Knowledge Nuggets

Parenting The car ride home offers a “window of opportunity” for parents and athletes to debrief about games and practices – how they did, what they saw, and how to make sense of what happened. However, the car ride home can also be fraught with challenges and anxieties for parents and athletes alike. Use these...

Blog Strategic plans, when meaningfully planned and well supported, can provide sport organizations with a blueprint for success. Today’s blog provides five practical tips for maximizing the return on investment. Learn even more about turning your organization’s vision into action during a free webinar hosted by the Ottawa Sport Council.

Word of the Day “Plogging” is a combination of the Swedish term “plocka up” (pick up) and jogging. The activity has become so popular in Sweden and other European countries that groups dedicated to plogging have formed. With the snow finally melting, get your family and friends outside for some plogging!

Nutrition If you have a “picky eater” at home or on your team, you aren’t alone. Almost 50 percent of parents identify their preschoolers as picky eaters. Feeding research has identified mealtime strategies to reduce stress and help picky eaters (of all ages) have a healthier diet.

Coaching Endurance coaching can help you achieve your goals, but it can also be expensive. From following your coach’s plan to good communication practices, these five tips will ensure you’re getting the most from your investment.

Leadership Outlandish or “absurd” ideas during team meetings and strategic planning sessions are often met with the same response – dismissal. Unfortunately, this unconsciously dampens the innovative spirit often sought. Instead, help nurture breakthrough ideas and discover new ways of doing things by 1. respecting the absurd idea, and 2. exploring the absurd idea.

SIRC Blog Endurance athletes need to persevere through pain in training and competition. According to Kent University’s Samuele Marcora “our mind is what dictates our physical limits”. Fortunately, Jonathan Lasnier shares with us that perception of effort can be manipulated with the use of three mental skills: goal-setting, motivation, and self-talk.

Video Research suggests that participating in a variety of activities and sports in childhood leads to better skill development, less injury, less burnout, and less dropout. Funded by the Canadian Olympic Committee, four of Canada’s national sport organizations teamed up with Active for Life to create a PSA video that includes world-class athletes Marie-Philip Poulin...

Leadership Sport leaders influencing change in an organization know to expect some resistance. However, instead of labeling resisters as naysayers or cynics, consider them as “guardians” of current systems or programs that need to be protected. Leaders should use these guardians as checks against self-delusion or blind spots. Strengthen the change initiative and build support...

Coaching Tip “Helpful” instructions shouted by coaches and parents from the sidelines aren’t always useful. It’s easy for young athletes to become overwhelmed and misinterpret the messages. Here are five things you yell at your hockey player that only confuses them. Use simple, direct language (no jargon!) that reinforces previous lessons.