Coaching Association of Canada Announces Support Through Sport for Youth Coaches Development Team
Ottawa, ON, May 29, 2025 – The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is excited to announce the selected members of the Support Through Sport for Youth Coaches Development Team, a key initiative aimed at equipping youth coaches with the tools to foster safe and inclusive sport environments.
Originally funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Support Through Sport project has provided coaches with eLearning modules, advocacy resources, and research-based strategies to address and prevent gender-based violence in sport. In October 2024, PHAC announced new funding for 11 organizations (news release), including the CAC, to continue this critical work—this time with a specific focus on youth dating violence prevention.
Through this renewed funding, the CAC is expanding the Support Through Sport initiative by launching the Support Through Sport for Youth Coaches program and will work closely with a research team led by Dr. Gretchen Kerr from the University of Toronto’s Safe Sport Lab. In collaboration with a Development Team—comprising youth coaches, sport representatives, and subject matter experts—the project will aim to adapt existing educational resources and implement a peer-led intervention for youth coaches aged 16 to 28. This five-year initiative will include pilot programs and a knowledge transfer strategy to expand its reach to diverse sport communities across Canada.
“Coaches play a vital role in shaping safe and respectful experiences for sport participants. By engaging youth coaches as leaders in addressing violence in and through sport, we can foster meaningful conversations and create lasting change in sport environments nationwide,” says Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the Coaching Association of Canada. “We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of youth coaches, sport leaders, and experts to the Support Through Sport for Youth Coaches Development Team and look forward to seeing the impact they will have in advancing safe and positive sport for all.”
Following a national application process, the CAC has selected 13 youth coaches, four sport representatives and three subject matter experts from across Canada to join the Support Through Sport for Youth Coaches Development Team.
Development Team Members
| Youth Coaches | ||
| Alexandra Wright | Markus McKenzie | |
| Angie Fan | Meadow Callahan | |
| Cassandra Gillen | Michaela Kleisinger | |
| Chloé Vachon | Michelle Tam | |
| Grace Goudie | Parker Orchard | |
| Kevin Zhao | Stefanie Martin | |
| Lauren Matheson |
| Sport Representatives | Subject Matter Experts | |
| Emily Todd | David Odorico | |
| Holly Hesk Jones | Kristine Cassie | |
| Sandy MacIntosh | Renee Raymond | |
| Tracy Bradley |
The CAC remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting coaches with sport safety initiatives like this project, which helps to ensure that all athletes and coaches across Canada experience safe, positive and inclusive sport environments.
For more information on the Support Through Sport project, please visit https://coach.ca/sport-safety/support-through-sport.
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. For more information, please visit www.coach.ca, follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
For more information:
Andrea Johnson
Manager, Equity Programs
Coaching Association of Canada
ajohnson@coach.ca
For media inquiries:
Sarah Min
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Coaching Association of Canada
smin@coach.ca