Strategic Plan

High Performance – Prepare Canadian Athletes to Win

Strategic Priority

Achieve sustained podium success at Olympics, Paralympics, and World Championships through an athlete-centred high-performance system that develops and prepares exceptional athletes and coaches.

1.1 Deliver World-Class High Performance Programming That Enables Athletes and Coaches to Win

2032 Outcomes

• Multi-medal performances at Pan American Games, U23 and Senior World Championships, and the Olympic Games.

• Top Four (4) placing at World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals and Olympic Games.

• Top Six (6) placing at Paralympic Games.

• National Team athletes and Technical Leadership at all levels remain in the program across multiple Olympic and Paralympic cycles.

2028 Key Deliverables

• Deliver an LA 2028-specific preparation plan to prepare athletes for competition conditions, including 1500m adaptations, environmental simulations, and tidal-waterway technical preparation.

• Maintain ongoing performance monitoring and integrate Brisbane-cycle athletes into High Performance Senior Program environments through invitations, standards, and competition opportunities.

• Provide coaching, technical support, and performance programming tailored to medal-potential Beach Sprint crews.

• Provide high-quality programming, coaching, and competition support for para-athletes with medal potential.

• Foster a holistic, athlete-centred culture of excellence that aligns people, behaviours, and systems to deliver clear progression toward podium success.

 

1.2 Evolve and Oversee Development Pathways That Enable Canadian Athletes and Coaches to Win

2032 Outcomes

• Athlete Pool quality and quantity is sufficient to support Senior Program’s multi-medal objectives across all disciplines.

• Increased number of Canadian coaches with skills to coach National Team level athletes across all disciplines.

2028 Key Deliverables

• Update and promote the Athlete Development Pathway so it is clearly understood and consistently used as the progression guide toward the Senior Team, strengthening pathway literacy across the entire system.

• Strengthen and expand talent-identification and recruitment systems, ensuring identified athletes receive ongoing development support through coordinated engagement from PRAs and RCA.

• Implement a defined coach development pathway that includes mentorship, Senior Team exposure, and clear expectations and opportunities for progression and contribution.

Community – Build a Thriving, Inclusive Rowing Ecosystem

Strategic Priority

Work in close partnership with members to ensure rowing in Canada is accessible, welcoming, and offers meaningful opportunities for development and competition at every stage.

2.1 Support a Cohesive and Connected Community of Rowers Across Canada

2032 Outcomes

• Community confidence and trust in RCA is high.

• Streamlined delivery of member services and sport development initiatives.

• Vibrant and engaged National Team alumni community.

2028 Key Deliverables

• PRA, Member and Alumni engagement surveys developed by 2027 with targets defined for 2028.

• Complete an assessment of RCA and PRA services and initiatives to understand redundancies and areas to optimize through alignment.

• Host 2–3 Alumni Engagement Events annually by 2028.

 

2.2 Grow Participation in Rowing by Attracting and Retaining Athletes, Coaches, and Officials Across Canada in All Disciplines

2032 Outcomes

• Increase in participation and improved retention of rowers across all demographics.

• Increase in the number of athletes and coaches engaged in the pathway in all provinces.

• Increase in the number of umpires at all levels.

• Everyone is able to enjoy rowing in safe and inclusive environments.

2028 Key Deliverables

• Complete a longitudinal assessment of participation trends nationwide.

• Pilot new “first contact” programs for youth under the age of 19, Coastal Race License, and novel registration methods for members facing financial burdens.

• Create a pool of 5–8 experienced mentor coaches.

• Deliver initiatives to recruit new umpires at all levels representing diverse demographics, including those under the age of 40.

• Provide harmonized Safe Sport policies or reciprocal agreements for all RCA Member Organizations.

 

2.3 Develop a Multi-Discipline Nationwide Competition Structure to Support the Development and Competition Experience at All Levels

2032 Outcomes

• Provincial and national regattas are integrated and progressive, and designed to support athlete, coach and umpire development.

2028 Key Deliverables

• Complete a gap analysis on the purpose and alignment of all National Events and athlete pathway needs.

• Provide customized support to provinces to ensure a high ranking during the assessment for rowing to be included in the 2033 Canada Summer Games.

• Create a Beach Sprint attribution and information package for municipalities and audiences new to Beach Sprint.

Leadership – Strengthen RCA to Lead a Unified Rowing Community

Strategic Priority

Ensure Rowing Canada Aviron’s long-term success through strong financial oversight, effective and valued community support, and exceptional governance.

3.1 Be a Leading Canadian NSO Through Responsible and Responsive Leadership and Governance

2032 Outcomes

• RCA governance meets or exceeds industry best standards.

• Engaged and resilient organization.

2028 Key Deliverables

• Establish a relationship with an organization for fundraising and endowment purposes.

• Earn Board governance accreditation.

• Employee engagement and committee member survey established in 2026 and targets defined for 2027.

 

3.2 Grow and Diversify Revenues, Improve Financial Stability, and Create New Philanthropic Opportunities

2032 Outcomes

• RCA is financially resilient.

• RCA revenue is generated from a variety of sources.

2028 Key Deliverables

• Establish operational and capital reserve funds and fund them to 2028 targets.

• Establish an endowment fund strategy.

• Establish a philanthropic and sponsorship program.

 

3.3 Advance Canadian Rowing Through National and International Initiatives and Relationships

2032 Outcomes

• Members across Canada have access to RCA programs and assets.

• RCA has effective relationships with domestic and international sport partners.

2028 Key Deliverables

• Design “RCA Services and Initiatives” onboarding resources to support orientation for individuals new to governance and leadership roles (President, Lead Staff) within RCA Member Organizations.

• Promote RCA’s international representatives, ensure succession, and pursue key roles in priority strategic areas.

• Pursue and promote RCA community members for domestic and international roles in priority and strategic areas.