About LEAD

The number of Canadians competing at the highest level of sport continues to grow in number and diversity, in an increasingly demanding and complex sports landscape. Ensuring that athlete's safety, health, and performance are supported throughout their journey will requires the development of sport scientists who don’t just excel in their own disciplines, but cultivate positive environments and empower others to do the same.

LEAD is a Sport Scientist Canada leadership program designed to equip sport scientists with the leadership knowledge, strategies, and skills to enhance the daily training environment and competition environments. It facilitates individual and organizational excellence in safety, health, development, and performance outcomes within the Canadian high performance sport system.  

Committee Members:

• Dr. Tracy Blake
• Dr. Jennifer Wallinga - Royal Roads University

Our Purpose

The LEAD program aims to provide sport scientists the opportunity to:

1. LEARN: Explore the leadership theories and competencies that are necessary to manage the day-to-day operations of an integrated support team in a variety of Canadian high performance sport system environments.
2. ENGAGE: Build productive and effective relationships with athletes, coaches, and fellow IST members and cultivate a culture that empowers others do the same.
3. ACCELERATE: Identify individual and organizational catalysts, and modulate barriers to attaining and sustaining elite athletic performance on and off the field of play.
4. DEVELOP: Integrate leadership approaches and best practices into the design of organization-specific programs and initiatives aimed at optimizing and sustaining athlete health and performance.

Eligibility

1.  HP Certified or Professional member with Sport Scientist Canada
2. In good standing with the relevant certification body for a sport science or sport medicine discipline in Canada.
3. Currently working as a practitioner in a leadership role (or working towards one) in the Canadian high performance sport system
   • Employed or contracted by Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Institute Network (COPSIN), National Sport Organization (NSO), or Multi Sport Organization (MSO)
   • Working with a pool of Olympic, Paralympic or *NextGen athletes
4. Committed to supporting and advancing fellow practitioners with a goal of becoming a mentor for future LEAD or WiSS cohorts, or engaging as a mentor within the Canadian Sport System for an NSO or COPSIN.
5. Priority will be given to applicants who meet the following:
   • HP Certified - Senior and Leader levels
   • HP Certified - Practitioner level in leadership roles moving  towards HPC-Senior
6. Be comfortable reading, speaking, and learning in English.

* NextGen definition:  athletes identified by the NSO using their validated Podium Pathway who are 5-8 years away from achieving a performance required for a podium result at a subsequent Olympic/Paralympic Games.

Application Deadlines

Applications are now closed

September 16^th, 2022: Program members are confirmed. Applicants are notified of their status

Program Structure

This six-month program is a hybrid of in-person workshops and online sessions that include 1-on-1 mentorship, the development and implementation of a leadership/mentorship plan, and a capstone project proposal that will be presented at the Sport Innovation (SPIN) Summit.

Program Dates

October-November 2022: 

• Preliminary 1-on-1 meetings 
• Leadership and mentorship plan development
• Capstone project proposal drafting (virtual)

 November 2022: 

• Cohort introduction, program orientation (virtual)

 December 2022: 

• SPIN Summit: In-person meeting of new cohort (location TBD) 

 January-March 2023: 

• Online webinars, peer group discussion forums, reflective activities 
• Leadership and mentorship plan implementation 
• Capstone project development (virtual)

 March or April 2023: 

• In-person wrap-up event at Sport Scientist Canada Week (location TBD)

 December 2023: 

• SPIN Summit: Attend in person meeting as LEAD Alumni (location TBD)
• Present poster of Capstone project as LEAD Alumni 

 Ongoing:

• Budget approximately 1-2 hours/week of readings and online activities, and 1-2hrs/week of leadership/mentorship plan implementation and capstone proposal development. 

How much does it cost?

• There is no fee for LEAD

Frequently Asked Questions