Knowledge Nuggets

“It is conflicting to be so passionate about the environment and sport at the same time, when some days they work very well together and others they are at odds.” In the SIRC blog, the Canada Games Council sits down with two former Canada Games athletes – pro snowboarder Craig McMorris and Olympic steeplechaser Geneviève...

Match manipulation is a deliberate and coordinated effort to influence elements of a sporting contest – from the outcome of the game, as well as elements within it (coin toss, first team to score, point spread, etc.). What better way to stack the odds in your favour when there are potentially thousands of dollars –...

Research finds elite NHL and collegiate hockey players often begin playing sports around 4 years of age, but only specialize in hockey at, on average, age 14. Experts suggest that because hockey requires players to master a wide variety of physical movements, there is a benefit to training in multiple sports at a young age...

Thinking of developing a new program or initiative? Before you start, research suggests completing a “capacity audit” to identify any gaps in available resources. The audit could include human resources (e.g., number of volunteers, level of expertise among executive members), financial resources (e.g., availability and stability of funds), existing relationships (e.g., quality of partnerships), planning (e.g., alignment with...

In a survey of Gymnastics Canada members and stakeholders, 100% felt adding the True Sport Principles to the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) courses would be an effective strategy to provide coaches with education and training to deliver quality sport experiences. This supported the creation of a new e-Learning course developed to reflect Gymnastics Canada’s...

Canadian athletes have embraced Plato’s contention that “necessity is the mother of invention” during the COVID-19 pandemic, being creative with their training plans and tapping into the physical and mental resources needed to stay at the top of their game. In the SIRCuit, athletes, team leaders, and top medical experts explore the challenges and silver...

This year, National School Safety Week (October 17-23) emphasizes the importance of being safe in the digital age. With school, sport training, and connecting with friends moving online, youth could be exposed to threats that include harmful content, viruses and ransomware, and cyberbullying. Keep your kids safe with open communication, a trusting relationship, and by...

Do the shoes make the cyclist? New research from the University of Colorado found stiff-soled cycling shoes combined with clip-in pedals delivered a maximum sprint power during high-power, uphill sprints that was 16.6 ± 10.2% greater than flexible soles with a pedal attachment (i.e. running shoes with toe clips).

The Physical Literacy Environmental Assessment (PLEA) tool examines four domains to determine the extent to which sport and physical activity programs support the development of physical literacy amongst children and youth: environment, programming, leaders and staff, and values and goals, The tool can also be used as a checklist when planning and delivering a physical...

For sport and physical activity organizations, creating successful partnerships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities requires an intentional approach. This includes understanding individual communities and cultures, recruiting volunteers and coaches from these communities, and recognizing that building meaningful relationships based on trust will take years and genuine commitment.