Synchro NL LTAD Implementation Plan

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3 INTRODUCTION 3 CURRENT STATUS 4 Synchro NL Organizational Structure & Staff 4 Clubs & Competitions 5 COACH EDUCATION 7 CASE STUDY MONITORING GROWTH 9 ATHLETES WITH A DISABILITY 12 OFFICIALS EDUCATION 13 FACILITIES 14 STRENGTHS & NEEDS 15 ACTION PLAN 16 Objectives 16 Coach Education Action Plan 17 Athlete Development Action Plan 17 Club Development Action Plan 18 Provincial Sport Organization Action Plan 18 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 19 CONTACT INFORMATION 19 APPENDICES 20 Sport Program Assessment Matrix 21 Gap Analysis Statistics 27 LTAD Resources & References 28 2

4 Synchronized Swimming is an Olympic aquatic sport with origins dating from the water shows and Esther Williams movies of the early twentieth century. It has evolved since that time into a complex athletic activity that demands speed, strength, stamina, suppleness, and advanced skills from its athletes. As an artistic sport, synchronized swimming is comparable to gymnastics and figure skating. Although it has traditionally been an exclusively female sport at the Summer Olympic Games since its debut in 1984, synchronized swimming includes male participants at some National and International competitions. There are synchronized swimmers of all ages. Whether they are young children, teens or adults, all synchronized swimmers learn the same basic skills (such as strokes, kicks, sculls, body positions and transitions). The technical components of the sport are then put together with increasing levels of difficulty to form "figures". Figures and other synchronized swimming skills are combined to create routines that are accompanied by music both above and below the water. Synchro Canada was one of the first National Sport Organizations (NSO) to adopt a Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) program. As a sport dependent upon the development of numerous technical and artistic skills, we must ensure that all of these essential skills are learned at appropriate ages in order to effectively develop our swimmers. The principles of LTAD allow us to manage a synchronized swimming program which introduces appropriate skills and training to our athletes at suitable times. This means that our recreational, competitive, and elite athletes are all able to participate and compete with great success and continue to do so throughout their lives. The LTAD model must be integrated into synchronized swimming if we are to succeed and grow as a sport in Newfoundland-Labrador. It will enable the identification of any problems that must be addressed and successes which deserve to be recognized. This booklet outlines the plan of action that Synchro Newfoundland- Labrador will use to implement Synchro Canada's LTAD model in our province. 3

5 Synchro NL Organizational Structure and Staff Synchro NL has an office located in Paradise as part of the Sport NL office complex. Our executive organization currently consists of the following members: Natelle Tulk Executive Director (This is a paid ED position for Sport NL, and is shared with two other Provincial Sport Organizations.) Jennifer Folkes President Jackie Hiscock Vice President Laura Cole Secretary Lloyd St. Croix Treasurer Sarah Barnes Officials Chair Shannon Driscoll Officials Co-Chair Heather Barnes Coaches Chair Betty Downer Publicity Chair David Head Awards Chair The volunteer LTAD Implementation Planning Group consists of the following: Laura Cole Implementation Team Leader & Synchro NL Executive Member Jennifer Folkes Synchro NL Executive Member Jackie Hiscock Synchro NL Executive Member, Coach & Judge Krista Andrews Head Coach & Parent Laura Osmond Summer Student, Coach & Masters Team Athlete Shannon Driscoll Coach, Officials Co-Chair & Masters Team Athlete Lorna Proudfoot Judge Natelle Tulk Executive Director 4

6 Clubs and Competitions Synchro NL currently has 6 clubs, all of which have both Provincial Stream and National Stream athletes. Avalon Nemos Corner Brook Reflections (CBR) Conception Bay South Silhouettes (CBSS) Based in pools located in St. John s and Mount Pearl Based in the City of Corner Brook on the Located in Conception Bay South on the West Coast of Newfoundland Eastern Avalon Peninsula Mount Pearl Synchro (MPS) St. John s Sea Stars (SJSS) Terra Nova Aqua Elite A relatively new Masters Club, comprised of former athletes and current coaches from clubs on the Avalon Peninsula. Located just outside the capital city in the City of Mount Pearl Based in the capital city of Newfoundland- Labrador Synchro NL, our Provincial Sport Organization, currently holds several competitions in partnership with a host Club throughout the competitive season (September June). These meets are open to athletes of various ages and abilities. The Competitive Season events are as follows: Oct 28, 2012 Nov 25, 2012 Dec 1-2, 2012 Jan 19-20, 2013 Feb 15-17, 2013 Apr 7, 2013 May 4, 2013 Spooktacular (LTAD age group skills, flexibility, speed & stamina testing) SJSS Compulsory Figure Meet CBSS (competitive only) Snowflake Invitational CBR Winterfest Invitational MPS Provincial Championships SJSS (competitive only) Mount Pearl Figure Meet MPS Sea Stars Routine Meet Invitational SJSS Clubs in Newfoundland move forward from the Provincial Championships into one or more of the following competitions held in Canada as part of the regular competition stream. These meets are open to competitive athletes and not to recreational swimmers. The 2013 Competitive Season has the following additional events: 5

7 Mar 19-24, 2013 Apr 24-28, 2013 May 18-19, 2013 May 29-Jun 2, 2013 National Qualifier (Calgary, AB) Canadian Open Championships (Quebec City, QB) Atlantic Regional Championships (Moncton, NB) Canadian Espoir Championships (Ottawa, ON) Following the Canadian Espoir Championships in June, Synchro NL provides 10 & Under, 12 & Under, FINA, and Junior FINA athletes an opportunity to participate in a Provincial Team Selection Meet. The development of these teams will permit earlier identification of potential Canada Games team members, and will also reward those athletes who show dedication to their sport throughout the year. These athletes are then invited to attend the Provincial Team Athlete Development Camp during the summer. The following camps were held during the summer of 2012: Jul 2-6, 2012 Jul 3-Aug 2, 2012 Aug 17-20, 2012 Aug 27-31, 2012 Synchro NL Camp at MUN (recreation and competitive) Synchro NL Camp at MUN (recreation and competitive) Susan Kemper Mini Camp (competitive swimmers only) Synchro NL Provincial Team Camp (invitation only) Below is an overview of the Programs and Competitions offered for all swimmers registered with Synchro NL in compliance with our LTAD Standards: Athlete Level Recreation Novice Provincial Stream National Stream Age Groups LTAD Stage Program Structure Public Performance 10&U Sync Start / Sync Essentials Sync Essentials / Learn to Sync Learn to Sync / Train to Sync Learn to Sync / Train to 13&O Sync 10&U Sync Start / Sync Essentials / Learn to Sync Learn to Sync Train to Sync Junior Sync to Compete Learn to Sync Train to Sync / Sync to Compete Junior Sync to Compete / Sync to Win Senior Sync to Win Masters 19+ Sync to Win / Sync for Life Aqua Squirts for Little Squirts, Aqua Squirts, Aqua Squirts Too, Synchro Canada Star Program Club Training, Games / Fun Learning Club Training Club Training, Games / Fun Learning Club Training Club Training, Organized Dryland Training, PSO Offered Training Club Training, Organized Dryland Training Water Shows Provincial, Atlantic, & Invitational Competitions Provincial, National Qualifier, National Championships, International, & Invitational Competitions Provincial, Atlantic, National, International & Invitational Competitions 6

8 The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is a not-for-profit amateur sport organization with the mandate to improve the effectiveness of coaching across all levels of the sport system. Its mission is to enhance the experiences of all Canadian athletes through quality coaching. It has developed the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), required for synchronized swimming coaches for on-deck privileges during Provincial, Regional, National Qualifier, or National Championships. The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is a coach training and certification program for 66 different sports and is offered in both official languages across Canada. NCCP workshops are designed to meet the needs of all types of coaches, from the first-time coach to the head coach of a national team. The NCCP is the recognized national standard for coach training and certification in Canada. As part of the program, all coaches are trained in ethical decision-making and sport safety. 7

9 Sport NL offers multi-sport coaching education modules in the Competition-Introduction and Competition-Development context of the NCCP. They are free of charge to Newfoundland- Labrador coaches. These NCCP courses are scheduled in the fall and spring of each year, and are posted on the Sport NL website ( and circulated to each PSO. In addition to the mentioned NCCP courses and athlete development camps, our PSO also offers coaches an opportunity to take Synchro Instructor, Competition-Introduction, and Competition-Development synchro specific courses. Currently all active coaches in the province are trained at least at the Competition Introduction level and consequently this course and the Synchro Instructor course will not be offered this year. To date, we have trained twenty nine (29) Synchro Instructors and twenty (20) Competition-Introduction coaches. Twelve (12) coaches on the Avalon are also either in-training or trained in the Competition Development context and are working towards full certification. The following course and seminar were conducted during the summer and fall of 2012: August 16-20, 2012 Competition-Development Course at MUN (Coaches) September 8, 2012 Fall LTAD Seminar at MUN (Coaches, Officials and Parents) 8

10 The following information and case study has been adapted from the Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) article: The Role of Monitoring Growth and Development found on their website at One of the key elements in applying LTAD principles to physical activity and sports programming is the recognition that an athlete s or dancer s chronological age does not necessarily reflect their actual developmental age (physical or mental). Children mature physically at different rates and their developmental age determines how they should train and practice their activity or sport. Hence, CS4L recommends that sport clubs and dance schools regularly measure and monitor the physical maturation and growth of their young participants. The most important stage of monitoring PHV, otherwise known as the adolescent growth spurt, is the onset of the spurt and the peak of the spurt. Figure 1. Maturity Events in Girls (Modified after Ross et al. 1977) Figure 2. Maturity Events in Boys (Modified after Ross et al. 1977) 9

11 PHV is the fastest rate of growth during the adolescent growth spurt. With detection, and then consistent monitoring, instructors and coaches can track the growth and physical maturation process in children and youth with whom they work. How can you reliably detect and measure the progress of PHV? The technical answer is kinathropometry (the process of measuring human size, proportion, and maturation). According to W.D. Ross, W.D. and M.J. Marfell-Jones, It puts the individual athlete into objective focus and provides clear appraisal of his or her structural status at any given time, or more importantly, provides for quantification of differential growth and training influences. Typically, basic kinathropometry for PHV uses measurements of standing height, sitting height, and arm length. These measurements can be taken at regular intervals through childhood into adolescence and graphed to draw growth velocity curves over time. To assess how typical a young athlete is for his or her age, the measurements are then compared with each other in order to identify early, average and late maturation. If instructors and coaches are aware of this information they can then determine the best training practices for their athletes levels of physical development and their stage of maturity. Why the fuss? What differences do the training methods make? Consider the fact that a child who is 12 years old according to their birth date may possess a biological age of anywhere from 9 to 15 years, and the differences within that age gap are most definitely significant. Yet, participants and athletes with this contrasting range of physical maturation are often trained the same way and participate in the same age group competitions. As a result, problems often emerge with physical injuries and the early maturers (especially males) often experience a huge advantage in performance and elite selection. In addition, when coaches know the developmental ages of their athletes they can adjust training for stamina, strength and speed to be consistent with the windows of opportunity. For these reasons, sport coaches and activity instructors should identify and monitor the developmental age of the youth with whom they work, and their organizations should look at creating appropriate training and competition schedules for each of the developmental ages and stages. This will better address the needs of the early, average and late maturers. In the long-term, it will produce better athletes and dancers, while reducing drop-out due to injury, fatigue and frustration. The principles of PHV are especially important within the younger age groups in synchronized swimming. Stamina and strength are both based on the PHV scale, while other skills follow more closely to chronological age. A Synchro related example would be as follows: On a 12 & Under team, there are 2 swimmers, Allison and Sarah, who in September have very similar measurements. Their coach has been monitoring their growth patterns over time. By February, she

12 notices that Sarah shows a fast acceleration in her growth rate, while Allison is beginning to show a slight decrease in her growth rate. According to these results, the coach must alter the training program for each girl so that she can focus on where her athletes will make the most gains at that time. Sarah is most likely heading into the trainability window for stamina. Allison is most likely still within the optimal window for suppleness and skills. The coach must recognize this relationship between growth and training, as well as chronological age, in order to make a cohesive training plan for her athletes. To learn more about how to measure PHV, consult the article The Role of Monitoring Growth in Longterm Athlete Development by Istvan Balyi and Richard Way (2008). 11

13 Athletes with a disability have been participating in the sport of synchronized swimming for over 20 years. The program is adaptable and open to both cognitive and physical disabilities. Synchro is extremely conducive to those with physical limitations as the water provides buoyancy and allows for a greater range of motion and ease of movement. There have been four (4) swimmers enrolled in the Athletes With a Disability program in Newfoundland-Labrador since They have all been registered with clubs in the St. John s area and have participated at a recreational level in Christmas and Year-End Water Shows. There are competition opportunities within Canada in both Saskatchewan and Ontario. Since 2008, National level competitions have opened a category for Athletes with a Disability. International competition is minimal but is available. One of the biggest competitions is an annual meet held in Japan. 12

14 The education of synchronized swimming officials in Canada is conducted by the Provincial bodies for Levels I and II, and the Officials Management Team (OMT) for Levels III, IV, and V. The OMT is a Synchro Canada committee whose members are accountable to the Board of Directors. The mandate of the OMT is to develop, evaluate and upgrade all officials education, training materials, and programs from Level I to V. The OMT is responsible for the selection and evaluation of judging and referee officials for all events sanctioned by Synchro Canada. Judges in Canada are trained, evaluated and certified by Synchro Canada. They start provincially as a beginning Level I judge and may progress to Level V. They must attend all sessions of each level s training course, complete all assigned tasks as designated by their course conductor, participate as practice judges for both figure and routine events and achieve a satisfactory evaluation for each to attain certification. Judges at the Provincial and National level must also remain active by judging at several meets per year, and attend workshops, seminars, and/or clinics as they are offered. Provincial judges receive classroom training sessions, judge mentoring, and practice judging co-ordinated by the Provincial Judge s Chair. The Provincial Judges committee annually reviews each judge s logbook and determines if a judge is qualified for an invitation to upgrade. To upgrade to the Level III status, the Provincial Judge s Chair is required to submit a written request to the OMT for approval. Level III judges are assigned to national level competitions (National Qualifier, Espoir, and/or the Canadian Open) at least once every two years, where they are formally evaluated. Level V judges are considered International Trainees. Judges recertification requires they write an exam, usually every four years, or when FINA makes rule changes. FINA judges are categorized as G, B, or A level judges. The most recent Synchro NL judges clinic occurred October 20-21,

15 A swimming pool is the obvious primary facility for synchronized swimming, with all competitions being held in a pool, whether indoor or outdoor. Swimming pools can be found in most cities in Newfoundland- Labrador. However, with synchronized swimming being a small population sport, there are few hosting synchro clubs. It is also a struggle for these clubs to find enough pool time to train all aspects of our sport, as the pools are shared between speed swimming clubs, a diving club, deep and shallow water fitness classes, swimming lessons, lane and recreational swims, birthday party rentals, as well as other organizations and groups requiring pool time and space. We are very fortunate to have coaches who diligently attempt to ensure the effectiveness of our current pool time and space. Appropriate and sufficient deck space is also critical for pre and post-practice flexibility training, land drilling, and competition hosting. A facility with an on-deck and accessible sound system room, mirrored dance studio, cardio room and combat room would also be ideal for our synchronized swimming clubs. 14

16 Strengths Needs We have experienced and qualified coaches. We are expanding the age range and LTAD stages of our programs. We are initiating standardization to encompass everyone under the same umbrella, in an attempt to have everyone working together more effectively. We are networking with the YMCA, MAX, Sport NL, other sports, and Synchro Canada. We are diversifying our competitions. We have implemented an annual Synchro NL Fall Seminar for both coaches and parents. We run Provincial Team Trials and camps. We encourage our athletes to reach their highest potential / level of excellence by training and competing to National standards. We communicate to all Synchro NL members using social media, website postings, and . We are becoming more active and recognizable within the Sport NL community. To create a Policy and Procedures manual. To update / revise our By-Laws. To follow-through with plans and / or deadlines. To increase our fundraising revenue. To seek corporate sponsorships. To initiate cross training with a paid coach or personal fitness trainer. To more effectively use our pool time. To recruit and retain more officials, judges and volunteers. To provide our provincial referees and judges with annual / biannual recertification and / or officials education seminars. To improve the organization and implementation of our LTAD Meet. 15

17 Objectives To improve the quality of coaching through coaching development opportunities, access to coaching resources, and training with expert guest coaches. To improve coach awareness of LTAD, and to assist them in their implementation of the LTAD principles and practices. To increase the number of provincial events / meets and athlete exposure to competition. To increase the attendance of the LTAD Fall Seminar to include all coaches, parents, and community members. To increase the number of coaches who are NCCP Competition-Development certified. To increase the number of judges and officials within Synchro NL. To improve and increase the on-line resources for coaches, judges, and officials within Synchro NL. To continue to apply for funding to subsidize the cost of conducting NCCP clinics. 16

18 Coach Education Action Plan Priority Action Plan Scope Timelines Increase coach attendance at the Synchro NL Annual LTAD Fall Seminar to include all Synchro NL coaches. Initiate compulsory coach training for all athletes at the Train to Sync level. Train all Synchro NL coaches at the Competition- Development level (with the exception of recreation coaches as they will be trained at the Synchro Instructor / Competition-Introduction level). Increase funding for coaches to receive NCCP Competition-Development training. Provide more opportunities to bring in guest coaches to mentor our coaches and swimmers. Sync Start, Sync Essentials, Learn to Sync, Train to Sync, Sync to Compete, Sync to Win, and Sync for Life coaches Aug Sep 2012 Train to Sync athletes Sep 2012 Sep 2014 Learn to Sync, Train to Sync, Sync to Compete, Sync to Win, and Sync for Life coaches Learn to Sync, Train to Sync, Sync to Compete, Sync to Win coaches Sep 2012 Sep 2014 Sep 2012 Sep 2014 Jun Aug 2013 Jun Aug 2014 Jun Aug 2015 Sep 2012 Sep Increase online resource awareness. Increase provincial funding to purchase online resources. Sync Essentials, Learn to Sync, Train to Sync, Sync to Compete, Sync to Win, and Sync for Life coaches Sep 2013 Sep 2015 Develop a coach bursary or grant to allow coaches to travel 8. with athletes to national training camps and/or national Sep 2013 Sep 2015 team trials. 9. Avail of apprentice coaching opportunities. Sync to Compete, and Sync to Win coaches May Aug 2013 May Aug 2014 May Aug 2015 Athlete Development Action Plan Priority Action Plan Scope Timelines 1. Develop a bursary or grant to fund aspiring elite athletes to national training camps and/or national team trials. Provide Provincial Team athletes with the opportunity to 2. travel to a training camp or to a national or international meet. 3. Provide opportunities to learn from higher level coaches. 4. Provide opportunities to train with national level athletes. 5. Provide elite level training camps throughout the season in addition to those offered during the summer. 6. Increase participation in judged evaluation events. 7. Encourage and/or provide supplemental artistic training in theatre, music, drama, improvisation, etc. Train to Sync, Sync to Compete, and Sync to Win athletes Learn to Sync, Train to Sync, Sync to Compete, Sync to Win, and Sync for Life athletes Sync Start, Sync Essentials, Learn to Sync, Train to Sync, Sync to Compete, Sync to Win, and Sync for Life coaches May Aug 2013 May Aug 2014 May Aug 2015 Sep 2013 Sep 2015 Dec 2013 Dec 2015 Sep 2012 Sep

19 Club Development Action Plan Priority Action Plan Scope Timelines 1. Research and obtain corporate sponsorship. Sync Start, Sync Essentials, Learn to Present How to Increase Your Club s Membership at the beginning of the year. Avail of online resources, such as Canadian Sport For Life: A Sport Parent s Guide, Long Term Athlete Development Information for Parents manual and Synchro Canada s Dartfish TV channel. Implement artistic supplemental training such as dance, theatre, acrobatics, etc. into club programming. Sync, Train to Sync, Sync to Compete, Sync to Win, and Sync for Life parents and executive members Sync Start, Sync Essentials, Learn to Sync, Train to Sync, Sync to Compete, Sync to Win, and Sync for Life coaches, parents and executive members Sync Start, Sync Essentials, Learn to Sync, Train to Sync, Sync to Compete, Sync to Win, and Sync for Life athletes to be arranged by coaches and executive members Sep 2013 Sep 2015 Sep 2012 Sep 2015 Jan 2013 Jan Write, revise and distribute a Club Handbook each year. Sync Start, Sync Essentials, Learn to Sep 2013 Sep Increase volunteer base. Sync, Train to Sync, Sync to Compete, Sync to Win, and Sync for Life parents and executive members Sep 2012 Sep 2015 Provincial Sport Organization Action Plan Priority Action Plan Scope Timelines 1. Obtain corporate sponsorship. Present Sep Create a parent manual to assist at the club level. Present May Establish a criteria or protocol to allow funding support for athletes to travel to national level training opportunities. Present Apr Improve quantity and access to online resources. Synchro NL Members Sep 2012 Jan Revise and distribute the Synchro NL Rule Book. Present Sep Revise and distribute the Synchro NL By-laws Jun Aug Improve retention of officials and judges. Sep 2012 Sep Initiate succession planning. Present May

20 Synchro Newfoundland-Labrador would like to thank the following people for their help and contribution with our Long Term Athlete Development Implementation Plan book: The volunteer LTAD Implementation Planning Committee (Laura Cole, Jennifer Folkes, Jackie Hiscock, Krista Andrews, Laura Osmond, Shannon Driscoll, Lorna Proudfoot, and Natelle Tulk) Steve Brooks, for his permission to use some of his professional photos taken at the 2012 Eastern Divisional Championships, and 2012 Espoir National Championships (Cover photo, and photos 2 & 3 on page 1, and the top photo on page 14) Synchro NL c/o Sport Newfoundland & Labrador 1296-A Kenmount Road Paradise, NL A1L 1N3 Natelle Tulk Executive Director phone fax [email protected] Jennifer Folkes President [email protected] Jackie Hiscock Vice-President [email protected] Laura Cole Secretary [email protected] Lloyd St.Croix Treasurer [email protected] 19

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22 LTAD Stage Sync Start Ages 0-6 Sync Essentials Ages 6-8 PILLARS of Athlete Development Athletes Coaches Competitions Officials Facilities Leadership Parents Drop-in Avalon Nemos 3 mo. to 5 yrs. Commenced Jan 2011 Swimmer recruitment and retention. Athletes are dependent on their parent s participation in the program. Club based Recreation Challenge: Recruitment and retention. Volunteer coach Challenge: One volunteer coach runs the program. NCCP certified (Synchro Instructor or higher) Minimum age: 15 yr. Paid by Club Challenge: Coach evaluation, certification, and retention. Watershow Watershows Star award evaluations LTAD meets Not required Level 1 judges Referee Scorers Challenge: Recruitment and retention of officials. YMCA 30 min / wk Aligning training time with LTAD recommendations: 1 hr / wk pool, 1 hr / wk dryland minimum. Obtaining confirmation from an appropriate facility for a regular program. YMCA partnership is drop-in, ($14 / child with adult) or for YMCA members. Dryland training space (30 min / wk) Pool time (1 hr / wk) Challenge: Aligning training time with LTAD recommendations. Dryland: 2 hr 20 min / wk minimum. Pool time: 2 hr / wk minimum. PSO executive Club Head Coach PSO executive Club Head Coaches Challenge: Parent education, support, and participation. Educating parents to ensure their knowledge and understanding of the required time and training commitment. Retaining parent support and participation into the competitive Learn to Sync stage. 21

23 LTAD Stage Learn to Sync Ages 8-11 PILLARS of Athlete Development Athletes Coaches Competitions Officials Facilities Leadership Parents Club based Competitive and recreational Athletes are involved in other sports and activities where schedules may clash. An increased understanding of competition is necessary. NCCP certified (Synchro Instructor or higher) Comp- Intro level coaches are preferred Paid by Club Balancing school and coaching commitments for secondary and postsecondary student coaches. Obtaining appropriate coaching intensity levels for athletes of this age group. Optimizing the windows of opportunity. Developing, and executing appropriate yearly training plans. Retaining coaches and providing competitive pay. Invitational meets LTAD competitions Provincials and Atlantics National Qualifier and Nationals Provincial Team Trials Challenge: Understanding and implementing appropriate competition for this age group. Level 2 judges Referee Scorers Judge recruitment, training, competition attendance, and long-term commitment and retention. Dry land training space (2x30 min / wk) Pool time (2-3 hr / wk) Aligning training time with LTAD recommendations: swimming hr / wk with hr dryland per week. Obtaining appropriate pool time / space. Costly gym memberships. Conquering time constraints: parent work schedules, athletes in other sports or activities with conflicting schedules, coaches that work full time or are completing postsecondary studies. PSO executive Club Head Coaches Club executive Synchro Canada Challenge: Connecting and aligning our NSO, PSO, and Clubs. Helping parents to understand the necessary training time commitments. Educating parents who may be overscheduling their children. Ensuring that parents understand the process and importance of age appropriate competition for continued athletic development. 22

24 LTAD Stage Train to Sync Ages PILLARS of Athlete Development Athletes Coaches Competitions Officials Facilities Leadership Parents Club based Provincial stream National stream as above. NCCP certified (Comp- Intro or higher) Comp-Dev level coaches are preferred Paid by Club as above. Invitational meets LTAD competitions Provincials and Atlantics National Qualifier and Nationals Provincial Team Trials Level 2 judges Referee Scorers Judge recruitment, training, competition attendance, and long-term commitment and retention. Dryland training space (3 hr / wk) Pool time (10 hr / wk) Cross-training (1 hr / wk of pilates, ballet, yoga, etc.) Aligning training time with LTAD recommendations: swimming hr/wk with 2-9 hr/wk dryland including weights, running, gymnastics, dance, stretching, etc. Obtaining sufficient deck space for landdrill and stretching. Inadequate viewing areas (lack of space and seating) make National-level meet hosting difficult. Securing appropriate pool time and space. (There is a huge demand from swimming lessons, public swims, birthday party rentals, and other aquatic groups and sports outside regular school hours and on weekends.) Collaborating with pool managers and other aquatic sports to more effectively allocate pool time / space. PSO executive Club Head Coaches Club executive Synchro Canada Challenge: Connecting and aligning our NSO, PSO, and Clubs. Helping parents to understand and comply with the necessary training time commitments. Educating parents who may be overscheduling their children. Ensuring that parents understand the competition process and importance of age appropriate competition for continued athletic development. 23

25 LTAD Stage Sync to Compete Ages PILLARS of Athlete Development Athletes Coaches Competitions Officials Facilities Leadership Parents National stream Increased academic demands, missing school due to longer competitions, and training enough hours to be truly competitive on the national stage. Com-Dev trained Paid at the club level Competition- Development courses are expensive. Coaches have other jobs as they are not paid enough to coach as a profession. Invitational meets LTAD meets Provincials and Atlantics National Qualifier, Nationals, and Provincial Team Trials Level 3 judges Judge recruitment, training, competition attendance, and long-term commitment and retention. Dryland training space (3 hr / wk) Pool time (10 hr / wk) Crosstraining (1 hr / wk of Pilates, ballet, yoga, etc.) Aligning training time with LTAD recommendations: hr / wk pool time and hr / wk dryland. Obtaining sufficient deck space for landdrilling and stretching. Placing bids on national meets without appropriate spectator viewing areas. Securing appropriate pool time and space. PSO executive Club Head Coaches Club executive Synchro Canada Connecting and aligning our NSO, PSO, and Clubs. Helping parents to understand and comply with the necessary training time commitments. 24

26 LTAD Stage Sync for Life PILLARS of Athlete Development Athletes Coaches Competitions Officials Facilities Leadership Parents Recreation programs at all clubs Masters club in the province with athletes from the Avalon region Masters athletes are competing at International competitions Recreation swimmers will often try synchro and not return resulting in high turn-over and low retention. Masters synchro can be expensive due to low enrolment and high pool fees. It is difficult to commit to Masters level swimming as athletes have full time jobs, families, or are enrolled in University. Rec synchro is best coached by highly trained coaches to build grassroots properly. Coaches at the Masters level should be Comp-Intro or Comp- Dev trained. Challenge: It is difficult to find appropriate coaches. Invitational meets LTAD meets Various masters championships in Canada and internationally International meets are expensive and currently there is no funding available for Masters athletes. Athletes have to rely heavily on fundraising. Pool time (1-3 hr / wk) Dryland (2-3 hr / wk) Coordinating schedules of athletes with available pool time as they are often in University, have families, and/or working full times jobs. They are often not taken seriously in the club sector and therefore are not always included. Synchro Instructor minimum certification Preference would be Competition- Introduction level coaches Paid at the club level Providing appropriate funding. Athletes are completing post-secondary studies or are beginning their careers, therefore there are time management constraints. Educating parents to ensure their knowledge and understanding of the required time / training commitment. Retaining parent support and participation at the club level. 25

27 Gap Buy in of the LTAD / CS4L program. Twilight Zone. Too many athletes swimming too many hours to be considered recreational but too little to be truly competitive nationally. Ideas Formalized plan will assist coaches, parents, and athletes to understand and follow properly. Synchro Canada has available resources. Next step is to implement their use. Identify the Twilight zone to athletes, coaches, and parents. We need to follow the LTAD recommendations for each age group. Education of coaches on LTAD. Fall seminar and possibly winter seminar. Coach presents the training plan to the parents at the beginning of the year. Accountability (coaches, officials, clubs). If clubs receive money/grants they write an accountability report. Head coaches/club executives. Head coaches attend executive meetings so they are in the know. More training and practice for judges. Officials. Recruitment, retention, & succession planning. Training and practice. PSO has to invest in the judges. Coaching is a part time job and is not seen as a profession in NL (high turnover). Coaches participate for the love of the sport, but with a timeline. Salaries for coaches. Centralized clubs. Fundraising. 26

28 Age Group Year of Birth Role Number Registered Age Group Totals 3 mo. 5 yrs Recreational Recreational 10 & Under Recreational Competitive Recreational Competitive Recreational 18 Competitive 12 & Under Competitive Competitive Competitive Competitive Competitive Competitive Competitive Competitive Competitive Competitive Competitive Competitive 8 8 Competitive Provincial Total

29 Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L). Home Page. Canadian Sport for Life. Canadian Sport for Life. Resources CS4L Summit Presentations. Actively Engaging Women and Girls. A Sport Parent s Guide. Canadian Sport for Life Poster. CS4L Core Values. CS4L Summary. Developing Physical Literacy. Information for Parents. Long Term Athlete Development Resource Paper v2. Coaching Association of Canada. Home Page. Coaching Association of Canada. Coaching Association of Canada. LTAD for Parents. Long Term Athlete Development Information for Parents. (Jan 2012). 28

30 Synchro Canada. Growth and Development Document. (Sep 2012). Synchro NL. Long Term Athlete Development. Synchro NL LTAD Document. (Sep 2011). Taggart, Bill. CS4L LTAD Sep CS4L Synchro NL Fall Seminar Presentation. (Sep 10, 2011). 29