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ABOUT
The Nordic Strategy is a joint project between Biathlon Canada, Nordic Combined Ski Canada, Nordiq Canada and Ski Jumping Canada in an effort to help Canada’s Nordic sports improve their operations and high-performance results by doing more together.
The acknowledgement that there are 90+ Winter Olympic medals and 100+ Paralympic medals between these four sports began a conversation that identified a list of possibilities, extending beyond high performance results, that could be possible through collaboration.
Canada’s four Nordic sports have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and are continuing to explore ways they can work together to achieve their ultimate goals of putting more Canadian athletes on podiums and increasing participation in each of their sports.
The acknowledgement that there are 90+ Winter Olympic medals and 100+ Paralympic medals between these four sports began a conversation that identified a list of possibilities, extending beyond high performance results, that could be possible through collaboration.
Canada’s four Nordic sports have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and are continuing to explore ways they can work together to achieve their ultimate goals of putting more Canadian athletes on podiums and increasing participation in each of their sports.
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News
The latest announcements from the Nordic Strategy:
| nordic_strategy_update_apr-28-22.pdf |
From the SIRC BLOG 04-26-21: Strengthening Collaboration in Canadian Sport: Exploring a Nordic Strategy
| 11-09-20 Nordic Strategy Update |
| 07-30-20 Canada’s Four Nordic Sports Sign Memorandum of Understanding |
REPORTS
| 07-21-21_nordic_strategy_report.pdf |
Steering Committee
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The Steering Committee consists of up to two representatives of each of the four Nordic sports (Biathlon Canada, Nordic Combined Ski Canada, Nordiq Canada and Ski Jumping Canada), along with representatives from the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Own the Podium. The Steering Committee will provide overall direction and oversight to achieve the deliverables of the Nordic Strategy MOU.
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The Nordic Strategy Steering Committee:
Lyle McLeod – President, Board of Directors, Biathlon Canada Mike Walker – Board of Directors, Biathlon Canada Jim Woolsey – Chair, Board of Directors, Nordic Combined Ski Canada Walter Savill – Board of Directors, Nordic Combined Ski Canada Todd Stretch – Chair, Board of Directors, Ski Jumping Canada Nigel Behrens – Board of Directors, Ski Jumping Canada Charlotte MacNaughton – Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, Nordiq Canada Derek Estabrook – Board of Directors, Nordiq Canada Aaron Nutting – Canadian Olympic Committee Catherine Gosselin-Despres - Canadian Paralympic Committee Libby Burrell - Own the Podium |
TIMELINE OF THE PROJECT TO DATE
2017: Own the Podium (OTP) explored the possibility of the four Nordic Sports working more closely together with the goal of being able to win more medals in the Nordic sports. They commissioned an exploratory report completed by Deloitte.
2018: A committee of the four Nordic sports was created to discuss the possibilities for collaboration.
2020: The four Nordic sports, supported by the Canadian Olympic Committee, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formally explore ways they can work together to achieve their ultimate goals of putting more Canadian athletes on podiums and increasing participation in each of their sports.
2021: The report resulting from the exploratory work was completed.
2022: An additional MOU was signed to formally explore the best structure for achieving the results that the 2021 report identified.
2018: A committee of the four Nordic sports was created to discuss the possibilities for collaboration.
2020: The four Nordic sports, supported by the Canadian Olympic Committee, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formally explore ways they can work together to achieve their ultimate goals of putting more Canadian athletes on podiums and increasing participation in each of their sports.
2021: The report resulting from the exploratory work was completed.
2022: An additional MOU was signed to formally explore the best structure for achieving the results that the 2021 report identified.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the additional MOU?
The original MOU assessed how to best work together to improve operations and increase high performance results. The additional MOU will recommend the optimal organizational and governance structures to achieve the objectives of the Nordic Strategy. The Scope of Work will include:
Phase 1: The completion of a Business Case including recommendations, supporting evidence, and rationale to confirm the extent to which operating as a single NSO offers the best opportunity, versus the status quo, for the Nordic NSOs to:
Phase 2 and Phase 3: Upon approval of the recommendations from Phase 1, the next Phases will include the development of a Business Plan for a single NSO designed to achieve the objectives of the Nordic Strategy .
The organization of the Steering committee is expanded to include two representatives from each NSO with representatives from Own the Podium (OTP), the Canadian Olympic committee (COC), and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC). Work will be done in three phases. Throughout the process, extensive communication and consultation with the members of all four Nordic NSOs will be conducted.
Phase 1: The completion of a Business Case including recommendations, supporting evidence, and rationale to confirm the extent to which operating as a single NSO offers the best opportunity, versus the status quo, for the Nordic NSOs to:
- deliver sustained, long-term growth and better results in the areas of Sport Excellence, Revenue Generation and Community Engagement,
- achieve the objectives of the Nordic Strategy, and
- better serve participants in the Nordic sport disciplines.
Phase 2 and Phase 3: Upon approval of the recommendations from Phase 1, the next Phases will include the development of a Business Plan for a single NSO designed to achieve the objectives of the Nordic Strategy .
The organization of the Steering committee is expanded to include two representatives from each NSO with representatives from Own the Podium (OTP), the Canadian Olympic committee (COC), and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC). Work will be done in three phases. Throughout the process, extensive communication and consultation with the members of all four Nordic NSOs will be conducted.
What happens over the next phase of the project?
Each of the four sports have designated up to two representatives; along with representatives from the Canadian Olympic Committee, Own the Podium and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, to sit on the current Nordic Strategy Steering Committee. Over the next two years , the Steering Committee will be focused on recommending a business plan to move forward as well as ensuring extensive consultation.
A Canadian-based international sport consultancy, LBB Sport, has been contracted to examine all facets of a single NSO model, as compared to the status quo, in achieving the goals of the Nordic Strategy. LBB Sport will develop a well informed recommendation that utilizes extensive consultation from membership at all levels.
The next work will rollout in three phases:
A Canadian-based international sport consultancy, LBB Sport, has been contracted to examine all facets of a single NSO model, as compared to the status quo, in achieving the goals of the Nordic Strategy. LBB Sport will develop a well informed recommendation that utilizes extensive consultation from membership at all levels.
The next work will rollout in three phases:
- Phase 1 - to be completed in the spring of 2022 will be to confirm the single NSO concept along with the organizational and governance principles needed.
- Phase 2 - to be completed in the summer of 2022 will be to deliver the details for governance, organization and programs for the envisioned NSO structure.
- Phase 3 - to be completed in the winter of 2022 will be to deliver the financial plan, organizational infrastructure and transition plan for the new organization.
How will decisions be made by the Steering Committee?
Decisions will usually be made by consensus. In the absence of achieving consensus, decisions will be made by a majority vote by the National Sport Organizations. There will be one vote per NSO. Any recommendation or decision made by the Steering Committee will not be binding on any of the national sport organizations.
How will this MOU help the nordic sports achieve their goals?
This MOU is the next critical step by each of our organizations to have a deeper look at the optimal organization structure to produce more medal-winning performances at future Games, while attracting more participants into a healthy sport for life.
Is the decision to do this now as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Absolutely not. The idea of doing more together has been worked on for a few years now with all of our stakeholders. It is now time to officially move forward with detailed exploration where we can be more efficient together. That said, we believe the current climate we are all working in has reinforced the need for numerous organizations, both within and outside of sport, to work more effectively.
What role does the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own The Podium and Sport Canada play in this process?
This initiative is being led by the four national sport organizations and supported by the Canadian Olympic Committee. Representatives from Own the Podium and the Canadian Paralympic Committee have been added. Sport Canada is fully supportive and is helping with resources for the process.
Why is this important to the Canadian sport system? Or the Canadian Olympic Committee?
The Canadian sport system is rooted in a very traditional structure and governance model. The speed at which the world is changing and the issues prominent in sport today are causing organizations to rethink how they operate. This is an important evolution. The Canadian Olympic Committee, Own the Podium, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Sport Canada are committed to strengthening the National Sport Organizations and they see this type of work as potentially transformational for the sport system.
To improve Team Canada’s performance in the overall standings at the Olympic Winter Games, it must deliver in the medal-rich Nordic sports which boast 93 medals across 31 events. Canada’s Nordic athletes have only won seven medals since the 1924 Olympic Winter Games, and only one since the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy. Canada must continue our performance at the Paralympic games where the potential for 106 medals over 38 events exists. We have seen incredible success with Canadian athletes in the Nordic sports of cross-country skiing and biathlon at the Paralympic Games. At the 2022 Paralympic Games, para-athletes obtained 14 of the 25 medals won by Canada. Canada’s para-Nordic program is a fully integrated program with the disciplines of xc skiing and biathlon. From this successful model, we see potential for more integration within all the Nordic sports.
Our sports represent nearly 30 percent of the Olympic medals available so we know that if Canada wants to be a world-leading winter sport nation, we need to consistently see the Maple Leaf raised above the podium multiple times at the Nordic venues.
To improve Team Canada’s performance in the overall standings at the Olympic Winter Games, it must deliver in the medal-rich Nordic sports which boast 93 medals across 31 events. Canada’s Nordic athletes have only won seven medals since the 1924 Olympic Winter Games, and only one since the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy. Canada must continue our performance at the Paralympic games where the potential for 106 medals over 38 events exists. We have seen incredible success with Canadian athletes in the Nordic sports of cross-country skiing and biathlon at the Paralympic Games. At the 2022 Paralympic Games, para-athletes obtained 14 of the 25 medals won by Canada. Canada’s para-Nordic program is a fully integrated program with the disciplines of xc skiing and biathlon. From this successful model, we see potential for more integration within all the Nordic sports.
Our sports represent nearly 30 percent of the Olympic medals available so we know that if Canada wants to be a world-leading winter sport nation, we need to consistently see the Maple Leaf raised above the podium multiple times at the Nordic venues.
Are the provincial sport ministries on board? Do they support this?
As we continue our exploration, the project will involve the provincial and local level. Some Provincial sport ministries/funding agencies are aware of this project and we will share further details as the project progresses. Aligning all provinces/divisions across Canada where we are all working together with common goals is an exciting proposition.
How will this affect government funding? Will Sport Canada/Ministry of Heritage give less to each sport if the sports merge?
We have reviewed this concept with our government partners and there is support for the need to find ways to modernize our sport system. Our government partners would not put anything in place to penalize or prevent progressive change. Sport Canada is and will continue to be informed as recommendations from this project take shape.
Is this exploration costing my National Sport Organization any money?
Yes, the National Sport Organizations (NSOs) are contributing funding to complete the next phases of the Nordic Strategy project. However, Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee are providing most of the funding needed to complete the work.
Have there been any potential sponsors who have expressed interest in a more collective approach to Nordic sports that leads to more podiums and sport participation?
Podium performances at the international level – Olympic, World Championships and World Cup – provide greater value for corporate partners who are looking to align their brand with winning brands and athletes with greater profile. The focus of developing a Nordic strategy that increases efficiency is to ensure maximum resources go into the development of high-performance athletes who are able to consistently stand on the international podium, while putting more Canadians on skis, on the range and in the air.
How will this impact the provincial and club level programs/administration?
We believe every sport club and organization is facing increased challenges at this time and this shows strong leadership from the national level to take proactive steps in evaluating ways to strengthen our Canadian Nordic Sports from the grassroots to elite level. The alternative is to sit and ‘hope’ the situation improves on its own or that someone else fixes the problems we all face. We believe it is important for us as leaders of the National Sport Organizations to take the lead in shaping our organization. Provincial organizations, divisions and clubs will have opportunities to provide the valuable input required in making this decision.
How will this change the operations of my club/Division?
We are working to understand what the ideal model will look like from the local club level to Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic best. We will do this by working collaboratively with our clubs and divisions to better understand their collective challenges and how working together can help enhance their program delivery, governance, revenue generation, etc.
Why are your National Sport Organizations so focused on participation?
Our members have been clear to us about the need to increase participation and put more athletes on podiums.
We believe Nordic sport participation is an untapped market across the country due to our current limitation in resources. We have a responsibility as national sport organizations to do our part in encouraging more Canadians to live healthier and more active lives by discovering the enjoyment of Nordic sports. We are Canadian – inclusion is important to us.
For many of our members, they are not involved in the high-performance program. They simply have a passion for fitness and enjoying the sport, and being outside.
However, high-performance athletes develop from Club-level participation programs. Therefore, growing the culture of skiing, especially at the youth level, will ultimately help contribute to an increased pool of athletes developing through the Olympic and Paralympic pathways.
We believe Nordic sport participation is an untapped market across the country due to our current limitation in resources. We have a responsibility as national sport organizations to do our part in encouraging more Canadians to live healthier and more active lives by discovering the enjoyment of Nordic sports. We are Canadian – inclusion is important to us.
For many of our members, they are not involved in the high-performance program. They simply have a passion for fitness and enjoying the sport, and being outside.
However, high-performance athletes develop from Club-level participation programs. Therefore, growing the culture of skiing, especially at the youth level, will ultimately help contribute to an increased pool of athletes developing through the Olympic and Paralympic pathways.
Is the ultimate goal to form one National Sport Organization (NSO)?
The primary objective of Phase One of the additional MOU is to confirm the extent to which operating as a single NSO offers the best opportunity, versus the status quo, for the Nordic NSOs to:
- deliver sustained, long-term growth and better results in the areas of Sport Excellence, Revenue Generation and Community Engagement,
- achieve the objectives of the Nordic Strategy, and
- better serve participants in the Nordic sport disciplines.
Do other Nordic nations operate as one National Sport Organization?
Operating multiple sports under one national umbrella is not new for winter sport countries around the world. This is true for Nordic sports as well. A number of countries do operate as one unified National Sport Organization including Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to name a few.
If one of the outcomes was working as one organization, does it matter that there are different international federations involved? FIS/IBU?
No, it does not. Nordic sports already operate as one unified national sport organization in multiple countries around the world including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. In fact, Nordiq Canada also reports to two International Federations: FIS (Olympic pathway for cross-country skiing) and International Paralympic Committee (Paralympic pathway for cross-country skiing and biathlon).
Who gets to vote on this?
Members of the Steering Committee will keep the membership of their respective organizations updated on the progress of this initiative. Ultimately, it will be up to the membership of each NSO to vote on the proposal.
How will the unique needs of each individual sport be recognized?
The Nordic Strategy Steering committee is committed to providing a solution that addresses fairness in decision making, resource allocation and sport development among all of the sport disciplines. It is viewed as important that each sport discipline will have access to new resources, new revenue generation, additional capabilities, programs and services and operational efficiencies.
What should I say to members of the nordic sports communities about this project?
There is a Nordic Strategy Steering Committee engaged in finding new ways to advance our sport so that Canadians are more successful in Nordic Sports at all levels. You will hear more about this over the next two years and the membership of the Nordic Sport communities will have many opportunities to express their opinions.
What should I do if someone from the media contacts me about the Nordic Strategy?
Please ask them to contact the Nordic Strategy Steering Committee by emailing info@nordicstrategy.ca.
SUPPORTERS
Thanks to the Canadian Paralympic Committee , the Canadian Olympic Committee and Own the Podium for their support of the Nordic Strategy project.
CONTACT US
The Steering Committee is committed to providing full and transparent information related to Canada’s Nordic Sport Strategy process. If you have questions or comments, please contact us via email at info@nordicstrategy.ca.
