Paddling Together: Indigenous Ringette Coach Recruitment, Support, and Mentorship Program

Goal: Recruit Indigenous coaches into ringette across British Columbia. 

Description: 

• Province‑wide initiative to increase Indigenous representation and leadership. 

• Recruited Indigenous coaches and provided culturally grounded mentorship, certification, and leadership development.
• Integrated Indigenous ways of knowing and teaching.
• Built partnerships with Indigenous communities and addressed systemic barriers. 

Outcome: 

• Three new Indigenous coaches were recruited.
• Increased Indigenous representation, strengthened inclusivity, and established visible coaching pathways. 

Next Steps: 

• The Ice Hawks will strengthen the Flex program by maintaining Indigenous coach recruitment and mentorship and by establishing a culturally responsive coaching certification pathway.
• Mentorship will expand through on‑ice and off‑ice support, regular check‑ins, and individualized development plans.
• The program will deepen cultural integration and explore expansion of the Flex model to additional Indigenous communities to support long‑term sustainability. 

Northern Women Coach Developer Initiative

Goal: Develop women in leadership roles within biathlon—particularly in Northern Alberta—through coaching education, mentorship, and advancement. 

Description: 

• Increased the number of women coaches and strengthened competencies of existing coaches.
• Delivered NCCP courses, Learning Facilitator (LF) development, recruitment, and mentorship opportunities. 

Outcome: 

• Two women appointed to the Board.
• Three NCCP courses were delivered.
• Six women trained (including three new coaches).
• Three provincial camps were delivered.
• Four mentor–mentee pairs supported.
• LF Core Facilitator training completed by three individuals.
• Twelve women selected for Arctic and Alberta Winter Games coaching roles. 

Next Steps: 

• Biathlon Alberta will continue supporting newly trained Learning Facilitators and expand course delivery, especially in remote regions.
• Coaching pathways in Northern and Indigenous communities will be strengthened through increased training and development opportunities.
• “Try Biathlon” events will evolve from single‑session introductions to structured multi‑week programs to encourage sustained participation. 

Newfoundland & Labrador’s First Learning Facilitator

Goal: Increase local coach‑development capacity by training the province’s first woman Learning Facilitator and reducing barriers to coach education. 

Description: 

• Delivered content‑specific training and co‑facilitated workshops with new Learning Facilitator candidates.
• Delivered the first‑ever Broomball Technical Coach (BTC) workshop in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Outcome: 

• BTC workshop delivered successfully, training local coaches.
• The province’s first Learning Facilitator was identified, trained, and supported.
• Reduced reliance on out‑of‑province facilitators and strengthened long‑term capacity. 

Next Steps: 

• Two coaches will work toward full certification as Learning Facilitators through scheduled core training and a hybrid delivery model.
• Continued mentorship, co‑facilitation, and observation opportunities will support sustainable coach development. 

Karate for Participants with a Disability – Coaching Opportunities and NCCP Program

Goal: 

• Increase the number and visibility of athletes and coaches with disabilities.
• Build capacity to coach para‑karate athletes.
• Improve access to coaching opportunities. 

Description: 

• The Para Committee contributed to NCCP programming development.
• Participation barriers for coaches and athletes with disabilities were identified. 

Outcome: 

• An increase in para‑ready coaches was achieved.
• Coaching staff successfully supported para‑athletes at the Senior Pan American Championships and World Championships. 

Next Steps: 

• Karate Canada will see the project through completion, building on current momentum and capacity. 

Nunavut Badminton Coaching Symposium

Goal: Train coaches and support continued certification within the badminton coaching pathway. 

Description: 

• Delivered Regional Coach Module 3.
• Initiated coach portfolios to support certification.
• Continued to pursue Regional Coach‑level certification opportunities. 

Outcome: 

• Regional Coach modules were delivered to seven coaches. 

Next Steps: 

• Coaches will continue portfolio development and evaluations leading up to and during the 2025 Territorial Tournament.
• Nunavut Badminton will continue supporting Nunavummiut and Indigenous coaches through ongoing online symposium opportunities. 

OAWA Coaches Development & Inclusion Clinic

Goal: Increase participation, retention, and development of coaches from CAC Priority Groups through a one‑day professional development clinic. 

Description: 

• Delivered a coach‑centred professional development and networking event.
• Included nutrition sessions, leadership discussions, on‑mat training, and peer networking. 

Outcome: 

• Women’s participation doubled.
• BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ coaches were represented.
• Strengthened mentorship, collaboration, and peer support.
• A sustainable annual clinic model was established. 

Next Steps: 

• The clinic will become an annual EDI‑focused event within OAWA’s coach development calendar.
• Targeted outreach will increase engagement with Indigenous coaches and coaches with disabilities, including those working with athletes with disabilities.
• Regional and virtual follow‑up opportunities will be explored to improve accessibility for northern and rural coaches.
• Partnerships will continue to reduce financial barriers and strengthen inclusive coach development across Ontario wrestling. 

SSC Hybrid Speed Skating Pilot Program SSC Hybrid Speed Skating Pilot Program supported by Patinage de vitesse Québec

Goal: Increase representation and development of women in high‑performance coaching. 

Description: 

• Delivered five national camps offering hands‑on mentorship, elite coaching practice, and transition training. 

Outcome: 

• Two women coaches (Shannon Rempel and Valérie Maltais) participated in the program.
• Coaches improved effectiveness through mentorship and immersive training experiences. 

Next Steps: 

• Mentor–mentee objectives will continue within the hybrid program and expand into broader professional development for high‑performance coaches.
• The hybrid training model will continue and be adapted for Year 1 of the Olympic cycle. 

Sport‑Études Next Gen Coaching

Goal: Integrate school programming, women coach leadership, and a local Francophone basketball club to grow bilingual coaching capacity in New Brunswick. 

Description: 

• Engaged female student‑athletes in certification (L2T and NCCP).
• Built partnerships among high schools, PSOs, and community clubs.
• Supported the development of a new Learning Facilitator. 

Outcome: 

• Twenty female athletes progressed to certified coach status.
• Francophone coaching pathways were strengthened, addressing linguistic and structural barriers. 

Next Steps: 

• Program delivery will expand to increase benefits for both athletes and coaches.
• MED will be delivered earlier in the semester to enhance learning applications.
• Competition Introduction courses will be integrated into a four‑year development pathway for Grades 9–12.
• Ongoing mentorship will connect emerging coaches with summer and community opportunities.
• The new Learning Facilitator will continue receiving support to expand bilingual delivery with Basketball New Brunswick.
• School, community, and PSO partnerships will be strengthened to ensure inclusive access for Francophone youth and women coaches. 

Inclusion of the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle NL in Sport NL Summits 

Goal: Improve access to NCCP pathways for Labrador coaches by strengthening partnerships and addressing systemic barriers. 

Description: 

• Partnered with ASRCNL to ensure Labrador representation in provincial summits.
• Addressed barriers such as travel challenges, geographic isolation, and lack of culturally relevant pathways. 

Outcome: 

• Strengthened trust, communication, and collaboration.
• Increased understanding of northern and Indigenous coaching barriers.
• Improved planning for inclusive and accessible coach‑education delivery. 

Next Steps: 

• Post‑summit momentum will be translated into concrete coach‑development actions in Labrador.
• Access to NCCP certification will expand through localized and online delivery models.
• Collaboration with Aboriginal partners will guide culturally relevant programming.
• In‑person Aboriginal Coaching Modules will be offered through ASRCNL to support coaches working with Indigenous athletes.
• Ongoing relationship‑building will support sustained engagement and long‑term impact. 

Women in Squash Mentorship Program

Goal: Create leadership pathways and strengthen representation of women in coaching and facilitation roles. 

Description: 

• Delivered a women‑led leadership pipeline supported by structured mentorship.
• Offered a women‑only Community Instructor Course to remove certification barriers.
• Provided practical leadership experiences through Women’s Squash Week programming. 

Outcome: 

• Nine women certified as Community Instructors.
• Fourteen mentees and four active mentors engaged.
• Thirty‑three ambassadors supported sixty‑one events across twenty‑five facilities.
• More than 700 participants participated, representing record engagement.
• Established a sustainable, women‑centred coaching infrastructure. 

Next Steps: 

• Connections, mentorship, and coach development will be strengthened across all levels of women’s squash.
• Women in Squash Conference opportunities will continue to expand.
• A new series of women‑focused coaching webinars will launch in 2026–27.
• Coach development will remain a priority, including support for a woman coach preparing for the Canada Winter Games.
• Additional practical coaching opportunities will continue to be integrated into competitive events.