Coaching Association of Canada – Ottawa, ON (March 8, 2018) – Fifteen coaches from across Canada are currently in PyeongChang to proudly lead our country’s 55 Paralympic athletes.

Set to begin March 9, the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Winter Games will welcome more than 500 athletes from 42 nations. Canadian athletes and coaches will compete in alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, para ice hockey, snowboard, and wheelchair curling.

The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) grants the official designation of Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC) and the status of Registered Coach to professionals in the field of coaching in Canada. Of the 15 coaches, 9 were granted a ChPC designation by the CAC, while the remaining 6 are Registered Coaches. The list consists of coaches from six provinces (AB, BC, NB, ON, QC, SK).

“We’re so proud to see these 15 coaches represent our country and give our athletes the leadership, support and guidance at each step of the way,” says Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the Coaching Association of Canada. “They’re dedicated to our athletes, our country, and the Games. For that, I want to thank each one on behalf of the Coaching Association of Canada.”

Wayne Kiel, ChPC, will be spending a lot of time at the Gangneung Curling Centre, as he’s been named the Head Coach for Canada’s wheelchair curling team. He says it’s a great honour to be part of the program and calls this opportunity to guide and support athletes at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games a dream come true.

 “I feel very blessed to be a Canadian and am truly honoured to have the opportunity to help our athletes participate in the biggest event of their lives,” Kiel says. “Having the opportunity to wear the maple leaf on my back is amazing and I will do it with great pride as I not only am representing this great country of ours, but I am also representing all of our Canadian coaches who are working to support our athletes in their journey to be the best they can.”

Coach John Jacques, ChPC, echoes Kiel’s sentiment. As a coach for Canada’s nordic ckiing and biathlon team, Jacques says that going to the Paralympic Winter Games has been his dream ever since he started coaching members of the Paralympic team in shooting.

“Working with the athletes and hearing about the competition is never the same as seeing it and being there with them,” says Jacques. “It’s the ultimate honour. There are few things more important than being trusted to represent our country.”

The Canadian Paralympic Committee commends the coaches’ commitment to sport and the athletes.

“Quality coaches are critical for the success of our Paralympic athletes and for the growth of parasport across Canada, and our coaches in PyeongChang will have a significant role in Canadian performance,” says Catherine Gosselin-Despres, Executive Director, Sport at the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “Thank you to all of the coaches for your commitment and dedication to preparing our athletes and providing them the best tools to succeed. We are excited to continue working with you in PyeongChang and beyond.”

Congratulations to all coaches nominated to Team Canada and thank you for everything you do to bring out the best in our athletes! 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL LIST OF TEAM CANADA’S PARALYMPIC GAMES COACHES

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 or follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.

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For more information, please contact:

Michel Hachey
Manager, Communications
Coaching Association of Canada
mhachey@coach.ca