| What is the AISL High Performance Program and what does it mean for
shooting?
Much has been said about the High Performance Program and indeed the question is oft asked, “how
does it benefit the sport overall?” In the first instance it is necessary to understand that the Program is
geared toward the top level of the sport, which is those few athletes, across the Olympic and
Paralympic disciplines that are capable of winning medals at those events. As a sport we all benefit
from the results achieved internationally and, in particular, from those of our Olympian, Paralympian
and Commonwealth Games medal winning athletes.
It is NOT just about sending teams away which is the general perception and expectation in the past.
The idea of sending teams away with the thought or hope that with international experience the
medals will come is false; the travel is only a very small part of what is required. The international
scores and medals will come, but only to those who are capable of shooting those scores daily, in
practice and at local competitions first.
Importantly the PQS is only a minimum requirement; across all sports at the high performance end
there is a need to demonstrate and achieve repeatability of the world benchmark. The following may
assist in understanding what is required.
In discussing the importance of repeatability and peak performance there is a view in shooting
circles that the achievement of a PQS by an athlete justifies national selection, funding etc. The
argument runs that, for example, 120 in men's trap or 580 in women's sport pistol would have won a
medal at one of the World Cups last year so therefore it should be the PQS.
If I am (theoretical scenario here) an athlete who has shot that score once in ideal conditions, and
maybe 118 on one other occasion. My average best in domestic competition is in the 117 region.
Clearly I deserve national selection and HP support! It is afterall well known that at benchmark
events the poorest qualifying performance for finals is often below the “PQS” standard, and medals
are often won with pretty modest performances, compared with world records. So my 118 will get
me into the finals, and might even get me a medal!
What this view ignores is that usually every athlete that gets to finals has shot the “PQS” qualifier
numerous times under varied conditions, and has peaked at well above that standard on a number of
occasions. Then, under the pressure of benchmark event (BME) conditions, possibly exacerbated by
unfavourable conditions, they can “fall back” on a “PQS” qualifier or better to achieve medal winning
performances. The “one off” athlete, on the other hand, usually cracks under the pressure of BME,
or finds the conditions don't suit, or gets the immediate pre-BME preparation wrong, or maybe
even does his best, which under those conditions, isn't good enough.
The moral to all this is that not only should the achievement of a PQS not be seen as a right of
entry for selection or support, it should be seen as a minimum prerequisite, should have been
demonstrated on numerous occasions, and under varied conditions of climate and competition
pressure. Only this repeatability demonstrates worthiness for selection and support, not the oneoff
performance, this all relates to performance based selection at the highest level – obviously
different criteria need to be considered for development athletes.
The accepted view is that a minimum of five, preferably ten repeats, represent the cut off point to
demonstrate “proven” performance.
The above scenario is a comment from another sport in which I have adapted by substituting our sports
terminology.
What is the AISL High Performance Program and what does it mean for Shooting?
Much has been said about the High Performance Program and indeed the question is oft asked, “how does it benefit the sport overall?” In the first instance it is necessary to understand that the Program is geared toward the top level of the sport, which is those few athletes, across the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines that are capable of winning medals at those events.
As a sport we all benefit from the results achieved internationally and, in particular, from those of our Olympian, Paralympian and Commonwealth Games medal winning athletes. It is NOT just about sending teams away which is the general perception and expectation in the past. The idea of sending teams away with the thought or hope that with international experience the medals will come is false; the travel is only a very small part of what is required.
The international scores and medals will come, but only to those who are capable of shooting those scores daily, in practice and at local competitions first. Importantly the PQS is only a minimum requirement; across all sports at the high performance end there is a need to demonstrate and achieve repeatability of the world benchmark.
Please see AISL HP Plan for detailed information. |
