World Championships.

Performance Incentives

In 2005, we introduced the concept of performance incentives at selection events and the world championships. 2006 will see greater depth in this program for small boat and sculling events.

Criteria:

• Top two place finish in small boats at national selection regattas
• Top two place finish in small boats at fall regatta

Events:

• NSR I and NSR II
• Fall small boat regatta

If any funds remain, Op Gold Plus may be available. Details will be available after worlds team selection in August 2006.

EAHI (Tier three is health insurance only)

USRowing will hold a total of 48 slots in 2006. We intend to prioritize top level athletes to receive EAHI benefits.

Criteria:

1. Priority to Olympic event medalists at 2005 World Championships in Gifu, Japan.
2. Second priority to Olympic event athletes 2005 World Championships in Gifu, Japan.
3. Third priority to returning 2004 Olympic medalists continuing to train for 2006 World Championship.
4. Fourth priority to developing athletes training for Olympic events and 2004 Olympians.

Factors in allocation under criteria #4:

• Receiving tier one or tier two athlete support from USOC
• Must be training toward Beijing games
• Rowing for a 2006 priority boat class 
• Demonstrated international success in a priority or a development event in previous 12 months
• Demonstrated development potential through performance on testing, NSR, selection events or camp during this year

Evaluation Periods:

May 2006

Basis: At this point athletes will have participated in the 2005-2006 erg testing season, April Speed Order, National Selection events, and will have been selected for the first International World Cup in 2006.

October 1, 2006

Basis: Athletes will have participated in the 2006 World Championships in Eton, England, and will have reported to fall practice for the 2007 World Championships.

Questions or concerns:

Questions or concerns regarding the Athlete Support Plan should be directed to the appropriate coach, an USRowing athlete representative or the USRowing programs manager.

Kate Johnson, AAC Representative, 619-517-3645, kate_johnson1@hotmail.com

Kris Korzeniowski, Head Sculling Coach, 609-419-1936, kriskorzeniowski@hotmail.com

Mike Teti, Men's Sweep Coach, 609-419-1936, teti@usrowing.org

Tom Terhaar, Women's Coach, 609-419-1936, ttrhr@aol.com

Elpi J. Pagitsas, National Teams Program Manager, 609-419-1936, elpi@usrowing.org