Since Rowing Canada Aviron’s (RCA) expanded investment in coach development was announced earlier this year, work has continued across a number of initiatives supported through the Special Investment Fee Program. Building on RCA’s longstanding commitment to coach education, development, and mentorship, these initiatives are expanding opportunities for coaches across the country, with programs now underway and coaches actively engaged in professional development and high-performance experiences. As the season continues, the focus will be on supporting coaches as they turn these opportunities into practice, share what they are learning, and continue to strengthen the national coaching pathway.

An opportunity to learn more about the progress of the program, including insights from mentees and mentors, will be included during the Dues and Fees webinar, scheduled for Monday, November 16^th at 5pm PCT / 7pm ET.

Mentorship in Action

The Canada Coach Development Program, which launched earlier this summer with more than 35 coaches from across Canada, is now well underway, with participants actively engaged in mentorship and professional development opportunities.

For participants, the focus has moved from getting started to making the most of their mentorship relationships and putting new ideas into practice.

Mentors and mentees are connecting regularly, both virtually and in person, with conversations shaped around individual development goals, coaching challenges, and the experiences of working with athletes at different stages of the pathway.

For Luc Brodeur, a former national team rower who now works with U23 and senior athletes at Ridley Graduate Boat Club, the opportunity is focused on refining the details that can make a difference at the highest levels. Working with mentor Katie Bahain-Steenman, RCA Beach Sprint Lead and National Training Centre Coach, Brodeur is looking to further develop his coaching eye.

“When you work with higher-level athletes, the window of improvement gets smaller and smaller,” Brodeur said. “I’m hoping to learn about the tiny details I might not have been able to see before and take my coaching to the next level.”

The mentorship is also an opportunity for Brodeur to share his own experience and contribute to the development of athletes and coaches coming through the sport.

“It’s all about giving back,” said Brodeur. “That part is really exciting.”

For other participants, the mentorship opportunity provides a different focus.

Leslie Kelley (University of Western Ontario Boat Club), who is being mentored by Michelle Darvill, former Canadian Olympic Coach and Netherlands Olympic Coach, said early conversations have encouraged her to think differently about leadership and the role of the coach.

“Working with Michelle has been very insightful as she has an abundance of coaching knowledge to share. We have spent time discussing coaching leadership, and the ideas of being curious, experimenting, and leading in a way that goes beyond performance by investing in athletes as people have truly resonated with me.”

As the program continues throughout the season, mentors and mentees will continue to connect through regular virtual and in-person meetings, sharing ideas, experiences, and lessons learned along the way.

 

Next Steps for the Made in Canada Coach Development Program

The Made in Canada Coach Development Program has now moved into its next stage, following the recent close of the application process.

Applications are currently being reviewed, with successful candidates expected to be notified in the coming weeks.

The program provides an opportunity for Canadian coaches to further develop their skills through mentorship, international development opportunities, and experience within high-performance environments, supporting those who aspire to work with Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

As the selection process progresses, more information about the successful candidates and their development opportunities will be shared.

 

Expanding Professional Development Opportunities

The national coach development webinar series is also continuing to provide learning opportunities for coaches across the country.

Having launched this past May, three webinars have already taken place, with recordings now available on the RCA website. The series complements the more individualized development taking place through the mentorship program by providing accessible learning opportunities for the broader coaching community.

Upcoming Webinars

Strong Foundations: How to Deliver Support That Clubs Actually Need

How can community and competitive rowing clubs bridge the gap between grassroots participation and high-performance excellence? Join Terry Paul, Performance Lead at Rowing BC, to learn how the answer lies in the ways we support, educate, and empower our coaching staff.

Whether your club is looking to build a structured junior pathway, elevate its masters program, or optimize coach retention, this session will outline exactly what adds true value to your daily training environment.

Wednesday, November 25, 4:00 pm PT/6:00 pm ET

REGISTER HERE

Save the Date:

Mark your calendars for the next webinars in the RCA Canada Coach Development Program series:

Wednesday, February 24, 2027
Wednesday, March 24, 2027

Additional details, topics, and presenter information will be shared on our website in the coming weeks.

There will be no webinars in December and January, but we look forward to seeing you at our National Conference January 29-31, 2027 in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Learn more and watch previous webinar recordings HERE.