High Performance Certification LEAD Parasport Module Women in Sport Science (WiSS)

Women in Sport Science (WiSS)

The Women in Sport Science (WiSS) Mentorship Program has been designed to provide women sport scientists, particularly in disciplines where there is currently a lack of gender equity, the opportunity to engage with mentors in order to advance their career development and gain industry knowledge that will contribute to the high-performance sport environment.   

About WiSS Mentorship Program: 

The WiSS Mentorship Program aims to provide women sport scientists in high-performance sport with opportunities to: 

  1. Build a support network
  2. Broaden their understanding of sport science leadership  
  3. Develop knowledge of other sports and sport organizations 
  4. Learn from others’ experiences, challenges and successes 
  5. Develop a career plan, identify personal strengths and areas for improvement.
  6. Contribute to the advancement of women sport scientists in the Canadian sport system 


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Candidates for the 2020 WiSS Mentorship cohort must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

  • Be a woman in good standing with the relevant certification body for a sport science or sport medicine discipline in Canada 

  • Possess a minimum of 3 years working as a practitioner with Olympic and/or Paralympic programs with a NSO, COPSIN institution, or international equivalent at a minimum of FTE 0.5  

  • Currently engaged in a practitioner role within the team and/or organization with which they work 

  • Must be committed to advancing their career with the goal of a leadership role in the Canadian Sport System in the future 

  • Preference will be given to women in sport science & medicine disciplines where there is currently a lack of gender equity, especially at a leadership level within the discipline. These include but are not limited to: strength & conditioning, biomechanics, performance analysis, data sciences, etc.  

Mentors can me men or women with a passion for contributing to the advancement of women sport scientists in Canadian high-performance sport. The individual may work for an NSO or the COPSI network but may also be external to the Canadian sport system but have valuable knowledge or skills to impart. Mentors are selected on an individual basis and evaluated on characteristics, experience, and/or attributes that complement the goals and development needs of the specific mentee. If you are interested in being considered as a mentor please contact Nicole Springle at nspringle@csiontario.ca.  

  • A two day, in-person, facilitated workshop for mentees and mentors to develop skills in leadership and effective communication 

  • Monthly video calls between mentor and mentee pairs 

  • Ongoing mentee engagement in professional development and career planning with input from the mentor 

  • Mid-program check-in call for all participants 

  • Post-program debrief call and feedback survey for all participants 

Schedule for WiSS 2020 Cohort: 

January 24, 2020: Nominations for WiSS Mentorship program opens 

February 10, 2020:  Nominations for WiSS Mentorship program closes 

February 18, 2019:  Mentees are confirmed, and nominees are notified of their status 

February 18-February 28, 2020: Mentors are identified and confirmed 

March 25-27, 2020: Initial in-person meeting as a facilitated mentoring workshop in Toronto 

April 2020 – September 2020: Ongoing mentorship and mentee-mentor pair calls 

June (end) 2020: Mid-program call with committee 

October 2020: Post-program debrief call and survey 

Schedule for WiSS 2020-2021 Cohort: 

TBD 


How to Apply 

Applications are currently closed. Application will be open in summer 2021 for WiSS 2021-2022 Mentorship Program.  

If you have any questions, please contact WiSS Mentorship Program Committee Chair Nicole Springle at nspringle@csiontario.ca