OTTAWA (August 17, 2015) - Squash Canada announced today that all National Team Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Team Managers must be licensed or registered with the Professional Coaching Department of the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). This policy comes into effect on September 15th, 2015.

For coaches to be in good standing with Squash Canada and the CAC, they will be required to have passed the background check process, complete a comprehensive application form that includes letters of reference, and comply with the Professional Coach Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, and the Canadian Anti-Doping Policy. “These three policies must be signed off annually by the licensed or registered coach as a reminder of their commitment to the high ethical standards set by Squash Canada and the CAC,” stated Lolly Gillen, President of Squash Canada. “We are committed to the safety of athletes and coaches alike, to good risk management, and to enhancing the professional standards of coaching in Canada.”

“Squash Canada’s leadership in recognizing the importance of professionalizing the role of the coach while assuring the quality for participants is exemplary,” said Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the CAC. “Athletes – and their families – will now have the benefit of knowing that the organization incorporates additional steps to ensure a safe sporting environment,” she continued.

For all sports, coaches attending international multi-sport games events, as well as many world championships, are required to be licensed or registered with the CAC (www.coachesofcanada.com). Currently, Joe Besso, Barbara Cooper, Shauna Flath, Andrew Lynn, Yvon Provençal, and Graeme Williams are all Chartered Professional Coaches (ChPC) and leaders in the squash coaching community.

About Squash Canada

Founded in 1915, Squash Canada is a non-profit, national sport association responsible for the development of athletes, coaches and officials and sets the standards for Canadian Squash. Squash Canada is a proud member of the Pan-American and World Squash Federations and participates in the Pan-American championships, Commonwealth and Pan-Am Games as well as World Championships at the junior and senior level. Each year Squash Canada hosts various national championships across the country and works with its provincial and territorial partners to promote the growth and development of Squash across the country. For more information on Squash Canada, please visit www.squash.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.

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For more information, contact:

Steve Wren
Acting Executive Director
Squash Canada
613-323-5959
swren@squash.ca

Wayne Parro
Executive Director, Professional Coaching Department
Coaching Association of Canada
613-235-5000 ext. 2364
wparro@coach.ca