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IST

Integrated Support Teams (IST)

Integrated Support Teams (ISTs) are the Sport Sciences, Sports Medicine and other team management professionals that support coaches and athletes/teams. ISTs typically include a physiologist, sport psychologist, biomechanist/performance technologist, nutritionist, physical therapists/athletic therapist, and a physician; although other professionals (including sport administrators) may be included depending on the nature of the sport and the specific needs of the coaches and athletes. The IST works regularly with the coaches and athletes to ensure that athletes receive world-class care and support for their training, recovery and competition programs. The goal of a IST is to ensure that Canadian athletes are healthy, fit and psychologically ready for optimal performance.

The delivery of Sport Sciences and Sports Medicine services as designed by the IST is always athlete centered and coach driven thus requiring continuous communication and integration between the coach and the team of experts that support the athlete and/or team.

The success of an IST is intimately tied to the IST professional’s ability to work together in a team environment. IST experts must have a solid understanding of the sport they are working with and relate well to athletes and coaching staff. They must also be able to communicate well with other PET members so they can deliver a complete, coordinated set of services. (www.ownthepodium2010.com)

Integrated Support Team Member Profiles:

Leo Thornley, MSc, CSCS, CEP
Leo Thornley works with Canoe Kayak and Sailing National team athletes. He works closely with the coaches and athletes in training camps and at competitions both domestically and internationally. Sport science services within the CSCA are coordinated by Leo, who has been with the Centre since 2002. Leo has a BSc in Sport Science from the University of Brighton (UK) and a Masters degree in Kinesiology, specializing in Environmental Exercise Physiology from Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS. Leo is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Certified Exercise Physiologist with the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology.

Colin Guthrie, PhD
Since 2004, Colin has been working as the mental performance consultant and lead IST member for the Canadian Sailing Team’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The duties with the National team require a busy travel schedule, but when home, he finds time to work with developing sailors and coaches from the Atlantic region. In the past, Colin has worked with a variety of provincial Canada Games Teams and varsity Athletic programs. Colin was raised in Nova Scotia, representing the region as an athlete on the Canadian Sailing Team. His education is comprimised of a BSc and MSc from Dalhousie’s Kinesiology Department and a PhD in Behavioural Kinesiology as well as a Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies from Temple University in Philadelphia. Colin is the Eastern Region Representative and full member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and holds an adjunct professor position in Dalhousie University’s Kinesiology Department.

Darren Steeves, MSc Kinesiology, CSCS, CPT, CEP
Darren Steeves has completed a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology at Dalhousie University. He has served as the Provincial Director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) from 1997-2001. He holds both NSCA certifications, Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He is also a member of the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology and is a certified Exercise Physiologist. Darren has tested, trained and consulted with thousands of athletes from minor through to professaional and Olympic level. He has served as the head Strength and Conditioning Coach and Exercise Physiologist for Dalhousie University for the past 10 years as well as working as a consultant for the CSCA for the past 9 years. He has had regular appearances on ATV’s morning show Breakfast Television, the Life Network’s Taking it Off, CBC’s Maritime Noon and has contributed and written articles for Men’s Health, FITNESS and Canadian Living magazine on a variety of topics. He has served as a column editor for the Nova Scotia Fitness and Lifestyle Association’s newsletter and the Southender magazine. Lastly, Darren is currently sponsored by Adidas as part of their Three Stripe Team.

Scott Willgress, MKin, BSc., CSCS, CEP
Scott Willgress holds a Masters of Kinesiology degree from the University of Calgary.  His area of study included strength/physiological testing and the strategic planning of training programs for elite athletes and clinical populations.  Scott has tested, trained, and consulted with hundreds of athletes ranging from youth to Olympic and professional athletes.  Prior to undertaking his master’s degree, Scott acted as a strength and conditioning coach for sports including; Hockey, Snowboarding, Alpine Skiing, Luge, Football and Baseball.  Scott is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP) with the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology.  He is also a Level 1 certified Olympic Weightlifting coach with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).  His current duties include overseeing the sport science program for the Canada Games Program in Nova Scotia, as well as acting as a strength and physiology consultant for other identified sport groups in the area.

Drop in Times for Athletes

The CSCA High Performance Training Centre has designated drop-in times for registered CSCA athletes:

Mondays – 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Tuesdays: 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Wednesdays:  3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Thursdays:  3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Fridays:  8:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m.

Athletes must book an appointment to enter the space outside of these designated times.