New Canadian sport and funding partnership formed

"The Canadian Sport Institutes offer world-leading high-performance environments for athletic and coaching excellence and we know this new investment will further enhance Canada's podium potential."

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and the Canadian Sport Institute Network (CSIN) have announced a substantial partnership and high performance sport funding agreement.

The new multi-year, CAD 3 million direct investment will be provided by the COC and the Canadian Olympic Foundation (COF), along with additional funds from the CPC, to the CSIN in order to assist in its mandate of delivering world-class, multi-sport daily training environments through enhancements being introduced in sports science, medicine and research and innovation.

Building on the significant support provided by the Government of Canada and various provincial governments to the CSIs, this new partnership will keep Team Canada and athletes at the forefront of training, preparation and innovation.

In an effort to improve awareness of the critical role that the CSIN plays in preparing Canadian athletes, coaches and Integrated Support Team members for participation in the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Pan/Parapan American Games, the COC and CPC will extend the use of designated Olympic and Paralympic marks to the CSIN to be called the "Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network." This brand alignment will allow CSIN members to demonstrate their key contribution to the preparation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes toward podium performances.

Karen O Neil, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, said: "The Canadian Sport Institutes offer world-leading high-performance environments for athletic and coaching excellence and we know this new investment will further enhance Canada's podium potential.

“We're looking forward to working with all partners towards advancing opportunities and awareness for Canada's top athletes and coaches as they prepare to compete at the highest level."

Josh Vander Vies, London 2012 Paralympic Games boccia bronze medallist said: “"A winning performance requires countless hours of hard work, continued guidance from my coaching staff and a world-class daily training environment. I'm fortunate to be inspired by world-class Olympians and Paralympians on an ongoing basis and receive the services needed to be the best in my sport. This motivates me to keep raising the bar of excellence."

The aim of this new partnership is to strengthen and align Canada's high performance sport system through a shared vision, areas of collaboration and new funding. The agreement includes: Canadian Sport Institute Pacific; Canadian Sport Institute Calgary; Canadian Sport Institute Ontario; Institut national du sport du Québec; Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan; Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba; and Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic.

This partnership initiative is anchored on the recognition that the CSIN holds the expertise in providing high performance services and programs to athletes, coaches and IST members. The new funding will be used to purchase new cutting edge equipment, hire new staff and supplement current practices in the areas of physical training, performance services enhancement and partnership servicing.

The CSIN is a key contributor to Canada's world leading Olympic and Paralympic podium performances. This new agreement will last from 2014-2016.