Athletes maximize their abilities to lead by example, inspire others to excel, and effect positive change where they live, work and play when they are equipped with the necessary skills and opportunities. This is what LEADERSHIP means to AthletesCAN.
AthletesCAN has developed best in class athlete leadership education and resources to build sport system capacity. With the support of the Canadian government, AthletesCAN works in collaboration with system stakeholders to identify gaps in leadership education. Effective training and leadership skill development affords Canada’s national team athletes the opportunity to gain a significant level of confidence, comfort, and knowledge in representing the athlete voice at the decision making table.
Since 1992, we have educated more than 2500 athlete representatives from more than 60 sports to strengthen the athlete voice at decision making tables across the sport system. Several of these board and rep alumni have gone on to lead national and international sport organizations, committees and councils and continue to give back to their athlete community.
If you are an athlete or national sport organization and want to learn more about our leadership education please check out our resources below or email info@athletescan.ca.
Resources
In contributing to a strong and vibrant Canadian sport system, AthletesCAN is committed to developing athlete leaders, who lead by example, inspire others to excel and contribute to meaningful change where they live, work and play.
AthletesCAN is pleased to provide effective training and leadership skill development to Canada’s national team athletes to afford them the opportunity to gain a significant level of confidence, comfort and knowledge in representing their voice and those of their teammates at the decision making table.
As part of this committment, AthletesCAN has developed a variety of resources to ensure that athlete leaders have the tools and the knowledge to support and further an athlete-centered sport system in Canada. The resources have been tailored to create a more athlete focused, concise and user friendly learning experience, providing links to more detailed information as required and easily referenced materials to share with your teammates. We invite you to begin your athlete leader journey by browsing our suite of leadership resources below including our newly updated Athlete Representative, Athletes’ Council, and Athlete Director Guides.
Athlete Representation Guide
What does it mean to be an “athlete leader”? How can you, as an athlete, help to direct decisions and influence change within your sport organization? What kind of power do the athletes have in a system of multiple organizations, government policies and accountability? To answer these questions, AthletesCAN has developed a variety of resources to ensure that athlete leaders have the tools and the knowledge to support and further an athlete-centered sport system in Canada.
The Athlete Representation Guide online learning module represents one of the ongoing chapters of a competencies based learning model for athlete leadership development. The leadership modules have been tailored to create a more athlete focused, concise and user friendly learning experience, providing links to more detailed information as required and easily referenced materials to share with your teammates.
Athlete Representation Guide
atheletescan_ar_guide_book_vfAthlete Council Guide
Athletes’ Councils are one of the most effective mechanism by which athletes can influence change and champion athlete rights in high performance sport at the national team level. By providing information to the board of directors, coaches and the leadership team of an National Sport Organization, Athletes’ Councils ensure that the voices of athletes at all levels and disciplines are represented in a collaborative, professional and effective manner.
The Athlete Council Guide online learning module represents one of the ongoing chapters of a competencies based learning model for athlete leadership development. The leadership modules have been tailored to create a more athlete focused, concise and user friendly learning experience, providing links to more detailed information as required and easily referenced materials to share with your teammates.
Athlete Director Guide
Over the years, athletes have become increasingly involved at the decision making table and more specifically at the board level. Through invitation, election or appointment, athletes continue to join boards and high performance committees of numerous national and multi-sport organizations. AthletesCAN has recognized the need to develop a specific toolbox of leadership skills to ensure these athlete representatives are effective leaders for their sport.
The Athlete Director Guide is a web based leadership tool to help Canada’s athletes develop the expertise they need to be strategic leaders in the boardroom. From technical to tactical, this online learning tool presents information in a user-friendly manner that enables athletes to be effective leaders at the decision-making table.
Athlete Director Guide
atheletescan_ad_guide_book_vfAnti-Racism Resources
Educational Resources:
- Government of Canada: Recommended Anti-racism resources
- National Collaboration Centre for Indigenous Health: Understanding Racism
- Ontario Human Rights Commission: Policy and guidelines on racism and racial discrimination » Part 1 – Setting the context: understanding race, racism and racial discrimination
- Canadian Race Relations Foundation: Glossary of Terms
- University of British Columbia: Indigenous Peoples Language Guidelines
- University of British Columbia: Equity & Inclusion Glossary of Terms
- The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion: Educational resources on racism/anti-black racism
- Smith School of Business Overcoming bias in the workplace: How leaders can drive change
- Catalyst: Flip the Script: Create Connections, Not Conflict, in Tough Conversations
- Catalyst: How to Combat Unconscious Bias as a Leader in Your Organization
- Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion: Navigating race in Canadian workplaces A toolkit for diversity and inclusion practitioners
- Candian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion: Leading inclusively to stop racism in the workplace
- Candian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion: Creating a safe space for dialogue on antiracism
- The Government of Canada: Policy and Program Considerations for Increasing Sport Participation Among Members of Underrepresented Groups in Canada. 2nd Edition (2019)
- University of Alberta (Faculty of Native Studies): Indigenous Canada (Massive Open Online Course)
Webinars/Videos
Canadian Women and Sport and She’s4Sport Present We Are Sport Series:
- We Are Sport: Convos with BIPOC Leaders in Sport: Mental Health
- We Are Sport: Convos with BIPOC Leaders in Sport: Diversity and Leadership
Canadian Women and Sport
CBC Sports Panel on Racism: Speaking Out (2020)
Olympians Anson Henry, Brandon McBride, Aaron Brown, Damian Warner, Khamica Bingham, Christabel Nettey, Melissa Bishop-Nriagu speak candidly about their experiences with racism.
Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC
Ontario Human Rights Commission
SIRC 2020 SCRI Conference: Driving Change Spotlights
Podcasts:
- About Race
- Change Everything
- Code Switch
- Colour Code
- Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
- Pod for the Cause
- Speaking of Racism
- The Diversity Gap
- Yo, Is This Racist?
- Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion presents Talking to Canadians
Blogs / Articles
- Team Canada Athletes Raise Their Voice on Racism by Simone Cseplo (via Canadian Olympic Committee)
- Crystal Emmanuel: I am Black, beautiful, proud, and empowering by Crystal Emmanuel (via Canadian Olympic Committee)
- Tackling Racism on Campus by Devon Bowyer and Jada Roach, BIPOC Varsity Association, University of Toronto
- The Roots of the Indigenous Games by Melissa Renwick (via Globe and Mail)
- The Development Stories of Indigenous Champions by Jim Grove (via Sport for Life) Alwyn Morris, Shirley and Sharon Firth, Jordin Tootoo, Spencer O’Brien
- Maintaining Professionalism In The Age of Black Death Is….A Lot by Shenequa Golding
- 11 Types of Unconscious Bias and How to Interrupt Them by Catalyst
Books
- How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole
- 11 Books by Black Canadian Authors
Helpful Links and Organizations
- Sport Information Resource Centre: Anti-Racism Resources
- Canadian Olympic Committee Anti-Racism Resources
- Canadian Paralympic Committee: Diversity and Inclusion Resources
- E-Alliance
- Aboriginal Sport Circle
- Sport for Life: Indigenous Peoples
- Native Land
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- National Collaboration Centre for Indigenous Health Knowledge Resources and Publications
- Anti-Racism Resources by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein
- BC Black History Awareness Society: Learning Centre
- Centre for Race and Culture
- Canadian Race Relations Foundation
- The Black Lives Canada Syllabus Resource List
- Black Lives Matter Canada
- University of Waterloo Anti-Racism Resources
Tested Positive?
How to respond to a possible anti-doping rule violation
AthletesCAN, with the support of Sport Solution, is pleased to release the resource, I Tested Positive? How to Respond to a Possible Anti-Doping Rule Violation. The resource provides a straightforward guide for athletes should they have an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) asserted against them according to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP).
In recognition that athletes are subject to ongoing anti-doping regulations and testing, AthletesCAN adopted the first edition of this resource in 2011 to provide an independent guide to assist athletes navigate the anti-doping process following a possible ADRV. The focus of this resource, now in its third edition, is to assist athletes in preparing for and taking part in an anti-doping hearing. The resource contents are presented in approximate chronological order to reflect events within the anti-doping process, from notification of an ADRV to completion. Throughout the resource, links and references are made to relevant portions of the CADP, the Canadian Sport Dispute Resolution Code, and other relevant reference documents. The guide includes three appendices which provide definition of terms and links to other resources that may be of assistance to athletes who are navigating the anti-doping process.
The resource has been revised to correspond to the 2021 CADP and 2021 Canadian Sport Dispute Resolution Code, in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) and the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC), respectively.
Disclaimer: This information is intended as general legal information only and should not form the basis of legal advice or opinion. AthletesCAN makes no warranty as to the accuracy or reliability of the information published here and accepts no responsibility for any consequences arising from a reader’s reliance upon this information. Readers seeking legal advice should consult with a lawyer.
Athlete Funding Resources
There are a number of funding opportunities for high performance athletes. A few of the opportunities are listed below. In addition to these, athletes should contact their post-secondary institution (if applicable) to find out about scholarships for athletes competing for a university or college, as well as academic scholarship options. Many Provincial Sport Organizations and National Sport Organizations also have internal scholarships established as “memorial” tributes to past members or Directors, or scholarships supported by corporate sponsors. Athletes should contact the appropriate sport organization to investigate this possibility. Various Service Clubs such as Rotary International, Kin Canada, the Lions Clubs or the Royal Canadian Legion offer scholarships and bursaries. The clubs in the athlete’s town or city should be contacted for information and deadlines.
National Funding
Canadian Athletes Now Fund (CanFund)
CHIMP Fund (CHaritable IMPact Fund)
MAKEACHAMP
Petro-Canada Fuelling Athlete and Coaching Excellence (FACE)
Sport Canada Athletes Assistance Program (AAP)
Canadian Olympic Committee Athlete Excellence Fund (AEF)
Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons (CFPDP)
WISE Fund (CAAWS)
Most Influential Women List (CAAWS)
Nike N7 Fund -Native American
RBC Olympic Sponsorship
True Sport Foundation
Alberta
Podium Alberta
Alberta Sport Connection – Grant Opportunities
Take the Lead Grant
Atlantic
The New Brunswick Athlete Assistance Program (NBAAP)
Bathurst-Campbellton Canada Games Foundation inc.
The Saint John Canada Games Foundation inc.
Support 4 Sport – Athlete Assistance Nova Scotia
Elite Athlete Assistance Program – PEI
Athlete Excellence Fund – Newfoundland Labrador
PEI Amateur Sport Support Program – See Section 4
British Columbia
BC Athlete Assistance Program
BC Athlete Voice
BC Ferries Sport Experience Program
Canadian Sport Institute Travel Grant
Rising Star Grant
Manitoba
Sport Manitoba Scholarships
Grant Opportunities – Sport Manitoba
Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation
Ontario
Quest for Gold – Ontario Athlete Assistance Program
Québec
Programme Équipe Québec
SportQuébec
Club Médaille D’or
Fondation Nordiques
Bourses du Journal de Montréal
Bourses de la Fondation TIMI – Chicoutimi
Excellence Repentigny
Fond d’Élite Sportive Normand-Brunet – ROSPAB
Fonds d’investissement et de développement athlétique (FIDA)
Saint-Hyacinthe Élite
Saskatchewan
Grant Opportunities – Sask Sport
Canadian Sport Centre – Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Program for Athletic Excellence
Saskatchewan Athlete Assistance Program