Athletes2Coaches
Athletes2Coaches was first piloted as a TSC initiative in 2021. This mentorship program aimed to build coaching capacity among athletes experiencing disability by working with them to foster the leadership skills and experiences they need to develop as leaders and eventually coaches. By establishing an athlete network across the province, athletes experiencing disability were able to build skills, share experiences, and learn from one another.
Athletes2Coaches 1.0 (2021-2022)
This version used a virtual environment to provide athletes experiencing disability with structured learning opportunities to develop leadership and coaching skills. Increasing the number of athletes experiencing disability who become coaches will provide much needed role models for Para athletes to ‘see themselves’ in leadership roles.
Athletes2Coaches 1.0 Final Report
Athletes2Coaches 2.0 (2023-2024)
Continuing from the success of the pilot program, this version was introduced in 2023. It used a more individualized approach that targeted athletes currently in a sport pathway and seeking more coaching and leadership opportunities, and athletes that were no longer training and competing but wanting to stay in sport in other ways.
The individualized approach allowed for athletes to identify specific areas that they would like to develop their coaching and leadership skills. Each athlete was paired with a mentor coach from a partner organization in their community / sport to support them with their practical experience and development.
Stay tuned for information about the next round of Athletes2Coaches!
For more information about potential future Athletes2Coaches opportunities, please contact Geneva Coulter at tscparasport@ualberta.ca.
