SPEED SKATING CANADA
JOB DESCRIPTION
Long Track Talent Development Program – Head Coach
A. General Responsibilities
The Speed Skating Canada (SSC) Talent Development Program Coach will coordinate and
implement the talent identification and development program in competitive Long Track Speed
Skating (LTSS) as an integral component of SSC’s High Performance Long Track program. The
position is based at the National Training Centre (Olympic Oval) in Calgary, Alberta.
The focus of the program will be to deliver on provincial and national objectives as determined by
SSC, Alberta Amateur Speed Skating Association (AASSA), Own the Podium (OTP) and the
Canadian Sport Centre Calgary (CSC Calgary).
B. Structure and Scope
Speed Skating Canada is the national sport organization (NSO) for speed skating in Canada and
is responsible for the development of domestic and high performance programs in the sport. The
national office is located in Ottawa, Ontario. All staff are employed by SSC to facilitate the
achievement of its long term vision and in support of its core purpose. All personnel are required
to operate within the policies as established by the association’s volunteer board of directors and
are expected to act consistently with the association’s values.
SSC receives financial contributions from the federal government and other agencies,
organizations and corporate sponsors, and is accountable for the disbursement and reporting of
funds according to the contracted terms and conditions. Programs and services are operated
within the limitations established in an annual operating budget approved by the board of
directors. SSC staff is responsible to manage and administer the association’s finances and
provide administrative support for all association activity.
C. Specific Responsibilities
Reporting to the Long Track Program Director and with guidance from the talent ID management
committee, the Long Track Talent Development Program Head Coach will:




Coordinate and implement a recruitment strategy to attract a high quality training
group of 14-17 year old potential athletes in the Calgary area
Establish, develop and implement the most appropriate talent development plan and
the best delivery models/centres to achieve future medal outcomes in LTSS at the
Train-to-Train and Learning to Compete stages of development.
Develop and implement a comprehensive YTP for the identified talent development
program athletes
Monitor and review athlete performance and coordinate the provision of feedback to
athletes for improvement.
Speed Skating Canada 1
Job Description – Performance Development Program Head Coach



Attend events such as training camps and competitions and coordinate talent
development activities.
Work closely with CSC Calgary designated staff and SSC staff with similar mandates
in other regions to develop best practices strategies for the identification, recruitment
and retention of potential LTSS athletes.
Provide mentorship to provincial and regional coaches on the delivery requirements
for a high quality LTSS program for the train to train athlete.
D. Key roles
The Long Track Talent Development Program Head Coach will:
 Maintain effective communication links as required with key stakeholders:
 Calgary Olympic Oval
 WinSport
 CSC Calgary
 Alberta Regional Development Centres
 Alberta Amateur Speed Skating Association
 OTP
 Keep abreast of “world’s best practice” talent identification and development initiatives
and international trends in LTSS
 Take a long-term approach to “medal success”, and athlete development.
 Work with existing organisations SSC and AASSA to meet provincial and national needs.
 Maintain a high level of accuracy and confidentially in all work.
E. Key Performance Indicators





Identify and develop talented speed skating athletes.
Delivery of high quality sport specific training to identified athletes in Calgary.
Effectively integrate and deliver IST support as identified by training plans.
Develop a sustainable LTSS Talent Development Centre in Calgary, which feeds into the
SSC National Training Centre.
Provide exposure of targeted regional and provincial coaches to a model example of a
high quality daily training environment by leading activities for coaches at 1-2 training
camps/sessions per year.
F. Qualifications and Experience






Minimum fully certified Level 3 Long Track SSC and NCCP or equivalent accreditation.
Undergraduate degree desirable
Demonstrated success of coaching at a national and preferably international level
Demonstrated ability to work with elite and developmental athletes
Demonstrated ability to act as a role model to other coaches in both direct coaching and
athlete development
Demonstrated ability in the use of sports science and sports medicine to assist athlete
development
G. Travel
Speed Skating Canada 2
Job Description – Performance Development Program Head Coach
The Long Track Talent Development Program Head Coach will be required to travel to schools
within the Southern Alberta region as well as some domestic competitions within Canada and
potentially international competitions.
H. Direct Reports
The Long Track Talent Development Program Head Coach has the no direct reports.
I.
Accountability
The Long Track Talent Development Program Head Coach will be accountable to the Long Track
Program Director and the Talent ID management committee comprised of representation from the
AASSA, Own the Podium and SSC. They will be required to provide regular reports, as
requested by SSC, AASSA, OTP and the Long Track Talent Development Management
committee
J. Performance Review
On an annual basis, the Long Track Talent Development Program Head Coach will commit to the
accomplishment of specific end results, the satisfactory fulfillment of job responsibilities and
attainment of required level of ability in key competency areas. These three components will form
the basis of an annual performance review conducted and lead by the Long Track Program
Director as part of the Talent Identification Management Committee.
This position is subject to a six-month probation period for new hires, at the end of which a
documented performance review will be completed.
Speed Skating Canada 3
Job Description – Performance Development Program Head Coach