Overview
As part of the Special Investment to support coaches across Canada, Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) is committed to developing additional coaches through the Made in Canada Program – built for aspiring coaches who see themselves developing Olympic and Paralympic athletes within RCA’s High Performance program. Selected coaches build an individualized development plan and learn directly from RCA’s High Performance team and integrated support staff at the National Training Centre and at selected High Performance camps.
Our aim is to develop coaches who are both technically skilled and relationally strong. We build on each coach’s existing foundation of results and relationships, and create learning experiences that deepen technical knowledge, expand national and international exposure, and provide critical experience on and off the water.
RCA seeks coaches who believe that developing the whole person is critical to long-term success, for themselves and their athletes, and who want to build their ability to lead, manage, and sustain a strong, safe, and healthy performance training program.
Why This Investment Matters
RCA is investing directly in the coaches most likely to shape the future of Canadian rowing. Stronger coaching at the club, university, and Provincial Rowing Association (PRA) level raises the performance of our national development pipeline and brings our top domestic programs closer to parity with our international peers.
Made in Canada coaches are positioned to lead Canadian crews on the world stage and to become genuine candidates for Next Gen or Senior Team appointments. Just as importantly, the knowledge and coaching philosophy they build through this program is designed to be shared: mentorship and the dissemination of expertise are core to how RCA embeds high performance thinking across every level of the sport.
Who Should Apply
This program is designed for developed coaches currently overseeing performance programming at a club, university, or Provincial Rowing Association (PRA) who aspire to coach for Canada at the National Development or Senior Team level.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Minimum 8 years of coaching experience, including at least 2 years in a performance environment
- At minimum, NCCP Performance Coach Trained
- Consistent, superior results coaching and growing rowing in Canada
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning
- Proven leadership and relational skills
- Genuine aspiration to coach at the Next Gen or National Team level
Program Components
Selected coaches take part in three connected components designed to build technical skill, high performance exposure, and international coaching experience.
- Individualized Development Plan (IDP): RCA works alongside each selected coach to build an IDP that addresses specific development gaps – creating a clear pathway toward progressively senior coaching roles, up to and including coaching for Canada.
- HP Program Apprenticeship: Selected coaches join RCA’s High Performance Program for camps working directly alongside the full HP coaching team, Integrated Support Team (IST), and RCA athletes.
- International Development Opportunities – International Events: Selected coaches join RCA at a Seasonal or Senior Team international event, such as the NextGen World Championships (U23/U19), World Cups, World Championships or similar – gaining direct experience supporting the team in an international high performance environment.
Additional Program Benefits
Opportunities will be arranged to connect and develop leadership skills from a national network of high performance coaches from rowing and other sports.
Our Commitment to Diversity
RCA is committed to ensuring the coaches in this program reflect the diversity of the communities where rowing takes place across Canada. Extraordinary investment will be made to support applicants from under-represented populations.
How to Apply
- Review the eligibility criteria above to confirm you meet the program requirements.
- Complete the online Coaching Application Form.
- Email your current coaching resume to Colleen Miller, RCA Manager of Coach Education and Development, at colleenmiller@rowingcanada.org.
- Submit both your application and resume by September 30, 2026.
Questions? Contact Adam Parfitt, RCA High Performance Director parfitt@rowingcanada.org and Colleen Miller, RCA Manager of Coach Education and Development, at colleenmiller@rowingcanada.org.
