Talent ID program gives Canadian athletes between the ages of 14 and 25 the chance to be scouted by Team Canada
Developed in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Olympic Foundation, and with support from the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, RBC Training Ground is a nationwide talent identification program dedicated to finding and funding Canada’s future Olympians.
Since its inception in 2016, RBC Training Ground has helped 21 program alumni reach the Olympic Games, 12 of whom have brought home medals for Team Canada. Most recently, 16 program alumni were named to Team Canada for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, including team sprint cyclists, Kelsey Mitchell, Lauriane Genest, Sarah Orban and alternate, Jackie Boyle, as well as BMX racing alternate, Teigen Pascual (from Squamish, BC).
In 2024, Cycling BC members Dallen Brereton-Stiles (Coquitlam) and Lucas Zhou (Richmond) who have both been part of Cycling BC’s BMX High Performance programs and Katja Verkerk (Victoria) who is the current Canadian Elite Women’s Gravel Champion participated in RBC Training Ground qualifying events and were among the Top 30 athletes from across the country selected to receive funding and support to chase their Team Canada dreams. The support is not limited to funding, but it includes investments in the athletes’ overall personal and athletic development. The Top 30 will receive mentorship from RBC Olympians, connection to top coaches, and access to RBC financial literacy resources – all designed to elevate their training and help them grow as individuals.
RBC Training Ground Program Updates for 2025 include,
RBC Training Ground Women’s Hour – an optional, scheduled participation timeslot at all RBC Training Ground qualifying events reserved for women. Athletes will be able to select this option during the registration process. This program update provides women with the option to compete in an environment that may feel more comfortable for them.
RBC Training Ground Athlete Accelerator – a new funding and support opportunity for RBC Training Ground participants facing financial barriers to high-performance sport. In addition to funding, recipients will receive educational development, mentorship support and financial literacy resources. All eligible athletes are able to apply following participation at a 2025
RBC Training Ground Inclusion Council – a council to help further advance RBC Training Ground’s commitment to providing fair and inclusive opportunities for all athletes. Members will include representatives from the Canadian Olympic Committee, RBC, NSO, former athletes and other industry leaders focused on inclusion.
Expanding program access to more communities – program schedule to include new qualifying events (i.e., in Yellowknife, NT, and Windsor, ON) intended to reach talent who have not always had the same access to participate (e.g., Indigenous and racialized communities, geographically isolated groups, among others).
Three RBC Training Ground Qualifiers coming to British Columbia in 2025. These free events will be held in Victoria, Richmond & Kelowna and are open to any athlete aged 14-25.
- Sunday, February 16 in Kelowna @ University of British Columbia Okanagan
- Sunday, March 9 in Vancouver @ Richmond Olympic Oval
- Saturday, March 29 in Victoria @ University of Victoria
Athletes can sign up now at https://rbctrainingground.ca/