RBC Training Ground will deepen its
commitment to inclusion in sport through new program
updates
TORONTO, Jan. 29,
2025 /CNW/ - Today, RBC launched the 10th
season of RBC Training Ground, a nationwide Olympic talent search
program that has experienced nearly a decade of unparalleled
success. In 2025, RBC Training Ground will host 20 free qualifying
events across the country, welcome new sport partners, provide more
funding support for athletes and implement program updates designed
to provide greater access to high-performance sport for athletes
from a wide range of backgrounds.
RBC and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) also announced
today the renewal of their 78-year long partnership – continuing to
make it the longest-standing partnership in the COC's history. The
eight-year extension is anchored by RBC Training Ground as well as
the legacy RBC Olympians program, which has helped hundreds of
current and retired Olympians and Para athletes succeed in their
athletic careers and in life after sport.
"RBC Training Ground has always been committed to breaking down
barriers and ensuring young athletes across Canada have fairer and more inclusive
opportunities to participate in sport," said Shannon Cole, chief brand officer, RBC. "These
meaningful new program updates will help make chasing Olympic
dreams more accessible for all athletes across Canada. We look forward to continuing our
partnership with the COC and working alongside our sports partners
to find and fund the next generation of Team Canada athletes."
Since its inception in 2016, RBC Training Ground has helped 21
program alumni reach the Olympic Games, 12 of whom have brought
home medals for Team Canada. Most recently, 16 program alumni were
named to Team Canada for the Paris
2024 Olympic Games.
"Through this partnership, we at the COC have had the pleasure
of witnessing the incredible impact RBC Training Ground has had on
scouting and supporting future Olympic talent," said Jacqueline Ryan, chief brand and commercial
officer, Canadian Olympic Committee and chief executive officer,
Canadian Olympic Foundation. "We are thrilled to continue our
partnership with RBC, our longest-standing corporate supporter, as
we collaborate on vital programs and initiatives, such as RBC
Training Ground, to help power the future of Team Canada."
The following RBC Training Ground program updates will be
implemented in 2025 and were informed in part by a research study
published earlier this month, Fair Play: Understanding the
Current State of Racial Inclusion in Canadian High Performance
Sport, conducted by Wasserman and Sport Information Resource
Centre, and co-funded by RBC Foundation and the Canadian Olympic
Foundation. They will help address key findings of the research
study by improving access, removing financial barriers and
enhancing representation to better reflect the diversity in
Canada's communities – ensuring
that all athletes who want to participate in sport have the
opportunity to compete.
- RBC Training Ground Athlete Accelerator – a new
funding and support opportunity for RBC Training Ground
participants facing financial barriers to high-performance sport.
In addition to funding, recipients will receive educational
development, mentorship support and financial literacy resources.
All eligible athletes are able to apply following participation at
a 2025 qualifying event. Recipients will be selected on an ongoing
basis. For more information, visit the RBC Training Ground
website.
- RBC Training Ground Women's Hour – an optional,
scheduled participation timeslot at all RBC Training Ground
qualifying events reserved for women. Athletes will be able to
select this option during the registration process. This program
update provides women with the option to compete in an environment
that may feel more comfortable for them.
- RBC Training Ground Inclusion Council – a council
to help further advance RBC Training Ground's commitment to
providing fair and inclusive opportunities for all athletes.
Members will include representatives from the Canadian Olympic
Committee, RBC, National Sport Organizations (NSO), former athletes
and other industry leaders focused on inclusion.
- Expanding program access to more communities –
program schedule to include new qualifying events (i.e., in
Yellowknife, N.W.T and
Windsor, ON) intended to reach
talent who have not always had the same access to participate
(e.g., Indigenous and racialized communities, geographically
isolated groups, among others).
At RBC Training Ground's free qualifying events, athletes aged
14-25 compete in speed, strength, power and endurance testing in
front of National Sport Organizations partners. This year, the
program welcomes two new NSO partners, Biathlon Canada and Field
Hockey Canada, as well as returning NSO Ski Jumping Canada back for
its second year with the program. RBC Training Ground is proud to
have a total of 15 partner sports for the 2025 season. The Top 100
athletes from qualifiers will advance to the National Final and up
to 35 RBC Future Olympians will receive funding and resources to
further develop in their sport, an increase in total funded
athletes from previous years. For details on how to register for
RBC Training Ground and for more information, visit
RBCTrainingGround.ca.
RBC Training Ground was developed in partnership with the
Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Olympic Foundation, with
support from the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute
Network. Since its inception in 2016, RBC Training Ground has
tested over 16,000 athletes across Canada, with more than 3,000 athletes being
identified by NSOs as having Olympic potential – many in a sport
they had never considered.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with
a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading
performance. Our success comes from the 98,000+ employees who
leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision,
values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and
communities prosper. As Canada's
biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market
capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus
on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more
than 18 million clients in Canada,
the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.
We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives
through donations, community investments and employee volunteer
activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet.
About the Canadian Olympic Committee
The Canadian
Olympic Committee's purpose is to transform Canada through the power of sport.
We do this by leading the achievement of Team Canada's podium
success and advancing Olympic values across Canada. Through the Team Canada Impact Agenda
and together with our partners, the COC is committed to making
sport safe, inclusive and barrier-free so more young people can
play and stay in sport. Learn more at olympic.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Ema Asler, RBC
Communications, ema.asler@rbc.com
Peter Saltsman, Canadian Olympic
Committee Communications, psaltsman@olympic.ca, 647-382-6986
SOURCE RBC
