Athlete Support

Athlete Assistance Program (Financial)

UPDATE

October 1, 2024

BC Athletics has made the decision to discontinue the BC Athlete Assistance Program (BC AAP) in its current form for the 2024-2025 season.  Funding previously allocated to the BC Athletics Athlete Assistance Program has been moved to to support the BC Team Program to help offset the rising costs of travel for the BC Team Program.

BC Athletics is currently reviewing updated funding formats to help offset the costs of travel for athlete camps and national championship competitions.  Once formalized, BC Athletics will update the membership with the new BC Team Athlete Support Program.

All athletes wishing to be considered for 2024-25 BC Team Athlete Support including access to services,  should fill out the 2024-25 BC Team Athlete Support Application Form here.

If you have any questions, please contact the Program Manager for Track & Field Garrett Collier at garrett.collier@bcathletics.org.

High Performance Athlete / Coach Support

BC Athletics High Performance System

 

Overview

BC Athletics, working with personal coaches and member clubs, leads the development of High Performance athletes in the sport of Athletics in British Columbia. Together with our funding partners (government, national/provincial organizations, corporations and foundations) BC Athletics provides support for athletes and coaches with the goal of strong representation and podium performances at National championships, advancing more BC athletes to National Teams and Podium Performances at International competition.

BC Athletics Defines High Performance as:

The development of athletes along the Athletics Long Term Athlete Development and Performance Pathway leading to sustainable and improved performances at Provincial, National and International levels of competition.

Sustainable and improved performance is measured through:

• Results and placing at Provincial, National and International Competitions
• Podium Performances at Provincial, National and International Competitions
• Rankings - Provincial, National and World

Partnerships

Led by BC Athletics, the BC Athletics High Performance program is supported through partnerships with Athletics Canada, the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, PacificSport Regional Centres, viaSport, TeamBC, The Government of British Columbia, Dominion Command RCL, BC/YK Command RCL, Business Partners (sponsors) and Foundations.

Athlete Support

The BC Athletics High Performance System aims to assist athletes through a holistic framework of targeted programs, access to performance enhancement services, facilities, and competition development. For personal coaches through Coaching Education, Professional Development, Grants to assist in attending Canadian and International High Performance Coaching Conferences, Provincial Team Coaching appointments and supporting National Team Coaching applications.

• Athlete Assistance Program
• High Performance Targeted Athlete Program
• Athlete and Personal Coach Camps/Conferences – Provincial and Regional
• Athlete and Personal Coach Camps/Conferences – National through Athletics Canada
• BC Team Program
  • Canadian Track & Field Championships
  • Canadian U20 Track & Field Championships
  • Canadian U16/U18 Legion Track & Field Championships
  • Canada Summer Games
  • Canadian Cross Country Championships – Youth to Senior
  • Canadian 5k Road Race Championships
  • Canadian 10k Road Race Championships
  • Canadian Half Marathon Championships
  • Canadian Marathon Championships
• BC Endurance Project – high performance targeted athlete group – (3000m), 5000m, 10,0000m, Half Marathon, Marathon – Goal of National and International Podium Performances.
• BC Throws Project – Goal of National and International Podium Performances.
• BC Sprint / Jumps Project – Goal of National and International Podium Performances.
• Annual International Track & Field Competitions – Harry Jerome Int’l Track Classic – financially supported by BC Athletics
• Canadian Championships – supporting bids from BC Cities/Clubs/Organizations for the hosting of Canadian Championships.

Coach Support

The BC Athletics High Performance System aims to assist coaches through targeted support and effective coaching programs.

• Targeted Coach Support - Provincial Coach
• Targeted Coach Support - Regional Coach
• Coaching Education
• Coaching Professional Development – Regional
• Provincial Coaching Conference
• Canadian and International High Performance Coaching Conferences – BC Athletics sponsored Registration and Travel Grants for qualifying coaches

For any questions, please contact the Technical Manager of Track & Field - Megann VanderVliet megann.vandervliet@bcathletics.org

 

BC Team Athlete Program

BC Athletics High Performance Targeted Athlete Program & Canadian Sport Institute / PacificSport Athlete and Coach Registration

The Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, through a partnership with the Province of British Columbia (BC), ViaSport, the network of PacificSport centres, and BC Athletics, collaborates to deliver programs and services to place BC Athletes onto National Teams, and ensure athletes and coaches have every advantage to win medals for Canada. The partners work jointly to encourage sport excellence and increase podium performances in communities throughout British Columbia.

Through the above partnership, and with the above purpose in mind, BC Athletics may nominate athletes and their coaches who meet specific criteria for Canadian Sport Institute Pacific / PacificSport athlete or coach registration. Upon registering, athletes and coaches can engage in enhanced programs, benefits, and selected support services through Canadian Sport Institute Pacific and the network of PacificSport regional centres in BC.

Athlete Selection

Athletes and coaches are selected to the program each year based on the performance selection criteria (see below for current criteria).  This criteria is created by BC Athletics, as approved by Canadian Sport Insititute Pacific (CSI-P). Athletes must apply annually to be nominated to the program. Once selected, athletes will recieve an email from BC Athletics with instructions on how to register for an intake meeting with CSI-P to recieve your card.

Athlete Benefits

Coach Selection

Personal coaches can also receive access to benefits if they currently coach an athlete selected to the Athlete Nomination List. Like the athletes, coaches will receive a notification via email. For more information on services for coaches, please see the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific website.

Coach Benefits

Why am I not on the list?

If an athlete’s name is not on the Athlete Nomination List, and they believe that it should be, they and their personal coach are advised to contact Garrett Collier at garrett.collier@bcathletics.org. Once the appeal is received, it will be considered on a case by case basis by BC Athletics and CSI-P.

More information can be found on the Canadian Sport Institute Website.

Athlete & Coach Selection Criteria:

• 2024-25 BC Team Support Team Support Criteria (fomerly Targeted Athlete) - 10.10.24
• 2024-25 BC Team Athlete Support Application Form - April Intake - 03.23.25
• 2024-25 BC Team Athlete Support Roster - Updated 01.13.25

For any questions, please contact the Program Manager of Track & Field - Garrett Collier at garrett.collier@bcathletics.org

Grants / Bursaries

Grant / Bursary	Overview & Eligibility Requirements
	Athlete Assistance Program & High Performance Support Athletes wishing to be considered for Athlete Support through either the BC Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) and/or the BC Athletics High Performance Targeted Athlete Program must complete the application below. Athlete's may indicate whether they plan to apply for either or both programs.  Please see below for important information: ​MORE DETAILS
	KidSport is a national not-for-profit organization that provides financial assistance for registration fees and equipment to kids aged 18 and under. Through a confidential application process they provide grants so they can play a season of sport. Nationally, KidSport is comprised of a network of 11 provincial/territorial KidSport chapters and 166 community KidSport chapters. Since its creation in 1993, over 825,000 kids across the country have been given the chance to play sport through KidSport grants and sport introduction programming. MORE INFO
	BC Ferries Sport Experience Program Through the BC Ferries Sport Experience Program, BC Ferries and viaSport provide travel support to eligible not-for-profit sport organizations and athletes. Vouchers may be used by athletes (18 years or younger) traveling to compete in international events, national championships, western Canadian championships, provincial championships or selection camps (does not include pre-season, tournaments, regular season league or event play). APPLY NOW
	Aboriginal Youth Sport Legacy Fund The Aboriginal Youth Sport Legacy Fund assists amateur athletes of Indigenous ancestry, including athletes with a disability or disabilities, in their pursuit of excellence in sport. The grant seeks to relieve financial costs associated with high performance sport. MORE INFORMATION ON VIASPORT GRANT PROGRAMS
	Harry Jerome Scholarship The Harry Jerome Scholarship is named after the late great Harry Jerome.  This scholarship is administered through BC Athletics and financed by the Vancouver Foundation.  All eligible applicants must complete the application process. Application Deadline: 5:00 PM on the 3rd Friday of May, each year. Harry Jerome Scholarship Application Application Deadline: June 14, 2024 Donate to the fund here.
	CAN Fund Athlete Application The CAN Fund athlete application is now available on the CAN Fund website for athletes to begin submitting their applications. Applications will be accepted from any active national team athlete who is training to represent Canada Internationally. Able-bodied and Paralympic athletes can apply.   MORE DETAILS
	Athletes registered with one of the three CSI Pacific campuses (Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler) at the Provincial Development or Canadian Development may eligible for Grants & Bursuries provided by CSI-P. MORE DETAILS

 

Drug Free Sport

BC Athletics Statement on Drug Free Sport

BC Athletics is committed to the pursuit of Athletics in a drug free environment.  As such and consistent with the Athletics Canada and World Athletics Policies on Drugs, BC Athletics does not condone, promote, advocate nor permit the use of banned substances, classes or methods as defined by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.

To this end BC Athletics supports the efforts of the CCES, Athletics Canada and World Athletics in their efforts to provide a competition/participation environment free from drugs.

BC Athletics in keeping with its Values Statement and as an active partner in this effort will:

1. Provide information and educational information on drugs in sport to its members.

2. Work cooperatively with recognized agencies in their work to insure a drug free environment in sport.

3. Work cooperatively in the testing (announced and unannounced) of athletes.

4. Deal efficiently with matters relating to drugs within its codes of conduct and discipline procedures.

5. Promote the ideals of a drug free environment.