April 01, 2013 (Regina, SK) – Cross Country Saskatchewan is looking for a uniquely independent spirited technical director / high performance coach to inspire young skiers to experience success while carving new innovative futures.

Cross Country Saskatchewan is looking to hire a skilled, dedicated and passionate provincial technical director / high performance coach to lead the Saskatchewan ski team into the 2015 Canada Winter Games. As the technical director/provincial coach you will be provided with the opportunity to shape, develop and nurture athletes in the Learning-to-Train to Learning-to-Compete stages of development, while creating the framework of a sustainable provincial ski program. Saskatchewan currently has 6 clubs with active racing skiers with dozens of developmental skiers ready to benefit from an enthusiastic leader. Clubs are supported by an eager and committed volunteer base ready and willing to support the position. The successful independent candidate will be required to work from their own home in the province of Saskatchewan.

General competencies:
– Organizational and environmental awareness
– Result orientated
– Developing Others
– Flexible
– Innovative thinking
– Planning and organizing
– Team leadership
– Strong communication skills

Functional competencies:
– Current knowledge of ski technique
– Knowledge of the principles of training
– Knowledge of coaching
– Knowledge of the CCC LTAD
– Lead a team in competition
– Ability to use office technology, software & applications

General Responsibilities:
The Coach/Technical Director is accountable for all aspects of the delivery and growth of the provincial High Performance program. In collaboration with the CCS Executive, the technical director / high performance coach will be responsible for the following performance measures:

– Create the infrastructure to support a sustainable High Performance Program;
– Support the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of a provincial High Performance program;
– Demonstrate an improvement in the number and performance of Saskatchewan skiers participating at divisionally and nationally sanctioned events and improved athlete placing at the 2015 CWG;
– Ensure the coordination of single and multi-year periodized training and development programs and camps, competition schedules and integrated sports medicine plans for High Performance athletes;
– Mentor, advice and support club coaches in an effort to grow club programs aimed at encouraging the development of Saskatchewan skiers;
– Ensure individualized athlete mentoring and monitoring to High Performance athletes;
– Ensure the coordination of logistics for provincial training events and competitions, including transportation, accommodation arrangements and attendance when identified by the High Performance Committee;
– Ensure clubs work with the Coach/Technical Director regarding the coordination of activities involved in the preparation of a provincial team for any out of province event;
– Encourage coaches support of the implementation of the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) program within the province;
– Foster the development of certified provincial coaches by supporting the coordination and delivery of NCCP training courses and other professional development activities including mentoring of club coaches;
– Support the establishment and viability of clubs and High Performance athletes training with these clubs through the development and implementation of a support plan.

Qualifications:
– A demonstrated coaching qualifications such as the NCCP Certification or equivalent certification
– Post-secondary education in a physical education or sports administration field is an asset
– Familiarity with Saskatchewan Cross Country skiing environment
– Car is required with a valid Class 5 License
– Current CPR and First Aid
– High speed internet is required

Need to know information: Competitive salary and benefits package for a 3-year term

Travel is an essential part of the position

Interested applicants can send resume to the CCS office at ccs@sasktel.net

February 18, 2013 (Gatineau, Quebec) – Last year was a rough one to have heroes in cycling. It was a reminder that all too often the attributes that make successful athletes need not be those that make holistically praiseworthy people.

So it was refreshing to sit down with Tara Whitten at this year’s 35th Gatineau Loppet for a wide ranging interview. Not just an Olympic bronze medallist, multiple world champion and PhD candidate in neuroscience, Whitten is also a genuinely nice person, discussed topics from; ski racing, to track development, to her own athletic plans for the future.

She went as far as to apologize for being “wishy-washy” about her future in the sport, but then again, after a decade of international competition, first as a skier, and then as a cyclist, Whitten has earned herself a break.

Whitten was this year’s Honorary Gatineau Loppet President, and while the Edmontonian had won this 50km skate event here in 2004, she hadn’t done a proper ski race since Nationals in Quebec in 2007, by which point her heart was no longer in the sport. It was at that point that she began to shift her attention to track cycling – a sport in which she had first dabbled back in 2005.

Whitten did admit to having done the Edmonton Birkie last week, and said she felt much less beat up than after this weekend – joking that maybe she was already making a training adaptation. For an athlete that Cycling Canada’s HP Director, Jaques Landry, once called “a freak of nature” such an adaptation isn’t entirely unlikely.

So right upfront what are you plans right now for your own sporting future?
Tara Whitten: To be honest I’m a little uncertain. On one hand I’m excited about the prospect of the 4 person four-kilometer women’s team pursuit. It’s an interesting change, and would be neat to be a part of as our whole team just keeps on getting stronger. It’s tempting to think about being part of. I’m also excited about maybe focusing more on time trialing.

So the Omnium has no part in your plans?
TW: For the Omnium we’d have to wait and see, I think its future as an Olympic event is a bit more uncertain. I also think its future might be more with the sprinter – not pure sprinters, but riders with real speed. I actually think Gillian [Carleton] has a chance to combine that pure speed I don’t have with the endurance needed for the event. But we’ll have to see how it all develops in the next few years.

Team pursuit with four women. Good or bad for Canada?
TW: There are two ways to look at that, it can be good or bad. There are some countries with more depth and a deeper pool than us for sure. But at the same time after what we accomplished in London, I think that will help attract younger athlete into being interested in the track. I think we will find some strong new team pursuiters in the next four years to compliment the ones we already have.

How is the situation in Canada now compared to when you first started five years ago?
TW: There is so much more depth now. I really believe that team events have a huge impact on development. They give so many more opportunities for women to get involved, and from there they can branch out into the individual events as well. In 2007 when I started I was the only women in Canada pursuiting under 3:45. Now every girl in the pool can do that – that is four women if you don’t count me.

Have you spent much time in the Ottawa area before?
TW: A couple times for the Keski, and for my first ski nationals in this region in 1995. As well I’ve come out twice in the summer for the Women’s GP – so I’ve spent a bit of time here.

There is a group in Ottawa working to build a velodrome in the National capital region- how important it to have development opportunities like this in Canada?
TW: The importance of facilities like that is hard to overestimate. You need kids to have the chance to do a sport to get excited about it – especially a sport like track that you don’t even see on TV except for the Olympics. There is no chance for a development system without these facilities. The more opportunities there are for kids to try different sports the better. And some of those sports will cross over – like  cycling and skiing did for me. We can’t just be building hockey arenas.

How long were you a ski racer before you became a cyclist?
TW: I spent 13 years as a ski racer before cycling. Cross country skiing has a GREAT development system. When you go to a ski race you see the whole family, with two year age categories for boys and girls aged 7 and up. The kids are just out there having fun and racing Jackrabbit. It’s very different from most bike races you go to which is made up mainly of masters and men. They are guys that love the sport, but it’s not development.

Cross-country skiing also seems to be far more co-ed.
TW: Fore sure, hugely so. I’m not sure if cycling has an intimidation factor that keeps girls out or what, but the numbers of girls competing is so much smaller. There was definitely a tendency for the girls to drop out of the skiing more than the guys as they got a little older, but they are there in the younger ages.

How important was Richard Wooles’ decision to move the Canadian track program to L.A.?
TW: I don’t think there is any way we could have done what we did without a world class facility as a training base. Los Angeles isn’t necessarily ideal- the road riding around there isn’t great for example. But having access to that facility and training as a team were so  important to Team Canada’s success.

It would have been nicer to have been able to be in Canada. A lot of people felt really disconnected from home and the people in their lives. It was definitely a bit of a sacrifice to be based there. It wasn’t even like significant others could get visas and relocate there.

Do you think the new velodrome in Milton will be a big change?
TW: For sure! Just being able to be in Canada, I can’t explain how exciting that is. I imagine the endurance riders will have to do some road  camps in the winter. And it’s not just great for the elites, but for young athletes to be able to see high level track cycling in their own  backyard will be a huge step forwards for the next generation.

Just for the record, what exactly is your PhD in?
TW: Neuroscience, my thesis in high frequency rhythms in the hippocampus in sleep-like states. It is an area of the brain that is involved with memory, which we’ve known about since the 1950’s because of the case of Henry Molaison.

At this point Whitten was whisked off to hand out medals to the podiums in the skate races. In a funny twist the first winner Whitten presented a medal to was former national cycling team teammate Veronique Fortin, who had won the 27km freestyle event.

December 13, 2012 (Ottawa, ON) – Biathlon Canada, the national governing body for the sport of biathlon in Canada, is seeking an energetic and motivated individual to serve as Technical Programs Coordinator.

The Technical Programs Coordinator is a key staff position within the organization and as such provides the overall coordination aspect of all biathlon sport development programs (coaching, officials and competition programs). The TPC ensures that Sport Development programs apply sound business practices, operates according to Biathlon Canada, IBU, Sport Canada and COC policies and consistently delivers a high standard of athlete, coach and officials satisfaction.

The applicant should have the following experience / abilities:
– Formal Education at the university level in Physical Education or Physical Activity Sciences, or Sport Administration or the equivalent experience in the field of amateur sport;
– Coaching and Officiating certification or experience in biathlon and/or in other sports;
– Knowledge and understanding of the LTAD Program is considered an asset
– A proven record of success coordinating programs and personnel in their efforts for national success;
– Good leadership abilities, and an ability to organize and administer complex programs;
– An understanding of short-term and long-term planning necessary to develop clubs, athletes, coaches and officials;
– The ability to represent Biathlon Canada professionally to its partners and stakeholders;
– Be a team player;
– The ability to communicate effectively;
– Bilingualism is considered a strong asset;
– Fluency in written English;
– Excellent computer skills including knowledge of use of Microsoft Office products
– Ability to create and present PowerPoint presentations; ability to prepare reports for funding partners, Executive and Board Members.
– Experience with social media would be considered an asset.

TRAVEL: The TPC will be required to travel from time to time. This includes attending committee meetings, some events and various Biathlon Canada national meetings.

APPLICATIONS: The location of the position is at the national office in Ottawa, Ontario.

Application Deadline: December 21, 2012. Starting Date: January 28, 2013. Term Dates: January 28, 2013 – February 28, 2014

Salary is commensurate with experience. Applications with a résumé and 3 references will be accepted at the address below until 21 December 2012.

Joanne Thomson
Executive Director, Biathlon Canada
jthomson@biathloncanada.ca

We thank all applicants but only those invited for an interview will be contacted. This position is made possible with partial financial support from Sport Canada.

Type of Position: Full Time

Full Job Description: HERE.

Contact Information:
Joanne Thomson
Biathlon Canada
Suite 111, 2197 Riverside Dr.
Ottawa , ON, Canada
K1H 7X3
E-mail: jthomson@biathloncanada.ca
Tel. 613-748-5608 x3
www.biathloncanada.ca

November 06, 2012 (Ottawa, ON) – Biathlon Canada, the national governing body for the sport of biathlon in Canada, is seeking applicants to fill a part time position at the national office in Ottawa. The successful candidate will assist the Executive Director with a number of projects including* but not limited to:

– General administrative functions
– Filling materials and supplies orders
– Web postings and website review
– Assist with production of promotional materials
– Meeting planning and preparation
– Membership registration and club database processes
– Entry level bookkeeping duties as assigned
– Other tasks as assigned
*Please refer to the complete job description for further details

The successful candidate will have the following attributes:
– Post secondary education in Sport Administration, Physical and Health Education, Business or a combination of related education and experience
– The ability to work with a high degree of independence in a fast-paced environment and respond quickly and efficiently to inquiries
– Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
– Good communication skills including the ability to produce polished communication in written and oral form in English (essential) and French (highly desirable)
– Ability to use Microsoft Office software and to learn other systems quickly
– Ability to take direction on assigned projects
– Ability to work as a team player in a volunteer-based organization
– Bilingualism is considered a strong asset
– Knowledge of the sport of biathlon or cross country skiing is considered an asset
– Flexibility to work varying days and hours depending on the workload at the various times of the year

Position: Administrative Assistant

Job Description:
Position: Administrative Assistant (part time contract) Location: Ottawa, Ontario (Biathlon Canada Head Office) Hours: 16-24 hours per week depending on the season (week-day time between 8:30am and 5pm- flexibility required by applicant and flexibility given by employer) Contract Dates: 15 months (January 7, 2013 – March 31, 2014) + training days Rate of Pay: $15-$18/hour (to be determined based on qualifications and experience) Benefits: none

Application Deadline: 16 November, 2012
Starting Date: 2-3 training days between Dec 10-21, 2012
with a formal start date of January 7, 2013.

Applications with a résumé and 3 references will be accepted by email at the address below until Friday, November 16, 2012.

Joanne Thomson, Executive Director
Email: jthomson@biathloncanada.ca

Biathlon Canada is an equal opportunity employer.

Salary Range: $15-$18/hour

Type of Position: Part Time – Employee

View Attachment: Administrative Assistant Job Description HERE.

Contact Information:
Joanne Thomson
Biathlon Canada
Suite 111, 2197 Riverside Dr.
Ottawa , ON, Canada
K1H 7X3
E-mail: jthomson@biathloncanada.ca
Tel. 613-748-5608 x3
www.biathloncanada.ca