“Being a member of Team Canada is one of the most rewarding experiences that I have had since my involvement in Special Olympics. As a member of Team Canada you get the opportunity to experience the excitement of preparing the team for its journey to success.”
- Mike Greek, Chef de Mission 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games
Overview:
The National Team Program (NTP) is designed to provide athletes, coaches and mission staff with a formalized approach to training and preparation for World Games. The program ensures that Special Olympics athletes in Canada have access to quality training, coaching and competitive opportunities to ensure optimal training, performance and a positive experience as a member of the National Team.
Areas of focus for the National Team Program in the year leading up to the World Games:
• Yearly training plan that is carried out in conjunction with the athlete’s Training Coach and monitored regularly by National Team Coaches.
• Sport Science – emphasis on fitness, nutrition and mental training.
• Training Camps – one full team training camp and one sport specific training camp.
• Training Monitoring – training diaries, monthly training reports, assessment and revision of yearly training plan, periodic fitness testing.
• Communication – ongoing contact between Training Coaches and National Team Coaches.
• Competition – additional opportunities leading up to and during the World Games.
National Team Members:
Athletes
Selection of athletes takes place following the Special Olympics Canada Summer or Winter Games.
Expectations:
• Commit to training.
• Commit to live a healthy lifestyle.
• Participate in all team events prior to and during the World Games.
• Act as a role model for their teammates and other athletes both on and off the field of play.
Best Contact
Selection of each athlete’s Best Contact takes place at the completion of the athlete selection process. This position is typically appointed by the Chapter and supports the athlete leading up to the World Games.
Expectations:
• Support athletes in achieving their training goals.
• Support athlete in living a healthy lifestyle.
• Assist athlete in completing all required travel documents.
• Ensure athlete understands all information forwarded from the National Team Program.
Training Coach
Selection of the Training Coaches takes place at the completion of the athlete selection process. This position is typically appointed by the Chapter and supports the athlete leading up to the World Games.
Expectations:
• Oversee training of assigned athlete and report progress or irregularities to National Team Coaches.
• Act as the primary contact and key link between the athlete, the local training team and the National Team Program.
Associate Coach
Expectations:
• Assist Head Coach in all aspects of the National Team Program.
• Liaise with the Training Coach for assigned athletes to monitor training.
• Participate in all team events prior to and during the World Games.
Head Coach
Expectations:
• Act as the sport technical lead for respective sport.
• Create and monitor training plans that guide athletes and coaches for the year leading up to the World Games.
• Ensure respective sport team is a cohesive unit.
• Participate in all team events prior to and during the World Games.
Mission Staff
Expectations:
• Responsible for all non-sport aspects of their assigned sport.
• Facilitate communication and administration for their assigned sport with the National Team Program (i.e. conference calls, newsletters, family program, etc.).
• Liaise with the athletes’ family/caregivers.
• Participate in all team events prior to and during the World Games.
Team Manager
Expectations:
• Assist with the overall management of Team Canada.
• Work with the Chef de Mission to develop the vision and provide guidance to the National Team.
• Direct liaison with Head Coaches.
• Participate in all team events prior to and during the World Games.
Chef de Mission
Expectations:
• Develop the overall vision for the National Team.
• Provide leadership and direction to the National Team.
• Develop the National Team critical path in conjunction with the team managers and Special Olympics Canada.
• Liaise with the World Games Organizing Committee.
• Direct liaison with Mission Staff.
• Participate in all team events prior to and during the World Games.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible to apply for the positions of Chef de Mission, Team Manager, Head Coach, Associate Coach and Mission Staff the following minimum criteria must be met:
• Registered with Special Olympics in Canada
• Must have attended the qualifying event (Special Olympics Team Canada Summer or Winter Games)
• Must be 19 years of age or over