NEWS
Insight into KIJHL partner Next Shift Network
January 22, 2025
www.kijhl.ca/insight-into-kijhl-partner-next-shift-network
The Next Shift Network is a support and mentoring organization whose mission is to help elite athletes create game plans for life both IN and BEYOND sport. Next Shift does this by providing resources, support and connections that assist athletes in:
As a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) sponsor, Next Shift Network wants to provide the league’s players and coaches with access to the expertise, resources, and guidance the members of its network offer. Next Shift Network wants to provide a holistic support system for players as they seek to excel on the ice, explore interests and build competencies outside of sport, and learn how to leverage their competitive experiences and skills into life after sport.
The KIJHL asked Next Shift Network president and managing director Andrea Manning-Kroon to answer some questions to provide more insight into the Next Shift Network:
KIJHL: Why is your partnership with our league important?
Next Shift’s partnership with the KIJHL is important because support of our mission at a league level is critical to growing our profile and impact. Our partnership is also important because it signals – to players, their parents, and other leagues – the KIJHL’s commitment to fostering and supporting player well-being, development and success (on and off the ice), and its willingness to embrace outside organizations to make those things a reality.
KIJHL: How do you want to help players in our league?
Next Shift exists to provide support, information and guidance players need. We can help in areas such as building and maintaining high performance habits (mental, physical and relational), exploring interests and passions outside of sports, or figuring out how to handle the challenges and opportunities that come with playing – or moving on from – junior hockey.
We offer resources, connections, and mentorship to help players develop and succeed both on and off the ice. Our goal is to answer player questions, navigate their concerns, help them build a healthy, balanced identity, and prepare for whatever comes next, whether that’s in hockey or beyond.
KIJHL: Can you give an example of how you get an athlete to explore and cultivate other interests and passions while competing?
Athletes tend to be worried that devoting time and energy to things other than their sport will impact their competitive success (ie. if they aren’t “all in, all the time” they will fail). Fortunately, research demonstrates that the opposite is true: athletes who explore and develop interests and an identity outside of their sport, and who think about and plan for the future, perform better and are more secure and organized in their athletic life. It is actually in an athlete’s best interests to explore and develop who they are outside their sport!
Next Shift believes this message needs to be delivered to high-performance sports teams and leagues, and the coaches and athletes within them.
Once athletes understand that there is value in developing a multi-dimensional identity, rather that a one-dimensional one (ie. athlete), Next Shift encourages them to explore issues, activities, people, careers and courses of study that spark their interest or curiosity. We then connect them to the people and organizations who are doing the things they are interested in trying or learning more about.
Because our network is made up of so many different types of people (ie. athletes, coaches, business owners, health care professionals, trades people, educators, career counsellors, politicians, etc.), all an athlete needs to do is ask and we can connect them with people who can answer their questions. We can introduce them to opportunities, make suggestions about next steps or future plans and directions, and provide ongoing mentorship and advice as their interests are explored.
Insight into KIJHL partner Next Shift Network
January 22, 2025
www.kijhl.ca/insight-into-kijhl-partner-next-shift-network
The Next Shift Network is a support and mentoring organization whose mission is to help elite athletes create game plans for life both IN and BEYOND sport. Next Shift does this by providing resources, support and connections that assist athletes in:
- optimizing their competitive skills and mindsets,
- recognizing and leveraging the skills, attitudes and disciplines they have developed through sport and,
- preparing for and navigating the transition from elite sports into life beyond competition.
As a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) sponsor, Next Shift Network wants to provide the league’s players and coaches with access to the expertise, resources, and guidance the members of its network offer. Next Shift Network wants to provide a holistic support system for players as they seek to excel on the ice, explore interests and build competencies outside of sport, and learn how to leverage their competitive experiences and skills into life after sport.
The KIJHL asked Next Shift Network president and managing director Andrea Manning-Kroon to answer some questions to provide more insight into the Next Shift Network:
KIJHL: Why is your partnership with our league important?
Next Shift’s partnership with the KIJHL is important because support of our mission at a league level is critical to growing our profile and impact. Our partnership is also important because it signals – to players, their parents, and other leagues – the KIJHL’s commitment to fostering and supporting player well-being, development and success (on and off the ice), and its willingness to embrace outside organizations to make those things a reality.
KIJHL: How do you want to help players in our league?
Next Shift exists to provide support, information and guidance players need. We can help in areas such as building and maintaining high performance habits (mental, physical and relational), exploring interests and passions outside of sports, or figuring out how to handle the challenges and opportunities that come with playing – or moving on from – junior hockey.
We offer resources, connections, and mentorship to help players develop and succeed both on and off the ice. Our goal is to answer player questions, navigate their concerns, help them build a healthy, balanced identity, and prepare for whatever comes next, whether that’s in hockey or beyond.
KIJHL: Can you give an example of how you get an athlete to explore and cultivate other interests and passions while competing?
Athletes tend to be worried that devoting time and energy to things other than their sport will impact their competitive success (ie. if they aren’t “all in, all the time” they will fail). Fortunately, research demonstrates that the opposite is true: athletes who explore and develop interests and an identity outside of their sport, and who think about and plan for the future, perform better and are more secure and organized in their athletic life. It is actually in an athlete’s best interests to explore and develop who they are outside their sport!
Next Shift believes this message needs to be delivered to high-performance sports teams and leagues, and the coaches and athletes within them.
Once athletes understand that there is value in developing a multi-dimensional identity, rather that a one-dimensional one (ie. athlete), Next Shift encourages them to explore issues, activities, people, careers and courses of study that spark their interest or curiosity. We then connect them to the people and organizations who are doing the things they are interested in trying or learning more about.
Because our network is made up of so many different types of people (ie. athletes, coaches, business owners, health care professionals, trades people, educators, career counsellors, politicians, etc.), all an athlete needs to do is ask and we can connect them with people who can answer their questions. We can introduce them to opportunities, make suggestions about next steps or future plans and directions, and provide ongoing mentorship and advice as their interests are explored.