Sign up by January 20 and save $25 per course!
Use the code #Take25 at checkout (for each LTP) and discount will be applied. 

Our Leadership Training Program courses offer information and resource packed sessions that will help elevate and streamline operations of your Athletic Department. Take Professional Development that is directly related to your role and day-to-day operations. These courses are also the stepping stones to our CIAAA Certification program and can be used towards your Grace Masters Program prerequisites. 

Need to activate your 2024-25 membership as a Partner Province (BC,AB,SK,MB & PEI), email caleigh@ciaaa.ca for your code. 

REGISTER NOW

Wednesday January 22 – 506C: Legal Issues II: Enhanced Legal Topics 
This course introduces the important legal issues of discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying, hazing, and violence in sport. Participants will learn the legal definitions of the terms and how they are applied to the sport and scholastic context. Case law examples, discussions and other activities will help participants navigate these complex issues. Athletic administrators are also more frequently dealing with legal issues in an “online” context. This course looks at these new issues (cyber-bulling, online privacy, defamation, and coach-athlete relationship closeness on Facebook) through a legal lens and participants will learn tips for how best to manage online issues. Finally, the course touches on employment law and participants will learn best practices for beginning and ending relationships with teacher coaches and volunteer coaches.
*LTP 506C is the one of five courses required for the CCAA Certification

Monday January 27 – 502C: Athletic Administration in Canadian Schools This This crucial introductory course addresses many of the day-to-day operational responsibilities for Canadian Athletic Directors. The course addresses school athletic/academic philosophy, administrative organization, coach appointment, budgeting, scheduling, publicity and promotion, management of athletes, parents and others, transportation policies and issues, parent conflict, legal foundations, monthly checklists and more. One of the key resources available to course attendees is a resource package with over 700 pages of useful information, forms, detailed letter templates, sample policies, and more.
**LTP 502C is the one of three foundational courses required for the CRAA Certification

Tuesday January 28 – LTP 714C: Preventing, Managing and Transforming Challenging Behaviour 
This course examines the causes of challenging or difficult personalities in society, with specific reference to interscholastic athletic programs. Basic management strategies include the use of emotional intelligence and transactional analysis considerations and methods. Specific protocols will be defined for dealing with individuals who “must be right,” “must win,” “must be logical” and “must be accepted.” In addition, techniques will be covered for preventing or responding to anger, sarcasm, denigration, complainers and backbiters and rigid-obstinate personalities. A model will also be discussed for creative interaction with parents who demand involvement in athletic department decision-making or who seek to influence the decisions of senior administrators.

Wednesday February 19 – LTP 503C: Athletic Administration: Enhancing School-Based Athletics Programs
This course builds on the teachings in 501C and 502C, by taking Athletic Directors through ideas and strategies to implement that will enhance their athletic programs. The course touches on ways to improve citizenship and sportsmanship within your athletic program through positive initiatives, examines potential problems or possible solutions in areas such as program promotion, social media, tournaments and special events, recognition, awards, fundraising, and strategic planning.
*LTP 503C is the one of five courses required for the CCAA Certification

 
Dave Rozdeba Memorial Award

The role of an Athletic Director  is one of incredible dedication, often requiring countless hours behind the scenes to ensure the success of student-athletes, coaches, and entire athletic programs. From scheduling games to managing budgets, fostering community spirit, and mentoring young leaders, their efforts are tireless and often go unnoticed.Now is the time to change that. Applications are open to recognize the CIAAA Athletic Director of the Year, with the Dave Rozdeba Memorial Award, celebrating those who have gone above and beyond to inspire excellence in their schools and communities.

Do you know an outstanding Athletic Director that:
• Embodies the strengths and values that Dave exemplified in all areas of his life: Integrity, Accountability, Honesty, Humility, Kindness, Ethical Leadership, and Sportsmanship;
• Advocates for and empowers student-athletes and others in the sporting community;
• Promotes a character-based athletics program through proactive and visionary leadership;
• Influences the landscape of educational athletics by engaging others in the profession.

The CIAAA is looking for nominations for our Dave Rozdeba Memorial Award. The award winner will be celebrated at our 2025 National Conference Banquet, Thursday April 11, 2025, and receive a free conference registration! 

Nominate an AD: https://forms.gle/q4sS6Pq9rEKBytDeA

Deadline January 31, 2025. 

*If you plan on submitting an application, but need a little more time to get documents together, send an email to caleigh@ciaaa.ca


Remembering Dave: 

On September 6, 2017, the CIAAA and family of Canadian Athletic Directors lost an incredible man when Dave Rozdeba lost his courageous battle with cancer. Dave was a man who dedicated his life to the betterment of those around him, his involvement with the CIAAA was no different. Dave was a founding member of the Alberta Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (AIAAA), which evolved into the CIAAA. He was a leader in that we wrote many Leadership Training Program Courses and was an impactful instructor within the association. Further, he served as the Leadership Training Program Coordinator and was instrumental in the partnership and affiliation with Grace College and the Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration.

Beyond his official contributions to the CIAAA, Dave was always the first to welcome anyone into his inner circle. At conferences and events, he would actively seek out new attendees and ensure they were welcomed and included at every turn. In his coaching and athletic administration roles, Dave always let character and sportsmanship lead the way.

Dave’s strengths and values are recognized as key items in the criteria for this award which serves to ensure that Dave will always be remembered by Athletic Administrators across Canada.

December 2024 – eNewsletter

To view the latest edition of the SHSAA monthly eNewsletter, please click here. 

2025 SHSAA Winter Newsletter

Click here to view the 2025 SHSAA Winter semi-annual newsletter. 

December 2024 – eNewsletter

To view the latest edition of the SSNS monthly eNewsletter, please click here. 

December 2024 – eNewsletter

To view the latest edition of the BCSS monthey eNewsletter, please click here.

The fall season once again kick-started what will be another memorable school year on the high school field of play across the province!

In November, we witnessed a couple of “multiple repeat champions” in the boys’ volleyball category and a “first” from a dominant Thunder Bay basketball club at the OFSAA Girls’ AA Championship held in North Bay.

Read about the team accomplishments and the individual achievements in golf and cross country in the pages of the Winter Issue of the Bulletin Magazine. We also shout out a couple of longtime Ontario coaches who have put their stamp on the high school scene over many years.

Best of luck to all coaches and student-athletes in punching your ticket towards excellence this year! We can’t wait for our snow events in February.

Please click here.

The ScrumCAO’s Quarterly NewsletterWinter 2024

The 2024 Ontario Coaching Report is here!You’ve heard about it on the radio, you’ve read about it online and in the newspaper, you’ve seen it on TV…  Now you can read it for yourself! That’s right, the 2024 Ontario Coaching Report is hot off the press and ready to download!  The 2024 report reveals unprecedented insights into coaching culture, values & behaviours, hazing practices and more. It also provides actionable steps that coaches, parents, and sport administrators can take to foster sport experiences which are safe, inclusive and fun for all.­Check out the 2024 Ontario Coaching Report!­

­ Ontario Coaches Summit Series – HAMILTON – March 22, 2025The next Ontario Coaches Summit is coming to Hamilton March 22, 2025! Save up to 25% off with early bird pricing now on until February 28th! Last year was sold out before the early bird so be sure to grab your ticket to Ontario’s premiere sport leadership event!  Hands on learning, masterclass workshops, and top sport experts await you at #OCSS! Register now to elevate your coaching journey!­Early Registration now OPEN!­­

CAO office is closed December 23, 2024 – January 1, 2025Our offices will reopen on January 2, 2025. We wish you all a happy, safe holiday season. See you in 2025!­

All-New CAWAD!There is still time to take NCCP Coaching Athletes with a Disability for free with a code from CAO!­Get the Code ­ Hazing Prevention 101Recognize & Prevent hazing activities with proven strategies to create a positive team culture.­Hazing Prevention ­ Host FMS FREE!Find out how you can host NCCP Fundamental Movement Skills FREE before March 31, 2025­ More Information­

Building Capacity To Play Like A Championship Team

Article from SIRC (January 8, 2025)

By Taylor Matthews

What makes a winning team? Is it raw talent, star power, or an overflowing budget? Think again. The most successful teams—on the field or in the office—don’t just rely on superstars. They thrive on balance, leadership, and a collective drive that turns a group of individuals into an unstoppable force.

Take the 1972 Miami Dolphins, for example. They achieved the NFL’s only “perfect season” and winning the Super Bowl, not because they were stacked with the league’s biggest names like the Dallas Cowboys or the Pittsburgh Steelers but because they mastered the art of working as a cohesive unit. Their story proves that building a championship team isn’t about chasing stars—it’s about building a system that shines (CBS Sports., 2024).

Of course, they had a handful of notable top tier players, but is that enough to sustain a team with a roster size of 47 athletes? The Dolphins proved it was not the handful that created the “perfect season” on their own, as they maintained top level performance when faced with injuries of those top players.

From the field to the office

Any sport organization can learn from the 1972 Miami Dolphins approach.  Achieving your own version of a “perfect season” requires looking beyond the talent of individual team members to the power of balanced responsibilities, strong leadership, attention to detail, and team cohesion. These factors can be cultivated within the organization.  

Team Cohesion

In sport, cohesion is described as the tendency for team members to stick together and remain united in the pursuit of achieving goals as well as meeting the emotional needs of team members (Carron et coll., 1985). Research consistently has shown strong relationships between cohesion and success (Carron et coll., 2022). It is something that is fostered continuously within a team, like any skill. How can you develop this skill within your own team? 

• Devoting time to casual conversation: While this can happen naturally for teams that are in-person, it should be prompted and encouraged regardless of the team’s setup. 
• Attending events or conferences together: Attending an event as a team creates shared learning experiences which spark conversations that break the usual day-to-day scripts. 
• Encourage the use of virtual communication tools: Whether your team uses Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack, or any other virtual platform – communication should feel seamless among team members. 

These activities were selected from Rebecca Knight’s recent HBR article titled, “17 Team-Building Activities for In-Person, Remove, and Hybrid Team”. 

Strong Leadership

Leadership style is something to be adapted over time based on the context of the team, and recognizing when and how to adapt is half the battle. Depending on the team you lead – your style may also differ from that of another leader within the organization. Regardless, there are some leadership skills that transcend all contexts:

• Handling feedback: Leaders are in a position where giving and receiving feedback happens on an ongoing basis, both positive and negative. The ability to give feedback clearly and concisely is a skill to be honed. Being specific and constructive, without too much extra fluff, is the best way to go. 
• Harness potential over performance: Encouraging and enabling team members to fulfill their potential often includes giving them some freedom. Freedom to be themselves, freedom to fail in new tasks, and the freedom to explore the next step in their careers. The goal is to encourage lifelong learning and avoid complacency. 
• Knowing when to delegate: The role of a leader is knowing when to take on responsibility and when to give that responsibility to someone else. Delegation is something every leader needs to do, but it should be based on current priorities and the strengths of the team. 

These skills are included in Forbes’ article “10 Most Important Leadership Skills For The 21st Century Workplace (And How To Develop Them)”, written by Bernard Marr.

Attention to Detail

Not everyone needs to have a high attention to detail, but understanding the need for it within a team is key for everyone. Attention to the details is what takes athletes on the field of play from good to great, especially in high pressure situations – the same can be said for any team (Oudejans et coll., 2011). How can you foster higher attention to detail in your team?

• Establish clear processes: Articulating the steps to complete tasks within the team, including who is responsible for each step, not only promotes attention to detail, but also ensures knowledge transfer within the team over time. 
• Communicate the benefits: Teams are more efficient in the long run when there is a high attention to detail throughout the process, as it limits the iterations of deliverables to get to the final product. 
• Know your team: Attention to detail is not natural for everyone, but knowing who has the knack for details can make assigning responsibilities easier. As with anything, playing to the strengths of the team goes a long way.

These tips were derived from this article, titled “7 Areas Where Attention to Detail Can Create an Effective Organization”. 

While these tips likely won’t give you the “perfect season” of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, they can kickstart your team to become a super-team, with more than just a few top talents at the table. 

About the Author(s) / A propos de(s) l’auteur(s)

Taylor Matthews is the Marketing and Communications Manager at SIRC. In this role, she brings her expertise in knowledge mobilization through digital marketing and social media management to share the latest sport research, knowledge, and top stories to our audience.