What is LTAD?

LTAD is an acronym for Long Term Athlete Development. The basis of this program is on the physical, mental, emotional and cognitive development of children and adolescents. Each of the stages of LTAD reflects a different point in an athletes development.

This model ensures physical literacy upon which excellence can be built; furthermore, it builds literacy in all children, from early childhood to late adolescence by promoting quality, daily physical activity in the schools and a common approach to developing physical abilities through community recreation and elite sport programs. This program also recognizes the need to involve all Canadians in Long Term Athlete Development, including athletes with a disability.

LTAD promotes a healthy, physically literate nation whose citizens participate in lifelong physical activity. It ensures that optimal training, competition and recovery programs are provided throughout an athlete’s career, and provides an optimal competition structure for the various stages of an athlete’s development.

LTAD Has an impact on the entire sport continuum, including participants, parents, coaches, schools, clubs, community recreation programs, provincial sport organizations (PSOs) national sport organizations (NSOs), sport science specialists, municipalities and several government ministries and departments (including health and education) at the provincial/territorial and federal levels.

This model integrates elite sport, community sport and recreation, scholastic sport and physical education in schools. It also supports the four goals of the Canadian Sport Policy – enhanced participation, enhanced excellence, enhanced capacity and enhanced interaction – and reflects a commitment to contribute to the achievement of these goals.

*To view the full LTAD model, and other interesting information about the program, please visit the following website for further information. http://www.wakingupchampions.ca/