FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 1st, 2025

CALGARY— The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN), the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), and Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) have received a major $860,000 grant to support a groundbreaking national project aimed at improving access to safe, high-quality, and better-fitting sport equipment for Para athletes across Canada.

The project, titled Increasing accessibility to specialized parasport equipment across Canada through advanced design and manufacturing, is valued at approximately $860,000 over three years. It is funded by $450,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Applied Research Development grant, $300,000 from Alberta Innovates through the Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement program, and $112,500 from COPSIN and CPC. With in-kind contributions from project partners, the total project value is approximately $1.15 million.

This collaborative initiative brings together experts in sport science, engineering, and advanced manufacturing to address a well-known challenge in Para sport: Para athletes often struggle to access equipment that fits properly, performs well, and is affordable. The project aims to transform how adaptive equipment is designed, manufactured, and accessed – making it easier for more athletes to participate and excel in sport.

"We're proud to contribute our expertise to this project, advancing inclusive solutions that improve the everyday experience of Para athletes in Canada and beyond," said Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President of Applied Research at Red Deer Polytechnic. "RDP's strengths in applied research, particularly our ability to bridge technology and social needs through a multidisciplinary approach, are pivotal in driving innovation and an example of how Polytechnics are uniquely positioned to lead collaborations between industry and innovators."

The project will launch with a focus on Para ice hockey and expand to other Para sports in future phases. Through a collaboration between RDP’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing – Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC), the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta, and Bowhead Corp., researchers will work directly with athletes to explore how equipment design affects comfort, movement, safety, and performance. Using tools like 3D printing, smart sensors, simulation software, and Statistical Shape Modeling, the team will design and test sport-specific solutions that are both effective and scalable.

“We are so proud to be working alongside COPSIN and Red Deer Polytechnic on this game-changing project,” said Catherine Gosselin-Després, Chief Sport Officer, Canadian Paralympic Committee. “Equipment is fundamental to a positive experience in Para sport. With easier, more affordable access to properly fitted, sport-specific gear, more athletes with a disability can fully enjoy the benefits of sport and achieve their goals, whether at the recreational, national, or international levels. This project illustrates the value of collaboration and bringing together experts in different fields to create even greater impact, and we believe it has the potential to transform Para sport across Canada by removing barriers and opening new pathways to get involved.”

“Access to the right equipment can be the difference between simply participating and truly excelling,” said Erik Groves, Project Lead for COPSIN and Director of Research and Innovation at the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta. “By combining athlete insight with innovative design and manufacturing, we’re working to ensure that Para athletes can compete with confidence in equipment built specifically for them. In addition to the experts from CSI Alberta, other experts from other members of the Network may be asked to contribute to the project.”

The final phase of the project will apply data from 3D body scans of up to 50 Para athletes to support broader manufacturing while maintaining a personalized fit. In addition to improving equipment access and performance, the project will help grow Canada’s sport tech and manufacturing sectors, create training opportunities for students and professionals, and support more inclusive sport experiences nationwide.

The project begins in spring 2025 and will run for three years, moving through four key phases. Phases One, Two, and Three follow a human-centered design methodology to guide research and equipment development. Each of these phases will focus on either a different group of athlete classifications or a different sport, with four new Para athletes in each pilot study. The design methodology involves working with athletes to identify needs and equipment challenges and then simulating and 3D printing to build and test new equipment. These designs then integrate athlete feedback, biomechanics data and safety metrics and are further optimized for manufacturing. Phase Four uses shape modeling and athlete scan data to develop scalable, optimized equipment solutions.

This collaborative effort represents a meaningful step toward equity, innovation, and performance in Canadian Para sport.

Media Contacts:

Nicole Watts, Senior Manager, Communications & PR

Canadian Paralympic Committee

c: 613.462.2700

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Annie Gagnon, Director, Marketing & Communications

Canadian Sport Institute Alberta

c: 613.262.9644

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Brent Forster, Communications Strategist - Corporate

Red Deer Polytechnic

c: 403.342.3389

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALGARY (December 13th, 2024) – Canadian Sport Institute Alberta (CSIAB) is proud to announce it has formalized its Community Partnership with 360Athletics, the official distributor of Hyperice, Normatec, COREFX, Concorde Fitness, Coach Soak, Firefly, and KT Tape.

360Athletics is a Canadian company that aims to streamline the entire sourcing process for their diverse clientele. By offering an extensive assortment of products, they enable their customers to consolidate their shipping and suppliers, resulting in a seamless and efficient procurement experience.

Through this partnership, CSIAB affiliated athletes, staff, and teams will have access to discounted rates site-wide to aid in their rehabilitation and recovery. CSIAB also exclusively uses 360Athletics for the new Recovery Room; a communal place where athletes can rest and recover within the gym setting.

To inquire about a purchasing a device, or for more information on this Community Partnership, please contact the CSIAB Athlete Services Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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About Canadian Sport Institute Alberta

The Canadian Sport Institute Alberta is focused on elevating athletes along their high-performance pathway through leadership, education, research and delivery of performance, health and wellness solutions. It includes nutrition, performance analysis, physiology, sport medicine, sport therapy, strength and conditioning, mental health and performance, and Game Plan. We are part of a network of seven institutes and centres across Canada who provide athletes and coaches with access to world-class facilities where they can train and excel. For more information, please visit https://www.csialberta.ca.

About 360 Athletics

At 360 Athletics, our mission is to empower the sports and fitness community with top-quality products, seamless procurement, and exceptional service. We are committed to being a trusted resource, delivering high-quality solutions with efficiency and reliability to support excellence in every athletic journey. Through our dedication to customer relationships, continuous innovation, and industry leadership, we strive to inspire confidence and enable success for all who choose 360 Athletics.

Media Contact:

Annie Gagnon, Director, Marketing & Communications

Canadian Sport Institute Alberta

C: 613.262.9644

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Annie Goncin, Manager, Athlete Services & Digital Media

Canadian Sport Institute Alberta

C: 647.767.6862

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3rd, 2025

CALGARY— The Calgary Wild FC and the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta (CSIAB) are proud to announce a strategic partnership to provide world-class support services for its players. This collaboration ensures that Calgary Wild FC players receive top-tier performance resources, cutting-edge sports science, and holistic development opportunities to maximize their potential.

The two organizations announced the partnership as the Calgary Wild FC officially kicked off their pre-season with an intake testing camp at CSIAB where players were put through a week of fitness, health and wellness tests prior to taking to the practice pitch together for the first time.

“Providing our athletes and coaches with access to the world-leading technical and support resources the CSI Alberta delivers on a daily basis will ensure our players are fully prepared to perform at their best when they take the pitch for the inaugural season this spring,” said Alix Bruch, sporting director, Calgary Wild FC. “It is our belief that creating a supportive, welcoming, daily training environment that is focused on excellence, where our players have access to all of the resources they need and deserve, will be a difference maker in our preparations and performance on and off the field. We are grateful for this partnership as we officially begin our journey together this week in Alberta.”

The Calgary Wild FC will work closely with CSIAB to build an Integrated Support Team, ensuring the highest level of care and expertise is available to its players. CSIAB will support the recruitment and integration of practitioners in strength and conditioning, paramedical, and medical fields, enhancing the Calgary Wild FC’s high-performance training environment.

Additionally, CSIAB will provide ongoing support for both the practitioners and the Club as they prepare to take on the other five teams who will form Canada’s first women’s professional soccer league, thus fostering a collaborative approach to athlete development and performance.

“Partnering with the Calgary Wild FC is an exciting opportunity to extend our mission of supporting high-performance athletes,” said Gary Davies, President and CEO at CSIAB. “We look forward to working together to ensure the best possible environment for their athletes to thrive.”

Media Contact:

Annie Gagnon, Director, Marketing & Communications

Canadian Sport Institute Alberta

c: 613.262.9644

e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Chris Dornan

Calgary Wild FC

c: 403.620.8731

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 22nd, 2024

Calgary, August 22, 2024 – With the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games coming up shortly, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to Team Canada’s athletes. In partnership with National Sport Organizations (NSO), 95% of Team Canada’s athlete access COPSIN support, which plays a central role in their preparation, providing them with the support they need to perform on the world’s biggest stage.

Of the 126 Team Canada athletes, 118 were supported by COPSIN experts and 72 benefited from a collaborative effort involving multiple members of the Network. This personalized approach based on expertise, collaboration and innovation makes it possible to respond to the unique needs of each individual, fostering optimal performance.

COPSIN experts are not just preparing athletes for the Games; they will also be in the middle of the action. In Paris, 15 experts from the Network will be on hand to offer direct support to athletes. Fourteen of these staff members are working with specific sports, and one of them will be part of Team Canada’s Mission Staff. Their presence in the “Ville Lumière” will ensure that athletes receive constant technical, medical, and scientific support, enabling them to concentrate fully on their performances.

With five Institutes and two Centres covering every region of the country, the Network stands out for its commitment to excellence and innovation. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, athletes supported by COPSIN won 25 of Canada’s 27 medals, an achievement that reflects the quality and impact of the Network’s support.

A Strategic Partnership for Long-Term Athlete Development

COPSIN serves as a home base for Canadian athletes, providing them with constant support throughout their long-term development. Many athletes have benefited from the Network for years, taking advantage of tailored services and expertise long before Paris 2024. By offering world-class performance services and conducting applied sport science research projects, COPSIN makes a significant contribution to Canada’s performance objectives on the international sporting stage.

Working closely with national sport organizations, COPSIN plays a key role in Canada’s high-performance sport system. Network members ensure a coherent, integrated approach to athlete development and the promotion of sporting excellence in Canada. Through its interventions, the Network demonstrates the importance of collaboration and multidisciplinary expertise in supporting high-performance athletes and those of the next generation in their quest for excellence.

Canadian Sport Institute Alberta Affiliated Athletes

Athletes

Brieann Baldock, Goalball

Stefan Daniel, Para Triathlon

Reed De’Aeth, Wheelchair Basketball

Angelena Dolezar, Sitting Volleyball

Danielle Ellis, Sitting Volleyball

Anne Fergusson, Sitting Volleyball

Nik Goncin, Wheelchair Basketball

Chad Jassman, Wheelchair Basketball

Julie Kozun, Sitting Volleyball

Allison Lang, Sitting Volleyball

Zak Madell, Wheelchair Rugby

Meghan Mahon, Goalball

Reid Maxwell, Para Swimming

Jennifer McCreesh, Sitting Volleyball

Sarah Melenka, Sitting Volleyball

Jennifer Oakes, Sitting Volleyball

Kate O'Brien, Para Cycling

Heidi Peters, Sitting Volleyball

Amanda Rummery, Para Athletics

Mike Sametz, Para Cycling

Keely Shaw, Para Cycling

Felicia Voss-Shafiq, Sitting Volleyball

Noah Vucsics, Para Athletics

Jolan Wong, Sitting Volleyball

Katelyn Wright, Sitting Volleyball

Arinn Young, Wheelchair Basketball

About The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sports Institute Network (COPSIN)

With seven locations across Canada, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN) partners with National Sport Organizations (NSOs) and the high-performance sport community to deliver world-class performance services and applied sport science research projects.

COPSIN is a key performance partner in the implementation of the priorities of the National High-Performance Strategy including the Game Plan program, mental health and safe sport.

Find out more at www.copsin.ca

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About the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta

The Canadian Sport Institute Alberta is focused on elevating athletes along their high-performance pathway through leadership, education, research and delivery of performance, health and wellness solutions. It includes nutrition, performance analysis, physiology, sport medicine, sport therapy, strength and conditioning, mental health and performance, and Game Plan. We are part of a network of seven institutes and centres across Canada who provide athletes and coaches with access to world-class facilities where they can train and excel. For more information, please visit https://www.csialberta.ca.

Media Contact:

Annie Gagnon, Director, Marketing & Communication

Canadian Sport Institute Alberta

c: 613.262.9644

e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Annie Goncin, Manager, Athlete Services & Digital Media

Canadian Sport Institute Alberta

c: 647.767.6862

e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.