Results of Alberta Ski Team Director's Survey of Alberta Coaches Regarding AST Program and Criteria. Sept 10.14

Cross Country Alberta (CCA) is the provincial sport organization for cross country skiing in Alberta.  The Alberta Ski Team (AST) Director is an elected position on the Board of Directors of the CCA.  The CCA outline the AST Director's responsibilities.  These responsibilities include:

- maintain open communication with athletes, parents, and coaches and clubs
- develop draft policies and procedures as related to AST
- develop draft selection criteria that are based on AST objectives (as written in CCA policy) and budget
- design, develop, and facilitate AST program

In addition CCA policy directives create operational expectations around:
- communication with club coaches as part of the AST program and selection criteria development
- technical committee needs to be responsive to the expressed needs of athletes, coaches, and clubs as it relates to AST programs.

Current AST policy states that:
Alberta Development Team is aimed at athletes aged 14-17
Alberta Ski Team is aimed at athletes aged 17-23

With this as guiding information, a series of personal and telephone conversations was undertaken by the AST Director with coaches from 15 ski clubs from across Alberta in July and August 2014.  This was followed up with a survey with the intent of being able to quantify the expressed needs of club and coaches around the province focused on both program and selection criteria. 

The exact survey questions reflected the conversations that were undertaken over the summer 2014.  A commitment was made to coaches as part of the conversations that the survey results would be shared as soon as possible after the survey period closed.


The following are the survey results:

Survey Tool - https://ww w.surveymonkey.com/r/F2VDXRM

Number of Respondents:  22

Clubs responding:

XC Bragg Creek
Canmore Nordic Ski Club
Calgary Ski Club
Calgary Nordic Training Group
Camrose Ski Club
Capital Region Training Group
Edmonton Nordic
Foothills
Red Deer/Parkland
Rocky Mtn Racers
St Albert
Strathcona Wilderness
Vermilion
Winsport
Wapiti

Interpretation

A good cross section of different size and focus of ski clubs is present. 

Alberta Ski Team programs should be relevant to my club's athlete development program

strongly agree –	agree –	neutral –	disagree –	strongly disagree –	Total –	Average Rating –
72.73% 16	18.18% 4	4.55% 1	4.55% 1	0.00% 0	22	1.41

Purpose of Question: 

to determine the importance of AST programs to coaches of Alberta Ski Clubs

Interpretation of responses: 

Over 90% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the idea this statement.  Respondents feel that the AST should be relevant.  This response indicates that the AST programs are important to clubs.
. 
Action - develop a program that is relevant to the needs of Alberta Ski Clubs. 

Comments from respondents:

Currently, the AST program is replicating a great deal of what many of the clubs are already doing. The AST program should be a program that is over and above what a club is able to realistically able to do.

Having diversity shows the athletes that there are many ways to train and to increase their repertoire as athletes.

If not then there is no reason to have it

The Alberta Ski Team programs should aim to limit duplication of services already offered by ski clubs in Alberta

	strongly agree –	agree –	neutral –	disagree –	strongly disagree –	Total –	Average Rating –
	59.09% 13	13.64% 3	18.18% 4	9.09% 2	0.00% 0	22	1.77

Purpose of the Question:

to inform the drafting of the 2015-16 AST programs

Interpretation of responses:

Over 72% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that the AST programs should limit dupliction of services.  less than 10% of clubs disagreed with reducing duplication.  Respondents are informing CCA that they would like to see less duplication of services in the AST program. 

Action  - plan an AST program that includes more 'value added' or 'unique' experiences that most clubs do not undertake themselves.

Comments from respondents:

We don't have the option of going to the glacier and so tag teaming is great/going with the AST/ADT for us up in the North.

Clubs dont have the capacity to duplicate - clubs are like High school - AWCA is like University

I'm neutral, because there is quite a diverse difference between what clubs are doing in the province

It is impossible for clubs to duplicate this service, they dont have the resources or experiance the AST has employed

I believe they offer a high quality coaching, and coach to athlete ratio

This is difficult due to the large variations in what the ski clubs are already offering. ie. Canmore does a lot of great things due to size, location and # of coaches. The smaller rural clubs can't offer what they do so.... even though many ADT/ADT activities may be a duplication for the Canmore kids it is very valuable for athletes in the smaller clubs.

The Alberta Ski Team programs primary purpose should be to provide augmented learning experiences for athletes focused on physical training, race skills, and socialization opportunities

strongly agree –	agree –	neutral –	disagree –	strongly disagree –	Total –	Average Rating –
68.18% 15	27.27% 6	4.55% 1	0.00% 0	0.00% 0	22	1.36

Purpose of the question: 

to guage the pulse of Alberta ski club coaches of what is important about the AST programs.

Interpretation of responses:

Over 95% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that AST programs should provide augmented learning experiences focused on physical training, race skills, and socialization experiences.  Not one respondent disagreed with this statement.  Respondents are informing CCA that they would like the AST programs to be focused on physical training, race skills, and socialization experiences.  Clubs see AST programs as highly important experiences for developing athletes.

Action:

plan an AST program that is focused on providing augmented learning experiences for athletes that focus on physical training , race skills, and socialization

Comments from respondents:

+ technique and some testing

In addition to learning from older more experianced athletes

Agree but only inbsofar as it is treated as "augmented learning"; I actually don't think there needs to be much programming for most athletes and those that need services because their clubs can't provide it, CCA should be facilitating/liaison the athlete-club relationship so that they recieve those services through either the Academy or another full capacity club.

The Alberta Ski Team (for athletes in Junior B/G and Junior M/W) should be increased in size to about 20-24 athletes to optimize the reach of this initiative and decrease the deselection of athletes, increasing the likelihood of some athletes moving on to national training centres as U23 athletes. Team fees would be differentiated for higher (1-6) and lower (7-12) ranked athletes similar to other sport organization teams (e.g. biathlon)

strongly agree –	agree –	neutral –	disagree –	strongly disagree –	Total –	Average Rating –
40.91% 9	36.36% 8	18.18% 4	4.55% 1	0.00% 0	22	1.86

Purpose of the question:

To determine the importance of a larger Alberta Ski Team to club coaches.  Also, to state that a larger AST would need to fit within the existing budget of the AST by charging differentiated fees for higher and lower ranked athletes.

Interpretation of responses:

Over 75% of Alberta ski club coaches agree or strongly agree that the AST should be increased in terms of the number of participating athletes.  Less than 5% of respondents disagree with increasing the size of the AST.  Most coaches also agree or strongly agree that differentiated fees is a good idea.

Action:

Increase the size of the Alberta Ski Team (for junior b/g and junior m/w) to 20-24 athletes.  Rank athletes as part of the selection process to know which athletes should pay differentiated team fees.

Comments from respondents:

I would definitely like to see more opportunities for the rest of the younger athletes in Alberta

If we are able to do a better job with more athletes we will strengthen our possibility to deliver more athletes to the next level, however, the program then needs to reflect this development. A 24 athlete team program cannot be run well with 1 coach.

Do we have that many athletes in Alberta seems like clubs need to do a better job of getting athletes to a good level

Ideally, fees are low so it reflects on their progression to a higher level program. I recommend less training opportunities (2 for the year is fine, maybe 3)but having more athletes involved. I like the 20-24 size

You dont want it diluted to the point it has no meaning - right AB would not have 20 athletes at this level

This question is really two question; 1) increase size of team and 2) institute variable fees within the team structure. And the first question presumes that we agree that the AST should consist of Junior B/G and Junior M/W athletes. I am not sure they should or should not include both or either of these categories.

great idea!!

Selection criteria for Alberta Development Team should be based on rankings generated from Alberta Cup series relative to same age peers.

strongly agree –	agree –	neutral –	disagree –	strongly disagree –	Total –	Average Rating –
45.45% 10	36.36% 8	18.18% 4	0.00% 0	0.00% 0	22	1.73

Purpose of question:

to inform the creation of selection criteria for ADT

Interpretation of responses:

Over 80% of respondents agreed or disagreed that ADT selection should be based off of Alberta Cup points.  Not one respondent disagreed with this statement.

Action:

Ensure that selection criteria for ADT is based on Alberta Cup points.

Comments from respondents:

I agree with this as long as there is little or no conflict with the NorAm schedule.

A session of brainstorming from coaches could come up with a realistic and appropriate ranking system.

Arctic Winter Games gives our kids a chance of qualifying as our focus every second year is to peak for AWG's and not AB Cup races.

ONLY ABCup not you get hot at the Eastern Championships or Canada Cup race that no other ski club attended!

should be only alberta cup racing vs cpl

Yes, but not totally based on performance. Team size should be high

Most athletes in Alberta Travel far to much, in particular Canmore, which flies in the face of LTAD

these criteria must be transparent and clearly communication to the ski community

Selection criteria for Alberta Ski Team should be based on a factored CPL points weighted 70/30 for distance/sprint, in this way not promoting early specialization as a distance or sprint racer.

strongly agree –	agree –	neutral –	disagree –	strongly disagree –	Total –	Average Rating –
27.27% 6	50.00% 11	13.64% 3	4.55% 1	4.55% 1	22	2.09

Purpose of the question:

to determine coach support for factoring CPL points for Alberta Ski Team selection. 

Interpretation of responses:

Over 75% of respondents agree or strongly agree that factoring should be used in selection criteria for AST.  Current criteria allow athletes to be selected based on either their highest sprint or highest distance CPL points.  Using factored CPL points as the selection criteria will align with other ski jurisdictions in Canada such as Ski de Fond Quebec. Less than 10% of respondents disagreed with using factored CPL points as the selection criteria.  Clubs are not supportive of the current selection criteria for AST.

Action:

Rewrite selection criteria to reflect the expressed needs of coaches who are engaged with the AST program.

Comments from respondents:

Even then the % is high forcing our athletes from the north to travel without a coach to races that the whole team doesn't attend. I agree with the no promoting specialization.

Just don't want athletes racing up chasing points

This questions should be broken down in a different way. The way it is written here presumes that CPL should be used for selections, and that early specialization will be discouraged by a 70/30 distance/sprint distribution for CPL selection calculations. I believe both these assumptions are questionable and worthy of debate.

wouldn't a 50/50 split be more in line with the goal of not promoting early specialization? Sorry - unclear on this

Alberta Ski Team selection criteria should ensure that the criteria are attainable by athletes in all eligible categories - the bar shouldnt be set so high that no one qualifies.

strongly agree –	agree –	neutral –	disagree –	strongly disagree –	Total –	Average Rating –
45.45% 10	31.82% 7	4.55% 1	9.09% 2	9.09% 2	22	2.05

Purpose of the question:

to inform the writing of selection criteria regarding 'minimum standards'

Interpretation of responses:

A significant majority (77%) agreed or strongly agreed that AST selection criteria should be attainable by atheltes.  Less than 20% disagreed or strongly disagreed.  This information is informing CCA that coaches feel that the AST should be for our best athletes, regardless of their ranking compared to athletes from other ski jurisdictions. 

Action: 

Write selection criteria that remove 'minimum standards'.


Comments from respondents:

There is nothing wrong with setting an appropriate standard if there is a program in place that is going to help an athlete achieve this standard.

Athletes need to feel they have a chance to succeed.

I need an example please. %standard I assume? What if a category gender is weak eg JB, do you take more JG/JMW to add up to 24? Or is it 6+6+6+6?

Of course!

We have to remember that sometimes with a higher bar, athletes will find a way to jump over it, no one likes mediocracy

This would be a waist of time. Recongizting athletic performance and achievement is not a bad idea. Set the bar, select and include ALL athletes that achieve that standard and then recognize and celebrate their achievements.

The current CCA policy for Alberta Ski Team programs states that the Alberta Ski Team targets junior b/g, junior m/w and U23 athletes. I think it is important that the top ranked Alberta U23 athletes are recognized as members of the Alberta Ski Team even if they no longer require the support of the Alberta Ski Team

strongly agree –	agree –	neutral –	disagree –	strongly disagree –	Total –	Average Rating –
31.82% 7	40.91% 9	22.73% 5	0.00% 0	4.55% 1	22	2.05

Purpose of the question:

to determine the importance of including U23 athletes in the AST program.

Interpretation of responses:

Over 70% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the AST should include U23 athletes and that this would be primarily for recognition purposes.  Only 1 responded of 22 disagreed with this idea.  5 respondents responded as neutral as it wasn't important to their context.  Recognition is an important benefit of AST.  Other jursidictions recognize U23 athletes as part of their provincial ski team.  The current AST policy includes U23 athletes.  CCA receives funding for a U23 team to attend Canada Winter Games.

Action:

Include U23 athletes in the AST at least for recognition purposes.

Comments from respondents:

Being a part of a provincial team is a big deal and XC SKiing in Alberta is losing that focus.

are there benefits? what is the incentive

yes. They do not need to take part in camps but should be team members and role models.

Personally I dont think they really care, most of our U23 athletes are on the national team

I think its fine in name only, but most athletes dont need it, it was a different time in thier life

To clarify my dissagreement I want to say that I DO believe that all athletes at all levels in the spectrum of athlete develompment should be recognized for their achievements. We keep getting caught up with the labels "AST" and "ADT" and try and paint a brush over all with these. We need to explore new language for recognition and programming for our athletes at all levels.

but wouldn't this reduce the number of spots for non U23 athletes who require support?

Increasing transparency of team selection is important. e.g. athletes should apply for positions on the Alberta Ski Team based on their factored rankings posted on CCA website the day after CCC posts April CPL points.

strongly agree –	agree –	neutral –	disagree –	strongly disagree –	Total –	Average Rating –
36.36% 8	40.91% 9	13.64% 3	4.55% 1	4.55% 1	22	2.00

Purpose of the question:

To inform the selection process used by CCA to identify and name an AST.

Interpretation of responses:

Increasing transparency is important to a large majority of Alberta Coaches (77%).  It should be very clear to athletes throughout the season and at the end of the season how they are ranked for AST positions.  Coaches also agree or strongly agree with the idea that athletes should apply for their positions and not wait to be selected by a 'technical committee' or AST committee.  Coaches agree or strongly agree that these factored rankings need to be posted on the CCA website the day  after they are posted on the CCC website.  The Alberta Ski Team is held in high esteem by clubs, athletes, and coaches.  Being named to the team should be as transparent as possible.

Action:

Modify selection procedures to increase transparency.

Comments from respondents:

I believe that there should be some time for the athletes to consult their coaches and look at their options for the year. The entire program for that year should be laid out with all the details finished for the athletes to make the best decision possible. The time doesn't need to be long, but it needs to be there.

An athlete on any NST/Training centre I feel should still be a member of the AST without having to indicate their intent. It's almost as if they are an alumni but could have AST support should they need it.

This puts the onus on the athletes to choose to be a part of the team and leaves out the drama.

I think it should be a combination of athletes apply and athletes being nominated to fill the spots on the team

Not sure about applying for a HP team. I think it has more merit if you are named rather than applying. Thanks.