Long Term Athlete Development

Long Term Athlete Development is a program for helping our athletes improve themselves physically and mentally. This is done through a step-by-step approach, with the goals of allowing our athletes to not only make their bodies stronger, but also improve physical literacy and overall cognitive ability.

The Long Term Athlete Development model recognizes that physical literacy is the foundation for being active, healthy, and engaged in physical activity for life. It can also guide our athletes towards all kinds of success in sports, from winning gold to beating personal bests.

Simply put, Long Term Athlete Development ensures anyone can do well in their sport(s) of choice, by providing optimal training, competition, and recovery in each stage of their athletic development.

While we considered many different things when developing the Long Term Athlete Development model, our real goal is frankly quite simple. We want to deliver Good Programs, in Good Places, run by Good People. At the heart of all our work is a sports program framework that—above all else—is athlete-centred and changes based on their individual needs. This includes an athlete’s interests, goals, motivation, and skill level.

Here is what our new Long Term Athlete Development promises to deliver:

• Quality programs and services for our athletes, coaches, volunteers and supporters;
• Meaningful training for athletes and coaches;
• High level support for athletes in training and competition including
• Strong focus on the personal health, well-being and safety of our athletes

Our current framework is just the start of Long-Term Development for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Canada. This document will be supported by an implementation plan, Long Term Athlete Development specific resources, links to best practices, coaching tools and ongoing development. Resources and tools will be continued to be added to this page as they are developed.