Understanding Classification

Classification is a term used frequently when referring to Paralympic Sport. It forms the structure for all Paralympic competition. Classification groups athletes with similar levels of impairment, and therefore functional ability, into sport specific classes for competition.

Athletes who belong to six different disability or impairment groups can compete in Paralympic sports: amputees, cerebral palsy/acquired brain injury, vision impairment, spinal cord injuries, intellectual impairment and a group which includes those that do not fit into the aforementioned groups (“les Autres”). These athletes have different impairments in the way their body structures and functions work, that leads to a competitive disadvantage in non-Paralympic sport.

Classification in Paralympic sport exists to support as fair and equivalent competition as possible, amongst athletes with different impairments. It is put in place in Paralympic sport to ensure that winning is determined by athletic skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus, the same factors that account for success in sport for athletes who are able-bodied. The outcomes of Paralympic competition become based on athletic performance rather than on differences that exist in athletes disabilities.

The same principles exists in other sporting classification systems; such as age group competitions for juniors, male and female competitions, or weight divisions (or classes) in boxing and weightlifting. In these examples, athletes are grouped together by similar structures such as age, gender or weight to allow for as fair compeition as possible.

Initial systems for classification were based on medical results and testing. However, as each Paralympic sport requires different athletic skills for performance, classification systems have now evolved to being based significantly on the impact of the athlete’s impairment on their ability to compete in their respective sport. This means that each sport has a unique system for classification.

An efficient classification system must:

- Enable fair and equitable competition 
- Give each athlete with a disability an equal opportunity to compete 
- Be sport specific 
- Only measure functional limitations caused by the disability 
- Be as simple as possible so that it can be used in a consistent way

An athlete’s natural talent, level of training or gender will not affect their classification.

Sport Specific Classification Systems

All Paralympic sports have individual classification systems that have identified the key skill areas that are critical to performance of their particular sport. Classification is based on specific functional abilities as related to individual sporting performance. This means that athletes that compete in more than one sport will receive a different classification for each sport.

Athlete Classification Process

To determine an athlete’s classification for a sport, a group of officials, known as classifiers, assess the athlete to determine how their impairment influences their sport ability, regardless of their level of training or development.  The following components generally form the basis of the evaluation process.

Medical, Visual or Cognitive testing - An examination to ascertain the extent that the athlete’s impairment has on their potential function.

Demonstration of sport skills - The athlete demonstrates techniques used in their sport. For example athlete demonstrates dribbling and shooting skills for Wheelchair basketball; or stroke technique in Swimming.

Visual review during competition - The analysis of the athlete during competition.

Minimal Disability Criteria

Each Paralympic sport has a set of minimal disability criteria that are specific to their sport. These criteria are generally based on the functional skills that are required to compete in the non-Paralympic equivalent of their sport. Where an athlete demonstrates sufficient and measurable functional limitations compared to athletes without disabilities, they are generally eligible for Paralympic sport. For example, the athlete who does not have a hand on one of their arms, may be said to have a greater disadvantage in sports such as Swimming, Cycling or Alpine skiing, than in sports such as Athletics or Shooting. Athletes who do not meet the minimal criteria for a sport are not able to compete in any level of Paralympic competition.

The fact sheets below contain more detailed information about classification

TTA would like to acknowledge that the above information was obtained from the Australian Paralympic Committee website and for more information on Classification please visit Australian Paralympic Committee

Please have a look at the video below to see the latest Para Table Tennis Classification youtube clip.

Para Table Tennis Classification YouTube Clip

Please click on the below links to view full PDF versions:

Table Tennis Australia Classification Policy and Procedures _Approved SEPT 2011.pdf
 

APC classification information sheet - Table Tennis.pdf 

TTA Classification Info Sheet Intellectual Impairment.pdf

Athlete Classification Pathway

The Athlete Classification Pathway

Classification is not required for general participation in sport. Any person can participate in sport; socially, without a need to be classified. To compete in sport as an athlete with a disability, an athlete must meet the minimal disability criteria for that sport, and hold a particular level of classification.  Classification is an assessment process, which allows us to group athletes whose disability causes similar limitations in their sport in order to allow for meaningful competition.

Access to early classification evaluation is an important part of the athletes’ developmental pathway;  as it provides confirmation that they are eligible for Paralympic sport. Once an athlete has been classified, they may compare their performance with athletes of the same class, determining how competitive they may be and setting realistic performance goals. Athletes should have access to accurate classification advice at all levels of competition, by a person who is trained as a classifier.

Where there is uncertainty about an athlete’s classification, it is typical for a higher class rather than lower class to be allocated to an athlete.

Levels of Classification

The national classification pathway exists to provide regular, local classification at a level appropriate for the athlete’s development.

Provisional Classification

The provisional classification process has been designed to allow athletes who do not have access to a sport specific classification panel, to gain an indication of their classification for their specific sport. This provisional classification must be given by a certified classifier, and is conducted in line with International classification rules for the sport.

All provisional classifications provide an indication of a sport specific classification and are generally only valid for a 12 month period.

An athlete may generally participate at club level, school level or local competition. A provisional class is generally not valid for state level competition. Athletes with provisional classification are not eligible for national rankings, records or team selections.

National Classification

National Classification is a sport-specific classification process that involves the same tests that are used for the International Classification process.  This level of classification is for athletes who have a genuine interest in competing against others with a disability in their chosen sport.  National Classification should be available several times through the year, often in conjunction with a state or national championship for that sport. It is valid for up to national level competition, and is required for selection to National teams, and to claim Australian records or rankings.

In cases where an athlete’s class may be borderline or where an shows potential for International competition, the athlete may be reviewed by the most experienced classifiers for the sport in Australia, to ensure that the class given nationally is as accurate as possible.

International Classification

Once an athlete progresses to international competition, they will need to undergo International Classification conducted at an appropriate International event by the International Federation for their sport.  An International classification outcome always supersedes any National level classification. The APC works with the sports at this level to ensure that athletes and teams are adequately prepared for the process.

TTA would like to acknowledge that the above information was obtained from the Australian Paralympic Committee website and for more information on Classification please visit Australian Paralympic Committee


For further information on the Table Tennis Athlete Classification Pathway please view the attached documents.


Request for athlete classification.pdf

National Athlete Classification Pathway-2.pdf 

General Classification Information for Athletes-Table Tennis.pdf 

Table Tennis Classification Card - Updated July 2014.pdf

Provisional Table Tennis Classification Card.pdf

Classifier Portal

What is a Classifier?

A classifier is an official who provides sport specific classification assessments, to determine in which class an athlete with a disability will compete. Classifiers work in a voluntary capacity at a state, national and international level. Classifiers work closely with their relevant sport organisations, as well as with the Australian Paralympic Committee, International classifiers and other national classifiers.

Classification systems are sport specific and to classify requires a high level of understanding demands of that sport, as well as the ability to determine how impairment impacts on an athlete’s ability to compete in their sport Classification is most important for international or elite competition, but classification at a national level is important to allow young athletes to goal set, to determine their competitiveness in relation to athletes in the same class, and to begin the pathway toward international competition.

Types of Classifiers

International Federations have two different types of classifiers: medical and technical. Some federations use only one of these, and some use a combination of both. In Australia, we aim to have national level classifiers for each sport in line with the mix of medical and technical classifiers that the international federations use.

Medical Classifiers

In general, medical classifiers are either medical doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists or ophthalmic professionals depending on the disability group they classify for. . In addition to a strong understanding of the relevant sport, these classifiers have expertise in:

Diagnosis and interpretation of medical assessment procedures; 

Physical disabilities (eg. neurological and orthopaedic conditions and injuries), vision impairments, intellectual impairments; 

Diagnosis and interpretation of medical assessment procedures; 

Assessment procedures relevant to disability group such as muscle strength and range of motion, hypertonia scales, limb length, visual acuity/field, cognitive testing parameters;  

Determination sports activity limitation resulting from the impairment.

Technical Classifiers

Technical classifiers are those who have a very high level of technical expertise in their particular sport. In addition they should also have an understanding of the disability or impairment groups that are involved with their sport. They may be experienced coaches, sport scientists or human movement specialists, experienced ex-athletes.

What is expected and what are the opportunities?

The Australian Paralympic Committee works in partnership with the National Federations for the sports to identify the needs for future classifier development. The process involves identifying suitably qualified and experienced individuals who are interested in becoming national or international classifiers in targeted sports and geographic areas. Those national classifiers who achieve a high degree of excellence may have the opportunity to train to become international classifiers in due time.

A national classifier in a given sport will be expected to participate in a minimum of 1 state based day yearly as part of a classification panel. They may be asked to act as part of a classification panel for their chosen sport 1-2 times yearly at national events around Australia. Costs associated with interstate travel for classification will be met by the organisation hosting the classification day or event.

Training in the relevant sport classification system will be provided, and potential classifiers will be supported by the National Federations for the sport, the APC National Classification Manager and where possible mentored by experienced Australian Classifiers for the relevant sport.

This is an exciting opportunity to extend your skills and to work closely with athletes with a disability.

Which sports have classifiers in Australia?

Alpine Skiing, Athletics, Boccia, Cycling, Equestrian, Football 7-a-side, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby and  Wheelchair Tennis.

How do I apply?

If you would like to know more, please contact:

Sue Stevenson

High Performance Director

Table Tennis Australia

Email: sue@tabletennis.org.au

Phone: (07) 3369 4999

For further information please refer to the attached documents:

APC_TTA EOI Form Potential Classifier.pdf 

APC_TTA Classifiers fact sheet.pdf 

Table Tennis_National Classifier Pathway.pdf