Sport Leadership

Registration Closes October 28

OTTAWA, ON, October 26, 2020 – The Coaching Association of Canada™ (CAC) is pleased to announce its virtual annual conference for coaches, researchers, sport executives, and administrators has more than 2500 delegates registered to attend the 2020 Petro-Canada™ Sport Leadership sportif conference (#SLS20) from November 4-6 for three days of learning, professional development, and networking amidst the 2020 theme, Courage by Design. The conference program seeks to gather the sport community to evaluate, reset, and amplify efforts to influence positive change through sport.  

Through a series of engaging keynote presentations and breakout sessions, delegates will be motivated to consider how their intentional acts of courage, inclusivity, and resilience can positively shape Canada’s sport community. Registration for the virtual event is only available until October 28. The event is free to everyone.

“Our theme Courage by Design has become painfully relevant during these times. Our intent is to hold space for our sport leaders to learn, reflect and share their experiences so that we can, collectively, create safe sport for all”, says Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the CAC. “Our sport community has an important role to play in the recovery of Canada’s physical and mental well-being as we navigate COVID and the issues of systemic racism which have magnified as a result.”

Benoît Huot, one of Canada’s most decorated Paralympic athletes, will lead delegates over three days as the #SLS20 conference emcee. He will be joined by plenary and workshop presenters representing a multitude of expertise and backgrounds, presenting topics aligned with the Courage by Design theme. They include, but are not limited to:

  • Promoting Allyship in the Workplace, Dr. Hadiya Roderique  
  • Wired for Innovation: How Millennials and Gen Z can help us Progress, Ilona Dougherty
  • Mental Health & Wellness in Times of Stress, Dr. Shimi Kang  
  • BIPOC and Coaching, Mark Smith  
  • ABCs of Courageous Leadership, Kimberly Davis
  • Turning Trauma to Motivation, Waneek Horn-Miller

The CAC is pleased to partner with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) to present their respective Fall Leadership Meetings in conjunction with the CAC’s 2020 Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif conference. The unique partnership will provide attendees of the COC’s and the CPC’s meetings and the Summer and Winter Sport and Multi-sport Service Organization Caucuses the opportunity to extend their professional development and participate in the 2020 Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif conference.

Canada’s sport leaders will also be celebrating moments of courageous leadership by honouring winners of the 2020 Petro-Canada Sport Leadership Awards on Thursday, November 5 via CAC’s Facebook page from 7pm to 8pm EST. 

Key Points to Remember

For more information on the 2020 Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif conference, you are invited to engage through a variety of digital channels:  

CAC Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

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For media inquiries: 
Natalie Rumscheidt
Director of Marketing and Communications
Coaching Association of Canada
613-235-5000 ext. 2051 | nrumscheidt@coach.ca

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.

About Suncor
Suncor Energy and the Suncor Energy Foundation (SEF) have a proud history helping build sustainable communities through collaborative partnerships that enhance the quality of life in key operating areas. Since the inception of SEF in 1998, Suncor and the SEF have contributed $296 million to charitable and non-profit organizations in Canada and internationally. The SEF is a private, charitable foundation established to receive Suncor's contributions and support registered Canadian charitable organizations. For more information about Suncor Energy and our community investment program, please visit our website at suncor.com/community.


Petro-Canada™, a Suncor business, operates more than 1,500 retail stations and 300 Petro-Pass™ wholesale locations nationwide. Petro-Canada’s retail loyalty program, Petro-PointsTM, 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 30 years. For more information, visit www.petro-canada.ca.