Supporting Podium Dreams – Paralympian Search and RBC Training Ground

To support the identification and development of future Olympians and Paralympians, two Canadian programs have been developed to fuel the Canadian pipeline of future hopefuls. RBC Training Ground and the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s Paralympian Search are athlete identification programs designed to assess participant aptitudes in various sports, and connect athletes with sport opportunities and development…

Winter 2021 SIRCuit

The Winter 2021 SIRCuit is now available!  For many, the new year presents an opportunity to set new goals, refine behaviours, or let go of something that is holding them back. This edition of the SIRCuit provides takes a deep dive into self-compassion, athlete identification, relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), engaging masters athletes, and social learning…

Happy New Year

Welcome to 2021! The SIRC team is looking forward to an exciting year of keeping you informed with the latest news, research, and jobs from the sport community across Canada. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. In case you missed it, be sure to check out our Looking Back – 2020…

Subgroups vs cliques

Worried about the subgroup dynamics within your team? Subgroups represent those “good” groupings that show prosocial behaviours, and can be leveraged to positively influence the team culture. Cliques are debilitating, excluding or ostracizing teammates, lowering self-esteem, and promoting antisocial and unethical behaviours. Coaches should be proactive in addressing the negative impact of cliques.

Looking Back – 2020 SIRC Content Highlights

Although 2020 was a challenging year, it was rich with learnings and silver linings for the Canadian sport and physical activity sector. Featured below are highlights of SIRC’s top content from the last 12 months. Whether you’re looking for insightful reading during a quiet moment over the holidays, or a quick video to get your…

Community parasport – The experiences of female youth

The upcoming Tokyo Paralympics will be an opportunity to inspire the next generation of Canadian Paralympians. However, without strong development pathways, young Canadians may not have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. An important first step along any development pathway is a positive introduction to sport through grassroots community programs. There is a persisting gap…

Skeleton technology

In a skeleton race, improvements of fractions of a second at the start can make all the difference at the finish line. Researchers from the University of Bath recently developed the first non-invasive motion capture technology to accurately track the push-start phase of a skeleton race. The new technology could help athletes and coaches track…

“If it Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix it:” Managing Subgroups in Sport

This blog is the final installment in a series in collaboration with Queen’s University. As an assignment to build knowledge mobilization skills, Dr. Luc Martin, Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, tasked students in his third year team dynamics course to write a SIRC blog. The top five were submitted to and published by…

Athlete Identity and Transition Out of Sport

Athletes often tie their self worth to their accomplishments, improvements, and outcomes in sport. Transitioning out of sport, due to retirement or injury, can compromise their sense of self worth. Feelings of having nothing to offer, being inadequate, and feeling unsure of their value in life can negatively affect the individual’s mental health.

Early Specialization in Hockey

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…