As an alternative source of the Talent Identification Questionnaire I have made this link available and added some notes for disabled.

A ‘social’ definition of disability is often an inability to work full time / normally and I suspect that many G.N.A.S. members fit this category, but to look further towards ‘Paralympic’ standards this definition is insufficient. F.I.T.A., much closer to the organisation of an Olympic event in archery also do not define ‘disabled’ for themselves but adopt the criteria set by the IPC (International Paralympic Committee). THIS definition is designed around the ability to perform the physical movement required for a particular sport whether is it archery or any other.

Thus if you wish to apply for Talent Identification for the ‘Paralympics’ you should be aware of this definition.

Ideally, if you feel that you or someone you know is capable of the dedication and effort required to represent Great Britain please begin by printing and filling in the T.I.D. questionnaire. Some questions have been included for the benefit of the IPC 'classifier'.

The next step if disabled is to be ‘classified’. As each individual sport has ‘specific defined strength / movement’ then to be part of the archery squad you must be ‘classified’ to verify which category you would be placed within, to make competition fair and challenging. A classification may change. Your physical state may improve or decline and you may well find that you change classification category over time.

For those who aspire to work towards ‘Paralympic’ inclusion the steps are as follows:

Your ‘disability’ must fit the definition from the IPC and not the ‘social’ definition indicated earlier.

As the qualifying criteria at this level are those of the ‘full distance’ FITA competitions then you should plan your improvement ultimately to cover the longest distances and ‘F.I.T.A. Star’ competition level also.

You may apply to the Talent Identification Unit before you reach this level as they are interested in improving, dedicated and passionate archers who may be ‘classified’ early and whose progress they can monitor.

It is not required that you must be ‘the finished article’. Early classification and interview may identify someone with potential and who may work along the path toward Paralympic inclusion. For more detailed information on ‘classification’ please view the IPC web-site under ‘classification’ then ‘sport specific’ , and for the Talent Identification Questionnaire click here: TID FORM.

Forms for ‘Paralympic’ potential please send to the G.N.A.S. marked 'T.I.D. - for the attention of Helen George'.