The Coaching Association of Canada will honour 71 recipients for their remarkable contributions to sport in Canada at the 2024 Petro-Canada™ Sport Leadership Awards Gala. This year’s honourees include Andrzej Sadej for his lifelong contributions to Para Judo and high-performance coaching, Joe Cecchini for guiding the youngest-ever female world champion in skeleton, Karol Sauvé for his leadership in coach development, Baseball Canada’s Women in Coaching Program for its groundbreaking support of female coaches, and 67 coaches with the Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards. 

TREATY 4 TERRITORY, REGINA, SK, November 15, 2024 – The Coaching Association of Canada™ (CAC) will celebrate remarkable achievements in coaching and sport development during the Petro-Canada™ Sport Leadership Awards Gala. 

Hosted by the CAC in partnership with Petro-Canada, a Suncor business, this annual Gala honours coaches who exemplify the values and competencies of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and their positive impact within the sport system in Canada. It is held during the Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif conference, Canada’s annual conference for coaches, researchers, sport executives, and administrators.  

The Coaching Association of Canada’s National Award Recipients include:  

Andrzej Sadej, ChPC (Ottawa, ON)  

Recipient, 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award  

The CAC’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a lifelong commitment to coaching and coach development. This prestigious award is presented to an outstanding individual who has positively influenced the growth of coaching in Canada, contributed significantly to the sport community, shown dedication to upholding the values of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), and inspired future generations of coaches.   

Andrzej Sadej has dedicated his life to coaching and developing athletes in the judo community in Canada. He was Judo Canada's National Coach from 1990 to 1996, where he helped create national high-performance and Olympic programs. His efforts contributed to important victories, including Nicolas Gill's Olympic bronze and World Championship silver. In 1998, he became Judo Canada’s Sports Director, further expanding his influence. He played a key role in implementing the Long-Term Development Model (LTDM) and transformed the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) to provide better training for coaches. Andrzej also led the Paralympic judo program, mentoring athletes like Priscilla Gagné, who won Paralympic silver in Tokyo 2020. Through coaching seminars and talent development, he continues to inspire the judo community, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence and passion. 

“Andrzej’s dedication to coaching and athlete development has greatly influenced the judo community,” says Bill Greenlaw, Chair of the CAC Board of Directors. “His leadership in elevating coaching standards and supporting athletes reflects his commitment to excellence. We are proud to recognize his lasting impact.”  

Joe Cecchini, ChPC (Calgary, AB)  

Recipient, 2024 Coach of the Year Award  

The CAC’s Coach of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of a coach in Canada, both for the sport performances of their athlete(s) or team in the previous competitive season and for exhibiting excellence in sport values. The recipient of this award guides their athletes to success in sport and in life by instilling in them the values of honesty, integrity, a positive attitude, competitiveness, and a love of sport. This coach leads by example and consistently demonstrates a dedication to lifelong learning and continuous improvement.  

Joe Cecchini, a former skeleton racer and now a coach, has significantly shaped the success of Canadian athletes, particularly guiding Hallie Clarke to become the youngest female world champion in skeleton. His coaching skills come from his deep understanding of the sport, focus on technical detail, and commitment to developing athletes' mental and physical abilities. Beyond coaching, Cecchini helps grow the sport through his leadership in athlete recruitment and creating a positive team environment. Cecchini’s influence on skeleton in Canada is clear, and his passion continues to uplift the sport and its people. 

“Joe’s dedication to coaching is highly regarded by his peers,” says Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the CAC. “His passion for developing athletes and fostering a positive team culture is inspiring, and his impact on the sport of skeleton is felt across Canada.” 

Karol Sauvé (Magog, QC)  

Recipient, 2024 National NCCP Coach Developer Award  

The CAC’s National NCCP Coach Developer Award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond to develop trained and certified NCCP coaches in their community. The recipient of this award embodies the spirit and characteristics of the “best of the best” Coach Developers throughout Canada.   

Karol Sauvé, a Master Coach Developer and respected leader within Aviron Quebec and Rowing Canada, has profoundly influenced the sport through his mentorship and guidance. He has been instrumental in supporting coaches along the Competition Development pathway, especially ahead of key events like the Canada Summer Games. Beyond his technical expertise, Karol has played a crucial role in delivering online coaching education programs, ensuring coaches have access to the training and resources they need. Known for his positive attitude and unwavering support, Karol has mentored countless coaches, fostering a culture of inclusion, curiosity, and innovation. His dedication to the values of the NCCP and his passion for coaching continue to inspire athletes and fellow coaches alike. 

“Aviron Quebec, along with Rowing Canada, is delighted that Karol has been recognized with the National NCCP Coach Developer Award,” says Nadine Boutin, Executive Director at Aviron Québec.  

“His unwavering dedication to coach education shines through in the countless coaches he has mentored over the years. Karol is always eager to lend his support to both new Coach Developers and coaches alike. His technical expertise, positive spirit, and leadership are shaping the future leaders of our rowing community,” says Colleen Miller, Manager of Coach Education and Development, Rowing Canada Aviron. “Every interaction with Karol is an opportunity to learn and grow, and his warm welcoming approach to mentoring coupled with exceptional teaching ability inspire us all to become better coaches and individuals.”  

Baseball Canada’s Women in Coaching Program 

Recipient, 2024 Impact Award 

The Coaching Association of Canada’s Impact Award recognizes an individual or organization for their creation of an innovative event or program that has benefited the sport and coaching community. In response to a dynamic sport environment, the recipient has demonstrated perseverance and a determination to uplift those around them, and a dedication to supporting marginalized groups in sport throughout the creation and implementation of the event or program.   

Baseball Canada’s Women in Coaching Program, launched in fall 2023, aims to create an inclusive space for female coaches in baseball. In its first year, over 122 coaches participated in training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, including 14 NCCP clinics led by female facilitators. The program also hosted its first all-female Competition Development clinic, significantly boosting the number of trained female coaches nationwide. With a focus on equity and inclusion, the initiative breaks barriers and supports the growth of women in baseball. As it enters its second year, it continues to develop future leaders and role models in the sport. 

“This program celebrates female coaches' achievements and builds a more inclusive future in baseball,” says Jason Dickson, Chief Executive Office of Baseball Canada. “We envision a community where women can thrive and inspire the next generation of athletes. With a focus on training and mentorship, we hope to see the long-lasting effects of this program on girls’ and women’s baseball.” 

Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards  

In 2024, the CAC and Petro-Canada will recognize 67 coaches from 27 unique sports with the annual Petro-Canda Coaching Excellence Awards. These awards spotlight coaches who have supported their athletes to a medal-winning performance at a world championships event, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, or the Special Olympics World Games. Since 1986, Petro-Canada has honoured 1,512 coaches with this award.  

The 2024 Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award recipients are:  

More information on the award recipients is posted on the Awards & Recognition page of the CAC’s website. 

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For more information, pictures or videos of the recipients, please contact: 

Katherine Zhang 
Coordinator, Marketing and Communications 
Coaching Association of Canada 

kzhang@coach.ca 

613.235.5000 x 2353 

About the Coaching Association of Canada   

The Coaching Association of Canada unites stakeholders and partners in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. Through its programs, the CAC empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches. For more information, please visit www.coach.ca, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.  

About Petro-Canada^TM 

Petro-Canada, a Suncor business, operates more than 1,500 retail stations and 300 Petro-Pass wholesale locations nationwide, including 61 marketing arrangements with Indigenous communities. In 2019, Petro-Canada opened Canada’s Electric Highway^TM, a coast to coast network of electric vehicle chargers. In 2020, the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation^TM was launched to help support Canadian caregivers. Petro-Canada’s retail loyalty program, Petro-Points™, provides Canadians with the opportunity to earn and redeem rewards. Petro-Canada is proud to be a National Partner of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees, supporting Canadian athletes, coaches and their families for more than 35 years.