Swimming Canada is launching a new initiative to expose female coaches to an international event, and enhance their experience. In alignment with the Own The Podium High Performance Plan, the program will provide five Canadian female coaches with an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Budapest, Hungary. This initiative aims to elevate coaching strategies through mentorship, race analysis, and immersive learning.
Before the world short-course championships, the coaches will participate in a series of virtual sessions designed to prepare them for the competition. These pre-competition meetings will feature discussions with leading Canadian coaches and experts, including Linda Kiefer (Olympic coach), Mandy Bell (HPC-Vancouver assistant coach), Meena Sharif (National lead – strength and conditioning), and Ryan Mallette (Olympic head coach). These sessions will provide valuable insights and strategies to help the coaches maximize their learning and impact during the championships.
The coaches will observe top-level competition, analyze races, and engage in one-on-one mentorship, refining their strategies and learning from the best in the field. After the event, each coach will reflect on their experience, sharing key takeaways through reports and presentations that will help improve their home programs.
| Coach | Club | Province |
| Mikayla Tyrrell | Dartmouth Crusaders | Nova Scotia |
| Jy Lawrence | Pacific Seawolves | British Columbia |
| Sarah Rudolf | University of British Columbia | British Columbia |
| Sarah Steinke | Uxbridge Swim Club | Ontario |
| Haylie Burton | University of Calgary Swim Club | Alberta |
Jy Lawrence, head coach of South Surrey’s Pacific Seawolves, is riding high after a successful summer in which her swimmer, Sebastian Massabie, set a world record in the men’s 50m freestyle S4 at the Paralympic Games, capturing gold. Lawrence was a part of the coaching staff at the Paralympic Games.
“For me, it’s really cool coming within the same calendar year as these opportunities I’ve had on the Paralympic side,” Lawrence said. “I’ve seen fast swimming at the Paralympic Games, so being able to compare that experience with the world short-course championships excites me. I’m thrilled about that.”
Lawrence’s path to coaching wasn’t initially planned.
“I went to the University of Calgary for kinesiology. I was planning to become a lawyer,” Lawrence said. “I needed a job that would work with my school and swim schedule, so I started coaching for Mike Blondal at the University of Calgary. By the time I graduated, my GPA was slightly too low, so I would have had to do additional credits for law school. So I thought, ‘OK, I’ll take this year and do this.’
“When the time came to reapply for law school, I was so settled into coaching that I wanted to see how it would go.”
For Lawrence, the most rewarding aspect of coaching is witnessing her athletes’ breakthroughs in the water.
“That moment when the kid finally grasps a concept they’ve been struggling with; it’s not just about them doing it, but seeing the look on their face when it clicks,” she said.
Another coach in the initiative, Mikayla Tyrrell, head coach of the Dartmouth Crusaders, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the satisfaction of watching athletes reach their potential.
“I call it the light bulb moment when something clicks, and they suddenly understand and achieve their goals,” she said. “It’s really fun to help them get to that spot.”
Tyrrell, who primarily works with swimmers aged 18 and under, also takes pride in watching her athletes grow as individuals.
“I really enjoy helping them develop into functional people in society,” she said. “Seeing them take on leadership roles within the club or in their own lives is so rewarding. It’s exciting to watch them go off to university and live their dreams. We joke that I see the swimmers more than their parents do, and we have a significant impact on their lives.”
For Tyrrell, attending the world short course championships represents an exciting opportunity for professional growth.
“This is my first time attending an event of this caliber, and it’s really big for my development,” she said. “I’m looking forward to learning from the other coaches, picking their brains, and observing how they design workouts and seasons. I’m also excited to see how the athletes carry themselves, what their routines are like, and how I can scale those insights to improve my own program.”
Tyrrell’s background in clinical work with athletes drives her commitment to continuous learning.
“Coming from a healthcare background, I always had to stay current on the latest research,” she said. “I still do that, whether it’s through online talks, creating joint workouts with other coaches, or listening to sports podcasts. I try to bring in ideas from other sports. We have a couple of professional leagues in our province, and I’d like to talk to those coaches. I’m always looking for ways to learn and grow.”
A key mentor for the program is Savannah King, a two-time Olympian and Pan American Games medallist. King, who has transitioned from elite athlete to coach, is keen to share her experiences with the selected coaches.
“In 2021, I had the opportunity to see the world championships from a coach’s perspective, which was invaluable,” said King, who was a coach at the Marathon World Series alongside that year’s world short course championships in Abu Dhabi. “I had been on the national team as an athlete, but this experience showed me all the preparation that goes into these events. For a few of the coaches in this program, it will be their first time at a meet of this level, and I want to make that experience as exciting and comfortable as possible for them. I’m here to provide whatever support they need—whether it’s advice, guidance, or just being a sounding board.”
King is also optimistic about the increasing presence of female coaches in the sport.
“I have certainly seen a shift in the representation of female coaches at provincial and national events, especially since my years of being an athlete. I believe we still have a ways to go to see the representation needed at the top levels, but initiatives like this are allowing coaches to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be able to hold top positions in our sport. I am seeing many women getting involved in different learning and development opportunities, so the desire is there. I think you’ll see even more female coaches at all levels of the sport in the years to come.”