Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton and Luge Canada have signed an agreement to pursue a combined national sport organization for bobsled, luge and skeleton.
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Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton and Luge Canada have signed an agreement to bring the two federations together as a single national sport organization, with the proposed merger set to unite bobsled, luge and skeleton under one NSO.
The organizations announced the plan on Thursday, describing it as the first merger of national sport organizations in Canada under the federal government’s Playground to Podium vision.
Luge Canada executive director Tim Farstad said in a statement that the initiative is intended to build something stronger while preserving what makes each sport special, adding that luge, bobsled and skeleton each have their own culture, history and community.
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton CEO Kien Tran said the merger would create efficiencies, provide greater scale, and strengthen the ability to attract investment and partnerships, which he said would increase capacity to invest in athletes, coaches and programs.
The agreement establishes a joint process to address key elements required for the organizations to come together, including legal structure and governance, organizational structure, high-performance and athlete development, the financial structure and an integration plan.
The organizations said the merger proposal also includes a review of the name and brand over the coming months, and they did not indicate whether job cuts would result.
Subject to required board and membership approvals, the combined organization’s goal is to begin operations next spring.
Canadian skeleton racer Hallie Clarke said the merger is the beginning of a bright future for Canada’s sliding sports, and that it can create collaboration opportunities for athletes and coaches at all levels of the sport.
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