When Stéphanie Marchand first picked up an oar in 2008, she couldn’t have imagined that rowing would become the foundation of her career. Introduced to the sport by a friend in elementary school, she quickly found herself drawn to the community of rowing. Years later, Marchand finds herself as Head Coach of McGill University’s rowing program, coaching at Montrèal Rowing Club, and one of Canada’s representatives in the Women in Sport High Performance Pathway (WISH) programme.

The WISH (Women in Sport High-Performance Pathway) Programme is a global 21‑month initiative that develops women coaches for elite sport through mentorship, leadership training, and sport‑specific development, supporting the IOC’s goal of greater gender equality in high‑performance coaching.

“RCA is proud to have played a role in Stéphanie’s participation in WISH, supporting her nomination and facilitating her mentorship with Michelle Darvill throughout the 21-month programme,” shares Colleen Miller, Manager of Coach Education and Development. “We’re thrilled to support opportunities like this that help our coaches grow and excel at all levels of the sport.”

Marchand’s coaching journey began soon after her own competitive career. “When I graduated in 2018, I loved the sport but didn’t want to compete anymore,” she recalls. “I still wanted to be involved.”

Stéphanie worked with Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) in the summer of 2017 when the National Training Centre was based in London, Ontario, before moving into coaching at McGill University. Starting as a Junior Varsity Coach, she steadily built her experience through roles with McGill’s varsity women and Team Québec at the 2022 Canada Summer Games. In 2023, she took over as McGill’s Head Coach, a role that has allowed her to combine her technical expertise with a deep commitment to athlete development.

“I learned a lot during my U23 years as an athlete,” she says. “Now, I’m trying to create opportunities for athletes that I didn’t have. I’m proud to show them where those opportunities exist, no matter what that looks like.”

That philosophy has become central to her coaching approach. Marchand emphasizes the importance of helping athletes navigate the flood of information available online while maintaining a safe and supportive training environment. “Resources are everywhere now, but not all of them are reliable,” she explains. “Part of my job is helping athletes filter that information and focus on what truly helps them grow.”

Her inclusion in the WISH programme, an initiative supported by Olympic Solidarity and World Rowing, marks a new chapter in her development. The program connects women coaches from around the world with mentorship, leadership training, and international collaboration. For Marchand, it’s also a continuation of a mentorship that began with one of Canada’s most respected coaches, Michelle Darvill.

“I first met Michelle in 2017 when I was working with Rowing Canada,” Marchand says. “She’s incredibly humble and generous with her knowledge. Our conversations flow naturally – she gets excited, shares ideas, and helps me think about technical details and opportunities I might not have considered.”

Darvill’s influence, combined with Marchand’s time observing British Rowing through WISH, has shaped her evolving coaching philosophy. “At British Rowing, what stood out was how collaborative the environment was,” she says. “Coaches challenged each other respectfully, shared perspectives, and trusted one another’s opinions. It showed me that high performance doesn’t have to mean hierarchy – it can mean teamwork.”

“What Stephanie described lines up with a broader pattern you see in high-performing environments,” shares Darvill. “Culture isn’t just a ‘nice to have,’ it’s a performance driver. In elite environments, culture shows up in how people communicate, give feedback, and handle accountability. These create psychological safety, letting athletes perform closer to their potential. Observations like Stephanie’s suggest when standards are high, and the environment is supportive and aligned, you get more sustainable success.“

That sense of collaboration and identity is something Marchand is now bringing to McGill. “When I took over, I didn’t want to change too much right away,” she explains. “But one thing I’ve learned through WISH and from observing other programs is the importance of team identity. Every year, we revisit that identity together. We ask: Does it still resonate? What do we want people to think of when they talk about McGill Rowing?”

Her focus on culture and cohesion extends beyond the boathouse. Marchand encourages her athletes to take ownership of their training and to trust the process. “It’s about building trust both ways,” she says. “If I expect something from my athletes, I have to expect that from myself too. No one is perfect, coach or athlete, but we can all keep learning.”

During the WISH launch week, Marchand found inspiration in the diversity and openness of the group. “It was incredible to be surrounded by 22 women from all over the world, across so many sports,” she says. “There was no fear of judgment, just support and empowerment. Everyone was cheering each other on.”

One conversation that stayed with her came from a fellow coach from Ireland. “She said she was content where she was, she loved her work, her team, her family. It made me think about how we’re always asked, ‘What’s next?’ But right now, I’m happy where I am. McGill has so much potential. I want to focus on building what we have, improving our resources, and leaving something meaningful behind.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Marchand’s goals are clear: to strengthen McGill’s team identity, foster athlete accountability, and continue her own growth as a coach. “I want to be confident in whatever I do,” she says. “To appreciate where I am, and to keep learning from the people around me.”

Through WISH, Marchand is not only developing as a coach, but she’s helping redefine what leadership looks like in Canadian rowing. Her journey reflects the balance of striving for excellence while staying grounded in community. As she continues to guide her athletes and collaborate with mentors like Darvill, Marchand’s story stands as a testament to the power of opportunity and adaptability.
 
RCA COACHES