The Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) Canada Coach Development Program is bringing coaches together from across the country to build relationships, share knowledge, and strengthen coaching in Canada.

Having launched this summer, the program pairs over 35 developing coaches nationwide with experienced mentor coaches, providing them the opportunity to draw on different coaching experiences, perspectives, and areas of expertise as they work toward their individual goals through the 2026-2027 season.

This program is made possible through the RCA membership’s Special Investment in coach development, a nationwide investment designed to strengthen coaching capacity and create more opportunities for coaches to learn, connect, and grow. Through this investment, RCA is delivering a mentorship program and a series of professional development webinars available to members throughout the year.

The Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in St. Catharines last month provided an early opportunity for several mentors and mentees to turn their virtual connections into face-to-face conversations.

“I feel very grateful that three of the four mentees I’m working with were at Canadian Henley so we could meet in person to start off the program,” said mentor Al Morrow.

For Saskatchewan coach Mayah Golden, those face-to-face conversations brought the program to life.

“It’s great that we got to meet in person at Canadian Henley,” she said. “I have high aspirations and I want my career to be coaching, so this is the next step in bettering myself.”

Golden is one of the coaches participating in the program representing communities across Canada. While their experiences and home clubs differ, participants share a common goal: becoming better coaches for the athletes and clubs they serve.

 

Meet the Mentees

Alberta

• Danae McCulloch – Calgary Rowing Club

British Columbia

• Hugo Contreras – Vancouver Rowing Club
• Nicole Cusack – Claremont High School Rowing
• Jordan Henderson – Vancouver Rowing Club/University of British Columbia Rowing
• Elena Masyte – Victoria City Rowing Club
• Ben Murphy – Gorge Narrows Rowing Club
• Derek Page – Vancouver College Rowing
• Roberta Rodgers – Rockies Rowing Club
• Glen Stiven – Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club
• Jillian Trigg – Deep Cove Rowing Club
• Kylie Whitcombe – Vancouver Rowing Club
• Will Zhu – Burnaby Lake Rowing Club

Manitoba

• Kristen Ryan – Manitoba Rowing Association

New Brunswick

• Nathan Blais – Kennebecasis Rowing Club
• Kathleen Roy – Kennebecasis Rowing Club
• Tim Sears – Two Rivers Rowing Club

Nova Scotia

• Olivia Crewe – North Star Rowing Club
• Madeleine Murphy – Halifax Rowing Club

Ontario

• Emanuel (Manny) Azarcon – Upper Canada College Rowing
• Jared Boles – Brock University Rowing
• Luc Brodeur – Ridley Graduate Boat Club
• Jirianna Couroux – Ridley Graduate Boat Club
• Abigail Fraser – Sudbury Rowing Club
• Matthew Granger – University of Western Ontario Boat Club
• Samantha Greenham – LaSalle Rowing Club
• Meghan Jolley – Ottawa Rowing Club
• Leslie Kelley – University of Western Ontario Boat Club
• John Lewis – University of Western Ontario Boat Club
• Caitlin McMann – Ottawa Rowing Club
• Curtis Oleschuk – Kingston Rowing Club
• Kathleen Rankin – Queen’s University Rowing
• Kendall Rose – Peterborough Rowing Club/Brentwood College School
• Tasmin Willms – Don Rowing Club

Prince Edward Island

• Cassidy Doucette – Rowing PEI

Quebec

• Audrey Ferec – Club d’aviron Waterloo/Club Nautique de Sherbrooke

Saskatchewan

• Mayah Golden – Saskatoon Rowing Club
• Shelby Lane – Lloydminster Rowing Club

 

Mentors

• Katie Bahain-Steenman
• Michelle Darvill
• Ben Jackson
• Dane Lawson
• Lauren Fisher
• Phil Marshall
• Roger Meager
• Al Morrow
• Richard Paterson
• Terry Paul
• Tom Morris
• Mike Purcer
• Christine Wilson

 

Upcoming Webinars

As part of the Special Investment, members have access to a series of professional development webinars throughout the year. These sessions are free for RCA members, with the cost already covered through the Special Investment.

The webinars are designed to provide coaches across the country with access to experienced presenters and practical learning opportunities, regardless of their club, province, or coaching environment.

 

September 23 at 4:00 pm PT/7:00 pm ET

The Metrics of Speed: How to Measure and Maximize Rowing Performance

If you aren’t measuring, you’re guessing. Join Olympic medal-winning coach and Row Ontario Performance Director, Phil Marshall to learn how to set physiological and performance standards that drive real improvement. He will dive into ergometer tracking, lactate testing, on-water speed, and regatta execution.

REGISTER HERE

 

Save the Date:

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

• Wednesday, October 28, 2026
• Wednesday, November 25, 2026
• 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.

Learn more and watch previous webinar recordings HERE.

 

Resource for Coaches

The Individual Development Plan is a key resource being used by mentors and mentees throughout the Canada Coach Development Program to set goals and guide their progress. The template is also available to the broader membership as a tool for coaches to reflect on their own goals, identify areas for growth, and create a plan for continued learning.

Download Word Doc Version
Downlaod Fillable PDF Version

Learn more about the Special Investment and Coaching Development opportunities in Canada HERE.