IST Academy
The Integrated Support Team (IST), also known as the team behind the team, plays a critical role in an athlete’s success and well-being throughout their journey towards podium performance. The IST is multidisciplinary and works collaboratively with coaches, staff, and each other to provide solutions to identified gaps and needs through service delivery. An IST practitioner can come from any of the following disciplines:
- Biomechanics
- Data Sciences
- Medicine
- Nutrition
- Physiology
- Mental Performance
- Mental Health
- Sport Therapies
- Strength & Conditioning
IST Academy is a competency-based, practitioner-focused development program for early-career sport science and sport medicine practitioners working in Canadian high-performance sport. It is also for mid- or late-career experienced practitioners who are entering the Canadian Sport System for the first time.
IST Academy embodies Sport Scientists Canada’s (SSC) mission: To collaborate with partners to attract, develop, and retain the very best sport science practitioners through opportunities to innovate and develop high-performance skills and behaviours in sport. This program aims to support the attainment of the SSC High Performance Certification (HPC).
Our Purpose
As a participant, you will gain knowledge and skills to expedite your growth and contributions as a novice IST practitioner. The IST Academy program has the following student objectives:
- To gain interdisciplinary knowledge of sport science and sport medicine disciplines in the Integrated Support Team.
- To develop a deeper understanding of individual and system-wide organizational structure and function within Canadian High Performance Sport.
- To develop competency and demonstrate readiness to form rapport with sport science and sport medicine practitioners within an IST, and with athletes, coaches and high-performance directors in the daily training and competition environment.
- To work collaboratively in conducting gap analysis, performance planning and solution development, both within and external of their current role.
- To learn about oneself through an intrapersonal, ethical and leadership development lens (Intro to LEAD).
- To practice disseminating information on a regular cadence within a safe space.
- To introduce emerging trends and technology in the field in effort to stay on the leading edge and up-to-date with industry standards.
- To gain confidence in one’s ability to effectively contribute as an IST member in their current and future roles.
- To create a portfolio of documented evidence in support of obtaining the SSC High Performance Certification.
Eligibility
Participants are selected based on their desire for personal and professional growth within the Canadian high-performance sport system. Additionally, your supervisor(s) and organization have identified and support this as a targeted growth opportunity for you and aligns with current needs and future contributions to the organization and the Canadian high-performance sport system.
Criteria for selection include that you must:
- Be an Integrated Support Team practitioner currently working in the Canadian High Performance Sport System: National Sport Organization (NSO), Provincial Sport Organization (PSO), Multi-Sport Organization (MSO), Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN).
- Entry level within 0-3 years in high-performance sport
- Experienced practitioner entering high-performance pathway from private practice
- All Sport Scientist Canada disciplines welcome
- Be in good standing with the relevant certification body for a sport science or sport medicine discipline in Canada.
- Be a professional member of Sport Scientist Canada.
- Note: if you are currently not a member you can easily join at no cost.
- Applicants are expected to consult with their supervisor to ensure program requirements are supported by their organization. A reference will be required.
The selection committee will aim to create a multidisciplinary cohort with diverse backgrounds to enhance the learning environment and replicate interdisciplinary work.
If your application is successful, your direct report/supervisor will be contacted to confirm their awareness of the program and their endorsement of your participation.
If your application is unsuccessful, we encourage you to apply again next year. Since it is the inaugural year of the program, we are starting with a small cohort to ensure a quality learning experience. Cohort size will be re-evaluated at the end of the program.
IST Academy Committee Members: TBD
Lead Instructor: Chris Chapman
Applications open May 11, 2026, and close June 7, 2026
Program applicants will be notified of their selection status by June 29, 2026
8 Participants will be selected for this cohort.
Frequency: IST Academy will run on a yearly cadence.
Delivery Method: Fully online via Zoom and Basecamp.
Program Length: 7 months – beginning of September to end of March.
- No class during holiday breaks: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Family Day, March Break.
- See below for the detailed schedule.
Estimated Time Commitment: 23 weeks (~2-4 hours per week)
- 15 weeks of 1.5-hour virtual classroom sessions. Attendance required.
- Eight weeks of self-directed learning and assignment completion time. Time commitment can vary based on individual effort. This includes five weeks of holiday break that will give you extra time for self-guided learning and assignments.
Module Structure: IST Academy is organized into eight modules, each three weeks in length.
- Week 1: Classroom session
- Fixed weekly time – Thursday afternoons to cater to all time zones (specific time to be determined summer 2026).
- Week 2: Self-directed learning and assignment completion
- Completed on own schedule in between every Module week 1 and week 3 meetings
- Week 3: Presentation and discussion
- Fixed weekly time – Thursday afternoons (specific time to be determined summer 2026).
- Part of the module assignment will be to present to your peers on a regular cadence in order to develop information dissemination skills.
The modules are aligned to the High Performance Certification (HPC) competencies:
Module 1: Understanding the Canadian High Performance Systems
- Explore the structure and governance of the Canadian high-performance sport system, including NSO, COPSIN, and Games environments. Develop role clarity and system literacy. Exposure to Long Term Athlete Development (Sport for Life).
Module 2: Valuing Self & Others in the IST – Intro to LEAD
- Build self-awareness in professional practice, apply collaboration strategies within ISTs, and recognize factors influencing psychological safety and well-being. Partner with mentor (LEAD / WISS / PURSUIT).
Module 3: Interacting with Others
- Communication is crucial to success. Disseminate technical information effectively to varied stakeholders, contribute meaningfully in IST meetings, and build productive mentorship relationships.
Module 4: Ethical & Professional Practice in High Performance Sport
- Apply ethical decision-making in high-performance sport contexts, understand safe sport and anti-doping responsibilities, and practice inclusivity across diverse populations.
Module 5: The Planning Process in High Performance Sport
- Conduct needs and gap analyses, integrate IST services into the Yearly Training Plan (YTP), and apply evidence-based practice in daily decision-making.
Module 6: Managing Data for Performance Solutions
- Apply data literacy principles, manage athlete data ethically and securely, and use data to inform performance decisions.
Module 7: Future Proofing – Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in High Performance Sport
- Understand where technology and AI fit into your role, audit current sport technology usage, and learn to apply AI tools ethically and effectively.
Module 8: Problem-Solving & Integration in High Performance Sport
- Collaborate across disciplines to solve performance problems and apply integrative thinking in complex HP environments through a capstone project.
Core Learning Components:
- Virtual live & recorded workshops
- Peer discussion & mentorship check-ins
- Independent assignments and regular presentations to peers
- Case-based learning
- Reflective portfolio development
Expectations and Completion Requirements:
- Attendance at virtual classroom sessions is required. Sessions will be recorded in case you cannot attend. We understand sport schedules are demanding, and changes can occur, but commitment to the program is necessary for achieving outcomes. Multiple missed sessions can result in removal from the program.
- Completion of self-directed modules, assignments, and presentations is required.
- Feedback during multiple checkpoints through questionnaires in order to improve the program for future cohorts.
| Date | Activity | Format |
| September 1 | Welcome email with program information and login instructions | Email Correspondence |
| September 10 | Program Introduction and Orientation Module 1.1: The Canadian High Performance Sport System |
Live, Online via Zoom |
| September 24 | Module 1.2: Presentation and Discussion | Live, Online via Zoom |
| October 1 | Module 2.1: Valuing Self & Others in the IST | Live, Online via Zoom |
| October 22 | Module 2.2: Presentation and Discussion | Live, Online via Zoom |
| October 29 | Module 3.1: Interacting with Others | Live, Online via Zoom |
| November 12 | Module 3.2: Presentation and Discussion | Live, Online via Zoom |
| November 19 | Module 4.1: Ethical & Professional Practice in High Performance Sport | Live, Online via Zoom |
| December 3 | Module 4.2: Presentation and Discussion | Live, Online via Zoom |
| December 10 | Module 5.1: The Planning Process in High Performance Sport | Live, Online via Zoom |
| January 7 | Module 5.2: Presentation and Discussion | Live, Online via Zoom |
| January 14 | Module 6.1: Managing Data for Performance Solutions + Assignment | Live, Online via Zoom |
| January 28 | Module 6.2: Presentation and Discussion | Live, Online via Zoom |
| February 4 | Module 7.1: Future Proofing – Technology and Artificial Intelligence | Live, Online via Zoom |
| February 25 | Module 7.2: Presentation and Discussion | Live, Online via Zoom |
| March 4 | Module 8.1: Problem-Solving & Integration in HP Sport | Live, Online via Zoom |
| March 25 | Module 8.2: Presentation and Discussion Program Closure and Feedback NOTE: This session will be longer due to capstone presentations. |
Live, Online via Zoom Questionnaire |
