Presentation

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Workshop speaker

Title

TALENT IDENTIFICATION IN CANADA “One nation’s approach designed to tackle its unique conditions”

Abstract

To assist Canada to achieve its long term high performance objectives (the development of more Top 50 ATP/WTA and players), our organization has identified entry level tennis (the first three stages of our Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model as a key pillar for our Federation.

Keywords

Talent ID, Long Term Athlete Development

Summary

Given its unique conditions, detecting, recruiting, identifying and developing players (both inside and outside of the current sport system) via talent identification is a very critical component of this strategy.

The aim of the presentation will be to provide conference participants with the background and rational for both the design, and content of our Talent Identification program. The presentation will also give some examples of its components. A summary of the presentation is as follows:

• Background information (to help frame the context for the presentation/our Talent Identification program)
• Key Talent Identification Theory and its application to Canada’s program
• Program Structure and samples of content
• Conclusion

The presentation will show conference participants the integrated nature of the program. How Talent Identification is tied into both our organizations strategic plan, and our LTAD model. Describe how Talent Identification is tied into all our High Performance development programs (U8 through U16) and beyond. Finally, provide some examples of the types of tools we use to detect/select and identify talent from a technical/tactical, physical, psychological, and competitive perspective.

CV

Name

Debbie

Surname

Kirkwood

Curriculum vitae

Debbie Kirkwood has worked for Tennis Canada since 1993. A former national coach and international junior team captain (World Junior Tennis, Jr. Fed Cup) Debbie is currently the Director, High Performance for Tennis Canada. Working with Louis Borfiga (V.P High Performance) and Bob Brett Tennis Canada’s High Performance consultant, Debbie is responsible for helping to design, implement and manage of all aspects of Canada’s High Performance programs from U8 through to the Olympic Games, including work related to Canada ‘s two National Training Centre Programs (Montreal and Toronto). Debbie also works closely with two major government funding agencies Sport Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Recently Debbie concluding leading the design of Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, and is currently leading Canada’s Talent Identification initiatives.
A member of the ITF’s Coaches Commission, Debbie sits on Tennis Canada’s Sport Science and Wheelchair Tennis Committee’s.

History

Member for

2 years 41 weeks