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Top female coaches take the stage

News –

Successful competitors are built by strong leaders, and Swimming Canada believes that developing its female coaches is paramount to the success of the organization.

Dedicated to creating a balanced and empowered leadership team, Swimming Canada is pleased to announce 12 of its female coaches from across the country will participate in an upcoming female coaching leadership workshop entitled “Taking the Stage” Feb. 8-9 in Ottawa.

This training, delivered in partnership with Own The Podium and The Humphrey Group, is designed specially to help female coaches view leadership through the lens of communication – supporting them to develop the skills needed to be seen as strong, confident leaders.

“The Coaching Enhancement Program is pleased to support Swimming Canada in their development of female high performance coaches. The value gender equity brings to sport is well known, and sport will achieve the Government of Canada’s target of gender equity in sport at every level by 2035 through innovative practices such as these,” says Laura Watson, High Performance Coaching Advisor, Own The Podium.

“The leadership and initiative that Swimming Canada has invested is an example for all National Sports Organizations in promoting greater inclusion of women in all facets of sport.”

This comprehensive training aims to help women learn how to communicate effectively, so they can be seen and heard as leaders. It is designed to help coaches discover how to adopt a Taking the Stage mindset, script themselves with clarity and intention, unlock the power of their voice and achieve a confident and authentic presence.

“Swimming Canada is extremely excited to offer this opportunity to further develop high performance swimming coaches,” says Iain McDonald, Swimming Canada Senior Manager, High Performance.

“High performance coach development has been a key strategic focus for us and we have been able to provide professional development opportunities to over 70 coaches across the country since 2014.”

The workshop will have coach participants from six provinces gathering for an intense two-day seminar.

List of participating coaches:
Janet Hyslop – Ontario
Marta Belsh – New Brunswick
Melanie Melanson – New Brunswick
Tina Hoeben – BC
Vicki Keith – Ontario
Cathy Pardy – Ontario
Mandi Smith – BC
Zoe Miles – Nova Scotia
Annie Wolfe – BC
Wendy Johnson – Alberta
Amélie Poirier – Quebec
Marie Bergeron – Quebec

“Opportunities such as this are critical to the development of coaches working in both the Olympic and Paralympic programs,” said John Atkinson, Swimming Canada High Performance Director/National Coach.

Swimming Canada will continue to work closely with its partners such as OTP, Sport Canada, COC, CPC, CAC and the CSCTA to enhance experiences for coaches that will have a direct impact on the quality of coaching delivered to swimmers across Canada.”