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Synchro Canada Summit

OVERVIEW
Hotel Maritime, Montreal
October 14-16, 2005
Steve Norris addressed the summit on the background and theories behind the Long-Term Athlete Development Model (LTADM). Presentation highlights included the following:

INTRODUCTION
-It is our responsibility to educate parents about the LTADM in understandable language
-Synchro Canada needs to produce a brochure that explains program and benefits
-We are producing a “Guide” not necessarily a rigid “Model “
-Children are not miniature adults – as such they should not be expected to participate in adult style activities/programs and appropriate evaluation methods for children should be developed
-The LTADM will entail a change in Synchro Canada’s business model
-The best coaches might be best suited for the younger age groups
-For additional reading consult: “The Best Game,” “Whose Game is it Anyway?” or “6 am Practice”

PARENTING
-Teach parents what you’ll be doing for them (i.e. brochure, parent-coach meetings, etc)
-Encourage ideal parental involvement – moderate rather than under-involved or over-involved

PROGRAMMING
Programs address the following areas:
1. FUN (#1 reason why children get involved)
2. Active (aids & complements growth and development)
3. Skill development
4. Personal achievement and challenge
5. “Life” skills and lessons
6. Life-long activity and future healthy decisions

CHILDREN/YOUTH SPORT
-Should have inherent, transparent and strong value system
-Should cultivate an ethos where “The only failure is not trying.”
-Primary goal must always be the welfare of the children

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PLANNING
-Needs are different for various ages
-Expose young children to as much stimuli as possible: teach them lots of things
-Encourage physical literacy
-Build a climate that is motivational towards mastery and confidence building
-Emphasize the importance of short-term goals
-Evaluate for improvement and effort rather than performance and ability

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RESULTS OF GROUP WORK SESSIONS
ACTIVE START
Explanation on page 37 of LTAD resource paper
Discussion/Questions:

1. Do we offer synchro programs? If yes, what are the characteristics of the programs: age of participants, length, frequency, objectives etc…. If no, do we need to offer programs?
Why? What would these programs look like?
-Although some clubs/cities run programs for children of this age, it was agreed that more programs need to be developed
What is needed:
-Require collaboration between various sports organizations to develop joint programs
-Programs that develop large number of basic skills
-Emphasis on fun
-Multiple sports at one location/program for kids to “Try out” sports (i.e. swimming, diving, gymnastics, synchro, water polo, dance)
-Programs run through municipalities/city recreation or health departments (i.e. CSLC in Quebec)
-Free/affordable programs
-Mixed boy and girls
-Child development expert develops one comprehensive program
-Healthy lifestyle campaigns (i.e. Walk to School)
-Swimming lessons with music
-Lessons with no rules – more “play”
-Synchro Canada works with other NSOs to develop partnerships
-Programs incorporating parental involvement - “Mums and Tots/Mommy and me,” Water exercise with music - focus on developing rhythm, musicality, movement
-Registration for activities when registering for kindergarten
-Role model visits to schools/”See it. Try it.”
-More watershows involving youngsters
-Invest in marketing activities to kids
-More summer recreation, multi-sport programs
-Work with Red Cross to add one synchro session to Red Cross programs
-Develop “Little AquaSquirts” for non-swimmers
-More promotion of programs at club and provincial level
-Main objective: Get children active and introduced to water

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FUNDAMENTALS
Explanation on page 38 of LTAD resource paper
Discussion/Questions:

1. Does Synchro Canada have programs that meet the key emphases outlined above? If yes, how could these programs be improved? If no, do we need to offer these programs and
why? What would these programs entail?
-In collaboration with the Red Cross, Synchro Canada has created the AquaSquirts program. Nonetheless, it was generally felt that more could be done to meet the needs of children at this stage.
Ideas:
-Begin testing motor skills and basic skills on land.
-Ensure AquaSquirts instructors are educated on goals of program
-Integrate more skills into AquaSquirts program
-Pair high level coaches with instructors for occasional sessions
-Sr. swimmers help coach/demonstrate
-Program held at central location
-Not synchro specific (more on-land body activities)
-Use of Obstacle courses
-Add clapping to music, moving to various types of music, walking tall, etc…
-More watershows with participation of this group: swimming with accessories, demonstrating skills

2. What could/should clubs, provinces and Synchro Canada do to better address the needs of synchro participants at this stage of athletic development?
Ideas:
-Create more “One-Stop Shopping” programs: one year, one registration, multi-skills, multisports
-Create better connection between all levels of sport: grassroots to elite
-More gradual progression in Star levels (i.e. A, then A+B, then A+B+C, etc…)
-After school programs
-Work with other clubs, dance schools, camps to develop comprehensive program
-Integrated “Sport/School” Program
-Affordable
-Parent and Child sport programs that foster family values
-Use of multi-tools: video, sample equipment
-Increase age-appropriate marketing (advertise in Parks and Rec. publications, community
pools, etc…)
-Annually evaluate participation numbers
-Coaches need to be in the water to teach some skills
-Revamp star program brochure (FUN photos)
-Reward great initiative: Inter-provincial Challenge to see who can produce greatest
participation numbers

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LEARNING TO TRAIN
Explanation on page 40 of LTAD resource paper
Discussion/Questions:

1. In programs offered for this age group, do you address the physical, mental and social development needs of the participants?
-It was agreed that these needs are not being adequately met across the board.
Ideas/Comments:
-Need to create “students of sport” who think, feel, identify and report back
-Need to increase emphasis on “Work Ethic”
-More body position training
-There is too much emphasis on competition – pressure to compete and win
-Need to shift focus onto individual improvement
-Create focus on and reward team building initiative: group communication, respect for others, confidence, leadership, vision, values and code of conduct
-Less instruction and more trying with repeats to allow time for fixing/thinking, reduce detailed corrections
-Decrease routine time and increase skill development training
-More high level coaches at this stage to ensure proper development of basic skills and training habits
-Eliminate no goggles for this age group – creates unnecessary stress
-Introduce principles of sport psychology: focus and re-focus, nutrition, problem solving, goal setting, visualization, basic memory exercise/muscle memory exercises etc…
-Include time to learn muscle groups – sessions on muscle energy (difference between tight, loose, extended, etc…)
-Teach how to float
-Include “teaching team building and mental skills” into technical NCCP courses
-Add lots of variety to training
-Include more ballet, flex and strength to training
-Continuation of star program – skill and age-based development – program more aligned with competitive stream
-Allow for play-time
-Limit extra routines until basic skills are learned

2. Does the current competition structure favour athlete development at the learning to train stage?
-It was agreed that some changes may be needed
Ideas/Comments:
-Introduce skills competition: basic routine skill set to music, sets in patterns/4 pattern changes,
Land-drill, Flexibility, Sculling competition (Pentathlon concept) – more of a show component
-Team only for Tiers 1-3

Judges’ Ideas and Comments:
-Visit clubs
-Identify talent – not only by marks but by potential
-higher level judges should judge more at lower levels
-To reduce “scary judge” impression amongst swimmers, judges to meet athletes outside of competition
-Less emphasis on penalties
-Give thorough critique to coaches and swimmers/positive corrections and comments
-Judges to learn to communicate effectively with all age groups

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TRAINING TO TRAIN
Explanation on page 41 of LTAD resource paper
Discussion/Questions:

1. What are the advanced synchro skills that need to be taught at this stage of development?
-The ability to be taught/coached
-Advanced sculling: split scull, overhead scull, spin scull, thrust, twirl, pull-push, transition sculling
-All FINA figure transitions and body positions, including off-angle positions
-Speed and intensity
-Interpretive movement and improvisation (heavy, light, slow, fast)
-Combination of hybrids and elements (and understanding biomechanics of these)

2. Is the Star Program an appropriate tool for entry assessment into national level competition?
-It only addresses technical skills. In order to truly be an entry assessment into National level, it needs to be more comprehensive and address the mental, emotional, creative, movement and physical conditioning.

3. Does the competition structure favour athlete development at the training to train stage?
-The new 13-15 National Team seems to indicate an emphasis on high performance and competing on the part of Synchro Canada
-Competitions need to be more team and skill oriented
-Need to integrate more fun into competitions: shows, parties
-Need to get more than just marks (i.e. thorough feedback from judges)
-Why do we not follow FINA age groups?

4. How many pool hours per week are your athletes training? How many other activities outside the pool? What are the complementary activities that should be undertaken at this stage of development and how many times per week?
Hours of Training:
-Olympium: 20 Water Hours/6 Land
-Synchro Elite: 18-20 Water Hours/7 Land
-Montreal: 18-20 Water Hours/8 Land
-Dollard: 15-18 Water Hours/6 Land
Activities outside pool:
-Olympium: Ballet, flex, strength
-Synchro Elite: Ballet, flex, strength, aerobics
-Montreal: Strength, flex, ballet
-Dollard: Strength, flex, gymnastics
Should be doing:
-Music lessons, Art/Theatre, Socialize, Dance, “Get a life!”

5. Do your programs and competitions at this level satisfy both target groups: participation, competition and the pursuit of excellence?
-It was suggested that we explore new forms of evaluation, such as:
a. Show Teams in a non-competitive manner (fun)
b. Separate results for 11-12 and 13-14
c. Add extra awards: best artistic program, MVP, most-improved, best land-drill, sportsmanship, etc…
- Need to ensure we recognize more than just the winners

Judges’ Ideas and Comments:
-More club visits
-Skill-based competitions
-More combos, less solos
-Only 3 events per swimmers
-Visit outside local zone
-Judges should be knowledgeable over whole spectrum: beginner to international in order to understand swimmers’ goals
-Obtain funding for club visits (judge scholarships?)

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TRAINING TO COMPETE
Explanation on page 42 of LTAD resource paper
Discussion/Questions:

1. What are the current problems you are facing related to structure, programs and competitions at the 15-18 and senior levels?
Ideas/Comments:
-Suggested new competition format (brainstorm): One provincial meet only, Usual East/West Divisional Competitions, One National Qualifier, Two National Championships (Espoir/COSSC, International Open)

2. What are the challenges that clubs currently face in retaining senior athletes?
Ideas/Comments:
-Exorbitant club fees
-Losing athletes to USA Schools (scholarships)
-Competitive structure: Canada Games is now 18&U
-Lack of motivation
-Athletes need to move clubs to be on a senior team
-“Real” Life sets in – boyfriends, family, school
-Lack of knowledge on parent’s part (i.e. preconception that once athlete finishes highschool they finish synchro)
-Body changes (puberty)
-School demands
-Transportation issues
-Not competitive
-Bad experiences
-Didn’t make National team

3. What are the potential solutions to the problems you have identified above?

Ideas/Comments:
-Develop partnerships with universities to create synchro teams
-Create scholarships/bursaries for talented athletes
-Reduction of training hours/flexibility of training hours to accommodate school schedule
-Provincial teams at senior level
-Change Canada Games age group back to 21 & U
-Cheaper club fees for seniors
-Support for pre-National team athletes

4. Imagine we have a new synchro world. In this new world how could the competition structure meet the needs of increased participation while contributing to the pursuit of excellence?
Ideas/Comments:
-Competitive University Synchro
-Canada Games back to 21 & U – summer games rather than winter
-Design event that would be without age restriction
-Two streams at National level: FINA (tech/free), National (Free only)
-Effective outreach program
-Improved Synchro Canada to Coach Communication
-Trials = too much to do thus losing basic skills
-Shorter competitions

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PROFILE OF AN IDEAL NATIONAL STREAM ATHLETE

Physical:
-Fitness: power, endurance
-Injury prevention
-Acrobatic
-Attractive legs/toe point/extension
-Superior core strength
-Total body flexibility
-Solid aerobic base
-Anaerobic capacity appropriate for age

Skills:
-9.5 in Basic Skills (body positions, sculling etc)
-Maximum height (i.e. thrusts to chin, shelf eggbeater)
-Speed of movement
-Great timing/musicality
-Heightened sense of precision
-Great pattern awareness
-Creative/great choreography skills

Intellectual/Mental:
-Team Player
-Practices to compete!
-Adaptable and prepared for change
-Self-reliant and responsible
-Coachable!!!
-Understands and accepts expectation placed on her
-Great focus, concentration and work ethic
-Understands basics of good nutrition
-Good stress management
-“Student of sport” – understands rules, traditions and expectations

Emotional:
-Gutsy
-“Cut the cord” from home coach
-Confident: healthy sense of self
-Passionate
-Charisma
-Able to bounce back and learn from disappointment
Social:
-Life balance
-Law-abiding citizen
-Good communicator

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PARKING LOT ITEMS (MORE WORK REQUIRED)

-Need to determine relevant ages of “stages” for synchro (i.e. train to compete/train to win)
-Add Land Program element to Star Program
-AquaSquirts: Create info for instructors to help them instruct (conduct critical review of program – its aim and content)
-Ensure appropriate marketing for programs and target communities
-Analyze competitive calendar
-Work with Universities to create scholarships and competitive programs
-Re-visit Canada Games age group
-Consider new senior Nationals structure (FINA and National)
-Outreach program?
-Synchro Canada to give personal invitations to international synchro community for Nationals
-Competition committee to consider how best to treat international guests