VICTORIA, B.C. – Following a big season in the pool last year, the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (CSI Pacific) Swimming NextGen Program has started the selection process for the 2016-17 season.
The Swimming NextGen program supports the implementation of Swimming Canada’s high performance development system in B.C. and ensures a progressive stream of athletes and coaches are being trained to the standards required to win Olympic, and World Championship medals. The program is provided in partnership between Own The Podium, Swimming Canada, Swim BC, the Province of British Columbia, and the CSI Pacific.
Through the support of program partners, selected athletes are provided with access to a world-class training environment and support services, including biomechanics, nutrition, physiology, psychology, sports medicine, and strength and conditioning.
Athletes selected to the Swimming NextGen program will swim within the Swimming Canada High Performance Centre – Victoria, one of three High Performance Centres in Canada. The 2016-17 program will be led by the CSI Pacific Swimming NextGen Coach Brad Dingey along with support from Swimming Canada High Performance Centre – Victoria Head Coach Ryan Mallette. All swimmers in the Swimming NextGen program will also continue to represent their club team.
“The Swimming NextGen Program is the ideal environment for podium pathway athletes to be fully integrated with high performance swimmers in Victoria,” said Mallette. “An athlete like Josh Zakala is able to challenge Ryan Cochrane on a daily basis while also learning from the traits and characteristics of one of Canada’s all-time great swimmers.”
Members of the 2015-16 Swimming NextGen Program excelled last season, qualifying for marquee international competitions. In April at the Olympic Trials in Toronto, Ontario, Sarah Darcel and Josh Zakayla qualified for the 2016 Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Dingey will accompany them as a member of the Swimming Canada coaching staff at the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, which will take place from August 24-27 in Maui, Hawaii. Also at the Olympic Trials, Peter Brothers qualified for the 2016 FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships, hosted in Windsor, Ontario, from December 6-11, 2016. A member of the Swimming NextGen program since 2012, Brothers’ trip to the Short Course world championships will mark his first stint on the senior national team.
Swimmers wishing to apply to the 2016-17 Swimming NextGen program should contact CSI Pacific Talent Development Director Kurt Innes at [email protected]. The deadline for application is August 10, 2016. For more information, visit csipacific.ca/programs/nextgen/swimming-nextgen/ or contact Swimming NextGen Coach Brad Dingey at [email protected].
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About Canadian Sport Institute Pacific
The Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (www.csipacific.ca) is a world class Olympic and Paralympic training environment. Through the support of our national and provincial partners, our team of sport scientists and medical experts provide programs and services to athletes and coaches to ensure they have every advantage to win medals for Canada.
Swimming news courtesy of Swimming Canada.