Lethbridge Game Changers Conference Guide 2024

CONFERENCE LETHBRIDGE

ThePowerofPartnership

Lethbridge Game Changers Conference is a collaborative effort between Lethbridge Sport Council, Pronghorns Athletics, and FSQ Sport. At the heart of this movement lies a simple yet profound vision: to uplift community sport, empower individuals, and create a safe and sustainable sport culture. We believe in working collaboratively, from the grassroots to the national level, to drive positive change.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

This conference marks a pivotal moment in our journey to redefine and elevate the world of sport leadership. Under the theme of "Empowering People in Sport" we have curated a dynamic and inspirational schedule of events that promise to empower, educate, and inspire.

Over two days, you will have the opportunity to engage with prominent thought leaders, industry experts, and fellow enthusiasts in an environment designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and growth. Whether you are a seasoned sport professional, a dedicated volunteer, a student leader, or simply someone passionate about the transformative power of sport, this conference has something in store for you.

Friday April 12 (6 - 9 pm)

Saturday April 13 (9 am - 5 pm)

This year marks the second annual Lethbridge Game Changers Conference where players, parents, officials, coaches, and organizational administrators are invited to participate in a groundbreaking sports summit. The Game Changers initiative is a departure from traditional coaching sport summits, which typically lack the inclusion of players, parents, officials and administrators.

This localized example of coach development stands as a testament to authentic collective impact between academia, non-profit entities, and for-profit businesses at the local level. It represents a significant and uplifting narrative that deserves to be shared widely as THE example of positive change in community sport.

CosttoattendGameChangers2024-$100

Includes access to all speakers and sessions during the conference, as well as post conference access to webinars from FSQ Sport.

SESSIONS

BEYOND THE FIELD: A KEYNOTE PANEL ON UNLOCKING ATHLETE POTENTIAL

Dive into the Lethbridge Game Changers Conference with our dynamic opening panel discussion. Our panel will explore unlocking athletes' potential through coach investment, recruiting and supporting volunteer coaches, and the vital development of the 5Cs: Competence, Character, Connection, Culture, and Confidence.

HOW CAN WE PROVIDE THE BEST SPORTING EXPERIENCE

Join us for an interactive workshop, focused on exploring innovative ways to enhance the sporting experience. Come prepared to explore ways to build resilience, discipline, and camaraderie.

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING: NAVIGATING YOUTH ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT WITH PERIODIZATION

Coaches play a pivotal role in shaping the physical development of athletes. This session will empower you with knowledge and tools on how to incorporate a well-structured strength and conditioning program, utilizing proven weekly periodization techniques. Unlock the full potential of youth athletes by mastering the art and science of strength and conditioning. This interactive session is for youth sport coaches and those that support them.

THE 5CS: AN INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION WITH MATT YOUNG

What does development mean for your organization’s culture and your actions? We will delve into the 5C’s which extend beyond technical and tactical competence to incorporate culture, character, connection, and confidence which are imperative for development.

SESSIONS

HOW TO BE A GREAT SPORT PARENT

Your child's athletic journey is a team effort, and your unwavering support can make all the difference! Understand what you should expect from your child’s sport experience, how to navigate the tough stuff in order to be a great sport support. This workshop is tailored for the many parents who are passionate about their child's sporting journey but may lack the time, resources or trust in the quality of information being shared.

TEAMWORK IN ACTION: BRIDGING GAPS BETWEEN ADMINISTRATORS, COACHES, AND PARENTS FOR QUALITY SPORT

Explore strategies on how sport administrators and coaches can collaborate to deliver quality sport programs. Our panelists, all recipients of the Lethbridge Sport Council Sport Administrator Award, will share ideas, tools and resources they've used. Hear about effective communication with parents, covering essential messages and emphasizing the importance of reciprocal communication. Additionally, gain valuable perspectives on coach and volunteer recruitment and retention strategies, while cultivating a supportive environment.

PLAN FOR ACTION AND INTERACTION, HOW WE AS COACHES INTERACT WITH ATHLETES IS AT THE VERY HEART OF COACHING

How we as coaches interact with athletes is at the very heart of coaching. Coaches will work collaboratively with other coaches and choose an interaction they want to develop. By exploring interactions, coaches will develop understanding of each interaction, they will understand why, when and how to deploy it. We will also present a case study from a varsity program.

SPEAKERS

MATT YOUNG, FSQ SPORT

Matt is a globally recognized expert in turning Player Development from academic theory into a viable operating system. With over twenty-seventhousand hours of coaching over twenty-five years, Matt understands the process of on-boarding stakeholders towards a common goal Matt has been recognized for his contributions to better health and sport, winning Caldwell Partners' Canadian Top 40 Under 40 business award He has consulted 8 countries, 5 Olympic Federations, 32 National and Regional Governing Bodies, 2 Professional Leagues, 7 Universities, in the name of increased health, wellness, and sport

GRAEME MOFFAT

Graeme has a BA in Sport and Exercise Science and a BA in Teaching Qualification for Further Education from Napier University and Aberdeen University respectively With over 2 decades of experience in sport operations, sport development, and athlete development, Graeme is a driven leader with a wealth of experien outstanding leadership skills and a long potential and productivity Currently, G the Pronghorn's Women's Rugby team, Coaching at the University of Lethbridg Graeme was part of the coaching staff team, being awarded the 2015 Coach o

HEIDI JACKSON

As an alumni of both the Lethbridge College and University of Lethbridge

Heidi has been coaching athletes for 10 years. Currently as the Manager of Performance Services for Pronghorn Athletics, Heidi is driven by a passion for sport, a commitment to aiding others, and an active lifestyle. With a background in exercise science and Kinesiology Heidi brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role When Heidi is not found in the gym, she can be found in the mountains on her paddle board, mountain bike and camping with her dog Walter

SCOTT RATHWELL

Scott Rathwell is an Associate professor at the University of Lethbridge in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education His research interests revolve around the personal and psychosocial development of university athletes. He also conducts research on the psychosocial factors related to lifelong sport and the mechanisms through which Masters athletes are able to maintain their elite performance. Scott is currently studying psychological factors surrounding athletes' return to play following a diagnosed concussion.

SPEAKERS

DAVE SEHN, VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATOR

Dave founded and volunteers with Roller Hockey Lethbridge as President and Adult Director after relocating from BC to Alberta. Additionally, he is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Alberta Elite Roller Hockey Association, also known as the AB Pro League Dave is also the President and Chair of Roller Hockey Canada Locally, Dave joined the Board of the Lethbridge Sport Council in 2017 and soon joined the Executive Board in the role of Treasurer He currently serves on the Lethbridge Sport Council board as Secretary Dave also volunteers with the Tourism Lethbridge Sport Advisory Committee which promotes and encourages the sport tourism economic sector in Lethbridge

CHANTELLE ERICKSON, COACH

Chantelle has a rich background in fitness instruction and coaching that has made her a respected figure in the industry For nine years, she has been guiding others as a fitness instructor and personal trainer Her dedication extends beyond individual training, as she also coaches running with Personal Peak in Calgary and runs her pre and p Chantelle " Balancing a full-time career avid runner, mountain biker, backpack spanning 5k to 100k ultramarathons, w Chantelle's expertise in these areas has articles in Canadian Running magazine in 2020 and became the Treasurer on t

KENNY OTIENO, COACH

Kenny Otieno is the head coach of the Pronghorns men’s basketball team. Originally from Lethbridge, Otieno won a Canada West championship and a national bronze medal in 2014 with the University of Alberta Golden Bears Otieno joined the Pronghorns in 2020 after playing with the Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) In addition to his time in the CEBL, Otieno gained professional experience playing in the National Basketball League of Canada and LEB Plata in the Spanish basketball system

JANE O’CONNOR, OFFICIAL

Jane O'Connor graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a B.Sc/B.Ed, where she played for the Pronghorn Women's Rugby team. After a head injury forced her to stop playing rugby, Jane decided to stay involved in the sport she loved by officiating. Jane is an active official for the Southern Alberta High School Rugby League and is pursuing international training opportunities to hone her skills as an official.

SPEAKERS

TODD CAUGHLIN

Todd is the Manager of Athletics & Recreation Services at Lethbridge College. In 2019-20 Todd as he was honored with both the ACAC Athletic Director of the Year and the Lethbridge Sports Council Sport Administrator of the year recognitions Todd has been on the board of the Lethbridge Sport Council since 2014 representing the Lethbridge College Kodiaks, and also serves on the Board of Directors for Tourism Lethbridge

CHERISE EAVES

Cherise Eaves has been involved in sport as a parent since 2009, and on the Officials, Volunteer and Admin side since 2013. She sat as Registrar of the Lethbridge Speed Skating Association from 2014-2022. In May of 2022 she left LSSA and was elected to the Speed Skating Alberta Board of Directors as a Director at Large. During her t she has worked closely with coache coordinate on matters relating to le membership promotion and growt private time Cherise does double d short track speed skater and one A

JENNIFER DRADER

Jennifer became involved in softball in Lethbridge in 2013 when looking for a program for her daughter Having played softball as a youth and slowpitch as an adult, she loves the sport and wanted her daughter to experience that also With a need for volunteers she became a coach as well and a director Jen served as President of Lethbridge Minor Softball Association from 2015 to 2023, still remaining on the board today The last 10 years as a board member, coach and parent so this gave Jen the ability to see all the aspects of youth sports from various points of views.

REGISTER

HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION

If you would like to learn more about other Lethbridge Game Changers initiatives visit the Lethbridge Sport Council website at www.lethbridgesportcouncil.ca

The Lethbridge Sport Council is also offering supports to organizations looking to recruit new coaches, and potential coaches looking for a connection to local sport. If you would like to learn more about the ‘Be a Coach’ Campaign, visit www.beacoach.ca*

The Be A Coach campaign is a collaboration between Lethbridge Sport Council, FSQ Sport and Coalbanks Creative *

READY TO REGISTER

1.

Go to https://bit.ly/Lethgc2024 to register through the University of Lethbridge Portal. You will need to create an account or sign into your existing account You will not be able to view the registration page if you are not logged in.

2.

Tell your friends and colleagues about the conference. More attendees = better sport.

TESTIMONIALS

FROM LAST YEAR’S ATTENDEES

Coached a group of beginners last night and applied some of the great content we learned Made games out of the skills we practiced and the kids ate that up. I even stopped it mid skill and checked in with the kids and asked them how they'd like to change it up. Felt really engaging for the kids and they had so much fun!

-DAVE, ROLLER HOCKEY COACH + ADMINISTRATOR

The idea that we, as coaches, typically plan our sessions for "action", but should also consider planning our sessions for "interaction", was an idea that most resonated with me throughout the course of the session.

-ATTENDEE, 2023 CONFERENCE

The highlight of the conference for me was how all encompassing it was and how applicable it has been in my recent coaching experiences. I coached a U14 team and am now working with a U19 team and the concepts are applicable to both age groups even though the skills and sport experience of the two teams are very different. After the conference I took on my first role of being a head coach and I found myself relating back to the resources and concepts to help navigate the off-court side of things for my first time

-JESSICA, BASKETBALL COACH

The conference will improve my ability as a coach because it got me to think about the bigger picture of coaching. One thing I plan to implement is to start trainings/meetings with intentional connections

-ATTENDEE, 2023 CONFERENCE

I personally don't believe there are many greater opportunities in the city of Lethbridge to learn, peer to peer, from other coaches and sports I spend a lot of effort and time researching and sitting through webinars online; I much prefer face-to-face opportunities to learn and network with some of the best coaches in our community. This opportunity is one you won't want to miss.

- HEAD COACH UOFL PRONGHORNS WRESTLING

EMPOWERING Let'sGrowTogether PEOPLE IN SPORT 21 two days one goal