Long Term Athlete Development

The Canadian Sport For Life (CS4L) Long Term Athlete Development Model for Curling provides a framework for a defined, structured pathway from the first time the participant enters a club – to podium – and through to retirement.  The LTAD is designed to promote and support participants in both the recreational stream as well as the competitive stream.

Adopting the LTAD will address the needs of all participants and ensure they will have a place to go within the system.  It will also make sure that promising athletes can be identified and nurtured towards achieving their potential, to keep their Olympic dreams alive and in turn keep Canada on the Podium.  This “long-term” approach will help curling clubs and coaches continue to develop the right training and competition environment for all curling participants.

Active Start (0 to 6 years)
‘FUN’damentals (Males 6 to 9; Females 6 to 8)
Learning to Train (Males 9 to 12; Females 8 to 11)
Training to Train (Males 12 to 16; Females 11 to 15)
Training to Compete (Males 16 to 23+/-; Females 15 to 21+/-)
Training to Win (Males 19 +/-; Females 18 +/-)
Active for Life (any age)

The key component in the model is to work with partners to clearly identify roles and responsibility. CURLSASK will work with partners to ensure the model will be successful. Curling’s LTAD model can be found on the Curling Canada (CC) website through this link: CC LTAD Model.

CURLSASK enables and facilitates the implementation of LTAD appropriate programs and services in partnership with the Curling Clubs within its jurisdiction.

Curling Canada’s responsibility is to provide leadership and support in programming and services to the Provincial/Territorial Associations.  Curling Canada will also be responsible for the Train to Win stage in supporting the performance of our elite athletes and coaches competing on the international stage.  Curling Canada will also provide all NCCP programs that are aligned with curling’s LTAD.

The Curling Club’s responsibility is to help deliver the programs and services to their membership.

CURLSASK has determined the following in the implementation process of LTAD:

• Saskatchewan’s LTAD model is an inclusive model which welcomes and honours all athletes regardless of skill level, physical disability, or age. The model is a vehicle that will guide the sport in every stage of participation from the first time the curling athlete enters the rink through retirements and from each level of ability. Saskatchewan’s Matrix for LTAD can be found at the end of this section.
• Athletes with disabilities which include but are not limited to wheelchair, stick, visual or hearing impairments will be infused into each stage as an adaptation to able bodied-curling or as a separate section of instruction. These adaptations will be created in consultation with disabled curlers.
• In order to ensure that the participant is identified and placed in the appropriate category, to enjoy maximum success and enjoyment, pre-screening via such instruments as a questionnaire or registration form, may be utilized.
• The athlete may progress through Stages at their own individual rate as measured by the Stage criteria.
• A Stage checklist for each level may provide a fingertip reference to use as an assessment of the athletes’ abilities.

LTAD Manual – includes both FUN:)CURL & Long Term Athlete Development Material

Member Cost – $75.00 + GST
Non-Member Cost – $125.00 + GST

FUN:)CURL Manual – includes outlines of 2 hour mini clinics and a 6 week seasonal program

Member & Non-Member Cost – $30.00 + GST

Phase One of the Saskatchewan LTAD implementation model and program included four levels – Fundamentals (children 6-9 years), Learning to Train (9-12 years), and Training to Train (12-16 years) and Active for Life (all ages) and was developed in the years 2012 to 2014.

The Curling For Life – Club Resource Manual has been developed and was piloted at clubs in the 2013-2014 curling season targeted for the Fundamentals, Learning to Train and Training to Train stages.  Contact the CURLSASK Office to order a copy.

The Fun☺Curl Program specific to the Fundamentals stage and included the Curling For Life Manual, was piloted in 2013 to 2015.

Phase One will also see the development of a program for curling clubs that will be a progression of approximately 15-20 weeks.  Adaptations for the age and skill level of the individuals at each stage means that each skill level may be of varying time frames.