Ottawa, ON (February 3, 2025) – Boccia Canada is pleased to announce the four coaches selected to represent boccia in the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) Women and Gender Equity in Coaching initiative.
The Women and Gender Equity in Coaching initiative provides 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.
Mentors
- Monique Camirand – QC
- Vicki Keith – ON
Mentees
- Eileen Bartlett – NL
- Tammy McLeod – ON
“I am truly honoured to be selected among the many women engaging in the WAGE program since its inception. After our time in Ottawa, I left feeling motivated and excited to get working with my mentor. I’m greatly looking forward to learning from her and to continue to develop my coaching skills. Being a woman coach, you sometimes feel overlooked and disrespected, so I’m thankful for this program as it empowers me and other women to feel that they belong and that they are equal. It is important to learn from other women in coaching so that our experiences and learnings can lift each other up. With this program, I am hoping to gain more confidence and become the best coach that I can be,” said four-time Paralympian Tammy McLeod, now making her mark as a coach.
“We are thrilled to be selected by the Coaching Association of Canada for this project,” said Jennifer Larson, Program Manager. “It’s a great opportunity for us to build on learnings from the Women in Boccia Coach Mentorship Program we piloted in 2023, while connecting with and learning from other organizations who are also committed to the development of women and non-binary coaches. Over the next fourteen months, our mentees will have the invaluable opportunity to work with an experienced mentor to build an individualized plan that supports their coaching journey while our mentors have the chance to connect with a newer coach and share their experiences and insights.”
Accomplished parasport coaches Vicki Keith and Monique Camirand, both mentors in the Boccia Canada pilot program, will also offer their expertise to mentees in this project. Keith is a renowned marathon swimmer and para-swimming coach, while Camirand is a respected former National Boccia Team Coach.
Stay tuned for more updates and success stories from the Women and Gender Equity in Coaching in 2025. To find out more about the program, consult the Coaching Association of Canada’s webpage here and the Boccia Canada webpage here.
About the Coaching Association of Canada
The Coaching Association of Canada educates and certifies coaches, and celebrates their achievements at all levels of sport. Through its coach education, research, and advocacy programs, the CAC unites partners and stakeholders in its commitment to raise the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately to expand their reach and influence.
About Boccia Canada
Boccia Canada is the boccia delivery arm of the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA), the National Sport Organization for the Paralympic sport of boccia. Boccia Canada is focused on providing athletes and individuals of all ages and skill with the chance to play a unique Paralympic sport. CCPSA leads, develops and grows boccia from grassroots to producing World Champions, and we collaborate with partners to increase participation of Canadians with physical disabilities in sport.
About boccia
Boccia is a Paralympic sport of precision and strategy similar to lawn bowling or curling, played by athletes with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, and related disabilities. It is one of only two Paralympic sports that do not have an Olympic counterpart. Athletes compete in one of six sport classes based on their level and type of disability: BC1, BC2, BC3, BC4, BC5, and Open. For more information on boccia, visit www.bocciacanada.ca.