TORONTO (July 18, 2023) – Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is pleased to announce it will receive $4.2 million from the Ontario Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, for each of the next two years. The funds will be used to support high performance sport in the province, including the needs of Ontario’s athletes and coaches as they strive for podium success. Additionally, this funding will continue to support CSIO’s Ontario High Performance Sport Initiative (OHPSI), as well as generate new mental health initiatives within the provincial high performance sport system.
OHPSI was designed in 2010 to support a comprehensive provincial high performance sport system that allows for sustained success of athletes and coaches at the very highest levels of international sport. The overarching objective of OHPSI is to identify and support Ontario athletes who are best capable of achieving future international success on senior national teams in targeted winter and summer Olympic/Paralympic and Pan/Para Pan Am Games sports.
Since OHPSI’s inception in 2010, more than 4,500 Ontario athletes have been supported through sport science and sport medicine, daily training environment access, camps and competition support, and coaching and technical leadership, contributing to 62 Olympic and 38 Paralympic medals for Team Canada across 6 sets of Games.
This intake of OHPSI, will support 20 provincial sport training programs, with the Paris 2024, Milano/Cortina 2026, and LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon.
The Ministry’s funding also supports 29 practitioners in sport science and sport medicine disciplines including sport nutrition, physiology, sport therapy, mental health and mental performance, biomechanics, sport medicine, and strength and conditioning. This support is provided to provincial high performance athletes across Ontario including at CSIO’s main headquarters located at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, and two new Regional Training Centres in Milton at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre and in Niagara at Canada Games Park.
In efforts to meet the growing needs and demands for mental health support for sports and athletes in the podium pathway, CSIO will be increasing its service from dedicated Mental Health Practitioners, including clinical psychologists and counsellors, to deliver programming and educational workshops for Provincial Sport Organizations, and provide wellness checks and consultations for high performance athletes.
QUOTES
“Thank you to Minister Lumsden and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport for their continued support and confidence in CSIO to deliver best-in-class high performance programming – sport science, sport medicine, pathway leadership, and mental health supports. The OHPSI program has been the crown jewel of CSIO since it’s launch in 2010 and we are incredibly proud of what the program has achieved. OHPSI truly strives to elevate people – Ontario’s high performance athletes, coaches, and technical leaders, and their performances everyday in the pursuit of building champions This funding and support will further enhance Ontario’s excellence within both the provincial and the national sport systems.”
Debbie Low
CEO, Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
“Canadian Sport Institute Ontario plays an integral role in the province’s sport sector, delivering high-quality programming and services that empower Ontarians to accomplish their athletic goals. Through this investment in CSIO, our government is supporting high-performance sport in Ontario, providing opportunities for athletes to achieve success on the national and international stage.”
Neil Lumsden
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
ABOUT CANADIAN SPORT INSTITUTE ONTARIO:
Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is a non-profit organization committed to the pursuit of excellence by providing best-in-class programs, services, and leadership to high performance athletes, coaches, and National and Provincial Sport Organizations to enhance their ability to achieve international podium performances. Our team of expert staff deliver sport science, sport medicine, life services, and coaching and technical leadership support to help Canada win medals and strengthen the sport system in Ontario and Canada. CSIO is part of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, working in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, and the Coaching Association of Canada. CSIO is further supported by funding partners such as the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport and Sport Canada. www.csiontario.ca
ABOUT MINISTRY OF TOURISM, CULTURE, AND SPORT
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport supports and delivers tourism and cultural experiences, and champions participation in sport and recreation activities across Ontario.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Laura Albright, Senior Advisor, Communications & Marketing
Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Tel: 647.395.7536
Email: lalbright@csiontario.ca
Uppekha Allani, Press Secretary & Media Relations
Office of the Hon. Neil Lumsden
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
Tel: 437-236-6133
Email: uppekha.allani@ontario.ca