Annual Report 2014-15 Alberta Sport Connection 2014 – 15 Annual Report CONTENTS Message from the Chair ...................................................................................................................... 3 Alberta Sport Connection Vision, Mission, Values and Governance .................................................. 4 Core Business 1: Advocacy, Communications and Marketing ........................................................... 5 Core Business 2: Multi-Sport Games .................................................................................................. 7 Core Business 3: Sport Development ................................................................................................ 8 Core Business 4: Sport Excellence ................................................................................................... 11 Core Business 5: Sport Leadership Development ............................................................................ 12 Core Business 6: Sport Major Event Hosting .................................................................................... 13 Core Business 7: Fund Development ............................................................................................... 14 Financial Statements ........................................................................................................................ 14 Performance Indicators ..................................................................................................................... 15 Alberta Sport Connection 2014-15 Board Membership .................................................................... 33 Corporate Sponsors .......................................................................................................................... 34 Social Media Contact Info: ............................................................................................................... 34 2 Alberta Sport Connection 2014 – 15 Annual Report Message from the Chair In 2014-15, the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation began operating as the Alberta Sport Connection (ASC). The ASC is a non-profit Provincial Corporation dedicated to the development of sport. ASC is committed to achieving results guided by the Government of Alberta’s Active Alberta policy, Canadian Sport Policy and the new Alberta Sport Plan. We work with the Department of Culture and Tourism, other Government of Alberta ministries, Albertans, clients, stakeholders, other agencies and levels of government (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal). Our first year as an organization focused on enhancing sport in Alberta and was an exciting one for the ASC. Highlights included: • Coordinated Team Alberta’s participation in the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, British Columbia, where Team Alberta finished fourth in the medal standings, with 75 medals (14 gold, 25 silver and 36 bronze); • Began developing the Alberta Sport Implementation Plan through consultations with stakeholders; • Coordinated international sport exchanges with Hokkaido, Japan and Gangwon, South Korea in the sports of golf and biathlon as part of an ongoing international commitment; • Supported the 2014 Alberta Summer Games in Airdrie and the 2015 Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games in Lethbridge; • Provided more than $887,000 through ASC’s Podium Alberta program to more than 240 Alberta-based athletes to pursue athletic excellence at the highest levels of national and international competition. Podium Alberta helps them to access high-performance coaching and training opportunities while fulfilling their educational goals; • Invested more than $21 million to support all levels of sport, including $7 million to 80 provincial sport associations serving a total membership of more than 768,000 Albertans; • Entered the final year of a three-year bilateral agreement with the federal government, each contributing $437,800 per year ($2.6 million in total). This funding increases awareness, education and the implementation of Physical Literacy programs by engaging communities in the first three stages of the Canadian Sport for Life Model; • Coordinated 246 National Coach Certification Program workshops in 32 communities to train 4,673 coaches. ASC continued to support sport tourism and current and future athletes through several World Cup events in Alberta. Other noteworthy events ASC was involved with included the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, 2014 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final and the World Sledge Hockey Championship. ASC remains grateful to the Alberta Lottery Fund and also to many corporate sponsors, all recognized in this report. We’re excited about the progress made in our first year as the Alberta Sport Connection and look forward to more of the same in our commitment to provide this great province with the best and most effective sport delivery system in Canada. Sincerely, John Short, Chair 3 Alberta Sport Connection 2014 – 15 Annual Report Alberta Sport Connection The Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation was incorporated in 1994 under the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation Act with the Government of Alberta. The Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation began a transition to the Alberta Sport Connection in November 2013 and in 2014 began operating as the Alberta Sport Connection (ASC). ASC is committed to achieving results, guided by the strategic direction of the Government of Alberta’s Active Alberta Policy, Canadian Sport Policy and the Alberta Sport Plan. ASC works with the Department of Culture and Tourism, other government ministries and numerous public citizens, clients and stakeholders. Vision Alberta, the premier sport delivery system in Canada. Mission To enhance, advocate and inspire participation and partnership as Albertans strive for excellence in sport. Values Efficiency – we efficiently deliver services to our clients Respect – we show consideration and appreciation for diversity Integrity – we conduct ourselves ethically and are open, honest and fair Accountability – we are accountable for our actions Excellence – we are committed to continually improving the services we deliver Leadership – we initiate collaborative partnerships to achieve our goals Creativity – we use innovative approaches to achieve business goals Governance The Alberta Public Agencies Governance Framework (adopted in 2008) notes the expectations of government agencies regarding all elements of governance, including accountability and transparency. The Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation, now operating as Alberta Sport Connection, is subject to all provisions of the Governance Framework. The ASC’s Mandate and Roles document, an agreement between the Minister of Culture and Tourism, and the Alberta Sport Connection, spells out the details of ASC’s governance. The document is reviewed regularly to ensure that roles and responsibilities are kept current. 4 Alberta Sport Connection 2014 – 15 Annual Report Core Business 1: Advocacy, Communications and Marketing Alberta Sport Connection (ASC) plays a role in advocating the value of sport. Partners in the sport delivery system, key decision makers, media and the general public are all target markets. Marketing and Communications currently includes a number of initiatives to create awareness of the value of sport, ASC programs and services and our partner programs. Implementation of strategies is guided by an Advocacy, Communications and Marketing Plan. Goal 1: To develop an advocacy strategy emphasizing the value of sport delivered through internal and external communications. The Advocacy Communications and Marketing Plan was reviewed and revised in 2014-15. ASC initiated linkages within the sport sector in its efforts to advance advocacy. Goal 2: Intentional commitment to collaboration and communications with sport system partners. The ASC website was updated to ensure the ASC identity was visible and all programs reflected the most current information. Social media vehicles (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) were implemented to support Alberta Games, Interprovincial Games and other programs. Two electronic newsletters were produced and distributed to all stakeholders and posted on the ASC website. Goal 3: Market and promote the ASC and its programs and enhance awareness of the value of sport. The ASC brand was incorporated into the majority of programs and on all promotional materials. Alberta’s 125 Olympic and Paralympic representatives in the Sochi games were recognized at a successful function in Calgary on April 5, 2014. Canada and Alberta entered into the final year of a three-year bilateral agreement in 2014-15, each contributing $437,800 per year ($2.6 million in total). The funding is part of a plan to get Albertans "more active, more often" with barrier-free engagement in sport and physical activity. Under-represented and/or marginalized populations, including persons with disability, economically disadvantaged, new Canadians, Aboriginals and women also benefit from this program. Alberta's Future Leaders program, a partnership of First Nations and Métis communities, with the ASC and the private sector, receives significant support from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Each year, trained youth mentors are placed in designated centres for four summer months to provide sport, recreation and arts programs and services while serving as positive role models. The funding also supported a training camp for youth, where