by Mariann Domonkos

The role of athletes in the organization of sport has grown remarkably in recent years. Not so long ago, athletes were considered children who should be seen and not heard while still more recently, athletes were simply labelled as ‘dumb jocks’. Luckily, there have been tremendous gains made in dispelling these ill-founded misconceptions, making it possible for future generations of athletes not only to express their opinions and ideas, but more importantly, to be heard and taken seriously. Since today’s athlete enjoys this luxury, he should make more of an effort to get involved in the organization of sport, if he hasn’t already done so.

Involvement can and should come at all levels, from local events and clubs to international multi-sport organizations. The athlete’s participation may be invaluable at each of these levels. His wealth of experience can be put to use with the aid of the organizational expertise of the other non-athlete organizers.

Even though athletes have so much to offer towards the organization of sport, many shy away from any commitment, fearing that too much time will be involved. This fear is based on the image of the over-worked athlete who is involved up to his ears in organizational work and whose training is neglected as a result. The point to be made here is that if more athletes were to offer a little of their time, there wouldn’t be a need for the presently over-worked athletes to neglect their training.

A very important stage in the development of sport, perhaps the most important, is also the most basic. It is the recruiting at the grass roots level and the development done immediately after. This is the stage at which the future competitive level of a country can be decided and its is therefore imperative to seek out the best young talents available for each particular sport and to provide them with the best opportunities for development during the early, formative years.

Such a critical process in the development of a sport can be greatly enhanced by athlete participation. One of the best ways to recruit is to use top, high-profile athletes to attract youngsters. As to the development of the recruits, no doubt there is a wealth of ideas as to how this critical stage should be handled. One can look back on the early years of one’s athletic career and see how one would have done things differently, given the opportunity. Well, the opportunity exists in the form of talented little aspiring champions just waiting for someone to guide them.

Beyond the developmental stage, the need for athlete input is virtually endless. Generally, athletes are the first to criticize organizers, but by getting involved, the criticism can become constructive and therefore beneficial. The general functioning of an organization can be much smoother and more efficient when both the athletes and the organizers are working together and a broader communication exists between the two parties. Indeed, a large part of the benefits of athlete involvement is linked directly to improved communication.

Take, for example, the Athletes’ Advisory Council.

The Athlete’s Advisory Council is made up of one athlete respresentative from each of the Pan American and Olympic sports, with the provision that he or she must have been a member of the Canadian national team to any major international competition within the five years preceding appointment to the Council. Its members convene annually in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Canadian Olympic Association (COA).

Despite the Council’s short history (two annual meetings, ’81 and ’82), it is apparent that both the COA and the Council have benefitted, and will continue to do so, from such a relationship. With the inception of the Council, the COA has a direct means to tap the ideas of its currently active athletes, while the athletes can participate in the development of, and perhaps influence, the path that amateur sport will follow. Yesterday’s outspoken and critical athlete can redirect his energies to the benefit of all concerned.

The idea of athlete representation as demonstrated by the Council is extremely important. Through such representation, information can be passed on in both directions. I believe that all groups of athletes should have a representative to speak on their behalves and to report on the activities of the organizing body directly responsible for them. Athletes at the club or local level should have a representative directly involved with the running of their club, provincial athletes with the provincial association, national with the national, and so on.

Past generations of athletes have opened the doors which formerly had prevented us from making meaningful contributions towards determining the path that our sport, and amateur sport in general, will follow.

Now that we have this opportunity, let us use it.

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