March 06, 2019 (Canmore, Alta.) – Team R.A.D stands for Real Athletic Development. The program operates year-round for cross country skiers and biathletes, that are in the Learn to Compete and Train to Compete stage of development. The objective of the program is to provide top quality training and racing opportunities specific to athletes in this stage of development with the goal that these athletes will progress to a Cross Country Canada / Biathlon Canada National Team.

It’s important to note that athletes accepted in the Team R.A.D program will be highly driven, committed to achieving a high level of performance and excellent team players.

Background
The Team R.A.D program started in May 2016 with a cross-country program. The program delivered excellent results in it’s initial year by qualifying three athletes on National Ski Team programs – Ty Godfrey and Reed Godfrey at the World Junior Championships and Russell Kennedy at the Norway and Canada World Cups. Several medals were won on the NORAM series and at the US Junior Nationals. In 2017-18, Russell raced for Canada at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, Ty and Reed raced at the 2018 World Junior Championships in Goms, and Aidan Millar raced for Biathlon Canada in multiple IBU and World Cups in 2018.

Fifteen athletes were accepted in the program this past season, and it was our best year so far. Evan Palmer-Charrette, Russell, Aidan, Sam Hendry, and Karly Coyne all raced at the World Championships. Emily Dickson race multiple IBU Cups in Europe and Sam, Reed, Karly and Anna Parent took part in the Canada Winter Games.

The Canmore Nordic Ski Club (CNSC) is a collaborative partner with Team R.A.D in the delivery of the program. CNSC has been operating for more than 29 years and currently has over 500 members. It offers a full range of programs aligned with the Long Term Athlete Development Plan and Sport for Life model. The role of CNSC in this program is to provide organizational, planning and coaching expertise in the development and delivery of the program. In addition, Team R.A.D shares various CNSC resources such as waxing facilities, waxing personnel, waxing equipment/products and office. Members of Team R.A.D are not required to race for the Canmore Nordic Ski Club (see note in fee section).

More info and application form here.