OTTAWA – Today’s federal budget announcement contains plans to boost a program focused on ensuring the long-term success of Canada’s high performance athletes. The Canadian Government plans to dedicate up to $20 million by matching private sector funding beginning in 2016-17 to support the next generation of podium potential athletes.

“The NextGen concept focuses targeted sport science, sport medicine and coaching resources into the daily training environment of athletes, who will compete for us in Tokyo and beyond,” explains Scott Logan, CanoeKayak Canada’s High Performance Director. “This is exactly what the sport system needs to sustain the breakthrough performances Canada has achieved over the last two quadrennials.”

NextGen Athlete Profile: Click here to read how the NextGen program is helping Craig Spence reach toward his long term goals

The money will be spread through several targeted sports and partners. As a Tier 1 sport that has been a leader in implementing the NextGen concept, CanoeKayak Canada and its athletes are well positioned to benefit from today’s announcement.

CanoeKayak Canada launched a NextGen program in Quebec last fall in partnership with Own the Podium, CanoeKayak Quebec and the Institut National du Sport du québec. A similar program to target a NextGen training group in Atlantic Canada was created soon after in partnership with the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic and the Atlantic Division CanoeKayak Canada. Plans are already in place to expand NextGen to Ontario.

NextGen programs in Nova Scotia and Ontario are consistent with CanoeKayak Canada’s High Performance Athlete Development strategy and are modelled on OTP’s NextGen Program. Both may benefit from the sustainable funding the enhanced federal program will provide. Today’s funding announcement will improve the reach and national reach of NextGen programs by injecting targeted money into development programs where a funding gap often prevents future medal hopefuls from achieving their full potential.

CanoeKayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada. The organization’s vision is to be a Canadian sport for families, communities and champions. From supporting clubs to developing a competitive National Team, CanoeKayak Canada works to grow a sport which is a rich part of Canada’s heritage.

-30-

For more information:

Ian Miller
Communications and Marketing Officer, CanoeKayak Canada
613.314.1352
imiller@canoekayak.ca