November 6, 2020 (OTTAWA) – The 2020 virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) of AthletesCAN concluded on Sunday, October 25th, 2020 with the election of four new board members.

AthletesCAN President, Dasha Peregoudova, delivered the 2019-2020 President’s Report. AthletesCAN 2016-2020 Strategic plan outcomes were reviewed, as well as highlights of our key accomplishments in the areas of safe sport, anti-doping, athlete rights, and leadership education. During the meeting, members approved the 2019-2020 financial statements and auditors for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, and elected four new board members.

AthletesCAN bids farewell to President Dasha Peregoudova, who concludes her tenure after spending eight years on the Board of Directors. Among many successful initiatives, Dasha led AthletesCAN to forge new partnerships in the international athlete movement including formation of an international athlete group, signing the Universal Declaration of Player Rights, and our ongoing affiliation with the World Players Association in the athlete rights movement. In 2018, Dasha spearheaded AthletesCAN attaining the rights to the Canadian Sport Awards and in doing so revived Canada’s premier sport accomplishment and recognition event. Most recently, Dasha led AthletesCAN in the development of safe sport policy in Canada, including the most recent work by the Universal Code of Conduct to Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) working group, as well as a robust athlete-centered consultation process on the 2021 Canadian Anti-Doping Program and leadership undertaken on governance reform at the World Anti-Doping Agency. AthletesCAN would like to thank Dasha for her inspiring dedication and commitment to the organization.

“I am extremely grateful to have had the honour and privilege of serving Canadian athletes,” said Dasha Peregoudova“Though AthletesCAN, I was given the platform to do so with teamwork, dedication and integrity. Despite always evolving with the demands facing today’s athletes, AthletesCAN has always been an incredible and passionate community true to its roots of giving athletes a voice. I know that it will continue to thrive as the torch is passed on, and that the next generation led by Georgina Truman and incoming President Pierre-Luc Laliberté is in excellent hands. I wish them, and all athlete leaders courage, strength and resilience.AthletesCAN is proud to announce the incoming President, as current Board Member and Treasurer, Pierre-Luc Laliberté.

“Over the last five years, I have had the pleasure to work with and learn from Dasha, and I truly believe that the Canadian sport system is a better place for Canadian athletes because of her strong leadership,” said Pierre-Luc Laliberté. “Thank you so much for all your work on behalf of Canadian athletes. During my term as President, I hope to continue to put athlete rights first, as she has, and I am looking forward to helping guide AthletesCAN through the implementation of its new strategy, which focuses on broader systemic issues affecting all Canadian national team athletes.”

AthletesCAN welcomes newly elected directors Camille Bérubé (Para Swimming), Erin Willson (Artistic Swimming), and Rob Law (Lawn Bowls) to the Board. Bo Hedges (Wheelchair Basketball) returns for a second term after his re-election during the AGM. Learn more about the AthletesCAN board of directors here.

The outgoing members of the Board were thanked for their contributions and service to the organization. Dasha Peregoudova (Taekwondo), Jillian Drouin (Athletics), and Mercedes Nicoll (Snowboard) have devoted their time and talents to moving the organization forward and advocating for athletes’ rights in the areas of athlete representation, safe sport, the international athlete movement, sport and leadership recognition, and development of AthletesCAN athlete leadership research and resource development, among many others.

The new board will begin its work immediately following the AGM and will now turn its attention first to board orientation sessions, training in safe sport, gender equity, and general governance, and implementing AthletesCAN’s new strategy.

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About AthletesCAN

AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is the only fully independent and most inclusive athlete organization in the country and the first organization of its kind in the world.  As the voice of Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN ensures an athlete centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture.

For more information please contact:
Georgina Truman
Manager, Athlete Relations & Operations
AthletesCAN
gtruman@athletescan.com