June 2010

In this Issue:

Less than 5 months to go until the 2010 AthletesCAN Forum!

In less than 5 months AthletesCAN will host the 18^th Annual AthletesCAN Forum featuring KidsCAN School Day in Gatineau, QC from October 28 – 31, 2010 at the Chateau Cartier.

AthletesCAN is proud to announce for the first time ever an NSO Stream will be offered. The NSO Stream will focus on best practices and resources and tools to ensure athlete representation is effective both within national sport organizations and across the Canadian sport system.

Check out the links below for more information on how you can be involved in the 2010 AthletesCAN Forum:

Nominate for the 2010 AthletesCAN Leadership Award

Nominate for the 2010 AthletesCAN Social Responsibility Award

Nominate for the AthletesCAN Board of Directors

Notice of AGM

Media Accreditation

2010 AthletesCAN Forum Homepage

2010 KidsCAN School Day Homepage

AthletesCAN and Investors Group announce 2010 Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund bursary recipients

AthletesCAN and Investors Group are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2010 Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund bursary.

In keeping with their commitment to amateur sport in Canada, Investors Group established a bursary fund for Canada’s top amateur athletes. A national leader in delivering personalized financial solutions to Canadians, Investors Group annually awards twenty $5,000 bursaries to assist Canada’s elite amateur athletes with the costs of training and competition. Selection criteria includes: athletic achievement, financial need and community involvement. Since its inception in 2000, the Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund has awarded over $1,000,000 to Canadian athletes. AthletesCAN administers the bursary on behalf of Investors Group.

“Investors Group is very proud to support Canada’s finest athletes in their pursuit of excellence in sport and for their work in the community,” said Richard Irish, Vice-President, Community Affairs and Area Marketing for Investors Group. “Through the Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund we have now surpassed a million dollar milestone in bursary assistance to athletes who have gone on to achieve great things in sport and in their own personal development. We are pleased to be able to recognize their hard work and dedication through this program.”

In 2009 Skeleton athlete Jon Montgomery was one of 20 recipients to earn the Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund Bursary of $5,000 through AthletesCAN. In the lead up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver/Whistler he had taken a step back from his career aspirations to focus on training full-time without a job. “Very few programs exist that put dollars directly in the pockets of athletes and help with the monthly overhead of life”, says Jon. “Easing the financial burden of personal expenses creates a ripple effect through an athlete’s life that has a far reaching impact and when you win a gold medal by 7 hundredths of a second, as I did in Whistler, you can never really account for where that difference came from. Perhaps Investors Group's generosity and desire to make an impact on the Canadian amateur sport landscape was the difference in my, Canada's 100th Olympic Gold Medal, performance. I'm truly grateful.”

AthletesCAN Executive Director Jasmine Northcott adds: “The athletes recognized through the Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund are champions both on and off the field of play. AthletesCAN is proud to partner with Investors Group each year to recognize Canada’s top athletes and thanks Investors Group for their continued leadership and support.”

2010 Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund bursary recipients are:

Lascelles	Brown	Bobsleigh
Mandy	Bujold	Boxing
Kia	Byers	Kayak
Adrian	Dieleman	Wheelchair Tennis
Martine	Dugrenier	Wrestling
David	Eng	Wheelchair Basketball
Viviane	Forest	Para-Alpine
Brian	Johns	Swimming
Paul	MacDonald	Waterskiing-Barefoot
Cindy	Ouellet	Wheelchair Basketball
Maxime	Potvin	Taekwondo
Sheryl	Preston	Rowing
Joshua	Riker-Fox	Modern Pentathlon
Catherine	Roberge	Judo
Michelle	Stilwell	Wheelchair Athletics
Laura	Stoughton	Rugby
Douglas	Vandor	Rowing
Robbi	Weldon	Para Nordic
David	Wright	Sailing
Yvette	Yong	Taekwondo

AthletesCAN Developing Strategic Plan

AthletesCAN is pleased to share with you that we are currently in the strategic planning process for the next quadrennial. The multi-faceted plan is being coordinated by AthletesCAN’s planning committee on behalf of the Board of Directors and will solicit feedback from the membership through surveys and interviews.

AthletesCAN will be working with Dina Bell-Laroche of the Centre for Sport and Law and Jennifer Birch-Jones of PMN Consulting to develop a robust strategic framework that incorporates our desired objectives, our mission, vision and values, and a mechanism to evaluate our performance on a continuous basis.

“This is an opportunity for AthletesCAN to chart a future direction that supports our organizational priorities, in support of the needs of our athletes, and the growth of the organization,” says AthletesCAN President Andrew Nisker.

Over the next few months members of AthletesCAN and key stakeholders will be approached to offer their views on the key areas they believe the organization should focus on over the next several years. Please take the necessary time to voice your opinion as an integral part of the process and help to shape the future priorities of AthletesCAN.

Athlete Voice Column

Downtime by Matt Hallat, 2010 Paralympian, Alpine Skiing

Typically throughout the course of a month, somewhere in my travels something pops into my head that spurs on many ideas, and eventually it manifests itself into some coherent piece of writing I like to call my blog.

This past month has been a combination of continuously reliving the events of the past winter, and looking ahead to what I need to do to be successful in the future both in and out of skiing. I’ve attended a number of events in the past month and met hundreds of curious people who want to know what it was like to ski in the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. The honest answer is I STILL can’t quite put it into words. I have come to the conclusion that it is likely going to take a long time to fully comprehend just what those moments meant. I suspect it will be a day long after my skiing career is over when I can truly reflect and realize the magnitude of everything that has occurred.

I have spent the better part of the last 3 weeks doing a tour with one of my sponsors, McElhanney, going from branch to branch celebrating their 100^th birthday. It has been incredible to travel throughout British Columbia and Alberta and meet so many different people and relive their Olympic experiences. I met a mother whose daughter refused to go to bed during the Olympics unless she had her Mukmuk with her. I met another man who had no fewer than 4 monitors showing different feeds of the Games. The stories are endless. I’ve been to able share different stories with each and every branch; it’s still amazing the magnitude of everything that happened.

Paralympic sport was really put on the map during the March Games. I can sum that up in one memory.

I walked into the House of Commons with 120 Olympic and Paralympic athletes shortly after the Games were over. I was mesmerized at the magnitude of the building, so mesmerized in fact that it took me a few minutes to realize the Prime Minister was standing directly behind me. I was standing beside my teammate Lauren Woolstencroft at the time, and we turned to meet Stephen Harper simultaneously. Mr Harper reached out his hand to shake hers, and said “Nice to see you again Lauren”….the Prime Minister of Canada knows her by name, and when you are getting that kind of attention, the entire Paralympic movement benefits.

Looking ahead, I’m in the process of figuring out how to best juggle skiing and school as I have every intention to compete through the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. My parents are already starting to save their pennies. Just think what an incredible experience Russia will be. I have 2 years to finish off my BBA degree at Simon Fraser University, and my plan is to have that completed in order to pass from a career in skiing to a career in business when all is said and done.

Life after 2010 is certainly different. There is no longer this be all and end all date looming in the not so distant future. While 2010 was an amazing experience and I would not trade it for the world, I’m really enjoying the fact that next year I can just go out and ski, without this end date continuously in the back of my mind.

2010 has forever changed my life and has given Winter Paralympic Sport and likely all Canadian sports a huge boost. I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next 4 years in the wake of 2010, and if when London and Russia role around, we see that same Canadian pride that we did this past winter in Vancouver. As for right now, it’s back to the gym. Sochi will come faster than you know it.

Athletes Making a Difference
Inspiring the Next Generation by Jenn Heil, Freestyle Mogul Skier & Olympic Champion

When I arrive at the base of the mountain for my fifth annual girls-only Spring Camp, I see forty bright eyed and smiling faces. You can see their excitement bubbling to the surface.

Although the weekend is about skiing moguls, it really isn’t about the skiing. It’s about creating an atmosphere where the girls are having fun; where they are encouraged; and where they are learning skills beyond ski techniques.

For me, the weekend is about hope. Hope that in these moments of just being together they feel energized and motivated to carry those feelings forward. Hope that they realize that I too was once their age faced with many of the same challenges which can all be overcome.

After the first day we hold a visualization session. Many of the girls have never tried visualization before. They quickly realize that this technique can be used when they are writing exams or in any other pressure filled moment. I emphasize that this is a skill that should be practiced and is something they can take with them.

As we ride up the chairlift at the end of another day of shredding the moguls, one of the skiers turns to me and says, “I forgot about how much fun it is to ski with the girls, they’re so supportive.”

Of course I want to encourage them to pursue mogul skiing but at the end of the day I hope that they will simply take the values of sport with them wherever they go. Sport has enriched every part of my life, has presented me with many challenges and ultimately has provided many incredible opportunities. I hope they can be touched in the same way.

Of course, on the second day, in one of our sessions off the slopes I share with them the adventures of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. I know they were all watching and I want them to continue to live the excitement of the Games through my stories. I wanted them to be inspired, to realize that in order to live out your dreams you need a dedication to hard work, passion, and conviction. I want them to know that my adventure to the top of the Vancouver Olympic course was bumpy along the way as their own life adventures will be.

When it is time for the girls to ask questions the hands shoot up in the air. By the quality of questions I know that many of them are already planning the next move of their own life adventures. The forty hugs at the end of the camp are more than I can ask for in return.

Ready for Delhi
A guide to preparing for the 2010 Commonwealth Games

Podium performances and personal bests don’t happen without a single-minded commitment to a plan. In order to create the best possible conditions for our team, Commonwealth Games Canada, and the extraordinary Mission Staff assembled for Delhi 2010, have done an unprecedented job of planning and preparation.

One of the tailor-made tools developed for members of Team Canada is the ‘Ready for Delhi’ guide. Packed with practical tips on everything from fighting jet lag to avoiding “Delhi belly”, the booklet offers a checklist to assist athletes and other team members to ensure that all environmental, nutritional, medical and personal security strategies are being addressed prior to departure. It is important to establish individualized acclimatization and staging plans based on previous experiences.

Here are some highlights every athlete should know:

TRAVEL TIPS

Critical circadian time refers to the natural fluctuations in energy, fatigue and mental sharpness that occur during the day. Understanding the peaks and lows of these changes will allow you to predict when you will be most tired, most alert and ready for training when you arrive at your destination.

The circadian peaks and lows are as follows:

The absolute low in the biological clock is between 2 and 4 a.m.;
The afternoon circadian low is between 2 and 4 p.m.; and,
The periods of highest alertness are mid-morning and early evening.

Key points when first arriving in Delhi:

4 a.m. Toronto time (biological low) corresponds to 1:30 p.m. in Delhi. Expect to be tired. This is a bad time to push training – you should wait until your body has adjusted, but it is okay to go for light exercise and expose your body to sunlight;
4 p.m. Toronto time corresponds to 1:30 a.m. in Delhi, so going to sleep should be easier, but you may have broken sleep for a few nights; and,
4:30 a.m. Delhi time will correspond to a period of high alertness (6 p.m. Toronto time), which is why some athletes will suffer from disrupted sleep until they adjust.

HYDRATION TIPS

Develop individualized rehydration plans well in advance;
Drink beyond the sensation of thirst, especially during the initial acclimatization to heat and humidity;
Begin all training and competition well hydrated (urine should be pale yellow). If possible drink throughout, but in small amounts to avoid sensation of bloating;
Regular monitoring of morning weight will give an indication of water loss. [1 Kg weight loss = 1 litre water loss]; rehydrate with 1.5 litres. Use nude weight before and after training to determine water loss;
Hydration supplements (which may contain carbohydrates, glycerol, electrolytes, etc.) should be tested well in advance and in consultation with your sports nutritionist. Caution: if re-hydration is the goal, drinks with high sugar content will slow down the rate of water absorption from the stomach. If re-hydrating with an energy drink, the solution should contain 2 to 3% carbohydrate;

NUTRITION TIPS

Ensure you have an individual nutritional and hydration plan for training and competition in Delhi;
Assess nutritional needs and document allergies, intolerances and specific requirements, e.g. vegetarian, vegan (the Village Cafeteria will have many options);
Ensure that your needs can be met during the flight (order specific meals) and at the destination, both in the village and at the venue (if required);
Research and plan for any problems that might occur, such as a past history of gastrointestinal problems;
Bring all normal recovery foods and supplements that you use back home to the Games (e.g. specific energy bars and/or protein powders etc);
Extra electrolytes (especially sodium) can help with water retention in the heat, and some evidence suggests the potential to prevent muscle cramping. You may consider trying an over the-counter electrolyte powder (e.g. Gastrolyte) at home during the hot summer prior to the Games. If successful, pack extra powdered electrolytes that can be used in bottled water available at the Village or competition venues.

To download the complete Ready for Delhi guide, click here.

To further discuss any of the strategies outlined in this document, please advise your Team Manager who will contact Dr. Jon Kolb, Delhi 2010 Team Leader – Coaching and Applied Sport Science (jon.kolb@ownthepodium.org) or Dr. Navin Prasad, Delhi 2010 Team Leader – Health and Wellbeing (navprasad@shaw.ca).

What’s NEW @ AthletesCAN?

AthletesCAN is continually looking for ways to improve our programs and services provided to our members. A critical part of this involves hearing from our members. Recently, AthletesCAN sent out a survey to members for their feedback. The results of this survey will be used to help the AthletesCAN Board of Directors make some important decisions on the future of the organization as we chart out our new strategic direction.
AthletesCAN would like to welcome student intern Alain Brouillette to their staff for the summer. Alain is a student at Laurentian University in Sport Administration and is currently working full time with AthletesCAN on a number of key projects including the 2010 AthletesCAN Forum, 2010 online leadership modules, membership updates, and news bulletins. In his spare time, Alain enjoys snowboarding, playing hockey and lacrosse.

The Athlete Agreement: Key Factors to investigate BEFORE signing

By Dan Strickland and Jon Barnett, Sport Solution Program Managers

Athlete Agreements formalize the relationship between athletes and their National Sport Organizations (NSOs). These agreements were implemented over two decades ago as part of the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) offered through Sport Canada. Initially, the agreements followed a standard form and addressed details such as conduct, doping and training requirements. These contracts have now become much more comprehensive and can reach upwards of 80 pages or more. Sport Canada has a model athlete agreement on their website which can be accessed at http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/sc/pol/athl/index-eng.cfm under Appendix A. This document will be referred to throughout the article.

As the athlete agreement governs everything from the use of the athlete’s image to appeal policies, it is exceedingly important that athletes take the time to thoroughly read the document in its entirety and understand all of the terms. When examining the athlete agreement, you should look for the following:

1. Does it make sense? If you do not understand a term in the agreement, contact a member of your NSO, your athlete rep or the Sport Solution to ask questions. Do not sign anything you do not understand.

2. Selection Criteria. Most agreements will outline the performance standards with which the athlete will be evaluated on for competition selection and carding eligibility. Athletes must be aware that these criteria often change from year to year. Make sure the selection criteria are clear and are included as part of the athlete agreement. Failure to include these criteria can indicate an incomplete agreement on behalf of your NSO and should therefore not be signed. This also applies to the appeals procedure, discussed below.

3. Appeals Procedure. The appeal procedure for disputes should be integrated into the body of the agreement or as an appendix. Be aware of the requirements for appeals. Become familiar with the timing restrictions, format and grounds for appeal. Failure to follow the guidelines may result in a dismissal of your appeal, regardless of the merits.

To view Sport Canada’s AAP appeals policy, please visit http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/sc/pol/athl/114-eng.cfm. Most NSOs require appeals to be submitted 2-3 weeks after a decision has been made. For an example of a well drafted NSO appeals policy visit www.volleyball.ca/userfiles/Appeals.pdf.

4. Discipline Policy. Make sure you are comfortable with the penalties for various offences and that you believe the punishment fits the crime. NSOs often use vague terms to describe conduct such as “unsportsmanlike behaviour”, or conduct “injurious to the image of the sport”. If your athlete agreement uses these types of vague terms please contact the Sport Solution. Your NSO has a responsibility to ensure all terms included in the agreement are clearly defined and comprehensible to the athlete.

5. Image Rights. Many agreements require athletes to hand over their personal image rights to the NSO. Be careful - this may restrict you from certain endorsement possibilities. The opportunity to market your image commercially is rare so before signing the agreement, find out if your NSO is preventing you from taking advantage of these opportunities. For an example of an NSO agreement addressing image rights, please see Section 5 – License of Diving Canada’s athlete agreement: http://www.diving.ca/english/html/athletes/2010 National Team Athlete Agreement _Final_-EN.pdf

If you are confused or displeased with any terms of your athlete agreement, it should be brought to the attention of your athlete rep or NSO before signing. Athletes must be aware that when signing the athlete agreement there is a presumption that you agree with its provisions. If this is not the case, you must be able to prove that you signed your agreement under coercion or duress.

Any questions about your Athlete Agreement can be brought to the attention of the Sport Solution. Please contact Dan or Jon at law.sportsolution@uwo.ca or toll free at 1-888-434-8883.

About Articles

The articles published on this web site are written by Sport Solution Program Managers on behalf of AthletesCAN. These articles may not be reprinted or republished without the express written consent of AthletesCAN.

Article Disclaimer

Information on this web site is intended as general legal information only and should not form the basis of legal advice or opinion. AthletesCAN makes no warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy and reliability of the information published here, and accepts no responsibility for any consequences arising from a reader's reliance upon this information. Readers seeking legal advice should consult with a lawyer.

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