Programming Models

Programming and Centre Athlete Models

Through the intake process, NextGen Coaches will work with each athlete to create an annual IAPP. The IAPP will include the athletes’ goals and gap analysis to determine the level of Sport Science and Sport Medicine support required to achieve those goals. These activities will also consider the athlete’s current level of performance and stage of development. From the IAPP, a robust yearly training plan (YTP) will be established to help guide the athlete towards their goals. Athletes who meet criteria have the option to be a Centralized or De-centralized ONGDP Athlete.

Centralized Model

A CENTRALIZED ATHLETE is an athlete that utilizes the Ontario NextGen Performance Centre (Welland/Thorold) as their daily training environment (DTE). A centralized athlete trains full-time in the Centre. They remain eligible to compete with their club or school program as defined in their annual IAPP. Centralized athletes will be provided external, high quality competition opportunities through appropriate regional, national, and international regattas. Although athletes can enter the ONGPC at different points throughout the year, and as outlined in their IAPP, the Centre will begin offering full-time training for athletes on the Tuesday following Labour Day each year.

De-centralized Model

A DE-CENTRALIZED ATHLETE is an athlete who utilizes a club or school program for their DTE, with clearly established expectations on when they will train at the ONGPC. Following acceptance, De-Centralized Athletes are required to participate in the creation of a well-defined annual IAPP in partnership with NextGen Performance Coaches and their club/school coaches. Athletes are expected to maintain targeted training loads, and attend monitoring events and identified camps set out in their IAPP. De-centralized athletes will have access to the ONGPC training plan. Monitoring and assessments will be mandatory pieces the ONGPC program. Athletes will be required to spend between 30 and 40 training days per year in the ONGPC environment. The schedule of training visits will be established and agreed upon at the time of intake, by the athlete, their club/school coach(es) and the ONGPC staff. This time will be a combination of mandatory assessment and testing dates and periods of time arranged at the discretion of the athlete.

Affiliated Model

An AFFILIATED ATHLETE is an athlete who utilizes a club or school for their DTE. They commit to attending camps that will focus on physiological testing and presentations/discussions on factors that influence performance (Techical/Tactical Development/Mental Performance/Trainining/Life Skills).

Seasonal Model

A SEASONAL ATHLETE is an athlete who centralizes in the ONGPC for a portion of the year. This can include athletes that have been selected to a Provincial or National team, de-centralized athletes who centralize for the summer or athletes who live in the area but attend school elsewhere and return to the area. Seasonal athletes can return to their club or school DTE once the team term is finished or they return to school.

A TID ATHLETE is an athlete who is identified through RCA’s Talent Identification (TID) Testing protocols who chooses to engage in informed programming in their home environment. Athletes receive a 12 week comprehensive program based on consultation with ONGDP Coaching staff and IST practitioners. After the 12 week program, the athlete may re-test and choose to engage as a centralized or de-centralized athlete should testing results align with the required entry standards.