The present invention relates to functionalized catalyst supports that are useful in the formation of supported polymerization catalysts, supported catalysts derived from such functionalized catalyst supports, methods for preparing such functionalized catalyst supports and supported catalysts, and polymerization processes utilizing such supported catalysts. The functionalized catalyst supports comprise a particulated, solid support material having chemically bonded thereto a plurality of conjugated or non-conjugated diene or alkyne functionalized ligand groups, said composition being capable of reacting with and tethering a catalytically activatable Group 3-10 or Lanthanide metal complex thereto.