Swimming Canada is pleased to introduce the Long Term Athlete Development Strategy for Swimming. This document has been created as a guide for the coaches, administrators and parents of the swimming community across Canada. The Strategic Plan directs the activity of the swimming community towards the achievement of long and short term objectives through five Strategic Imperatives: ELITE To implement a sustainable reliable program focused on performance A successfully implemented long term athlete development strategy will deliver athletes to the National team with greater potential for improvement at an age where optimal performance is possible. An effective development strategy will also deliver athletes with advanced abilities across all physical, technical, tactical, psychological and lifestyle skill sets. These athletes will provide greater depth to the National Team across all disciplines, and will provide Canada with an improved opportunity for elite success against an ever improving competitive SPORT SYSTEM To implement a nationally aligned and integrated sport system that fully optimizes individual potential A long term athlete development strategy that is aligned at Club, Provincial/Territorial and National levels, delivers the "integrated sport system" directed by the strategic plan. While this document and the supplementary materials to follow are important, it will be the successful determination of roles, responsibilities and funding of the implementation of the athlete development strategy that will determine its success. PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT To implement a harmonized, accountable system that is committed to the development and recognition of individuals who support the development of our athletes (coaches, administrators at all levels, officials and parents) The long term athlete development strategy provides a framework that will direct the development of programs to support all participants involved in the athlete development process. PARTNERSHIPS To generate collaborations that maximize opportunities for Canadian swimming The successful implementation of a long term athlete development strategy will require partnerships and professional alliances with groups that in the past may have been considered as ``competitors`` for our athletes. These groups will include learn to swim providers and associated swimming organizations such as summer, high school, synchro, waterpolo, diving, triathlon and masters. Swimming must also realize that the delivery of some vital motor skill requirements to young developing swimmers can be best accomplished through the expertise provided by programs delivered by sports such as gymnastics and athletics. Finally, as athletes fully realize the effects of maturation, our sport must look at complimentary sport experiences for athletes looking for alternate opportunities to pursue their sporting and social BUSINESS MANAGEMENT To implement an accountable and innovative approach to build a sustainable and nationally aligned business structure to ensure performance oriented swimming. A successfully implemented long term athlete development strategy provides greater member retention as well as powerful sponsor opportunities. The strategy also directs investment to appropriate programs delivered by the stakeholders identified as responsible for each stage of development. CONTENTS: Dedication Preface and Acknowlegdements Strategic Plan Alignment Key Objectives LTAD - 11 Key Factors Sport System Review Understanding growth and development Physiology of growth and development LTAD Gender Considerations Peak Height Velocity Windows of Optimal Trainability LTAD Stages Overview Phase 1 - Active Start Phase 2 - FUNdamentals Phase 3 - Learn to Train Phase 4 - Train to Train Phase 5 - Train to Compete Phase 6 - Compete to Win Phase 7 - Second Career / Active for Life Glossary of Terms Selected Bibliography
© Copyright 2008 Published by Swimming Canada. All rights reserved.