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Discover the importance of a Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model for optimal training and competition, challenging traditional structures to prioritize athlete growth over short-term wins. Learn how Athletics Canada is reshaping events to support athlete development, emphasizing equal opportunity, and athlete-centered programs. Uncover the strategy, implementation timeline, and ongoing efforts to align track and field events with international standards for sustained success.
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ATHLETICS CANADALONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENTIMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
WHY WE NEED A LONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT MODEL • Adult training and competition structures are superimposed on young athletes • Preparation is geared to short-term outcome of winning, not the process • Chronological ,rather than developmental age , is used in training/competition planning • Fundamental movement skills and sport skills are not taught properly • Parents are not educated about LTAD • Many sports specialize too early in an attempt to attract and retain participants
Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) requires … • Optimal development requires balanced training, competition and recovery programming • A balanced programming approach that should relate to biological development and maturation • Equal opportunity for recreation and competition • Programs to be athlete centred, coach driven and administration, sport science and sponsor supported
Coaches who Follow LTAD Principles . . . • Develop programs based on developmental age, not biological age • Are aware of the critical windows of trainability and design programs to maximize athlete’s development • Develop the 5 S’s (skill, speed, strength, stamina, suppleness) • Consider the role of Peak Height Velocity (the growth spurt) in training progressions
ATHLETICS CANADA LONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT MODEL
We have already added a program that focuses on fundamental skill development (RJT) • Currently Pee Wee athletes compete in the same events as Senior athletes • The current event program of events is not progressive or account for long term athlete development • The event structure needs to be altered so events are developmentally appropriate • Event progressions must be added to meet athlete needs. WHAT CHANGES DOES ATHLETICS CANADA NEED TO MAKE?
LTAD document written (2005-2006) • Integrated with all New NCCP courses • Technical Directors meeting (all provinces March 08) – developed new event structure • AGM meeting with ED’s and Presidents (May 08) • Branch meetings with coaches, technical committees and boards (May –Nov 08) • Technical Directors meeting at Technical Congress – agreement on new events achieved ATHLETICS CANADA LTAD DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Athletics Canada event restructuring was done in consultation and collaboration with provincial branches • Implementation over 4 years • Indoor Track events – September 2009 • Outdoor Track events– April 2010 • Indoor Field events – September 2010 • Other Field events – April 2011 • Schools (Indoor and outdoor) – April 2012 • Additional discussions regarding World Youth and other international opportunities to be scheduled in the future • The Royal Canadian Legion has agreed to all event structure changes and will follow our implementation timelines ATHLETICS CANADA LTAD IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Pee Wee Track & Off Track Events
Bantam Track & Off Track Events
Midget Track & Off Track Events
Youth Track & Off Track Events
Youth Field Events • At the Junior level Athletics Canada aligns with IAAF standards • Exception to the above is the 2000m SC (IAAF = 3000m SC)
ELEMENTS WE ARE STILL WORKING ON ... • We still have athletes competing by age; some branches have moved to competing by ability level (seed) • We still need to determine if there will be time limits on Pee Wee and Bantam meets (i.e. must be done in 3 hours) • We still have to determine how our role in international events (World Youth, etc.) will be effected by LTAD implementation • Parent education (NSO +PSO + Club + Schools)
WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT? • Athletics Canada event structure now based on athlete development • For the first time events, implement weights and hurdle heights and distances are the same nationwide in each age group • The phased in approach will allow coaches, athletes, parents and officials to adapt to the changes slowly • The long term impact on our sport will be significant