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2.1 High Performance Committee Terms of Reference

Revised Sep 9, 2008

TERMS OF REFERENCE

HIGH PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE

 

1.     Purpose.  The High Performance Committee (HPC) is an operational committee of Cross Country Canada (CCC) which exists to facilitate the development and successful operation of the Association’s high performance system (able-bodied and para-nordic) in general and the National Ski Team (NST) and Para-Nordic National Ski Team (PNST) programs in particular.  Consistent with the CCC mission, the HPC is guided by a comprehensive commitment to the creation and management of programs that will permit Canadian skiers to achieve international excellence.  In accordance with the CCC governance model, the HPC is mandated to:

 

a.     provide advice to the Director of High Performance, and to other operational committees as required;

 

b.    develop consensus around the principles, concepts and strategies that will underpin the high performance system;

 

c.     facilitate coordination between the components of the high performance system; and

 

d.    assist in the development of the operational programs, plans and policies to govern the operation of the NST Programs.

 

2.     Reporting Structure.  The Chairperson reports and is accountable directly to the Executive Director for the effective operation of the Committee and for all Committee decisions.  The Executive Director, in turn, is accountable to the Board for the operation of the HPC within Board policies.

 

3.     Authority.  Consistent with the By-Laws of CCC, the Chairperson of the HPC is empowered by the Executive Director to take decisions within the mandate established in this document and within the context of the organizational policies which the Board may from time to time promulgate.  The Executive Director may provide guidance and direction to the Chairperson of the HPC; when the Chairperson of the HPC wishes to make a decision that is at variance with the guidance or direction of the Executive Director, the matter will be referred to the Board for resolution.   The Chairperson of the HPC is authorized to:

 

a.     act as the spokesperson for the HPC within the Association; and

 

b.    speak externally on behalf of the Association, within the Committee’s mandate.

 

4.  Membership.  The Chairperson of the HPC is the CCC Director of High Performance (DHP) when the DHP position is activated.  When there is no DHP, the Chairperson of the HPC is appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the Executive Director.  The remaining members of the HPC comprise experts and other parties with vested interest and knowledge relative to the CCC high performance system, representing coaches, athletes, Divisions and the CCC Board.  Specifically, these include:

 

  1. Division representatives (4) with minimum 2 year appointments as follows:

 

i.      1 representing British Columbia and Yukon;

 

ii.     1 representing Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and NWT;

 

iii.    1 representing Ontario;

 

iv.    1 representing Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland.

 

  1. athlete representatives (3), one being the Athlete Director on the Board and the other 2 being selected by the athletes one from each of the NST and PNST;

 

  1. the NST and PNST Team Leaders; 

 

  1. the CCC Assistant Director of High Performance - Development;

 

  1. the CCC Director of Marketing and Events Management;

 

  1. CCC President or designated member of the CCC Board other than the Athlete Director; the role of this member is to provide the HPC with a strategic perspective on issues under consideration; and

 

  1. the Executive Director.

 

5.   Responsibilities of Committee.  The HPC is responsible for assisting the High Performance Director with his/her responsibilities for building and managing the operation of a cohesive and effective high performance system of national scope.  The specific responsibilities of the HPC include:

 

  1. provide input for strategic direction for the high performance system (encompassing able-bodied and para-nordic components), to include the NST program philosophy, structure and operating principles, such that a sustainable high performance system is created;

 

  1. developing through the annual HP Operational Plan the detailed objectives and  tasks required to implement the strategic direction each season, to include plans or training camps, competitions, outreach and talent identification;

 

  1. conducting an annual program evaluation to confirm that objectives are being met and are achieving the desired results leading to a review/refinement of strategic direction and annual operational planning;

 

  1. contributing to the development of the HPC operational policies and monitoring their implementation;

 

  1. developing selection criteria for NST teams and competition trips, selecting teams where authorized in the criteria and monitoring the application of the criteria where this authority is delegated;

 

  1. implementing CCC policy regarding Training Centres, through an annual review of the plan and performance of each NTDC and NADC;

 

  1. cooperating with the Coach and Athlete Development Committee as regards the development and operation of the athlete development system, with particular emphasis on the “Training to Win”, “Training to Compete” and “Training to Train” stages of LTAD;

 

  1. cooperating with the Events Committee in the development of a national race calendar which is complementary to the high performance plan and meets the needs of the broader CCC racing community; and

 

  1. developing and implementing mechanisms by which the extended CCC coaching community understands the high performance programs, thereby contributing to the creation of a unified approach to high performance training and athlete development.

 

6.   Responsibilities of Chairperson HPC.  The Chairperson of the HPC provides leadership to the Committee and is responsible for assigning and coordinating the Committee’s work.  The specific responsibilities of the Chairperson are specified within the Job Description of the DHP.

 

7.     Responsibilities of the Regional Reps on the HPC: Each Regional Rep assumes the responsibility to be the key communications link for the regions that they represent.  Tasks/expectations include:

a.     collecting input and opinion on HPC matters from key persons in the regions

b.    dissemination of critical information on key decisions taken by the HPC.

c.     attendance on conference calls and the two annual face-to-face meetings to deliver a regional perspective on the issues

d.    willingness to serve on selection committees or project teams relative to the business of the HPC