The Ontario Table Tennis Association (OTTA) would like to inform all athletes, coaches, and clubs that, following a decision of the Board of Directors on July 12, 2026, and based on a recommendation from the High Performance Committee Chair, Eugene Wang, the selection process for Team Ontario at the 2027 Canada Winter Games has been revised.
The previously published criterion stating that the third team position would be awarded to the highest-ranked eligible athlete on the final Ontario Ranking List (ORL) has been replaced with a revised Selection Tournament format.
Updated Selection Criteria
Ontario Summer Games
The winner of the U18 Singles event at the 2026 Ontario Summer Games.
Selection Tournament
The Selection Tournament will determine the remaining two team positions through a two-tier competition.
Tier 1 – Day 1
- All athletes pursuing selection must compete in Tier 1.
- Competition format:
- The competition will be conducted as a Knock-Out draw.
- All quarter-finalists will compete in a Progressive Knock-Out format within the draw.
- Seeding will be based on the last available Ontario Ranking List (ORL).
- The winner of Tier 1 will earn a position on Team Ontario.
Tier 2 – Day 2 (Updated July 12, 2026)
- All athletes who competed in Tier 1, except the Tier 1 winner, are eligible to compete in Tier 2.
- Seeding will be based on the final standings from Tier 1.
- Competition format: Knock-Out.
- The winner of Tier 2 will earn the final position on Team Ontario.
Eligibility Requirements (Updated July 12, 2026)
- Participation in both the Ontario Summer Games and the Selection Tournament is mandatory for all athletes seeking selection.
- Only athletes who compete in Tier 1 are eligible for Tier 2 (except the Tier 1 winner, who has already secured a team position).
- Any athlete who withdraws from Tier 1 will be considered to have withdrawn from the entire Selection Tournament and will not be eligible to compete in Tier 2.
Training Camps
All selected players for the 2027 Canada Winter Games will be required to attend a series of mandatory training camps running from November 1, 2026, until the start of the Canada Winter Games.
This update replaces the previously published criterion that awarded the third team position based on the Ontario Ranking List (ORL). All other selection criteria remain unchanged.
OTTA wishes all athletes the best of luck throughout the selection process and looks forward to an exciting Selection Tournament.
Rationale for Change (Updated July 12, 2026)
The decision to revise the selection criteria was made in anticipation of planned changes to the Ontario Ranking List (ORL) system. The ORL is expected to undergo a transformation that will create a larger separation in ranking points between younger and older age categories, allowing the ranking system to better reflect athlete development pathways and performance levels across age groups.
In addition, the classification and status of Elite and International Level athletes in younger age categories will require further review to ensure that these designations accurately reflect their intended meaning. An Elite or International Level athlete should represent a top-performing athlete who has been tested and demonstrated performance capability in competitions involving the highest-level players, including international competition with world-class athletes.
At present, results and rankings in very young age categories do not always provide an accurate reflection of worldwide competitive exposure and athlete level due to differences in international participation, competition structures, and development stages.
Further adjustments to the ORL system and athlete status classifications will be developed following consultations with the High Performance Committee (HPC). The revised selection approach provides a more comprehensive evaluation process and ensures that Team Ontario selections are aligned with the objective of identifying athletes with the highest potential for success at the 2027 Canada Winter Games and beyond.