Athlete Support

Athlete Assistance Program (Financial)

The BC Athlete Assistance Program (BC AAP) is an athlete-centered program of financial assistance funded by BC Athletics. The program seeks to recognize high performance athletes who are participating in programs offered through BC Athletics (PSO) or post-secondary institutions and competing in recognized national or international competitions to relieve some of the pressures associated with training and competition needs. BC Athletics is charged with selection of said athletes.

2023 Selection Criteria:

2022 Selection Criteria:

Past Funding Recipients:

Targeted Athlete Program

BC Athletics High Performance Targeted Athlete Program & Canadian Sport Institute / PacificSport Athlete and Coach Registration

The Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, through a partnership with the Province of British Columbia (BC), ViaSport, the network of PacificSport centres, and BC Athletics, collaborates to deliver programs and services to place BC Athletes onto National Teams, and ensure athletes and coaches have every advantage to win medals for Canada. The partners work jointly to encourage sport excellence and increase podium performances in communities throughout British Columbia.

Through the above partnership, and with the above purpose in mind, BC Athletics may nominate athletes and their coaches who meet specific criteria for Canadian Sport Institute Pacific / PacificSport athlete or coach registration. Upon registering, athletes and coaches can engage in enhanced programs, benefits, and selected support services through Canadian Sport Institute Pacific and the network of PacificSport regional centres in BC.

Athlete Selection

Athletes and coaches are selected to the program each year based on the performance selection criteria (see below for current criteria).  This criteria is created by BC Athletics, as approved by Canadian Sport Insititute Pacific (CSI-P). Athletes must apply annually to be nominated to the program. Once selected, athletes will recieve an email from BC Athletics with instructions on how to register for an intake meeting with CSI-P to recieve your card.

Athlete Benefits

Coach Selection

Personal coaches can also receive access to benefits if they currently coach an athlete selected to the Athlete Nomination List. Like the athletes, coaches will receive a notification via email. For more information on services for coaches, please see the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific website.

Coach Benefits

Why am I not on the list?

If an athlete’s name is not on the Athlete Nomination List, and they believe that it should be, they and their personal coach are advised to contact Garrett Collier at garrett.collier@bcathletics.org. Once the appeal is received, it will be considered on a case by case basis by BC Athletics and CSI-P.

More information can be found on the Canadian Sport Institute Website.

Athlete & Coach Selection Criteria:

Current Athlete & Coach Nomination List:

For any questions, please contact the Program Manager of Track & Field - Garrett Collier at garrett.collier@bcathletics.org

ATHLETE & COACH PROGRAMS, SERVICES, & DEVELOPMENT

 

 

 

Effective Leadership Strategies for the High Performance Coach - Webinar Series

BC Athletics is thrilled to offer three new Professional Development opportunities targeted towards our Club and Performance coaches. Led by Dr. Shaunna Taylor, this three-part webinar series covers many  of the essential leadership skills of effective coaching that, when combined with the technical aspects of athletic performance, lead to coaching excellence. If coaches would like recieve Profesisonal Development Points for each seminar attended they can email Jennifer.Brown@bcathletics.org and provide a copy of their receipt. LEARN MORE

  • Session #1: Leadership Strategies for the High Performance Coach
    • Recording (Presented for Free as part of National Coaches Week)
  • Session #2: Coach & Athlete Mental Health - Common Challenges, Solutions & Scenarios in High Performance
    • Purchase (You will be emailed a link to the recording)
  • Session #2: Eating & Exercise Disorders in Sport: Signs, Symptoms, & Prevention Measures
    • Purchase (You will be emailed a link to the recording)

 


 

Overview: BC Athletics is pleased to announce the 4th Annual BC Throws Summit set to take place Nov 7, 8, 10, & 12, 2020. Adopting a virtual format this year, the summit will feature both theory and practical sessions and is targeted to those coaches working with High School, University, and Post Collegiate athletes in the Shot Put, Javelin, & Discus Throw events. BC Athletics is proud to announce a truly world class line-up of presenters headlined by German National Coach, Boris Obergföll (Henry) coach of 2017 World Champion in the Javelin, Johannes Vetter (PB - 97.76m).  LEARN MORE

  • 2020 BC Throws Summit Recording - $100.00 for BC Athletics & Athletics Canada Members
    • 15 hours of content from expert Coaches: Don Babbitt, Boris Obergfoll, Ashley Kovacs & Ryan Whiting

 

Title: Canadian Sports Institute Sport Performance Speaker Series

Overview: Through the Speaker Series Registered athletes are able to gain the tools, knowledge and skills needed to reach the next level of sport performance

Eligibility: Please note that attendance at the speaker series is limited to Canadian Sport Institute Pacific or PacificSport registered athletes, coaches and/or parents of registered athletes. 

Upcoming Events: For more information on the Speaker Series visit: Website 

 


 

 

External Sport Credit Program

External Sport Credit Program

The External Sport Credit Program provides credits for athletes named to Provincial Teams, Canadian Teams, Targeted Talent ID Programs, Camps and other Provincial Sport Organization Talent ID Programs. 

A full list of the sports and programs can be found here.

Athletes wishing to receive a letter from BC Athletics must provide the following information:

  1. Athlete's name
  2. The full name of the School he/she attends
  3. The full mailing address for the School
  4. The phone number for the School
  5. The full name of his/her counsellor
  6. The counsellor's email address
  7. BC Summer Games Zone Team(s) selected to & year
  8. BC Teams selected to & year
  9. Athlete's email address
  10. Parent's email address

With this information BC Athletics will write a letter to the school counsellor and provide a copy to the athlete and parent.

Please send your request to Brian McCalder

Grants / Bursaries

Grant / Bursary  Overview & Eligibility Requirements

Athlete Assistance Program & High Performance Support

Athletes wishing to be considered for Athlete Support through either the BC Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) and/or the BC Athletics High Performance Targeted Athlete Program must complete the application below. Athlete's may indicate whether they plan to apply for either or both programs.  Please see below for important information:

​MORE DETAILS

KidSport is a national not-for-profit organization that provides financial assistance for registration fees and equipment to kids aged 18 and under. Through a confidential application process they provide grants so they can play a season of sport. Nationally, KidSport is comprised of a network of 11 provincial/territorial KidSport chapters and 166 community KidSport chapters. Since its creation in 1993, over 825,000 kids across the country have been given the chance to play sport through KidSport grants and sport introduction programming.

MORE INFO

BC Ferries Sport Experience Program

Through the BC Ferries Sport Experience Program, BC Ferries and viaSport provide travel support to eligible not-for-profit sport organizations and athletes.

Vouchers may be used by athletes (18 years or younger) traveling to compete in international events, national championships, western Canadian championships, provincial championships or selection camps (does not include pre-season, tournaments, regular season league or event play).

APPLY NOW

Aboriginal Youth Sport Legacy Fund

The Aboriginal Youth Sport Legacy Fund assists amateur athletes of Indigenous ancestry, including athletes with a disability or disabilities, in their pursuit of excellence in sport. The grant seeks to relieve financial costs associated with high performance sport.

 

Harry Jerome Scholarship

The Harry Jerome Scholarship is named after the late great Harry Jerome.  This scholarship is administered through BC Athletics and financed by the Vancouver Foundation.  All eligible applicants must complete the application process. Application Deadline: 5:00 PM on the 3rd Friday of May, each year.

Harry Jerome Scholarship Application

Application Deadline: The 3rd Friday of May each year

Donate to the fund here.

Application | Canadian Athletes Now Fund

CAN Fund Athlete Application

The CAN Fund athlete application is now available on the CAN Fund website for athletes to begin submitting their applications. The next application deadline is TBA. Applications will be accepted from any active national team athlete who is training to represent Canada Internationally. Able-bodied and Paralympic athletes can apply.  

MORE DETAILS

 

Athletes registered with one of the three CSI Pacific campuses (Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler) at the Provincial Development or Canadian Development may eligible for Grants & Bursuries provided by CSI-P.

MORE DETAILS

This award is administered by the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Spirit Run and financed from the proceeds of the Vancouver Spirit Run.  

MORE DETAILS

Other Funding Sources

 

Visit Here

 

 

BC Throws Project

Mission Statement:

The BC Throws Project strives to develop athletes in the Throws to achieve national and international performance standards. The specific goals of the project are to place as many members on BC and Canadian Championship podiums, on Canadian national teams, and to pursue podium performances at Olympic Games, World Championships, Multi-sport International Games, and other international competitions.

Primary Objectives:

  1. Serve as a Western Canadian Hub for the throwing events.
  2. Increase Coach and Athlete Support for targeted and non-targeted BC throws coaches and BC athletes.
  3. Develop a “BC Throws Development Pathway” to address recruitment and talent identification for athletes 9 years old to High Performance.
  4. Host Annual “BC Throws Summit” for professional development, future planning and athlete and coach updates.

Coach Support:

  • Provide coaches with annual professional development opportunities in different locations throughout the province which access in-province and out-of-province expertise.
  • Provide coaches with funding to attend out-of-province professional development opportunities as agreed upon by a committee of throws coaches, or through a clearly identified selection process.
  • Create a mentorship program for developing coaches to include steps towards completion of NCCP certification levels.
  • Provide coaches with funding opportunities to attend in-province and/or out-of-province training camps and major competitions.

Athlete Support:

  • Provide targeted athletes with financial support to attend in-province and out-of-province training camps.
  • Provide targeted athletes, identified as BC trained or affiliated, with financial support to attend National Championships and major competitions identified by a specific selection criteria.
  • Work to raise money for financial assistance outside of and PSO or NSO contributions (private funding or sponsorships).

Identified Hubs:

  1. Victoria Hub
    Lead Coaches: Sheldan Gmitroski 
    Primary Training Facilities: Lambrick Park Secondary School
     
  2. Lower Mainland Hub
    Lead Coaches: Garrett Collier
    Primary Training Facilities: Collier Throws Centre (Richmond) & Rashpal Dillion Track (UBC)
     
  3. Interior/Okanagan Hub
    Lead Coaches: Dylan Armstrong 
    Primary Training Facilities: Tournament Capital Centre / Hillside Stadium (Kamloops)

Initatives:

  • Athlete / Coach Grants

  • Coach Professional Development

    • 2022 Canadian Throws Summit (November 5-13, 2022)- VIRTUAL ONLY: $99-$149 IN PERSON (Richmond, BC): $249-$299
      • ​Virtual Speakers include - Richard Parkinson, Danielle Chow-Leong, Bogdan Poprawski, Bill Heikkla
      • In Person Speakers include - Mo Sataara, Kara Winger, Russ Winger, Camryn Rogers, Mykolas Alekna
      • MORE INFORMATION
    • 2021 BC Throws Summit Recordings - $49.00
      • Speakers include - Don Babbitt, Vesteinn Hafsteinsson, Paddy McGrath, Rudy Winkler, Mo Sataara, Camryn Rogers, Dale Stevenson, Lauren Bruce, Kara Winger, Kim Cousins 
    • 2020 BC Throws Summit Recording - $49.00 for BC Athletics & Athletics Canada Members
      • 15 hours of content from expert Coaches: Don Babbitt, Boris Obergfoll, Ashley Kovacs & Ryan Whiting
  • Athlete Development Camps

    • Stay tuned for 2023 dates!

BC Sprints/Jumps Project

Mission Statement

The Sprint/Jumps Projects’ mission is to assist in developing athletes to achieve national and international performance standards. The specific goals of the project are to place as many members on BC and Canadian Championship podiums, on Canadian national teams, and to pursue podium performances at Olympic Games, World Championships, Multi-sport International Games, and other international competitions. To achieve this, the project looks to provided targeted funding to targeted athletes and coaches in the Sprint/Jumps disciplines.

Athlete & Coach Programs, Services, & Development Opportunities

Drug Free Sport

BC Athletics Statement on Drug Free Sport

BC Athletics is committed to the pursuit of Athletics in a drug free environment.  As such and consistent with the Athletics Canada and World Athletics Policies on Drugs, BC Athletics does not condone, promote, advocate nor permit the use of banned substances, classes or methods as defined by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.

To this end BC Athletics supports the efforts of the CCES, Athletics Canada and World Athletics in their efforts to provide a competition/participation environment free from drugs.

BC Athletics in keeping with its Values Statement and as an active partner in this effort will:

1. Provide information and educational information on drugs in sport to its members.

2. Work cooperatively with recognized agencies in their work to insure a drug free environment in sport.

3. Work cooperatively in the testing (announced and unannounced) of athletes.

4. Deal efficiently with matters relating to drugs within its codes of conduct and discipline procedures.

5. Promote the ideals of a drug free environment.