NEWS RELEASE – March 30, 2007

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2006 SIRC Research Award - Winners Announced

The SIRC Research Award recognizes outstanding sport research in Canada. Acknowledging how sport research benefits the Canadian sporting community is the primary purpose of this award. Congratulations to all who participated.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of our judges and to the following sponsors for their tremendous support: CIHR – Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis and Wellness Options.

“We are proud to honour all of those individuals and organizations who continue to dedicate themselves to the world of sport research.”

Debra Gassewitz,

President and CEO SIRC

And the award goes to…

The Impact of Applied Research on Athletic Excellence – High Performance Category: “Examining Collaboration on Interdisciplinary Teams” – Lisa J. Rogerson, Ph. D.– University of Alberta

Abstract: The attainment of optimal sport performance has become increasingly scientific and requires sport scientists to collaborate on training programs in order to take a holistic view of performance (Cherebetiu, 1980; Patrick, 2001). Collaborative approaches range from multidisciplinary teams - where sport scientists work with athletes in a singular fashion (Reid, Stewart, & Thorne, 2004; Thomas, 2001), to interdisciplinary teams - where experts work together by sharing and synthesizing information to create new knowledge (Burwitz, Moore, & Wilkinson, 1994; Gordin & Henschen, 1989; Ray, 1998). Through interdisciplinary collaboration (IC), experts from different disciplines can consider additive relationships between sport sub-disciplines. Currently, IC is being utilized in Canada on Performance Enhancement Teams (PETs), where team members work jointly with the coach to create and maintain athlete training programs. This paper examines IC on these PETs highlighting the collaborative processes used. More specifically, how information sharing occurs, how information is integrated by team members, and how confidentiality is addressed. Using a qualitative methodology, members of PETs were interviewed to gain an understanding of IC from the participants’ perspectives. The results revealed that overlapping knowledge and knowledge integration into discipline specific plans played an important role in developing overall training programs. Additionally, the participants identified some benefits and barriers to IC on PETs, which are examined in relation to the current literature on interdisciplinary teams.

Bio: Dr. Rogerson has completed her doctoral degree in Sport Psychology at the University of Alberta under the supervision of Dr. William Strean. Prior to completing her degree, Lisa was a consultant with the Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba and worked with Team Alberta at this past Canada Winter Games. In addition, Dr. Rogerson consults privately with an elite curling team and athletes from club to varsity levels. Once competitive in varsity athletics, she is now an avid tennis player.

The Impact of Sport on the Community – Community Category: “The Nature and Context of Civic Engagement in Sport” – Alison Doherty, Ph. D. – University of Western Ontario

Abstract: Community-based sport is an important context for voluntary activity in Canada. Sport volunteerism is a form of social citizenship that contributes to the development of strong communities. This paper provides insight into the nature and context of civic engagement in sport by first presenting a profile of community sport volunteers that was derived from the 2000 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (NSGVP). Second, the paper reports the results of interviews with 90 community sport volunteers regarding their perceptions of the club environment, and specific issues and challenges with regard to volunteerism. The findings revealed a profile of a “typical” sport volunteer that is fairly unique in comparison to Canadian volunteers in general. Interview participants were concerned about there being too few volunteers to do the work required to sustain or grow their club, and noted the particular challenges in recruiting coaches and executive volunteers. However, they also noted the positive environment for volunteers within the club, including an atmosphere of mutual support.

Bio: Dr. Alison Doherty is an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences at The University of Western Ontario. Her area of study is sport management with a focus on organizational behaviour and human resource management, and particularly organizational culture, group dynamics, cultural diversity, and gender equity in sport. Her recent research has focused on volunteerism, including event volunteers, sport volunteer boards, and non-volunteers. Dr. Doherty is a former president of the North American Society for Sport Management (2003-2006). She is also a former member of the Canadian Track and Field Team (Heptathlon) and served as Head Coach of the Women’s Track and Field at the University of Western Ontario from 1990-1993.

To read the winning research papers click on the titles above.

Invitation to submit papers for the 2007 SIRC Research will be announced in September 2007

 

Contact :

Kim Cook SIRC Tel : +1 (613) 231-7472, Ext 243 Toll Free: +1 (800) 665-6413 North America Fax: +1 (613) 231-3739

The 2006 SIRC Canadian Research Award is sponsored in part by:

 

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