Title: Hub Coach, Para Throws Coach
Classification: Full-time
Location: One of Athletics Canada’s Hubs (Victoria, Toronto or Montreal).
Reports to: Paralympic Head Coach
OVERVIEW
Athletics Canada (AC) is the National Sport Organization for track and field, cross-country, road, mountain, ultra and trail running. AC’s purpose is to support High Performance (HP) athletics excellence at the world level, engage participation and provide leadership in developmental athletics. AC is a not-for-profit, charitable organization operating under a Board of Directors elected by provincial/territorial members.
AC has a High Performance Plan (HPP) which is refreshed every Olympiad. The purpose of the HPP is to systematically guide and support Canadian athletes along a sustainable pathway to Olympic and Paralympic medals. The HPP targets athletes selected to the Canadian Athlete Performance Pathway (CAPP) and supports all athletes selected to represent Canada in international competitions.
The AC Para Throws Coach is a High Performance (HP) role primarily responsible for coaching identified Para throws athletes at one of AC’s High Performance Hubs as their full time training environment.
Success in this role requires collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including AC’s high performance staff members, the Canadian Sports Institute, Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and Canada’s highest-level coaches and athletes.
The ideal candidate will bring to this role exceptional coaching experience and expertise specifically in the throwing events of both Para Athletics and Athletics.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
These responsibilities are listed in an approximate order of priority.
- Providing personal coaching to assigned athletes, with a primary focus on Para athletes in the CAPP program, guiding them towards top eight and medal performances at major benchmark events.
- Develop and implement individual training plans, competition plans and provide weekly updates as required for assigned athletes.
- Collaborate with sports science, sports medicine, other support staff including Athlete Performance Advisor (APA) to optimize athlete training, recovery and overall athlete health.
- Encourage the use of innovative coaching methodologies, performance analysis tools and emerging technology to enhance athlete development and competition strategies.
- Incorporate a holistic approach to athlete development, ensuring consideration for mental performance, injury prevention and long-term athlete well-being.
- Foster an inclusive and equitable coaching environment that supports diversity and accessibility within the training and competition environments.
- Assisting in the planning and delivery of AC identified camps, competitions and conferences as required.
- Serve in various roles such as Head Coach, Team Coach, Team Manager or Personal Coach at AC identified competitions and championships as required.
- Contributing to and participate in AC led coaching professional development sessions, planning sessions and debriefing activities.
- Build strong working relationships with coaches and athletes across Canada, sharing advice and expertise with the aim to elevate the national standard of Para Athletics.
- Providing expert insight to Canadian Para athlete specific issues as required.
- Support the development of integrated (able-bodied and para) programs that address the diverse needs of different events groups, athletes and coaches.
- Play an active role in identifying new Para Athletes who may have the potential to progress onto AC’s CAPP program.
- Assisting in the development of selection policies that incorporate both objective and subjective criteria.
- Act as a selector, or provide relevant information to selectors as needed.
- Implementing and championing AC’s Safe Sport and Anti-Doping rules and policies.
- Acting as an exemplar of AC’s HP Culture and Behaviours.
- Providing personal coaching to assigned athletes, with a primary focus on Para athletes in the CAPP program, guiding them towards top eight and medal performances at major benchmark events.
- Develop and implement individual training plans, competition plans and provide weekly updates as required for assigned athletes.
- Collaborate with sports science, sports medicine, other support staff including Athlete Performance Advisor (APA) to optimize athlete training, recovery and overall athlete health.
- Encourage the use of innovative coaching methodologies, performance analysis tools and emerging technology to enhance athlete development and competition strategies.
- Incorporate a holistic approach to athlete development, ensuring consideration for mental performance, injury prevention and long-term athlete well-being.
- Foster an inclusive and equitable coaching environment that supports diversity and accessibility within the training and competition environments.
- Assisting in the planning and delivery of AC identified camps, competitions and conferences as required.
- Serve in various roles such as Head Coach, Team Coach, Team Manager or Personal Coach at AC identified competitions and championships as required.
- Contributing to and participate in AC led coaching professional development sessions, planning sessions and debriefing activities.
- Build strong working relationships with coaches and athletes across Canada, sharing advice and expertise with the aim to elevate the national standard of Para Athletics.
- Providing expert insight to Canadian Para athlete specific issues as required.
- Support the development of integrated (able-bodied and para) programs that address the diverse needs of different events groups, athletes and coaches.
- Play an active role in identifying new Para Athletes who may have the potential to progress onto AC’s CAPP program.
- Assisting in the development of selection policies that incorporate both objective and subjective criteria.
- Act as a selector, or provide relevant information to selectors as needed.
- Implementing and championing AC’s Safe Sport and Anti-Doping rules and policies.
- Acting as an exemplar of AC’s HP Culture and Behaviours.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- College or university degree, in a relevant subject, is required.
Specialized and/or Technical Skills
The following experiences and skills are essential to this role:
- Experience in coaching Para athletes and able-bodied athletes at all levels up to Paralympic/Olympic and World Championships success.
- Experience in team coaching and personal coaching at benchmark events and other national camps, conferences, and competitions.
- Five or more years of progressive coaching experience in track and field.
- Knowledge of the international sporting systems in Para Athletics and Athletics.
- Extensive experience in coaching at the international level, and a Level Four NCCP or equivalent.
- Experience in coaching Para athletes and able-bodied athletes at all levels up to Paralympic/Olympic and World Championships success.
- Experience in team coaching and personal coaching at benchmark events and other national camps, conferences, and competitions.
- Five or more years of progressive coaching experience in track and field.
- Knowledge of the international sporting systems in Para Athletics and Athletics.
- Extensive experience in coaching at the international level, and a Level Four NCCP or equivalent.
The following experiences/qualifications and skills are not required but will be an advantage:
- Knowledge of the sporting systems of Canada, including Sport Canada (SC), Own the Podium (OTP), the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees (COC & CPC), Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC), the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sports Institute Network (COPSIN).
- Extensive use of third-party software packages and databases.
- Ability to communicate effectively in French and English will be considered an asset.
- Knowledge of the sporting systems of Canada, including Sport Canada (SC), Own the Podium (OTP), the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees (COC & CPC), Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC), the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sports Institute Network (COPSIN).
- Extensive use of third-party software packages and databases.
- Ability to communicate effectively in French and English will be considered an asset.
Working Conditions
- This position requires working outside regular hours. There will be occasional weekend work and both domestic and international travel.
- This position requires working outside regular hours. There will be occasional weekend work and both domestic and international travel.
Compensation
- Compensation will be determined by the successful candidate’s skills and experience.
To Apply
The application deadline is March 11, 2025. Applications can be sent in confidence through the link at www.athletics.ca/employment. We thank all candidates who apply. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Athletics Canada is an equal opportunity employer.