CLASSIFICATION IN PARA ICE HOCKEY

This is a brief overview of classification in the sport and is in no way legally binding. In all cases the sport-specific classification rules will take precedence. For further questions please contact info@worldparaicehockey.org.

WHAT IS CLASSIFICATION?

In order to safeguard the integrity of fair competition, all Para sports have a system in place which aims to ensure that winning is determined by sporting factors such as skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus, the same factors that account for success in sport for able bodied athletes.

This system is called classification.

Through classification, it is determined which athletes are eligible to compete in a sport and how those athletes are then grouped together for competition, in order to minimise the impact of those athletes’ impairments on sport performance.

Classification is sport-specific because an impairment affects the ability to perform in different sports to a different extent. As a consequence, an athlete may meet the criteria to compete in one sport, but may not meet the criteria in another sport. Having an impairment is thus not sufficient for an athlete to compete in Para sport.

The groupings of athletes by the degree of activity limitation resulting from their impairments are called ‘Sport Classes’. This, to a certain extent, is similar to grouping athletes by age, gender or weight.

Classification across the Paralympic Movement is governed by the IPC Athlete Classification Code and Standards. More information about classification can be found here.

CLASSIFICATION IN PARA ICE HOCKEY

The details of classification in Para ice hockey are set out in the World Para Ice Hockey Classification Rules and Regulations (link below).

Athletes must have one of the eligible impairments and meet the minimum impairment criteria for the sport set out in those rules in order to be eligible to compete.

ELIGIBLE IMPAIRMENTS FOR PARA ICE HOCKEY

All athletes in Para ice hockey have one or more of the following impairments:

  • Limb deficiency
  • Impaired Muscle Power
  • Impaired Passive Range of Motion
  • Ataxia, athetosis, hypertonia
  • Leg length difference

SPORT CLASSES IN PARA ICE HOCKEY

In Para Ice Hockey there is only one sport class. All athletes in the sport class have an impairment in the lower part of their body. All players on a team must meet the minimum impairment criteria to compete in Para ice hockey.

FORMS AND DOCUMENTS

World Para Ice Hockey Classification Rules (Updated July 2017)

World Para Medical Review Request Form (Uploaded October 2020)

World Para Ice Hockey Medical Diagnostics Form (Updated 22 May 2018)