Programming for Athletes with a Disability »

Programming for Athletes with a Disability (AWAD)

Cross-country skiing is a sport that can be enjoyed by all regardless of the type of disability – physical or intellectual.

Nordiq Canada, its divisions and clubs provide programming for both athletes with congenital physical disabilities and athletes with physical disabilities acquired later in life. In addition, sport specific technical training is provided to coaches who work with athletes with intellectual disabilities.

SOME GREAT VIDEOS!

World Para Nordic Ski Championships (Prince George):   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl3OVNX_W_8&feature=emb_title
Teck BC Championships (Whistler Olympic Park):    https://www.facebook.com/829014633823512/videos/1684529454938688/

LONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT (LTAD) FOR CROSS COUNTRY SKIERS WITH A DISABILITY

To a large extent, the content in Nordiq Canada’s able-bodied Long-Term Athlete Development Guide “Cross-Country Skiing - A Sport for Life” is applicable to athletes with a disability as well - it is the starting point for the development of all cross country skiers.  Therefore “Long-Term Athlete Development Guide for Cross-Country Skiers with a Disability” (see below) focusses just on factors that need to be considered when working with athletes with a disability - either modifications in the parent document or additional factors that need to be considered.

Able-bodied LTAD Guide - http://www.crosscountrybc.ca/sites/default/files/documents/CCC_ENG_Final...

AWAD LTAD Guide - http://www.crosscountrybc.ca/sites/default/files/documents/CCv3%207.1%20...

AWAD LTAD Chart - www.crosscountrybc.ca/sites/default/files/documents/LTAD%20Stages%20for%20AWAD.pdf

The purpose of this Guide, along with Nordiq Canada’s National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), is to encourage a well-informed, coordinated approach to building an effective, long-term athlete development system for cross-country skiers with a disability.

COACHING SKIERS WITH A DISABILITY

Coaches of athletes with a disability require the same minimum qualifications as the coaches of able-bodied athletes:

  • Click here for more information on minnimum mandatory coaching qualifications. 
  • Click here to learn more about the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) for training coaches to coach cross country skiing. 

It is strongly recommended that coaches intending to work with cross country skiers with a disability take additional training specifically for this purpose:

  • NCCP Community Coach AWAD Module - this workshop is comprised of two hours of classroom learning, one hour of training as an observer coach at an entry level 'learn to ski' camp, and two hours of training as an assistant coach helping at the same camp (a total of 5 hours)
  • NCCP CCI (Dryland) AWAD Module - this workshop is held in conjunction with a one day 'training camp' for athletes that are in the Learning to Train (L2T) and/or Training to Train (T2T) stages of development. This module includes four hours in a classroom and eight hours in the field’ as an assistant coach at the camp (a minimum of 12 hours).
  • NCCP CCI (On-Snow) AWAD Module - this workshop is held in conjunction with a one day (or longer) sanctioned provincial-level competition. This module includes four in a classroom and eight hours ‘in the field’ as an assistant coach at the event (a minimum of 12 hours).

For more information about coach training contact CCBC Program Coordinator at 250.545.9600 or programs@crosscountrybc.ca 

CLUB PROGRAMS

To view examples of club programs: 

Nordic Racers website: https://www.nordicracers.ca/paranordics

Strathcona Nordic Ski Club website: https://www.strathconanordics.com/paranordic

Larch Hills Nordic Society website:  https://skilarchhills.ca/larch-hills-jr-race-team-para-nordic-program/

To find out more about other member clubs that offer programs for skiers with a disability contact the Cross Country BC Office at 250.545.9600 or office@crosscountrybc.ca

COMPETITIONS 

There are three events in which Para-Nordic categories are officially established: 

  • BC Cup Series. including year-end aggregate awards specifically for skiers with a disability. For more information click here.  
  • BC Winter Games. For more information click here.
  • Canada Winter Games. For more information click here.

In addition most race organizers are willing to offer categories for athletes with a disability provided they have accessible facilities and provided they receive the request to do so well in advance of their event

Nordiq Canada guidelines for hosting Para-Nordic competitions: https://nordiqcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/Para-Nordic-Race-Event-Guidel...

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) rules and regulations for Para-Nordic races  - IPC Nordic Skiing website;  http://www.paralympic.org/NordicSkiing/RulesandRegulations/Rules 

Canadian Para-Nordic Athlete Classification: https://nordiqcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/Para-Nordic-Classification-Po...

Article - 2019 World Para Nordic Ski Championships held in Prince George, BC: https://www.100milenordics.com/world-paranordics-inspire-the-north-and-future-generations/

PROVINCIAL TEAM PROGRAMS 

Cross Country BC offers two provincial programs:

  • 2022 BC Winter Games Para-Nordic Squad
  • 2023 Canada Winter Games Para-Nordic Team

Selection Criteria: http://www.crosscountrybc.ca/2020-21-provincial-team-programs-selection-...

Head Coach: Jessica Heyes - jheyes@live.com

NATIONAL PROGRAMS 

For more information visit the Para-Nordic section of the Nordiq Canada website at: https://nordiqcanada.ca/skiers-and-programs/para-nordic/