Challenges and opportunities of dual sport participation

This blog is a part of a series created in collaboration with the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Paralympic Athlete Transfer Task Force, spotlighting the opportunities and challenges of Para athlete transfer and multi-sport participation. Not many athletes can claim both summer and winter Paralympian status. Liam Hickey of St. John’s, Newfoundland, is one of those rare athletes. He represented Canada…

Knowing your role

A role outlines the specific behaviours that are expected of an individual to achieve established team goals. On a team, each role should interact seamlessly to help the team reach its untapped potential. Members will perform better individually when they understand their role, and role clarity sets the stage for team success.

Push and pull: Paralympian Brianna Hennessy is stronger for her multi-sport participation 

This blog is a part of a series created in collaboration with the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Paralympic Athlete Transfer Task Force, spotlighting the opportunities and challenges of Para athlete transfer and multi-sport participation. “Para sport, for me, it’s my purpose. It’s the only time I feel alive,” says Brianna Hennessy, Tokyo Paralympian.  Hennessy was struck by a…

Collaborative coaching is key to successful Para athlete transfer

This blog is a part of a series created in collaboration with the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Paralympic Athlete Transfer Task Force, spotlighting the opportunities and challenges of Para athlete transfer and multi-sport participation. When COVID-19 hit, like the rest of us, Alexandre Hayward was stuck at home. Hayward, a member of the Canadian Junior National Wheelchair Basketball…

How “athlete transfer” is opening new avenues for development in Para sport

This blog is a part of a series created in collaboration with the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Paralympic Athlete Transfer Task Force, spotlighting the opportunities and challenges of Para athlete transfer and multi-sport participation. When Richard Peter retired from wheelchair basketball following a gold-medal performance at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the then-40-year-old didn’t think a second career…

Coping through sport

Research shows that sport participation can help athletes cope with adverse life events. For example, social support networks built through participation in recreational sport leagues can build confidence and offer a reprieve from negative emotions. Adult sport leagues can harness these findings to better market and reshape their leagues to attract new participants.

Talent development gender gap

Gender equity is just as important in sports research as it is on the playing field. However, a recent literature review shows a considerable gender gap in talent development research. Youth development programs need more research on girls and women to better address their specific needs with evidence-based programming.

Athlete health and clean air

In June, on Canada’s Clean Air Day, SIRC took a look at air pollution and how it can affect the healthy and performance of outdoor sport participants. Today, is the International Day of Clean Air and it bares reminding that as sport leaders we have a responsibility to understand air pollution and its impact on…

Athletes2Coaches: A mentorship program for athletes experiencing disability

Coaching athletes with a disability requires many of the same skills as coaching non-disabled athletes (for example, developing skill progression). However, coaching athletes with impairments often requires coaches to have disability-specific knowledge as well (Fairhurst, Bloom, & Harvey, 2017). Coaches’ understanding of disability is critical, not only to athlete skill development, but also to athletes’…

Physical literacy and youth athletes

Sports-related injuries among youth are on the rise. According to research, declining physical literacy levels put youth at an increased risk for preventable injuries. Resistance training for youth can help prevent against sports-related injuries and improve physical literacy levels.