Living True Sport ... from the Start
The True Sport Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Matrix identifies ethical literacy as a key component of the overall Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) LTAD model.
Sport is a valuable public asset, one that impacts the community as well as its citizens. When sport is done right, these impacts have the potential to extend well beyond the commonly recognized health benefits associated with sport, including putting children and youth on a positive life course, building stronger and more inclusive communities, and contributing to economic and environmental sustainability. These benefits are realized when sport is good – when it is value-based and principles-driven. In Canada, we call good sport True Sport.
If we want sport to live up to its potential, we need to be intentional about ensuring that it reflects our shared values, and that the sport environment is positive. We must be deliberate to ensure that sport is accessible, affordable, excellent, inclusive, fun and fair. True Sport and Long-Term Athlete Development provide the opportunity to exercise this intention – to transform our desire for good sport into action.
As coaches, teachers, administrators and parents, we need to look at the larger picture for Canadian sport. We want to develop athletes who can compete at all levels of the spectrum. We want to foster recognition of the value of lifelong participation and wellness. We also want to develop individuals with strong character, good morals and strong ethics who will contribute positively in sport and in their communities. Through the lens of the LTAD’s athlete-centered approach, the True Sport Matrix provides guidelines to support this intention to develop well-rounded athletes and well-rounded citizens.
The True Sport Matrix is guided by the True Sport Principles – Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep It Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone and Give Back. The principles are simple enough to be understood at all stages of development. By living these principles, people can ensure that the benefits of sport such as the joy of achievement, the growth of community or the breaking down of social barriers will naturally flow. Although the True Sport Matrix has been created for coaches, whether you are a coach, volunteer, parent or athlete, it will inspire you to create ways to enhance ethical literacy at each stage of development.
Keep in mind that the True Sport Matrix is cumulative. Similar to physical literacy, ethical literacy progresses along the ages and stages of development whereby the ethical standards acquired in Active Start and FUNdamentals are relevant and central to an athlete’s ethical development throughout the rest of the stages.
Download the document here.
