Coaching Association of Canada   – (May 31, 2017 – Ottawa) The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is thrilled to announce that Maggie MacDonnell-Kafashe, M.Sc., an educational consultant with the Kativik School Board in Northern Quebec, will be speaking about reaching Indigenous youth through the power of sport at Partners Congress 2017.

Most recently, Ms. MacDonnell-Kafashe’s work was recognized when she was chosen out of 20,000 candidates, from 179 countries, and awarded the prestigious Global Teacher Prize. From the palm trees of Eastern Africa, to the tundra of Northern Canada, Ms. MacDonnell-Kafashe has developed sport and recreation programs for such diverse populations as Congolese refugees, to Inuit youth. She believes strongly that physical activity is a tool to cultivate resilience in high-stress, low-resource environments, and has seen it daily in her student-athletes.

The CAC is also very happy to announce that the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, will be joining Ms. MacDonnell-Kafashe and other participants at Partners Congress, which is scheduled for June 6-8 at the Crowne Plaza Gatineau-Ottawa in Gatineau, Quebec.

Partners Congress is dedicated to improving the development and delivery of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and partnerships of the CAC. This year, attendees will learn how key factors affect children’s mental health, join the discussion on how to best to share criminal record check information, and explore how to create a more inclusive environment within the Canadian sport community.

Delegates from over 55 organizations are registered for Partners Congress, including representatives from Archery Canada, Athletics Canada, Baseball Canada, Basketball Canada, Canada Games Council, Canada Snowboard, Canadian Blind Sport Association, Rugby Canada, Soccer Canada, Swimming Canada, Canoe/Kayak Canada, viaSport British Columbia, Sport Canada and more!

Quotes:

“It is an honour to join the Coaching Association of Canada and Ms. Maggie MacDonnell-Kafashe at Partners Congress 2017. As a former athlete, I know firsthand how sport can change lives, and I believe that we can all harness its power to help Indigenous youth—and their communities—flourish and succeed. I am proud of our collective efforts to build stronger Indigenous sport programming that offers benefits and opportunities for youth across Canada.”
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

“I was honoured that the Coaching Association of Canada invited me as a guest speaker. What truly convinced me to attend was when they also invited the Inuit student-athletes that I work with. The CAC demonstrated that their commitment to Indigenous youth resonated not only in their words, but in their actions.”

Maggie MacDonnell-Kafashe, M.Sc.

“Maggie MacDonnell-Kafashe is an inspiration both as a teacher and a coach.  She has profoundly affected the lives of young people in northern Indigenous communities through her leadership, dedication, and belief that the power of education and sport can help build resilience in challenging circumstances. The CAC is honoured that Maggie recognized the opportunity to inspire her students through the National Coaching Certification Program as well as our partners in coaching education.”
Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer, Coaching Association of Canada
 

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, such as the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), 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, visit www.coach.ca or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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For more information please contact:
Michel Hachey  
Manager, Communications
Coaching Association of Canada  
mhachey@coach.ca