High Performance Advisory Council (HPAC)

Application Information


Practitioner Pathway Council

Purpose: Provide managerial oversight and promote programs that attract, develop, and retain world-leading sport scientists equipped with the competencies to work with athletes, coaches, and sport organizations within a multidisciplinary team.

Composition: The Practitioner Pathway Council will consist of Leads that possess competencies and/or interests that underpin the successful delivery of practitioner development programs.

There are 5 roles available, each with a specific project responsibility:

  • Parasport Practitioner Development Lead
    • Develop content to advance Parasport skills for practitioners
    • Implement the Parasport AFC, contribute to Parasport Central webpage
  • Data Science Practitioner Development Lead
    • Develop content to advance Data Science skills for practitioners
    • Implement the Data Science AFC, contribute to Data Science Central webpage
  • LEAD Program Lead
    • Chair the selection committee and support content revision each year
    • Build mentorship and leadership resources, support Community of Practice
  • Women in Sport Science (WiSS) Program Lead
    • Chair the selection committee and support content revision each year
    • Promote the Community of Practice
  • HP Certification Advancement Lead
    • Build the professional development credit system
    • Support the AFC implementation process, support annual revisions in HPC

Note: AFC = Area of Focused Competence subspecialty

Responsibilities: 

  • Members of the Council will be involved in one or more programs and/or leading initiatives that contribute to the development of practitioner programming
  • The positions will require a minimum of 2-3 hours per week on average with more commitment required at specific times in the year
  • Take part in quarterly Council meetings and provide updates as appropriate
  • Contribute to Sport Scientist Canada website updates as appropriate

Term: 2 years

Eligibility:

  1. Be of good standing with the relevant certification body for a sport science or sport medicine discipline
  2. Hold a Professional or HP Certified membership with Sport Scientist Canada
  3. Possess a minimum of 3 years working with a national sport organization or for a Canadian Sport Institute at a minimum of FTE 0.5 in a high performance environment as a practitioner with Olympic and/or Paralympic programs

Application Deadlines

  • Applications are now closed

Key Dates

2023

  • April: Orientation meeting (online)
  • April/May: Transition with outgoing council, individual meetings (online)
  • September: Quarterly HPAC meetings (online)

2024

  • February/March (TBD): Sport Scientist Canada week, 2-3 days (in person)
  • January/May/September: Quarterly HPAC meetings (online)

2025

  • January: Quarterly HPAC meetings (online)
  • April/May: Transition with incoming council, individual meetings (online)

Contracts

  • Job descriptions and deliverables will be included in your service contract

Performance Sciences Council

Note: This Council role has evolved for 2023 onwards. Please see below for revised time commitment, increased responsibilities, and changes to eligibility standards.

Background: These National Discipline Lead roles are a collaboration between Own the Podium and the Canadian Sport Institute Network. The purpose of the role is to lead knowledge ideation and mobilization in performance sciences that supports a culture of excellence in both a daily training and competition environment.

Composition: The Performance Sciences Council will consist of Leads that represent each scientific discipline at 0.2 FTE.

There are 6 roles available:

  • Biomechanics & Performance Analysis
  • Nutrition
  • Physiology
  • Psychology 
  • Sport Therapies
  • Strength & Conditioning

Responsibilities: 

    • Lead the development of technical expertise
    • Lead SPIN Discipline sessions to understand discipline-specific issues and needs.  Report to SSC Management Board
    • Lead/Co-Lead specific Standing Committees and/or Working Groups as appropriate
    • Build relationships with discipline practitioners serving Canadian Olympic and Paralympic sport in Canada and liaise with other disciplines to effect appropriate change to sport science/medicine protocols and service delivery
    • Maintain relationship with their discipline’s regulatory body to ensure appropriate accreditation for high performance sport and alignment with HPC
    • Engage discipline practitioners to understand specific issues related to performance science services to the NSO
    • Communicate National strategies or initiatives related to the delivery of performance sciences to national sport organizations and Olympic/Paralympic athletes 
    • Disseminate knowledge and best practice through regular submissions to Sport Scientist Canada Knowledge Hub 

Term: No defined term period

Eligibility:

  1. Be of good standing with the relevant certification body for a sport science or sport medicine discipline.
  2. Hold a Professional or HP Certified membership with Sport Scientist Canada.
  3. Be considered a Senior (PS3- 12+ years experience) or Leader (PS4 – 16+ years experience) level practitioner working with a national sport organization or for a Canadian Sport Institute at a minimum of FTE 0.5 in a high performance environment with Olympic and/or Paralympic programs. 

Application Deadlines

  • Applications are now closed

Key Dates

  • February 27 - March 1, 2023: Orientation during Sport Scientist Canada week -  Calgary (mandatory, in person)
  • January/May/September: Quarterly HPAC Meetings (online)
  • December: SPIN Summit (in person)

Contracts

  • Job descriptions and deliverables will be included in a service contract.