TORONTO (April 6, 2021) – The Game Plan partners – the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), Canadian Olympic And Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSI Network) and Sport Canada – are pleased to announce Cara Button as the new Senior Manager, Game Plan effective today.

Cara has in-depth knowledge of the Canadian sport system and a profound understanding of the holistic needs of athletes. She has worked with the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary for over 15 years. Her most recent roles as Director of Stakeholder Relations and Game Plan Advisor position her well to lead the continued growth of Game Plan. Cara’s in-depth understanding of the history of Game Plan, partnered with her drive and experience, will provide Game Plan with an invaluable resource.

“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to help shape Game Plan’s future,” said Button. “I’ve been a part of the program since it was just an idea. Now that Game Plan is an established part of the sport system and a proven success, I’m looking forward to working with our sport partners to further embed Game Plan in the athlete pathway.”

Game Plan is available to all current and recently retired national team athletes. The program is a collaboration of the COC, CPC, Sport Canada and the COPSI Network. Game Plan advisors are based in every Canadian Sport Institute and Centre and trained to help athletes develop their Game Plan for success on and off the field of play. They’re supported by a five-person team based in the COC and COPSI, as well as corporate partners including Deloitte, Smith School of Business, Morneau Shepell and RBC.

“We know that athletes who develop holistically tend to perform better, stay in sport longer and have an easier retirement,” Eric Myles, COC’s Chief Sport Officer, said. “Cara is one of the most passionate advocates for holistic athlete development I know. She played an instrumental part in building Game Plan, and is a recognized leader in athlete wellness and career transition in Canada and around the world.”

Cara is taking over from Thomas Hall who has led Game Plan for the past three years and has moved into the role of Director of Communications and Media Relations at the COC. Though Cara calls Montreal home, she has lived in Calgary for the past 20 years. She started her career in sport at the COC over 20 years ago and has worked at multiple Olympic Games in various roles.

For more information about Game Plan visit www.mygameplan.ca

COC MEDIA CONTACTS:

Josh Su, Specialist, Public Relations

C: 647-464-4060

E: jsu@olympic.ca

Thomas Hall, Director of Communications and Media Relations

C: 514-709-1054

E: thall@olympic.ca