BC NextGen Performance Centre – Coaches
The creation of the BC NextGen Performance Center is an athlete-centered decision focused on filling gaps in, and enhancing training for, aspiring athletes who are typically 5 – 8 years away from an Olympic or Paralympic Podium.
The BC NextGen Performance Centre operates on the understanding that an extended exposure to an enhanced training environment increases an athlete’s likelihood of Olympic and Paralympic success.
Information most relevant to athletes who will engage with the BC NextGen Performance Centre is found here. While the Centre itself it primarily focused on the needs of the athletes, coaches from across the BC rowing community have a role to play in the success of the BC NextGen Performance Centre and the success of these athletes as well.
Frequently Asked COACH Questions (FAQs)
The BC NextGen Performance Center is an additional opportunity created with the needs of BC athletes in mind. It builds on what is provided through the existing club and school-based system, and relies on the continued strength of those existing programs. The BC NextGen Performance Center is focused on providing the daily training environment and accompanying supports that will ensure each individual athlete is provided with everything it takes to translate their potential into Olympic and Paralympic podium success. Athletes at the BC NextGen Performance Center will be focused on their individual performance goals over a multi-year period.
Some of your current athletes may have their individual needs and goals best met by transitioning to centralized training at the BC NextGen Performance Center. Some of your athletes may benefit from the additional supports provided through becoming a Regional athlete associated with the BC NextGen Performance Center. In all cases, decisions will be athlete-driven, and rely on communication between coaches of the local club/school programs, and the NextGen Performance Coach at the Center.
In addition to providing an elevated training environment for existing rowers, the BC NextGen Performance Center will also put an emphasis on recruiting new talent, and developing talent transfers from other sports. This approach will help to increase the volume of athletes training and competing with each other throughout the high performance pathway, ultimately ensuring that the very best of the best will later represent our province and our country.
Across the country, Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) is moving to a model utilizing partnerships with Provincial Rowing Associations to build and support the training centers that will ensure athletes with Olympic and Paralympic podium potential receive the support they need ahead of being ready to join a National Team Training Center. This model is intended to provide the highest possible quality in the daily training environment, sufficient training volume, and a multitude of integrated supports to create the best possible training built for the needs of each individual athlete. The Center will also focus on recruiting new talent and talent transfer from other sports.
The BC NextGen Performance Center will be coached by Rowing BC’s Director of Performance, Terry Paul, and NextGen Performance Coaches in partnership with Rowing Canada Aviron.
Success of athletes across BC requires a strong coaching network at all levels of the sport – from an individual’s first ever contact with rowing to their final day of domestic training before an Olympic or Paralympic Games. As a coach in BC, you are part of that pathway that leads to athlete successes.
All coaches in BC should become familiar with the purpose behind the BC NextGen Performance Center and the athletes that it serves. If and/or when athletes in your program begin to hit the selection criteria targets, or in other ways show future podium potential, ensure that they are able to access the relevant information about the BC NextGen Performance Center and are encouraged to participate in upcoming camps and selection events.
Coaches across BC are encouraged to get involved in the planning and execution of BC NextGen Performance Center assessment, monitoring and testing camps. This is an opportunity for coach professional development and mentorship, and an opportunity to get familiar with the other coaches and athletes along the high performance pathway. Coaches who engage in this way will be well-positioned to apply for summer coaching opportunities through Rowing BC and Rowing Canada Aviron that include events like the Canada Summer Games, and the Jr and U23 World Championships.
Coaches from the home club/school program each athlete is involved with will be involved in creating the Individual Athlete Performance Plan (IAPP) alongside the NextGen Performance Coach and the athlete. In the case of a Regional athlete, the execution of the plan will take place in the home club/school program environment, in addition to supplementary components provided at/through the BC NextGen Performance Center.
In addition to the creation of the IAPP, the coach from the home club/school is encouraged to be involved in the planning and execution of BC NextGen Performance Center assessment, testing and monitoring camps. This is an opportunity for coach professional development and mentorship, and an opportunity to get familiar with the other coaches and athletes along the high performance pathway. Coaches who engage in this way will be well-positioned to apply for summer coaching opportunities through Rowing BC and Rowing Canada Aviron that include events like the Canada Summer Games, and the Jr and U23 World Championships.
Have more questions?
Contact Terry Paul, Rowing BC’s Director of Performance.