What is LTAD?
In 2005, as a result of the creation of the Canadian Sport Policy, Canada began a major project to re-invigorate our national sport system. The new approach was in response to concerns about Canadians’ lack of physical activity, the growing obesity epidemic, particularly among children, and the perceived poor performance of Canadian teams internationally. Under the direction of Sport Canada, the Canadian Sport Centre-Vancouver and PacificSport (now PacificSport Vancouver and PacificSport Victoria) were charged with the task of transforming the sport system. As a result, a Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Expert Group created the generic Canadian LTAD model for able-bodied athletes followed by the LTAD model for athletes with a disability.
The Canadian Sport for Life: Long-Term Athlete Development Resource Paper, which describes the generic LTAD model, is based on a comprehensive review of coaching literature, sport science research, and best practices from effective sports programs within Canada and around the world. Exercise and sport science research and experience provided insight and information regarding the role of growth, development, and maturation in athletic development. These sciences included pediatric exercise science, exercise physiology, sport psychology, psycho-motor learning, sport sociology, bio-mechanics, and nutrition. Analysis of the literature on organizational development also contributed significantly to the development of the generic model. Out of this research came the “10 Key Factors Influencing LTAD” and the “10 S’s of Training and Performance”. The generic model presents a framework for optimal athlete development with particular reference to growth, maturation, and development, appropriate training, and suitable competition exposure. It provides a clear pathway for the development of athletes that is easily understood by all stakeholders. For more information about the genetic LTAD model, please visit www.canadiansportforlife.ca
The Federal and Provincial/Territorial Ministers of Sport identified LTAD as the framework for sport and physical activity development and agreed to proceed with its implementation in consultation with national (NSOs) and provincial/territorial sport organizations (P/TSOs). As a result, all sports are developing their sport-specific LTAD models through the leadership of their respective NSOs.
In March 2005, Softball Canada formed its Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) Steering Committee, made up of softball experts from across Canada, to lead the development of its model. In April 2005, over 20 of the most prominent and experienced softball coaches, players, and administrators gathered in Ottawa for the LTPD Summit to discuss the current state of our sport, the desired state, and what we need to do to achieve that state. Next, the steering committee began the task of writing the Long-Term Player Development Guide for Softball in Canada. Along the way, feedback on the content was solicited from age category sub-committees formed from participants in the LTPD Summit and selected softball experts. The process to develop softball’s LTPD guide was extensive, inclusive, and comprehensive.
For More Information
Contact: Sean Cadigan (Minor Director) at minordirector@softballnl.ca.
LTP Instructor: TBD
Tim Hortons New Title Sponsor Softball Canada’s Learn to Play Program
Published on April 22, 2014
(Ottawa, ON) Softball Canada is extremely pleased to announce a new and exciting partnership with Tim Hortons as the new title sponsor of the Tim Hortons Learn to Play Program. Under the terms of the new four-year agreement, Tim Hortons will help Softball Canada grow the program throughout the country.
“Our Learn to Play Program is an exceptional program to give young athletes their first experience with the sport of softball in a relaxed and fun-filled environment” said Softball Canada President Kevin Quinn. “The program’s manual allows first time coaches and educators to feel comfortable they have the tools needed to teach young athletes about our sport. We would like to thank Tim Hortons for their assistance as the title sponsor of this fantastic program and we look forward to working with them to help increase participation at the grassroots level.”
Originally launched in 2004, the Tim Hortons Learn to Play Program is a revolutionary way of introducing the sport of softball to children aged five to ten years old which falls in the Active Start and FUNdamentals stages of Softball Canada’s Long Term Player Development Model. The program includes activities that foster the involvement of ALL players as they experience excitement, enjoyment and success. Activities and lead-up games are patterned after informal playground games that promise FUN and LOTS OF ACTION.
In addition to introducing the sport of softball to children, the Tim Hortons Learn to Play Program is designed to be easily administered. The Learn to Play Manual is designed to be easily implemented by a volunteer coach and contains lesson plans, easy to follow instructions, a letter to parents about the program, progressions for teaching basic skills, and lead up games.
“Tim Hortons is very proud to introduce the Tim Hortons Learn to Play partnership with Softball Canada,” explains Rob Forbes, Senior Director Marketing and National Sponsorship. “It is our hope that through this program even more children will have the opportunity to come out and have some fun, learn a new sport, and make some new friends. We believe that community programs such as this help create a foundation for a life-long appreciation of the benefits of team work and sportsmanship.”
About Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons Inc. is one of the largest publicly-traded restaurant chains in North America based on market capitalization, and the largest in Canada. Operating in the quick service segment of the restaurant industry, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots), specialty teas and fruit smoothies, fresh baked goods, grilled Panini and classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, prepared foods and other food products. As of December 29, 2013, Tim Hortons had 4,485 system wide restaurants, including 3,588 in Canada, 859 in the United States and 38 in the Gulf Cooperation Council. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Gilles LeBlanc
Manager – Marketing and Communications
SoftballCanada
(613) 523-3386 ext. 3105
gleblanc@softball.ca
Michelle Robichaud
Manager – Public Relations
Tim Hortons
(905) 339-5047
robichaud_michelle@timhortons.com
