The program updates in 2025 build upon RBC Training Ground’s long-standing commitment to help enable inclusion in sport. Examples of previous efforts include:

• In 2021, amidst the global pandemic, RBC Training Ground developed ‘virtual qualifying’ – a way for athletes to participate in the program from the comfort of their own home using basic equipment and a stable internet connection. The program has maintained virtual qualifying options for any athlete who is unable – geographically or otherwise – to attend an in-person event.
• In 2023, RBC Training Ground launched custom testing events for the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) provincial delegations, including Alberta and Saskatchewan, as they prepared for NAIG 2023.
• In 2024, the program hosted qualifying events in new markets including Ontario's Northern (Sudbury) and Durham (Whitby) regions, with the prioritization of reaching talent who have not always had the same / equal access to participate (e.g., Indigenous and racialized communities, geographically isolated groups, others).

The RBC Training Ground Inclusion Council will inform decision-making around new and existing initiatives to help create more fair and inclusive opportunities in sport through RBC Training Ground.

The RBC Training Ground Inclusion Council is a group of appointed individuals including representatives from the Canadian Olympic Committee, RBC, National Sport Organizations (NSO), former athletes and other industry leaders focused on inclusion who will help further advance RBC Training Ground’s commitment to providing fair and inclusive opportunities.

RBC Training Ground is introducing new program updates to help provide greater access to high-performance sport:

• The 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.
• Women’s Hour – an optional, scheduled participation time slot at all RBC Training Ground qualifying events reserved for women. Athletes will be able to select this option during the registration process. This update provides women with the option to compete in an environment that may feel more comfortable for them.
• The 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, National Sport Organizations (NSO), former athletes and other industry leaders focused on inclusion.
• Expanding program access to more communities – program schedule to include qualifying events intended to reach talent who have not always had the same or equal access to participate.

Athletes can participate in qualifier events one time per calendar year either at an in-person event or virtually. If you’re not selected as an RBC Future Olympian after the National Final, we encourage you to come back and try out again, next season.

Although most do, you can try out at any qualifier in Canada that is the most convenient, regardless of where you live.

Athletes can opt into Women’s Hour during the regular registration process on RBCTrainingGround.ca

Women’s Hour is an optional, scheduled time slot at all RBC Training Ground qualifying events reserved for women.

Any athlete aged between 14-25 years old can participate in an RBC Training Ground Qualifying event, regardless of citizenship status or permanent residency. However, non-Canadian athletes are not eligible to participate in the RBC Training Ground National Final event and are not eligible for recruitment and to be matched with a National Sport Organization.

RBC Training Ground Qualifying events take place across Canada and provide athletes with the opportunity to network with peers, RBC Olympians, and coaches onsite. Athletes will also receive a custom scorecard after they participate, which will help them compare their physical performance against our benchmarks, and potentially identify a new sport they excel in.

The age range of 14 to 25 years aligns with long-term athlete development stages and the Canadian Sport for Life program. This age range allows us to capture those with early and late-stage Olympic potential. The probability of identifying an athlete below or above these age ranges, within our current RBC Training Ground partner sports, is very small.

Each sport requires different skills and physical abilities with performance benchmarks that are dictated by our National Sport Organization partners, taking age and gender into account. Athletes that participate in RBC Training Ground will receive a custom scorecard after they participate, which will help them compare their physical performance against our benchmarks.

Thousands of Canadians across the country participate in RBC Training Ground each year. We have tested over 16,000 athletes through the first nine years of the program.

Anyone aged 14-25 (on the date they try out) can participate by signing up for a local qualifying event.

Participants must first register with their basic information online, complete a more detailed Athlete Profile, and select the event they wish to attend.

By attending events in-person, athletes will also be able to meet RBC Olympians, chat with on-site NSO representatives and meet fellow elite athletes. However, if an athlete cannot compete in-person due to a scheduling conflict they may participate in the virtual qualifying option for a chance to be considered. Regardless of the testing format an athlete participates in (in-person or virtual), results will be weighed equally.

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There are 15 National Sport Organizations (NSO) recruiting athletes through RBC Training Ground in 2025:

• Biathlon Canada
• Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton
• Canoe Kayak Canada
• Climbing Canada
• Cycling Canada
• Field Hockey Canada
• Football (Flag) Canada
• Freestyle Canada
• Luge Canada
• Rowing Canada
• Rugby Canada
• Ski Jumping Canada
• Speed Skating Canada
• Volleyball Canada
• Wrestling Canada

RBC Training Ground is committed to giving athletes across Canada the opportunity to participate, knowing there may be undiscovered and talented athletes around the country. Qualifying event cities are chosen to give in-person testing opportunities to as many Canadian athletes as possible. However, we recognize there are still a number of factors that may limit an athlete’s ability to attend one of the events, which is why we’re proud to be offering a virtual testing option as a safe, accessible, equally-as-credible alternative option once again.

Coaches and talent identification representatives from the participating NSOs will select athletes based on a combination of athlete performances – qualifying event or virtual testing results – sport history, and second-phase testing sessions. NSOs are looking for athletes who met or exceeded the predetermined benchmarks set by each of the sports.

Based on the results of RBC Training Ground qualifying (and virtual) testing, and the subsequent sport-specific testing (if applicable), 100 of the top athletes as nominated by our NSO partners will be invited to the National Final. This all-expense paid trip will represent the final stage of testing prior to selection of RBC ‘Future Olympians’ – the top 35 athletes who are chosen for continued support through the program.

The National Final will be hosted in Vancouver on November 1st. Those who are invited will be contacted directly.

The RBC Training Ground team will reach out to all athletes who attend the National Final with more information after the event. 35 athletes from across the country will be selected as RBC ‘Future Olympians’. The athlete’s NSO will receive funding assistance that will be used towards each RBC Future Olympian’s travel, competition, training camp expenses, coaching, nutrition, and other sport-related costs, at the sole discretion of the NSO. These funds will be administered by the Canadian Olympic Foundation to the applicable NSO directly.

Currently, we are focused on finding the next generation of athletes with Olympic potential. The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a separate organization that focuses on Para sport which has different requirements for their athletes based on the different classifications and ability categories within each discipline.

The Olympic Games represent excellence, teamwork, diversity and commitment —the same values that hold true for RBC, its employees, clients and communities. That connection is a major reason why RBC has been Team Canada’s longest-standing corporate partner since 1947. This commitment to the Olympic movement is demonstrated through the RBC Olympians program, as well as through RBC’s support for the next generation of Olympic hopefuls.

After registering for RBC Training Ground, athletes can select “Virtual Testing” from the drop-down list of RBC Training Ground events. Upon completion of their Athlete Bio, they will receive detailed instructions for how to complete our athletic tests remotely using minimal equipment. Exercises include a Shuttle Run, Sprint Test and Vertical Jump. Test scores will be submitted to the athlete’s profile along with a video recording as proof of completion. For more information, please contact RBC Training Ground.

After your event, your results and registration information will be evaluated by our participating NSOs and you may be invited to complete second-phase testing with one or more of the sports. This phase of testing will look different depending on which sports are interested in your abilities, and may require you to travel to a location outside of your city of residence or where you competed in the qualifying phase.