Future Best Athlete Assistance Application Form
Guidelines and other documents
Future Best Athlete Assistance Program Guidelines
1. INTRODUCTION
Being on a national team or representing their country is a dream come true for many Saskatchewan athletes. The realization of this dream does not come without many challenges, personal sacrifices, and financial hardships. The Future Best Athlete Assistance Program (Future Best) is specifically designed to assist those athletes who are in the “gap”.
The “gap” is defined as the high-performance developmental phase of an athlete’s career where they are involved in an intense level of training and competition with the personal goals and realistic potential of becoming a national senior team member, yet they have not reached carding status or been named to the national senior team.
2. SOURCE OF FUNDING
The Future Best Athlete Assistance Program is funded through the Sport Section of the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund.
3. PURPOSE
To provide financial assistance to support the developmental needs of Saskatchewan athletes who have been identified by their National Sport Organization (NSO) as clearly demonstrating the potential to become a national senior team member and those who are seriously committed to attaining this status through intense training, technical development and competitive success. In keeping with the Canadian Sport Policy, athletes who compete in sports on the most current calendar of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan and Parapan American Games will be given priority in the review process.
4. ELIGIBILITY
a) Athletes who are pursuing a full-time course of study at a post-secondary institution outside of Saskatchewan, or are training outside of Saskatchewan are eligible as long as all of the other eligibility criteria are fully met.
b) The athlete must be able to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Future Best and Awards Committee, that they are a product of the Saskatchewan sport system. Evidence of this would be a significant and/or relevant portion of their sport development occurred while a primary resident of Saskatchewan. The athlete must also be an active member in good standing with their Provincial Sport Organization (PSO).
c) Be committed to making their sport’s national senior team and/or representing Canada at the international level.
d) Athletes considering participating in the NCAA in the future may apply but should be aware that accepting Future Best funding may impact one’s NCAA amateur status and eligibility.
e) Receive endorsement from their NSO, via the Future Best NSO Questionnaire, which verifies that they have been identified through a national talent identification process and are highly ranked on the national team depth chart.
f) To be eligible athletes must meet one or more of the following performance criteria:
- Have been identified as part of the developmental (“espoir”) team/pool at a national senior team level.
- Have demonstrated outstanding performance at the most recent national championships or other recognized national/international senior level competitions (Ex. national team trials).
- Have represented Canada as a member of a national junior team or have been recently named to the national junior team.
- Have demonstrated outstanding performance at the most recent national junior championships or other recognized national/international junior level competitions (Ex. junior national team trials).
g) Athletes from sports not currently eligible for the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program and who are members of junior or senior national teams are eligible to apply for Future Best. These athletes will be considered for support; however, to be assured that the NSO has a formalized and sophisticated national team program, the committee will consider the following factors when determining the level of support provided:
- The number of countries and athletes participating in the world championships.
- The number of provinces with representation on the national team.
- The qualifying or team selection process.
- The training requirements the athletes are required to complete.
h) The sport in which the athlete participates must have a clearly articulated national team program with appropriate training and competitive opportunities (both domestic and international) and the NSO must conduct a formal process for selecting athletes for national teams.
i) All athletes who are receiving support from the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (carding) before December 1, will not be eligible to receive funding from the Future Best program but are eligible for Saskatchewan Program for Athletic Excellence. All athletes who receive support from the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (carding) after December 1, will be allowed to keep their Future Best funding.
If an athlete is carded at the application deadline but loses their carding status after December 1, they will be eligible to apply for financial support directly to the Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan (CSCS) at any time throughout the year. These athletes will require support from their NSO confirming they are still on track to make the senior national team and have a strong opportunity to receive carding support again in the future. The Future Best and Awards Committee will determine the funding level the athlete is eligible to receive based on several factors including the number of months leading up to the next application deadline and the confirmation that the athlete is still on track to make the senior national team.
5. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
a) Deadline for applications is October 15, 2025.
b) PSOs will will be responsible for sending information on the application process to those athletes who they identify as fully meeting the eligibility criteria.
c) Athletes will be responsible for completing the application and notifying their PSO when it is complete. The PSO will review and endorse the application for Sask Sport to review. The PSO is responsible for ensuring that a completed NSO questionnaire is submitted containing the required information on each athlete. Applications without a completed NSO questionnaire will be considered incomplete and ineligible.
d) The Future Best and Awards Committee (a volunteer committee of Sask Sport that consists of a cross section of sport volunteers) will review all applications received. All applicants and the PSO will be notified as to the results of the review in January.
e) Funds will be released to the PSO of successful athletes by April 1, 2026.
6. FOLLOW-UP STATEMENT
a) The follow-up for this grant program will require the PSO to complete a Future Best follow-up report by May 15 and submit a copy of the organization’s audited financial statement(s). The audited financial statement must be submitted to the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund within 90 days of the organization’s fiscal year end. This grant program must be clearly identifiable as a line item in the revenue and expense summaries within the organization’s audited financial statement. The grant will be considered complete upon satisfactory review of the above follow-up requirements.
b) The Future Best program requires athletes to retain all records and documents related to the grant (Ex. receipts) for a three-year period and must make them available for inspection by Sask Sport or their PSO when requested. However, Sask Sport will not be requesting receipts from recipients on an ongoing basis. Although it is not required, each individual PSO has the authority to require that receipts be submitted on an ongoing basis.
7. PROGRAM CRITERIA
a) Athletes may receive up to a maximum of $6,000 per year and will be ranked in one of six tiers.
*Approval of funding is subject to the number of applications received, budget allocation and performance results.
Tier 1 – Eligible to receive $6,000
- This level of support is limited to an athlete involved in Olympic/Paralympic sports and disciplines and has an excellent (podium) performance at the senior national level of competition.
- Includes athletes that are closest to making their sport’s senior national team and/or gaining a Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program senior card (SR).
Tier 2 – Eligible to receive $3,600
- This level of support is limited to an athlete involved in Olympic/Paralympic sport disciplines and has a strong (top six) performance at the senior national level or an excellent (podium) performance at the national development level.
- Includes athletes that have made their sport’s development national team or are very close to gaining a Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program developmental card (D).
Tier 3 – Eligible to receive $1,500
- This level of support is limited to an athlete involved in Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (carded) sport disciplines and has a significant (top 10) performance at the senior national level or a strong (top six) performance at the national junior or developmental level.
Tier 4 and 5 eligibility will be based on sophistication, maturity and complexity of the sport’s national team program in order to determine whether the athletes will be supported. Factors such as the following will be considered:
- The number of countries and athletes participating at the world championships.
- The number of provinces with representation on the national team.
- An overview of the qualifying or national team selection process.
- An overview of the training requirements the athletes are required to complete.
Tier 4 – Eligible to receive $750
- Are members of a senior national team from a sport that does not receive Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (carding) but does have formalized national team programs.
Tier 5 – Eligible to receive $500
- Are members of a developmental or junior national team from a sport that does not receive Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program carding but does have formalized national team programs.
Tier 6 – Ineligible to receive Future Best funding support
b) The following items are eligible expenditures for Future Best:
- Standard living costs (Ex. rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, medical expenses etc.)
- Costs directly associated with training (Ex. coaching, sport science, facility fees, other athlete services)
- Sport-specific equipment
- Costs associated with attending training camps and competitions (Ex. entry fees, travel costs)
- Education-related expenses excluding tuition (Ex. books, fees)
c) Athletes receiving financial support will be required to sign an agreement confirming their commitment to comply with all conditions.
d) Funding cannot be used to support off–continent travel.
8. APPEAL PROCESS
The purpose of the appeal process is to enable disputes between applicants and Sask Sport to be dealt with fairly, expeditiously and affordably, without recourse to formal legal and court-like procedures. Please click here to view the Appeal Policy.
Applicants have until 30 days from the written confirmation of their application status to file their appeal. To be considered the PSO must support the appeal.
9. RESPONSIBILITIES
Athlete Responsibilities
Athletes applying for Future Best support must commit to the following responsibilities:
a) Submit the completed application to Sask Sport via their PSO for review.
b) Provide true statements in their application, follow up and supporting documents to verify these statements if requested by Sask Sport.
c) Athletes who have received Future Best funding in previous years must provide a clear indication of continued improvement.
If approved, athletes must:
a) Adhere to the competition and training program as outlined in the application. Immediately advise Sask Sport of any change to the information provided in the original application. This is needed to ensure compliance is still maintained and for the timely receipt of program information.
b) Abide by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and World Anti-Doping Agency and the policy of the PSO and/or NSO related to the use of banned performance-enhancing substances, doping controls and sporting contacts with other countries. Failing to do so may result in the athletes having to return some or all of the funding.
c) Refund any assistance provided if the athlete does not fulfil their obligations as outlined in the athlete agreement and/or their agreed upon training and competitive program.
d) If approached, participate in sport-related, non-commercial, promotional activities designed to assist in the promotion of the benefits of sport, and/or the Future Best program. These activities do not normally involve more than two working days per athlete per year.
e) Sign an agreement confirming their commitment to comply with all conditions and agree to represent Saskatchewan at national championships and/or multi-sport games.
f) It is the responsibility of the athlete to notify the Future Best and Awards Committee of changes in their status as it relates to the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program.
g) Retain all records and documents related to the grant (Ex. receipts) for a three-year period and make them available to Sask Sport or your PSO upon request. Sask Sport may request receipts for auditing purposes. The individual PSO may require the athlete to submit receipts as part of their Future Best procedure.
Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) responsibilities
The PSO plays a key role in ensuring that deserving athletes get an opportunity to access support. In doing so, the PSO agrees to:
a) At least one month prior to the application deadline, distribute the Future Best application information and criteria to potential athletes who fully meet the eligibility criteria.
b) Develop internal criteria and standards by which athletes will be identified for Future Best eligibility (it is recommended that the NSO be approached to assist in this area).
c) Complete the personal information section of the NSO Questionnaire and forward to the NSO for each athlete who will be applying; this questionnaire will then be sent back to the PSO and then forwarded to Sask Sport (510 Cynthia Street).
d) Confirm the athletes completed Future Best application through the online process and remove any applications that are incomplete.
e) Assist in monitoring the athletes progress and advise Sask Sport immediately if they become aware that the athlete is failing to fulfil their obligations and/or commitments to the program.
f) Distribute funding directly to athletes once it is approved and released by Sask Sport.
g) Complete and submit a follow-up report upon completion of the agreement.
h) Assist in the promotion of the Future Best program.
i) It is the responsibility of the PSO’s to notify the Future Best and Awards Committee of changes in an athlete’s status as it relates to the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program.
j) It is the responsibility of the PSO to utilize all existing, reliable and objective ranking information systems (Ex. carding lists, etc.) in the Future Best process. Please ensure the NSO is involved in developing this ranking.
k) Sports are strongly encouraged to develop clear guidelines to determine who is eligible to apply for the Future Best program.
l) Sports that are not involved in Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (carding) must submit the following information to be considered:
- The number of countries and athletes participating at the world championships
- The number of provinces with representation on the national team
- An overview of the qualifying or national team selection process
- An overview of the training requirements the athletes are required to complete
Sask Sport responsibilities
a) Provide the PSO with Future Best materials (application, follow up, eligibility criteria, NSO questionnaire, program guidelines, etc.).
b) Establish a volunteer committee to adjudicate all applications in a fair and unbiased manner.
c) Approve and arrange payments in accordance with the program guidelines.
d) Advise all applicants (and PSOs) as to the status of their application.
e) Work with the athletes and the PSO to ensure that due process is followed in the selection of athletes, preparation of applications and follow ups and fulfillment of obligations and commitments.
f) Promote the Future Best Program to businesses and individuals as a cause worthy of support.
For more questions or concerns, please contact:
Kia Schollar, Sport Excellence Manager
kschollar@sasksport.ca
306.220.7006
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 15, 2025
All the information provided will be kept confidential.
Guidelines and other documents
1. INTRODUCTION
Being on a national team or representing their country is a dream come true for many Saskatchewan athletes. The realization of this dream does not come without many challenges, personal sacrifices, and financial hardships. The Future Best Athlete Assistance Program (Future Best) is specifically designed to assist those athletes who are in the “gap”.
The “gap” is defined as the high-performance developmental phase of an athlete’s career where they are involved in an intense level of training and competition with the personal goals and realistic potential of becoming a national senior team member, yet they have not reached carding status or been named to the national senior team.
2. SOURCE OF FUNDING
The Future Best Athlete Assistance Program is funded through the Sport Section of the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund.
3. PURPOSE
To provide financial assistance to support the developmental needs of Saskatchewan athletes who have been identified by their National Sport Organization (NSO) as clearly demonstrating the potential to become a national senior team member and those who are seriously committed to attaining this status through intense training, technical development and competitive success. In keeping with the Canadian Sport Policy, athletes who compete in sports on the most current calendar of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan and Parapan American Games will be given priority in the review process.
4. ELIGIBILITY
a) Athletes who are pursuing a full-time course of study at a post-secondary institution outside of Saskatchewan, or are training outside of Saskatchewan are eligible as long as all of the other eligibility criteria are fully met.
b) The athlete must be able to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Future Best and Awards Committee, that they are a product of the Saskatchewan sport system. Evidence of this would be a significant and/or relevant portion of their sport development occurred while a primary resident of Saskatchewan. The athlete must also be an active member in good standing with their Provincial Sport Organization (PSO).
c) Be committed to making their sport’s national senior team and/or representing Canada at the international level.
d) Athletes considering participating in the NCAA in the future may apply but should be aware that accepting Future Best funding may impact one’s NCAA amateur status and eligibility.
e) Receive endorsement from their NSO, via the Future Best NSO Questionnaire, which verifies that they have been identified through a national talent identification process and are highly ranked on the national team depth chart.
f) To be eligible athletes must meet one or more of the following performance criteria:
- Have been identified as part of the developmental (“espoir”) team/pool at a national senior team level.
- Have demonstrated outstanding performance at the most recent national championships or other recognized national/international senior level competitions (Ex. national team trials).
- Have represented Canada as a member of a national junior team or have been recently named to the national junior team.
- Have demonstrated outstanding performance at the most recent national junior championships or other recognized national/international junior level competitions (Ex. junior national team trials).
g) Athletes from sports not currently eligible for the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program and who are members of junior or senior national teams are eligible to apply for Future Best. These athletes will be considered for support; however, to be assured that the NSO has a formalized and sophisticated national team program, the committee will consider the following factors when determining the level of support provided:
- The number of countries and athletes participating in the world championships.
- The number of provinces with representation on the national team.
- The qualifying or team selection process.
- The training requirements the athletes are required to complete.
h) The sport in which the athlete participates must have a clearly articulated national team program with appropriate training and competitive opportunities (both domestic and international) and the NSO must conduct a formal process for selecting athletes for national teams.
i) All athletes who are receiving support from the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (carding) before December 1, will not be eligible to receive funding from the Future Best program but are eligible for Saskatchewan Program for Athletic Excellence. All athletes who receive support from the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (carding) after December 1, will be allowed to keep their Future Best funding.
If an athlete is carded at the application deadline but loses their carding status after December 1, they will be eligible to apply for financial support directly to the Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan (CSCS) at any time throughout the year. These athletes will require support from their NSO confirming they are still on track to make the senior national team and have a strong opportunity to receive carding support again in the future. The Future Best and Awards Committee will determine the funding level the athlete is eligible to receive based on several factors including the number of months leading up to the next application deadline and the confirmation that the athlete is still on track to make the senior national team.
5. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
a) Deadline for applications is October 15, 2025.
b) PSOs will will be responsible for sending information on the application process to those athletes who they identify as fully meeting the eligibility criteria.
c) Athletes will be responsible for completing the application and notifying their PSO when it is complete. The PSO will review and endorse the application for Sask Sport to review. The PSO is responsible for ensuring that a completed NSO questionnaire is submitted containing the required information on each athlete. Applications without a completed NSO questionnaire will be considered incomplete and ineligible.
d) The Future Best and Awards Committee (a volunteer committee of Sask Sport that consists of a cross section of sport volunteers) will review all applications received. All applicants and the PSO will be notified as to the results of the review in January.
e) Funds will be released to the PSO of successful athletes by April 1, 2026.
6. FOLLOW-UP STATEMENT
a) The follow-up for this grant program will require the PSO to complete a Future Best follow-up report by May 15 and submit a copy of the organization’s audited financial statement(s). The audited financial statement must be submitted to the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund within 90 days of the organization’s fiscal year end. This grant program must be clearly identifiable as a line item in the revenue and expense summaries within the organization’s audited financial statement. The grant will be considered complete upon satisfactory review of the above follow-up requirements.
b) The Future Best program requires athletes to retain all records and documents related to the grant (Ex. receipts) for a three-year period and must make them available for inspection by Sask Sport or their PSO when requested. However, Sask Sport will not be requesting receipts from recipients on an ongoing basis. Although it is not required, each individual PSO has the authority to require that receipts be submitted on an ongoing basis.
7. PROGRAM CRITERIA
a) Athletes may receive up to a maximum of $6,000 per year and will be ranked in one of six tiers.
*Approval of funding is subject to the number of applications received, budget allocation and performance results.
Tier 1 – Eligible to receive $6,000
- This level of support is limited to an athlete involved in Olympic/Paralympic sports and disciplines and has an excellent (podium) performance at the senior national level of competition.
- Includes athletes that are closest to making their sport’s senior national team and/or gaining a Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program senior card (SR).
Tier 2 – Eligible to receive $3,600
- This level of support is limited to an athlete involved in Olympic/Paralympic sport disciplines and has a strong (top six) performance at the senior national level or an excellent (podium) performance at the national development level.
- Includes athletes that have made their sport’s development national team or are very close to gaining a Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program developmental card (D).
Tier 3 – Eligible to receive $1,500
- This level of support is limited to an athlete involved in Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (carded) sport disciplines and has a significant (top 10) performance at the senior national level or a strong (top six) performance at the national junior or developmental level.
Tier 4 and 5 eligibility will be based on sophistication, maturity and complexity of the sport’s national team program in order to determine whether the athletes will be supported. Factors such as the following will be considered:
- The number of countries and athletes participating at the world championships.
- The number of provinces with representation on the national team.
- An overview of the qualifying or national team selection process.
- An overview of the training requirements the athletes are required to complete.
Tier 4 – Eligible to receive $750
- Are members of a senior national team from a sport that does not receive Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (carding) but does have formalized national team programs.
Tier 5 – Eligible to receive $500
- Are members of a developmental or junior national team from a sport that does not receive Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program carding but does have formalized national team programs.
Tier 6 – Ineligible to receive Future Best funding support
b) The following items are eligible expenditures for Future Best:
- Standard living costs (Ex. rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, medical expenses etc.)
- Costs directly associated with training (Ex. coaching, sport science, facility fees, other athlete services)
- Sport-specific equipment
- Costs associated with attending training camps and competitions (Ex. entry fees, travel costs)
- Education-related expenses excluding tuition (Ex. books, fees)
c) Athletes receiving financial support will be required to sign an agreement confirming their commitment to comply with all conditions.
d) Funding cannot be used to support off–continent travel.
8. APPEAL PROCESS
The purpose of the appeal process is to enable disputes between applicants and Sask Sport to be dealt with fairly, expeditiously and affordably, without recourse to formal legal and court-like procedures. Please click here to view the Appeal Policy.
Applicants have until 30 days from the written confirmation of their application status to file their appeal. To be considered the PSO must support the appeal.
9. RESPONSIBILITIES
Athlete Responsibilities
Athletes applying for Future Best support must commit to the following responsibilities:
a) Submit the completed application to Sask Sport via their PSO for review.
b) Provide true statements in their application, follow up and supporting documents to verify these statements if requested by Sask Sport.
c) Athletes who have received Future Best funding in previous years must provide a clear indication of continued improvement.
If approved, athletes must:
a) Adhere to the competition and training program as outlined in the application. Immediately advise Sask Sport of any change to the information provided in the original application. This is needed to ensure compliance is still maintained and for the timely receipt of program information.
b) Abide by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and World Anti-Doping Agency and the policy of the PSO and/or NSO related to the use of banned performance-enhancing substances, doping controls and sporting contacts with other countries. Failing to do so may result in the athletes having to return some or all of the funding.
c) Refund any assistance provided if the athlete does not fulfil their obligations as outlined in the athlete agreement and/or their agreed upon training and competitive program.
d) If approached, participate in sport-related, non-commercial, promotional activities designed to assist in the promotion of the benefits of sport, and/or the Future Best program. These activities do not normally involve more than two working days per athlete per year.
e) Sign an agreement confirming their commitment to comply with all conditions and agree to represent Saskatchewan at national championships and/or multi-sport games.
f) It is the responsibility of the athlete to notify the Future Best and Awards Committee of changes in their status as it relates to the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program.
g) Retain all records and documents related to the grant (Ex. receipts) for a three-year period and make them available to Sask Sport or your PSO upon request. Sask Sport may request receipts for auditing purposes. The individual PSO may require the athlete to submit receipts as part of their Future Best procedure.
Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) responsibilities
The PSO plays a key role in ensuring that deserving athletes get an opportunity to access support. In doing so, the PSO agrees to:
a) At least one month prior to the application deadline, distribute the Future Best application information and criteria to potential athletes who fully meet the eligibility criteria.
b) Develop internal criteria and standards by which athletes will be identified for Future Best eligibility (it is recommended that the NSO be approached to assist in this area).
c) Complete the personal information section of the NSO Questionnaire and forward to the NSO for each athlete who will be applying; this questionnaire will then be sent back to the PSO and then forwarded to Sask Sport (510 Cynthia Street).
d) Confirm the athletes completed Future Best application through the online process and remove any applications that are incomplete.
e) Assist in monitoring the athletes progress and advise Sask Sport immediately if they become aware that the athlete is failing to fulfil their obligations and/or commitments to the program.
f) Distribute funding directly to athletes once it is approved and released by Sask Sport.
g) Complete and submit a follow-up report upon completion of the agreement.
h) Assist in the promotion of the Future Best program.
i) It is the responsibility of the PSO’s to notify the Future Best and Awards Committee of changes in an athlete’s status as it relates to the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program.
j) It is the responsibility of the PSO to utilize all existing, reliable and objective ranking information systems (Ex. carding lists, etc.) in the Future Best process. Please ensure the NSO is involved in developing this ranking.
k) Sports are strongly encouraged to develop clear guidelines to determine who is eligible to apply for the Future Best program.
l) Sports that are not involved in Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (carding) must submit the following information to be considered:
- The number of countries and athletes participating at the world championships
- The number of provinces with representation on the national team
- An overview of the qualifying or national team selection process
- An overview of the training requirements the athletes are required to complete
Sask Sport responsibilities
a) Provide the PSO with Future Best materials (application, follow up, eligibility criteria, NSO questionnaire, program guidelines, etc.).
b) Establish a volunteer committee to adjudicate all applications in a fair and unbiased manner.
c) Approve and arrange payments in accordance with the program guidelines.
d) Advise all applicants (and PSOs) as to the status of their application.
e) Work with the athletes and the PSO to ensure that due process is followed in the selection of athletes, preparation of applications and follow ups and fulfillment of obligations and commitments.
f) Promote the Future Best Program to businesses and individuals as a cause worthy of support.
For more questions or concerns, please contact:
Kia Schollar, Sport Excellence Manager
kschollar@sasksport.ca
306.220.7006
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 15, 2025
All the information provided will be kept confidential.