Athletic Department

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General Information

Mission

As an integrated part of the Royal Military College, the Athletic Department supports the mission of RMC by providing operationally oriented physical education, competitive intramural sports, varsity and recreational club programmes for officer-cadets. These programmes provide extensive leadership development opportunities in an atmosphere that helps instill the values of the Canadian Forces, the College and the Department. This is achieved through mandatory Cadet involvement in physically and mentally challenging activities.

Vision

The Athletic Pillar of the Royal Military College will provide programmes of excellence that contribute to the development of outstanding leaders for the CAF who value physically active and healthy lifestyles. These programmes will enhance the national reputation and profile of the College and help attract outstanding athletes.

Values

Loyalty

to your team and/or squadron including obedience of superiors, e.g., coaches and team captains. Loyalty should always be upward first.

Integrity

hinges on consistently giving precedence to ethical values in our decisions and actions.

Courage

Physical courage is a self-evident requirement for contact sports. Moral courage, related to integrity, is also necessary.

Diligence

Persistence, hard work, meticulous attention to detail and perfection of athletic skills all describe diligence in the athletic context.

Fairness

implies treating people, groups and situations justly, equitably, and without bias.

Responsibility

is the ethical obligation that exercises and maintains integrity. Responsibility implies an obligation to be accountable, competent, and caring.

Excellence

the desire to pursue excellence is fundamental to being an outstanding leader and officer.

Physically Active and Healthy Lifestyle

to maintain a good personal level of physical fitness and a healthy body.

Perseverance

striving to finish and/or to win against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, difficulties, pain and/or setbacks.

Goals and Strategies

The Athletic Department's goal is to help attract high quality officer candidates and to develop them into outstanding junior leaders.

Goals in the Department can be described as department or programme oriented and are as follows:

• to maintain diverse athletic programmes, i.e., Physical Education, Competitive Intramural Sports, Varsity and Recreation;
• to provide athletic programmes that encourage and provide opportunities for development of leadership, physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle;
• to take advantage of the flexible and willing support of the RMC Club and Foundation;
• to take advantage of the reduced Varsity programme to focus and increase College support for the remaining Varsity sports;
• to increase the presence of the RMC Athletic Department on the Internet and in local, provincial and national media;
• to improve upon the historic performance of RMC Varsity teams;
• to gain greater control or influence over the recruiting and selection process for candidates to facilitate the recruiting of Varsity athletes;
• to acquire expanded facilities to facilitate RMC hosting of athletic events and competitions;
• to establish a stable departmental budget; and to contribute to the rationalization and coordination of demands on officer-cadets' time.

Facilities and Equipment

RMC's athletic facilities are shared with those of CFB Kingston and include a large triple wood floor gymnasium with various combinations of basketball, volleyball and badminton courts; one field house which includes one 200-meter indoor track and four large sports courts; one 25-meter, 8 lanes pool; one small warm-up pool; one weight training and cardio area; an arena; eight soccer fields; five outdoor tennis courts; six squash courts, two martial arts rooms, and an artificial turf field covered year round by an air supported dome.

With its location on Lake Ontario, the College has excellent facilities for recreational sailing and boating.

In addition to the athletic facilities, use is made of nearby military recreation facilities, which include an eighteen-hole golf course and a curling rink.

Equipment is provided for participation in the Physical Education programme, Varsity programme, Competitive Intramural Sports programme and Recreational programme.

Programmes

Physical Education Programme

The aim of the Physical Education Programme is to:

• develop a basic knowledge of physical education theory and philosophy;
• develop physical fitness through a programme of strenuous physical activities;
• develop sports skills and introduce the fundamentals of team play as commonly practiced by members of the Canadian Forces (CAF);
• develop skills in lifetime sports which have both a social and a fitness value;
• develop leadership and organizational abilities through opportunities in various team and individual activities and;
• award military and/or civilian recognized qualifications

Officer Cadets participate in one compulsory 90 min period per week. The Physical Education Programme is divided in two folds:

• the development and maintenance of a high level of physical fitness which will enable all officer cadets to attain the required standard on the Royal Military College physical fitness test; and
• the development of officer cadets who are knowledgeable and experienced in fitness training methods, who are capable of performing a variety of sports skills and military activities, and who have the ability to organize and administer athletic events.

Physical fitness testing takes place two times a year i.e. during the Fall and Winter Academic semesters.

PPT and FORCE Evaluation

Students must successfully pass the Physical Performance Test (PPT) Standards as outlined in the Course training Plan (CTP). Further, every ROTP student must pass the Canadian Forces Minimum Physical Fitness Standard (MPFS) in accordance with CAF policy; currently the FORCE Evaluation is the MPFS

Varsity Programme

The aim of the varsity programme is to achieve competitive excellence. This will mean different things to different sports; however, the aim in general is that:

• RMC becomes a highly respected opponent in terms of competitive challenge and sportsmanship;
• RMC is the smallest university member of USPORTS with a student population of 900 officer-cadets in the undergraduate programme. It has to overcome a talent deficit through recruiting, outstanding preparation and performance;
• provide an opportunity for students to participate in organized, highly-skilled and competitive athletics;
• instill, through the demands of training and competition, self-discipline, the desire to excel and willingness to compete in a team effort;
• create a college "esprit de corps;"
• provide an opportunity for interaction with other contemporary university athletes thereby bringing RMC into the focus of the civilian community;
• improve physical fitness; and
• provide leadership opportunities.

The Royal Military College of Canada offers an extensive varsity sports programme for students capable of participating at a higher skill level.

RMC competes as a member of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) in the following sports: fencing (men and women), hockey (men), rugby (men), soccer (men and women) and volleyball (men and women).

The varsity programme is an extension of the physical education programme and thus contributes to the achievement of the overall aim by instilling a high degree of self-discipline, the desire to excel, and the willingness to sacrifice personal interest for coordinated team effort. The Varsity Programme also provides an opportunity for involvement with contemporary university students, thereby bringing the Royal Military College of Canada into the focus of the civilian community.

Competitive Club Programme

The aim of the Competitive Club Programme is to provide members the opportunity for training and competition that is appropriate for their level of competition. While in their competitive season, members are exempted from the Intramural Sports Programme allowing them more time to develop and improve their skills.

The clubs compete in various competitions at the Local, National and International level in the following sports: Rowing, Running (Cross-Country and Track), Sailing, Swimming, Taekwondo and Women’s Rugby.

Intramural Sports Programme

The Intramural Sports Programme has a two-fold purpose.

1. First, it provides each cadet with the opportunity to develop sports skills and apply the principles, which are taught in the Physical Education Programme.
2. Second, it provides each cadet with the opportunity to compete in a variety of team sports on a weekly basis.

The Intramural Sports Programme is composed of sports leagues within the college, where each squadron forms teams to compete. The programme is compulsory for cadets who are not varsity or competitive club athletes

The fall and winter term Intramural Sports Programme offers leagues such as soccer, hockey, ultimate, handball, water polo, ball hockey, basketball, dodgeball, and flag football. Optional Intramural sports offered are badminton, and squash.

The programme is organized on a seasonal basis. The fall programme runs from September to the end of November, and the winter programme runs from January to the end of March. Responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the programme is given to the cadets themselves under the supervision of the Intramural Coordinator, thus affording them an opportunity to develop qualities of leadership. In addition to playing, cadets are expected to learn and carry out the duties of team captains, game officials, and league convenors.

All officer cadets must participate in the Cadet Wing Fall and Winter Sports Days, which include, the Harrier cross- country race and Winter Sports Day. The Wing tournaments normally offer activities such as flag football, ball hockey, soccer, ultimate, broomball and volleyball.

Recreational Programme

The aim of the RMC Recreational Programme is to:

• Offer a diversified program that supports the interests of the OCdts;
• Provide opportunities for leadership training and development;
• Increase visibility by promoting club accomplishments;
• Offer an enjoyable program that increases morale;
• Promote a balanced lifestyle

The RMC Recreation Association includes 17 Recreational Clubs and 6 Competitive Clubs. All students and staff at RMC are permitted and encouraged to participate in the Recreational Program.

The Competitive Clubs are Rowing, Running, Sailing, Swimming, Taekwondo and Women’s Rugby.

The list of recreational clubs is subject to change depending on the interest but they currently are Astronomy, Aviation Enthusiasts, Bilingualism, Climbing, Chess, Curling, Debating, Judo, Expedition, Paintball/Airsoft, Photography, Rowing, Running, Sailing, Scuba, Sport Parachuting, Swimming, Taekwondo, Theatre, Multisport, War Games, Windsurfing, Women’s Rugby and Yacht.

Course Descriptions

ATE101 Foundations of Fitness, Health and Sports

ATE101 is designed to provide students the tools they need in order to take charge of their personal fitness and health, as well as introduce them to leadership development through sports. Theoretical and practical aspects of these topics are covered. ATE101 is divided into 4 twelve-week units. Foundations of Fitness, Foundations of Health and two terms of Foundations of Sports. Foundations of Health unit is further divided into 3 four-week components including aquatics, health promotions and combatives. Students must pass all three components in order to successfully complete the course.

Students will complete the following units:

1. Foundations of Fitness
   • Fundamental movement patterns
   • Training concepts
2. Foundations of Health
   • Aquatics
   • Health and wellness
   • Unarmed combatives
3. Foundations of Sports (two of)
   • Stick sports
   • Ball sports
   • Field sports
   • Court Sports
   • Racquet Sports
   • Learn to swim
   • Competitive fitness
   • Competitive combative sports

Note(s):

In addition to passing the course as per the above marking scheme, students are required to meet the standard on the Physical Performance Test (PPT) at least once before the end of the 4th term in order to pass ATE101. This course is only available to students enrolled in the 4-pillar programme.

Failure on any PPT results in mandatory participation in Supplementary Physical Training (SPT).

Protocol and scoring for the PPT are found in the RMC PPT handbook.

Contact Hours:

2 - 0 - 0

Credit(s):

0

ATE301 Unarmed Combatives, Military Skills and Individual Sports

ATE301 is designed to provide students basic unarmed combative skills, military fitness skills and introduce them to individual sports. In the combatives and military fitness units students are placed in environments outside of their comfort zone in order to enhance their gumption, resiliency and grit. The individual sports unit introduces them to new skills that will foster healthy and active lifestyle habits once they graduate. Students must pass all three components in order to successfully complete the course.

Students will complete the following units:

1. Unarmed combat
   • Commando Krav Maga
2. Military Skills
   • Waterborne
   • Indoor climbing
   • Group physical training
3. Individual Sports (two of)
   • Beginner ice skills
   • Racquet sports
   • Yoga
   • Strength and conditioning for the tactical athlete
   • Advanced combatives
   • Spin
   • Canoeing and climbing
   • Multisport
   • Training for triathlons

Note(s):

In addition to passing the course as per the above marking scheme, students are required to meet the standard on the Physical Performance Test (PPT) at least once before the end of the 4th term in order to pass ATE301.
This course is only available to students enrolled in the 4-pillar programme.

Failure on any PPT results in mandatory participation in Supplementary Physical Training (SPT).

Protocol and scoring for the PPT are found in the RMC PPT handbook.

Contact Hours:

2 - 0 - 0

Credit(s):

0

ATH1 PSC1

The first year athletics programme is aimed at giving officer cadets the tools to take charge of their personal fitness and health in preparation to lead military members in physical training in their future careers. Topics covered include the principles of strength and conditioning (S&C) (i.e. warm ups, cool downs, basic movement patterns in S&C, running training, energy systems training, building a training program), aquatics, Health, and introduction to combative. There is a practical exam for the strength and conditioning section, and a written exam for the S&C and health topics.

ATH2 Sports

The second year programme offers a variety of elective sport courses where officer cadets select one course per term. Each course includes instruction in 2 sports of the same genre (i.e. Stick Sports, Racquet Sports, Field Sports, Court Sports, Aquatic Sports).. The second year programme outcomes include learning the basic rules and skills of the sport so that they can lead a sport session for PT with military members in their future roles in the CAF. There is a practical skills assessment and rules quiz for each sport covered in the course. Further, each OCdt will be evaluated on their skills as Class Leader. Class Leader responsibilities include sport session plan, session attendance and introduction, warm up, and cool down. The Class Leader portion is there to prepare OCdt to bridge the gap between being a follower in PT (I year) to being a leader in a sport or PT session (III and IV year).

ATH3 MCSK

The third year programme exposes OCdts to a physical environment outside of their comfort zone in which they will develop self-confidence, self-efficacy, and leadership opportunities in a military skills and combatives environment. This is the aspect that RMC calls “education with a difference”. Skills covered include platoon/troop physical training, indoor climbing, waterborne training, and combative training. There are practical evaluations in each of the three areas of instruction.

ATH4 Enhancement Activity

The fourth year programme offers enhancement opportunities to the OCdts to provide more in-depth instruction on areas already taught in the PE program, introduce them to new skills that will enhance active living as individuals when they graduate , or provide them with certifications that they can use in the future either as a CAF member or for personal use. OCdts have a choice of courses which include canoeing, rock climbing, advance strength and conditioning, swimming and lifeguarding, advanced combative, racquet sports, yoga, and spinning leadership. Evaluations in this course may include either a practical or a written test.