Ottawa, ON, January 13, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is honoured to receive funding from the Government of Canada’s Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE). This support will drive initiatives aimed at advancing gender equity and promoting leadership development within Canada’s coaching community.
The funding will empower the CAC to launch the Women and Gender Equity in Coaching initiative. This transformative program will focus on mentorship, leadership development, and the establishment of a national Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP will guide sport organizations through a structured approach to plan, train, design, implement, and sustain initiatives that foster long-term progress in gender equity.
Through this 21-month project, the CAC will collaborate with provincial and national organizations across Canada to create meaningful opportunities for women in coaching. Participating organizations will benefit from mentorship, expert-led education sessions, hands-on experiences, and resources designed to advance gender equity. The initiative will also produce legacy materials, including policy recommendations, new programs, and contributions to conferences and publications.
Lorraine Lafrenière, CEO of the CAC, emphasized the importance of this initiative:
"Sport in Canada has made significant strides in gender equity, but women remain underrepresented in coaching roles. Through the Women and Gender Equity in Coaching project, we aim to create meaningful opportunities for women to advance their careers. By fostering mentorship, networking, and skills development, we will empower women coaches at every level of sport. This initiative also provides a platform for sport organizations, from grassroots to national levels, to ensure inclusive coaching opportunities."
Participating Organizations
The following organizations will play a pivotal role in this initiative, representing a broad spectrum of sports across Canada:
Athletics Canada
Baseball Canada
Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association/Boccia Canada
Canadian Sport Institute – Atlantic
Canoe Kayak Ontario - Sprint
Curl BC
Cycling Canada
Football Canada
Gymnastics Canada
Karate Canada
Manitoba Fencing Association
Ringette Canada
Speed Skating Canada
Sport Newfoundland & Labrador
Table Tennis Canada
Volleyball Alberta
Research and Community Leadership
The initiative will also include a Community of Practice lead Siobhan Rouke and a dedicated research team led by Diane Culver, uOttawa to evaluate the program and provide recommendations on mentorship leading practices. These efforts will help establish a foundation for ongoing advancements in gender equity within Canadian sport.
This project is funded through Women and Gender Equality Canada's Women's Program. The CAC is grateful for WAGE’s support and its shared commitment to fostering equity and inclusion in all aspects of sport.
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, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.
About Women and Gender Equality Canada
The Department for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) advances equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression through the inclusion of women and 2SLGBTQI+ people in every aspect of Canada’s social, economic, and political life.
Media Contact
Kate Boyd
Manager, Special Projects
Coaching Association of Canada