Sport North - Excel NT

Excel NT

1. Purpose

To develop a high performance sport program which will assist NWT athlete’s and coaches at the Canada Games and Western Canada Games.

2. Grant Criteria

Territorial Sport Organizations (TSO’s) included on the schedule of the Canada Games are eligible to apply for funding. Funding must be used in the areas of coach development, athlete selection, athlete development and competition.

The primary focus of the Canada Games Excel NT Program is preparing athletes for the Canada Games.
Sports that involve separate men's and women's team programs will be required to submit separate applications:

ü Male and Female Basketball

ü Male and Female Hockey

ü Male and Female Soccer

ü Male and Female Volleyball

ü Male and Female Curling

*All other teams must submit joint applications

Funding will be administered every year (see schedule on page 6) leading up to the Canada Games.
Review of application will be based on an organization’s ability to demonstrate a solid plan of development for coaches, and athletes that adheres to the standards of the Long Term Athlete Development Model (LTAD – “Training to Compete”)
Any program removed from Canada Games in any year, is subject to re-payment of funds received up to that date. Refunds will be based on TSO’s ability to validate or not validate funds used on the Canada Games Program and its participants.

A TSO (Territorial Sport Organization), who fails to submit an application in any of the four (4) years by the published deadlines, will be removed from the Excel NT Program and will not participate in the Canada Games.

3. Applying for Canada Games Funding

In Year-1, the President of the TSO or his/her designate completes the work for this application. Upon appointment and ratification of the sport's Head Coach, the application is forwarded to the Head Coach. The Head Coach with support of the High Performance Committee completes the REPORTS in Year-2, Year-3 and Year-4. Completion of the REPORTS, by the DUE DATES is mandatory (see Table 1).

Application form (Word format) - to edit the file, you must first SAVE it to your computer.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4

Table 1: Yearly Reporting Dates for Excel NT
*Year*	*Reports Completed by:*	*Summer* *Games*	*Winter* *Games*
2007/2008	CWG: Coaching Staff CSG: Coaching Staff	November 30, 2007 Year #3 of Report 75% of Excel NT Funding	June 30, 2008 Year # 2of Report 25% of Excel NT Funding
2008/2009	CWG: Coaching Staff CSG: Coaching Staff	November 30, 2008 Year #4 of Report 75% of Excel NT Funding	June 30, 2009 Year #3 of Report 75% of Excel NT Funding
2009/2010	CWG: Coaching Staff CSG: TSO	November 30, 2009 Year #1 of Report 25% of Excel NT Funding	June 30, 2010 Year #4 of Report 75% of Excel NT Funding
2010/2011	CWG: TSO CSG: Coaching Staff	November 30, 2010 Year #2 of Report 25% of Excel NT Funding	June 30, 2011 Year #1 of Report 25% of Excel NT Funding

4. Excel NT Requirements

The following minimum requirements have been determined as the developmental model in the NWT for Canada Games preparation. These standards will also serve as the accountability framework for maximizing funding support for the Canada Games. Sports must meet ALL Program Standards below, to be eligible to continue in Excel NT.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

1. Appoint a High Performance Committee or designate its Executive, to meet regularly, to oversee development and validate their program.

2. Identify coaching pool in the Year 1 application. TSO’s are responsible to publish and communicate job descriptions and procedures for coaching selection. Sport North Federation is able to provide each TSO with its National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) database.

3. Develop a solid coaching developmental strategy in Year 1. Strategy will include a Coach Selection Policy.

4. All coaches (head and assistants) are fully certified at NCCP Level 3 or its equivalent.

5. Commitment to an early, well-communicated, broad geographic talent identification process with extensive participation levels. This includes all related materials to athlete/team selection, coach selection and team general information as it relates to the Games.

6. Core athlete talent pool identified in Year 3 of program. Minimum training expectations outlined to core athletes and solidified through coach/athlete agreements. Final athlete selection to be held within Year 4 of program.

7. Coaches regularly monitor/evaluate athlete/team training plans with their staff, their TSO and their Sport North Federation Consultant.

8. Clear, transparent process and objective criteria for team selection ensuring that the appropriate funds are distributed accordingly.

9. Commitment to a quality competition plan, including opportunities for competitive events that will prepare the athlete to the facilities and other external environments at the Games. These should relevant to the level of the Canada Games (i.e. National Championships).

10. Commitment to the principals of athlete testing as set out by Sport North’s “Raising the Bar” Fitness Testing Program. Fitness tests will be in the areas of Muscular Endurance, Anaerobic Capacity, Aerobic Capacity & Flexibility. Athlete’s who do not meet physical testing requirements and minimum physical standards, will be removed from a team or program by Sport North.

11. Athletes and coaches attend designated “Physical Testing” as agreed upon by Sport North Federation and each program. This is to be a minimum of once per calendar year.

12. Commitment to timely submission of applications and follow-up guidelines and deadlines, report deadlines and consultation meetings, and adherence to the sound financial management of grant funds.

5. TSO Expectations

The key determinant for sports accessing the maximum amount of funding from Excel NT will be:

i) Organizational Management

· The organization must have a clear, outcomes oriented plan for the overall development of their Excel NT Program which conforms to the Canada Games/LTAD developmental model of “Training to Compete Stage” (Refer to www.ltad.ca for full document).

· The organization must have in place systems and procedures that enable the efficient operation of the program (i.e. committee or executive terms of reference, job descriptions for coaching staff, policies and procedures, effective communications, meetings, etc.).

ii) Program Development

· The organization must be able to significantly expand the pool of qualified coaches and contribute to the advancement of their high performance opportunities and abilities (Professional Development).

· The organization must be able to facilitate partnerships with local clubs/teams in identifying and supporting athletes and coaches.

· The organization must be able to create an optimum training environment so that NWT athletes and coaches can be successful in their Canada Games pursuit.

· The organization must adhere to physical training principals of the NCCP (Introduction to Competition Stream). Sport North Federation considers Physical Training, Preparation and maintenance in the highest regard and the cornerstone of successful athlete’s.

· The organization agrees to allow its athlete’s to be physically tested a minimum of once per calendar year as per Sport North’s “Raising the Bar” program.

iii) Financial Management

· The organization must comply with Excel NT guidelines and establish effective policies governing financial operations, and ensure proper accountability and effective financial controls. HP programs are accountable to their TSO and to Sport North.

6. Areas of Support

a) Coaching development

To support coaching development initiatives in preparation for the Canada Games, such as honorariums, travel, accommodation, professional development opportunities, mentoring, and certification support.

b) Talent Identification

To provide opportunities for selection in identifying and assessing all potential age-eligible athletes throughout the NWT.

c) Training

To support year round high intensity individual and sport specific training programs devoted to skill and fitness development and competition-specific training.

d) Competition

To support high intensity and high volume competition training and competition opportunities that fully establishes the athlete’s capacity for physical, tactical, technical and mental preparation. Also, to support the opportunity to host competitive events that will acclimatize and prepare the athlete for the Canada Games

e) Sport Science

To support a science-based training program (NCCP) that addresses the core competencies that will most effectively facilitate an athlete’s physical, mental, nutritional and medical needs for athletic development and competitive success.

f) Physical Testing

To support athletes and coaches, with Sport North’s “Raising the Bar” testing program.

7. Ineligible Expenses

Areas not eligible for support through this grant program are as follows:

· Capital Facility Expenditures - no support is available for construction, renovation, or upgrading of facilities.

· Equipment – any equipment related to the sport (i.e. Balls, hockey sticks, bats, timing equipment, etc.)

· Any uniforms accessory uniform pieces or practice gear.

· Liquor, socials, banquets, etc.

· Cash prizes

· Out of Canada travel.

· Coaches Salaries

· Any other expenses that may be deemed an inappropriate use of this financial support.

8. Extenuating Circumstances

Consideration may be given to exceptional needs that are essential to the development of the Canada Games program but cannot be met or are limited through the existing guidelines or areas of support. The process for requesting extenuating circumstances will be reviewed by the Sport North Federation on a case by case scenario.

Note: The extenuating circumstance review is not an opportunity to request additional funding.

9. Accountability of Funds

Note: The extenuating circumstance review is not an opportunity to request additional funding.

10. Monitoring and Evaluation

Coaching Staff from your sport will be required to meet with Sport North staff periodically to review the status of the program.

11. Appeals

Appeals concerning this program will follow the Sport North ADR Policy.

Upon completion of each Report, send by mail (postal or electronically) to:

Mail: Bill Othmer

Sport North Federation

Box 11089

Yellowknife, NWT X1A 3X7

Email: bothmer@sportnorth.com

Direct any inquiries to Bill Othmer.

bothmer@sportnorth.com

Phone: (867) 669-8336

Toll Free: 1-800-661-0797, ext. 8336