Introduction
The focus of this document is Long Term Athlete Development, or LTAD, for participants in Ringette. By respecting the principles of LTAD, we will ensure that our programs and structure meet the developmental needs of participants in each stage of LTAD.
This document sets out a framework for LTAD in Ringette that also reinforces Ringette Canada’s statement of Core Values. When fully implemented, the LTAD framework will allow Ringette Canada (RC) to fully realize its vision for 2020:
Ringette is played by people of all ages and all abilities on all rinks in Canada
This LTAD framework includes everyone who is part of the system of Ringette in Canada:
Participants – who benefit from excellence in programming and coaching, at all stages of development, and for all levels of interest and ability
Coaches – who design and implement athlete training programs that respect the principles of LTAD, and who are trained and evaluated through the National Coaching Certification Program
Parents – who understand and support the principles of LTAD and their importance in child development, who understand coaching decisions and are supportive partners in participant progression, training and competition
Community Ringette Associations – who provide organizational structure and programs that support LTAD, and who support ongoing professional coaching development appropriate to each stage of athlete development
Provincial/Territorial Ringette Associations – who provide encouragement and resources for community associations, and who ensure that provincial development programs, competitive structure and major events respect and support the principles of LTAD. They work with RC to integrate and align their programs according to the principles of LTAD.
Ringette Canada – who provides national leadership and assists P/T associations to integrate and align all programming to respect the principles of LTAD
Officials, Sport Leaders and Volunteers – who work within the national, provincial and community level structure; support and respect the principles of LTAD in all decisions
Performance Enhancement Teams –who work with competitive athletes and coaches to ensure fit, healthy, successful athletes
Sponsors and Partners – who work with Ringette Canada to support programs and events
LTAD supports the four goals of the Canadian Sport Policy:
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Enhanced participation
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Enhanced excellence
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Enhanced capacity
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Enhanced interaction
LTAD reflects a commitment to contribute to the achievement of these goals. LTAD has been successfully adopted by numerous Canadian and international sport organizations. It is participant-centred, coach-driven and administration, sport science and sponsor supported. Athletes who progress through the stages of LTAD experience instruction, training and competition in programs that have been developed in consideration of their specific biological and developmental needs.
Long Term Athlete Development:
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Is based on the physical, mental, emotional and cognitive development of children and adolescents, Each of the stages of LTAD reflects a different point in athlete development.
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Ensures physical literacy upon which excellence can be built and
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Builds literacy in all children, from early childhood to late adolescence by promoting quality daily physical activity in the schools and a common approach to developing physical abilities through community recreation and elite sport programs.
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Recognizes the need to involve all Canadians in LTAD, including athletes with a disability.
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Promotes a healthy, physically literate nation whose citizens participate in lifelong physical activity.
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Ensures that optimal training, competition and recovery programs are provided throughout an athlete’s career.
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Provides an optimal competition structure for the various stages of an athlete’s development.
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Has an impact on the entire sport continuum, including participants, parents, coaches, schools, clubs, community recreation programs, provincial sport organizations (PSOs) national sport organizations (NSOs), sport science specialists, municipalities and several government ministries and departments (including health and education) at the provincial/territorial and federal levels.
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Integrates elite sport, community sport and recreation, scholastic sport and physical education in schools.
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Is ‘Made in Canada”, recognizing international best practices, research and normative data
Ringette Programs for Athletes with a Disability
The LTAD process is appropriate for all athletes and Ringette Canada has made a commitment to the ongoing development and delivery of programs for athletes with a disability.
All the principles of LTAD are applicable to athletes with a disability, whether the disability is acquired or congenital. However the rate at which these athletes will progress through the stages of LTAD, and the age at which the athlete enters each stage will vary according to the individual and the nature of the disability. LTAD is a starting point for ALL athletes.
