National Roundtables on Future High Performance Sport Funding

HALIFAX , NOVA SCOTIA

April 15, 2004

Chair:

The Honourable Stan Keyes
Minister of State (Sport)

Main Themes

• Ongoing support and resources
• Long-term development and monitoring
• World class coaching
• Access to high performance facilities and training environments
• Access to sport science and research
• Long-term investment in sport system
• Ability to train full time without having to worry about supporting their basic needs
• Ability to train with other high performance/world class athletes or as a team for extended periods of time
• Support for training outside of Canada (due to climate and facilities)
• World class competition opportunities in Canada and abroad
• Continuity and stability (of programs, funding, coaches, facilities, etc.)
• Provide support to NSOs with successful sport development systems
• Support for coaching development
• Consider carding for coaches
• Building new and enhancing existing training facilities
• Increased support for training groups/centres for targetted athletes and sports
• Increased investment into development programs
• Increase the opportunity for athletes to compete at the international level
• Collaborate on resources, planning, and monitoring
• Raise the profile of amateur sport in Canada
• Develop a long-term plan for funding
• Corporate support for athletes and sports

Other Comments

• Participants agreed to targetting funds, however, some participants suggested targetting support towards athletes, while others suggested targetting support towards NSO sport systems.
• Coaching was discussed at length. It was agreed that coaching needs to be seen as a credible profession, that coaches need to be supported as full-time professionals, and that coaching development and retention needs to be a priority.
• Several participants indicated their anxiety towards the focus on 2010 and winter sports. Several questions were raised about future support for summer sports, and there was also discussion about the role of non-Olympic sports such as waterski and men's softball.
• Several comments were made about the importance of long-term funding.
• There was significant discussion on the need for physical education in the elementary and secondary school systems as part of basic skill development.
• Several comments were made about the importance and benefits of hosting world-class events in Canada .
• It was agreed that financial support is not the only solution for success, but that a well-developed sport strategy and monitoring system is crucial. Sustainable sport organizations, accountability and transparency were also mentioned as key components.
• It was also mentioned that individual athlete carding does not necessarily benefit a team sport because the carding does not facilitate athletes to train together in a team environment. Instead, funding towards supporting the team would be more appropriate.