Athlete Programs
National NextGen Program 2024-2025
Curling Canada’s “next generation” athletes/teams are part of the next wave of podium bound athletes with the potential to wear the Canadian Maple Leaf on the world stage in the next 5-8 years.
NATIONAL NEXTGEN PROGRAM 2024-2025
Goal
To identify and influence young athletes on the podium pathway towards excellence through world leading training, coaching and support.
Objectives
- to influence young promising athletes in their pursuit of excellence
- to influence and guide young athletes to be excellent ambassadors and competitors for Canada
- to assist athletes in training, preparation, and competitive performance
- to add value to training programs above and beyond each athlete’s normal training activities
- to offset some of the costs associated with elite preparation
Funding
Funding and support are provided by Own The Podium and Curling Canada.
The number of teams that will be part of the National NextGen Program will be dependent on funding support from Own The Podium and Curling Canada each year.
Criteria
The criteria for selection and minimum number of teams to be supported will be:
- Under-21 Canadian Champions – 2025 U-21 Team Canada Representatives for Men & Women
- Under-25 NextGen Classic winners (cumulative ages) – Men, Women, Mixed Doubles.
Four-person same gender teams must have a cumulative age of 100 years or less as of June 30, 2024. Mixed Doubles teams must have a cumulative age of 50 years or less as of June 30, 2024. (The U-25 NextGen Classic M/W/MD competitions will be held at the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton, AB from Aug. 27 – Sept. 2, 2024)
- Under-27 CTRS / CMDR (cumulative ages) – Men, Women, Mixed Doubles
U-27 National NextGen Program team selection will be through an application process. Four-person same gender teams must have a cumulative age of 108 years or less as of June 30, 2024, and must fall within the top 15 on the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) as of May 1, 2024. Mixed Doubles teams must have a cumulative age of 54 years or less as of June 30, 2024, and must fall within the top 15 on the Canadian Mixed Doubles Rankings (CMDR) as of May 1, 2024. If a new team is applying, you will use your individual points from the 2023-2024 season and your new team’s total CTRS or CMDR points must fall within the range of the standings listed above (top 15 for CTRS and CMDR). Any team that wants to apply must have a Team Coach. If a team is within a year of the total age eligibility, we will also consider those applications.
All National NextGen teams will be in the Program for two seasons (2024/25 and 2025/26).
- After the first year, if the team has met all CTRS / CMDR standards and met all expectations throughout the season, the team will be invited to remain in the National NextGen Program for a second year. Funding amounts in year 2 will be dependent on the overall National NextGen Program budget.
- After the first year, if the team does not meet CTRS or CMDR standards but completes and meets all other expectations throughout the season and at least three of the four original Four-person team members and both members for Mixed Doubles play together next season, the team will be invited to be part of the National NextGen Program for a second year. The intent is to support and show commitment to younger teams who are putting in the effort and commitment to improve and may need a little more time to produce results. Teams in this scenario will not receive funding, but National NextGen Program coach support will remain.
Expectations for the National NextGen Program for the 2024-2025 season:
- National NextGen Program teams must follow the National NextGen on ice Training Program created with your team.
- National NextGen Program teams must train together as a team on ice a minimum of two times a week. For four-person teams, at least three athletes must be present for a team practice, but the preference is to have all four athletes. For Mixed Doubles teams, both athletes must be present.
- A Team Coach or technical coach must be present for at least two on ice team practices per week.
- Athletes are expected to practice on ice at least four times a week when not in competition.
- Collaborate with Curling Canada’s Strength and Conditioning expert and workout off ice at least two times per week, more times in the off season.
- Work with a Mental Trainer at least once a month.
Team Coach expectations:
- Minimum full certification of Competition Coach and working toward Competition Development Certification if they are not certified yet.
- Coach must be up to date with Curling Canada’s Sport Integrity Program housed on Sideline Learning (check your account here: https://curlingcanada.sidelinelearning.com/login)
- Be at least 21 years of age as of June 30, 2024.
Team Coaches will be supported and mentored throughout the season with a National NextGen Program Coach. Team Coaches will also be part of Curling Canada’s Coach + Program, which will provide development opportunities through webinars and other initiatives. Professional Development opportunities will be available throughout the season for the Team Coach.
Program Requirements:
Training
- Attend a minimum of five team training camps throughout the season. Team training camp content will be developed by the Team Coach and the assigned National NextGen Program Coach. There is flexibility in the location of training camps. Training focus will be directly aligned with the time of season, individual and team gaps and priorities and will involve appropriate analytics and other performance evidence.
- Attend a mandatory training camp.
- National NextGen U-21 teams (M/W) and U-27 teams (M/W/MD) will use some of their National NextGen Program funding to attend a National NextGen SuperCamp in Edmonton from August 25-27, 2024. The two U-21 teams will then compete in the U-25 NextGen Classic held in Edmonton directly following the National NextGen SuperCamp from Aug. 27-30. If any U-27 teams are age eligible, they will also compete in the U-25 NextGen Classic.
- National NextGen U-21 teams (M/W) and U-25 NextGen Classic winning teams (M/W) will attend a National NextGen Program training in Calgary, AB before and during the 2024 PointsBet Invitational from Sept. 24-29, 2024. If any U-27 teams also qualify for the 2024 PointsBet Invitational, they will also participate in additional training in Calgary.
Competition
- National NextGen four-person teams must enter a minimum of six competitions throughout the season (not including Scotties / Brier / University / College playdowns).
- National NextGen Mixed Doubles teams must enter a minimum of 4 competitions throughout the season (not including Mixed Doubles playdowns).
- Curling Canada will work with your team to determine the best training to competition ratio as part of your Performance Plan to find the balance for success.
Athlete Tracking and Monitoring
- Must complete a Team and Individual Performance Plan including a Gap Analysis.
- Participate in event debriefs with an assigned National NextGen Program Coach.
- Actively use an Evaluation Software (e.g.: Teamworks).
- Sign Curling Canada’s Athlete Agreement.
- Use video review during game/event debriefs and use analytics (e.g.: win probabilities and decision making). Your National NextGen Program Coach will guide you through this process.
Paying it Forward
- Athletes will participate in at least one on ice youth development opportunity to mentor and share experiences in the athlete’s home province/territory in coordination with the Member Association.
- As even younger athletes aspire to excel, having role models close to home inspires and grows the system.
Curling Canada’s National NextGen Program highlights:
- A National NextGen Program Coach will be assigned to work with each team for the season.
- National NextGen Athlete/Team specific on ice training programs will be created weekly with Curling Canada and the Team Coach.
- Each team will receive 20 hours of on ice technical training with a National NextGen Program Coach or National Coach.
- Each team will receive five hours of analytics review with a National NextGen Program Coach or National Coach.
- Scheduled monthly team debrief meetings with assigned National NextGen Program Coach and National NextGen Program Manager.
- Fitness testing will be required two times a year.
- Collaborate and align Integrated Support Team plans and programs with National NextGen Program Coach and local COPSIN.
For more information, please contact Helen Radford, Manager of Curling Canada’s National NextGen Program at [email protected]
If you are an Under-27 high-performance team, meet the criteria of top 15 in CTRS or CMDR, follow the Expectations for the National NextGen Program, and want to apply to be part of Curling Canada’s Under-27 National NextGen Program, please click this link for the U-27 Men’s/Women’s team application https://forms.office.com/r/cvLXhsDeKv and please click this link https://forms.office.com/r/PQbhKYVZuY for the U-27 Mixed Doubles team application.
Deadline for applications is May 31st, 2024.
(Note: If your team does not qualify for Curling Canada’s National NextGen Program, please check with your Provincial/Territorial Association, and inquire about their high-performance program.)