CAC 2025 Grant Recipients

MONTREAL, QC (April 7, 2025) — In collaboration with the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), Game Plan is proud to announce its support of 26 Team Canada athletes as they take the next steps in advancing their coaching careers through the Coach Education Program. Since 2018, Game Plan’s Coach Education Program has experienced exponential growth, with over 140 participants advancing their coaching careers. Among these participants are over 95 female athletes who benefit from CAC's Women in Coaching program, which highlights the importance of female mentorship in recruitment and retention within Canada's sports system.

The Coach Education Program was developed by the CAC and Game Plan and aims to empower Canada's national team athletes by helping them stay connected to their National Sport Organization (NSO) and sports community. Recipients will each receive funding of up to $1000 to help cover the costs of training to become a coach in either the Competition-Introduction stream, the Competition-Development stream or through the Advanced Coaching Diploma. This program enables athletes to gain formal education to complement their practical experiences, making it an essential component of their journey beyond competition.

This marks the 10th iteration of the program, and these 25 athletes bring a wealth of knowledge in their respective sports. Their contributions are expected to positively influence both the Canadian sport system and the next generation of Team Canada athletes.

2025 Coach Education Grant Recipients:

Competition-Introduction

  • Hau-Li Fan – Swimming

  • Kim Robitaille – Volleyball

  • Olivia Li – Modern Pentathlon

  • Will Crothers – Rowing    

 Competition-Development

  • Ariane Bonhomme – Cycling - Track

  • Christian Gow – Biathlon

  • Genevieve Morrison – Wrestling

  • Hana Furumoto-Deshaies – Karate

  • Hannah Haughn – Field Hockey

  • Ivan Reka – Beach Volleyball

  • Jennifer Cross – Volleyball

  • Jessica Furlan – Athletics

  • Joey Desjardins – Para Cycling

  • Katie Clark – Rowing

  • Liam Bruce – Sailing

  • Maddy Balt – Skateboarding

  • Marc-André Doyon – Speed Skating

  • Marcia LaPlante – Field Hockey

  • Melanie Labelle – Wheelchair Rugby

  • Michelle Harrison – Athletics

  • Ngaire Barraclough – Cycling - Track

  • Peter Isherwood – Para Table Tennis

  • Stefan Daniel – Para Triathlon

  • Troy Wilson – Skeleton

  • Valérie Maltais – Long Track Speed Skating

Advanced Coaching Diploma                        

  • Kevin Boyer – Skeleton

About Game Plan

Game Plan is Canada’s holistic athlete-support network. Its nationwide team of world-class experts and specialized advisors empower national athletes with practical ways to live healthy, balanced, and personally successful lives at every stage of their journey. Game Plan’s growth-centred programs, structured services, and everyday resources are custom designed to support the total well-being of every individual athlete.

Established in 2015, Game Plan is a globally leading initiative which functions in collaboration with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), Sport Canada and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN).

About the Coaching Association of Canada

The Coaching Association of Canada unites stakeholders and partners in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. Through its programs, the CAC empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches.