Rowing Canada Aviron is one of 21 National Sport Federations selected by Sport Canada to look at the long term development of athletes. The purpose of this project is for each sport to examine what it does in its environment and determine whether its programs are to the best long term benefit of its athletes.

RCA will be looking at research in the area of growth and development and relate this to the demands of rowing and its sport structure. RCA is working with Dr. Istvan Balyi during the next seven months. Dr. Bayli will be presenting at the 2005 RCA Annual General Meeting and at the 2006 RCA National Coaching Conference on the significance and importance of this work.

In March 2005, a group of coaches including the Inter-Provincial Coaches Committee, Master Course Conductors, National Team Coaches and a few former National Team Athletes met in Victoria. This group was informed about the importance of aligning competition, training, equipment and age categories with the development needs of male and female athletes. Each representative was provided with articles and a Power Point presentation in order to inform the membership about this undertaking.

Here is an article that will provide background information about the rationale for the
Long Term Athlete Development project.

Please contact RCA's coaching development coordinator, Carolyn Trono at ctrono@mts.net.