Staff Directory
Coaching Association of Canada
c/o House of Sport
RA Centre
2451 Riverside Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1H 7X7
Canada
Telephone: 613-235-5000
Fax: 613-235-9500
Email: General Inquiries
Email: Media Inquiries
EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS TEAM | PROFESSIONAL COACHING TEAM | MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS TEAM |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TEAM | COACH & PARTNER SERVICES TEAM | FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION TEAM
Lorraine Lafrenière - Chief Executive Officer 
613.235.5000 x 2363
Lorraine is a strategic thinker with excellent people skills and an enthusiastic approach to challenges who has played a leadership role in the sport community for many years.
Her passion for sport goes back decades to when she saw the incredibly powerful role athletes play in inspiring younger generations to stay active and healthy while making a contribution to society. She began her sport career with the Canadian Intramural Recreation Association 25 years ago before moving to the Canadian Olympic Committee in 1989. During her tenure as the COC’s Media Relations Manager, she held several leadership positions with the mission staff at numerous Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and World Championships.
In 2002 she was appointed Chief Operating Officer for the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), a position she held for four years -- playing a key role in establishing sponsorship programs and strengthening the organization’s relationships with the provinces/territories and federal government. Following the CAC, she went on to head the Canadian Cycling Association where she restructured the organization and instilled financial stability. In 2009, she was hired as Director General of CanoeKayak Canada where she was instrumental in creating the teams and environment which led to CanoeKayak’s three-medal performance at the 2012 Olympic Game. In total, she has participated in 9 Olympic Games, both summer and winter.
Lorraine also has a strong volunteer commitment having sat on the boards and committees of many organizations, including the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Cancer Society (Ottawa-Carleton), Run for the Cure, Big Sisters of Ottawa, and Ottawa-Carleton Epilepsy. She was also the co-chair of the 2004 Ontario Summer Games held in Ottawa and was named twice to the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity’s (CAAWS) Most Influential Women List in 2015 and 2014.
Lorraine became the Chief Executive Officer of the CAC in December 2013.
Keira Torkko - Chief Operating Officer
613.235.5000 x 2365
Keira joined the CAC after twenty years in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Most recently, as Director General, Business Management Support at National Research Council Canada, she was responsible for business development and operations and has managed teams of up to 200 research and technology development professionals. She has a deep commitment to volunteerism and has sat on the Board of Volunteer Ottawa for six years. Keira, a CPA, CGA, holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria and brings her unique combination of business, technology, and financial knowledge to the Chief Operating Officer role where she plays an integral part in shaping the organization’s strategic vision while optimizing its resources to achieve its operational goals and objectives. Keira has a love for cycling and basketball, passions she loves sharing with her two boys who have grown up with an equal passion for sports of all kind.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: While travelling by ferry to attend the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, my son and I were preparing to disembark from the lower car deck with one thousand other walk-on passengers. When the doors opened upon arrival to Horseshoe Bay, a couple fellow passengers began singing ‘O Canada’ and soon hundreds had joined in. It was an amazing moment to witness and share in the national pride many Canadians felt with the Olympics on home turf.
Sporting Heroes: Steve Nash
Favourite Coaching Quote: “You get the best effort from others not by lighting a fire beneath them, but by building a fire within.” – Bob Nelson
EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS TEAM
Peter Niedre – Director, Education Partnerships, Policy Development and LTAD
613.235.5000 x 2379
Before coming to the CAC, Peter worked at Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) for 10 years, first as the National Junior and U23 coach from 2006 – 2008, and more recently, as Director of Coach and Athlete Development, where he led CKC’s coaching education and athlete development programs. He also served as high performance director in 2012. He holds a Masters in Human Kinetics specializing in Exercise Physiology, a Bachelor in Human Kinetics, and a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education from the University of Ottawa. He is also a Master Coach Developer, Learning Facilitator and Evaluator in Competition Development, Competition Introduction, and Community Sport for Sprint Canoe Kayak; and a Master Coach Developer for Core Learning Facilitator and Evaluator training. While sprint canoe kayak has been his main sport as a coach, he also volunteer coaches at the community level, and is an NCCP coach in soccer and cross country skiing. Peter enjoys sharing his love for sport with anyone, and is often seen running on the canal in Ottawa, a trail or country road.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Competing in the Southern Traverse Adventure Race in the mountains of New Zealand’s South Island; and my first time as head coach for Team Canada at the 2007 Junior World Championships in Racice, Czech Republic.
Sporting Heroes: My kids, Terry Fox, Hubert “Hub” Macey, Larry Cain, Bill Bowerman
Favourite Coaching Quote: “It is not how good your legs are, it is how good your head is." – Brother Colm O'Connell
Isabelle Cayer – Senior Coaching Consultant, Women in Coaching
613.235.5000 x 2376
Biathlon | Curling | Diving | Orienteering | Shooting | Speed Skating | Synchro | Ultimate | Basketball
Isabelle has always loved and been involved in sport. When she was completing her university degrees at the University of Ottawa, she started teaching skating and working with the City of Ottawa in sport administration, and continued with a Competitive Coaching Programs Manager position at Skate Canada and now with CAC. She has been involved in sport for over 30 years as an athlete, coach, and administrator with 15 years of experience at the national level of sport in Canada.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Watching Joannie Rochette compete and win an Olympic bronze medal after the sudden death of her mother. Her coach, Manon Perron, was so amazing and was an integral part of her win! No one should underestimate the power of the athlete-coach relationship!
Sporting Hero: Clara Hughes
Favourite Coaching Quote: “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe Ruth
Neale Gillespie – Senior Coaching Consultant, Coach Developers
613.235.5000 x 2366
Alpine Skiing | Cricket | Football | Golf | Hockey | Rugby | Snowboard | Soccer | Special Olympics
After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce and International Relations at Mount Allison University, and a Bachelor of Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education – University of Toronto, Neale taught high school and middle school for seven years in Oakville and Toronto. A former competitive rugby and cricket player, Neale is now an NCCP alpine ski and rugby coach, multi-sport Learning Facilitator, and a rugby Learning Facilitator and Evaluator.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Coaching a rugby tour to South Africa with a school team and experiencing watching the boys learn about the game, the culture, the history, and themselves.
Sporting Heroes: Terry Fox, Clive Woodward
Favourite Coaching Quote: "Calling yourself a coach — and I take great pride in being able to do that — means being prepared and being organized. Your number one responsibility to those children is to grow their love of the game and you do that by treating them properly, creating a demanding, supportive atmosphere that allows for individual growth. Anyone who says ‘I’m just a volunteer coach’ should not be coaching. Just because you’re a volunteer doesn’t give you the right to be unorganized and unprepared and unprofessional.” – Mike Babcock
Gérard Lauzière – Senior Coaching Consultant, High Performance
613.235.5000 x 2373
Athletics | Bobsleigh & Skeleton | Figure Skating | Gymnastics | Luge | Nordic Combined | Ski Jumping | Team Handball | Wrestling
A former competitive karate athlete who was a part of the team that won a gold medal in sparring at the 1990 Traditional Karate World Championships, Gérard went on to be a national karate team coach, and helped Karate Canada develop their Long-term Athlete Development, Instruction – Beginners, Comp-Int and Comp-Dev NCCP programs. Gérard also worked for many years as a strength and conditioning expert with a number of high-level athletes in a wide variety of sports. He has a kinesiology degree from Sherbrooke University and is a graduate of the National Coaching Institute (Montreal).
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Seeing firsthand, Canada’s sport culture shift during the Vancouver Olympics.
Sporting Hero: Mohamed Ali
Favourite Coaching Quote: “Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.” – William Arthur Ward
Adam Sollitt – Coaching Consultant, Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives (P/TCRs)
613.235.5000 x 2386
Baseball | Blind Sports - Goalball | Boccia | Field Hockey | Freestyle Skiing | Rowing | Sailing | Volleyball | Wheelchair Rugby | Wheelchair Basketball
Craig MacDougall – Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada NCCP Project Coordinator
613-235-5000 x 2393
Craig joins the CAC after serving as the Coordinator of the PEI Aboriginal Sports Circle for 4 years. In the past, Craig has spent 10 years in Fort McMurray teaching Physical Education after receiving his Bachelor of Recreation from Dalhousie University and his Associate in Education from the Teacher’s College in Truro, Nova Scotia.
Craig served as the Head Coach of Team PEI’s Men’s Volleyball team at the 2013 Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Since, he has also served the Chef de Mission for Team PEI for the North American Indigenous Games in 2014 and 2017 and he has served on the Board of Directors for Volleyball PEI and Wrestling PEI. Craig also volunteers as a judge for provincial swim meets to add to his impressive involvement in the sport community.
Most Memorable Sports Moment: Receiving the John Fletcher Award as part of Team PEI at the 2017 North American Indigenous Games.
Sport Hero: Wayne Gretzky
Favourite Coaching Quote: “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden
Anthony Sauvé – Manager, Aboriginal Coach Development
613.235.5000 x 2061
An Aboriginal of Métis descent (Ojibway), Anthony is a graduate of the Sport Administration program at Durham College, and is a coach of grassroots hockey, baseball, and soccer. He is a former Community sport leader with the Métis Nation of Ontario, and Manager of the National Aboriginal Coaching and Leadership program with the Aboriginal Sport Circle.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Watching Canada defeat Russia in the 1972 Canada/Russia series.
Sporting Hero: Terry Fox.
Favourite Coaching Quote: “If we were supposed to talk more then we listen we would have two mouths and one ear.” – Mark Twain
Wayne Parro - Senior Coaching Consultant, eLearning
613.235.5000 x 2364 | MOBILE: 905.449.1296
Archery | Cycling | Judo | Softball | Sport Parachuting | Squash | Taekwondo | Water Polo | Weightlifting | Equestrian
Wayne joined the CAC in April 2014. He is a former Women’s Baseball National Team coach, a graduate of the NCI-Ontario, and an NCCP MLF in baseball, hockey, and multi-sport. Wayne wakes up every day thankful to be able to say that he works in sport, especially coaching. Before joining Coaches of Canada, Wayne was the president of a publishing supply company.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Pulling on a Team Canada jersey for the first time and coaching in an international competition.
Sporting Heroes: Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Roger Neilson, Sparky Anderson
Favourite Coaching Quote: “Don't mistake activity with achievement.” ― John Wooden
Marie-Pier Charest - Coaching Consultant, Research
5-pin bowling | Swimming | Tennis | Ten Pin | Triathlon | Cross-Country Skiing | Karate | Fencing | Boxing
Marie-Pier has been involved in coach and physical educator education since 2003. She has worked at the university level (Laval University and Bishop’s), as well as in the NCCP and coach development. In 2012, she completed a PhD on the implementation of athlete development models in Quebec. She then served as a mentor for Speed Skating Canada and the Fédération de patinage de vitesse du Québec, as well as Director of Coach Education at the Institut national du sport du Québec. In the latter role, she was responsible for the development and delivery of training programs and activities for high performance and next generation coaches. Equally interested in scientific research as coaching practice, she is passionate about innovation and development.
Hero: My best friend
Favourite quote: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” – Nelson Mandela
Jacqueline Tittley - Coaching Consultant, Lifelong Learning / Maintenance of Certification
613.235.5000 x 2351
Water Ski & Wakeboard | Broomball | Racquetball | Table Tennis | Badminton | Lacrosse | Canoe/Kayak | Lawn Bowls | Ringette
Born and raised in Montreal, Jacqueline completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Leisure Science at Concordia University while also gathering work experience in the athletics department at Concordia University and Dawson College. She has played and coached skiing, soccer, and rugby at a variety of levels.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Listening to the Canadian National Anthem before playing against France while on tour with the National Senior Women’s Rugby Team in November 2013.
Sporting Hero: Larry Tittley, CFL Offensive Lineman (Her dad!)
Favourite Coaching Quote: “Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become, and the hours of practice, and the coaches who have pushed you, is the little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back…play for her.” - Mia Hamm
PROFESSIONAL COACHING TEAM
Shelley Coolidge, ChPC - Manager, Professional Coaching Services
613.235.5000 x 2387
Shelley comes to the CAC after working extensively in sport at the provincial, national and international level as a professional coach, program builder, mentor, sport administrator, and volunteer. Following a coaching career in the Canadian universities and colleges, she completed a graduate program in human resource management and a certificate in social and emotional training. Shelley has been recognized with a Breakthrough Award for her leadership work from the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) and with the Hal Lewis Award from Hockey Canada.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Representing Canada as a coach at the 2009 World University Games in Harbin, China - the inaugural event for female hockey.
Sporting Heroes: Brenda Staniforth, Shirley Cameron, France St. Louis, and Brenda Jones
Favourite Coaching Quote: “Greatness, whether athletic or otherwise, doesn’t come from those content on just being but from those who seek being the difference.” – Kirk Mango
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Natalie Rumscheidt - Director, Marketing & Communications
613.235.5000 x 2051
Growing up in Ottawa, Natalie was immersed in sport. After studying and playing rugby at St. Francis Xavier University, Natalie began her career with organizing committees for multi-sport Games in Brandon (Canada Games), Sydney (Olympic and Paralympic Games) and Manchester (Commonwealth Games) in the roles of communications, sport services, and venue operations, respectively. She joined the CAC in May 2014 after a decade working in the performing arts industry, most recently as the Senior Marketing Manager for the National Arts Centre Orchestra.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Being blown away by the inspirational runners crossing the finish line of the inaugural International BlueNose Marathon in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Honoured to have shared in their personal successes, and personally proud to have been part of the team that brought the BlueNose to life. Just Giv’er!
Sporting Heroes: Stevie Nash, Paula Radcliffe, Martina Navratilova
Favourite Coaching Quote: “Change is risky. There is no question about it. It is not as risky, however, as standing still or being overcautious. You can't steal second base with your foot still on first.” - Pat Summitt
Michel Hachey - Manager, Communications
613.235.5000 x 2382
Michel joined the CAC after a number of years in the public and private sectors. He brings expertise in media relations and member engagement to the CAC where he is principally responsible for engaging coaches using the many resources and programs offered by the CAC and its partner organizations.
Michel grew up in New Brunswick and earned a degree in marketing and his MBA at the Université de Moncton. True to his maritime blood, he brings a work-hard, play-hard mentality to the office and when he’s not tweeting about the latest coaching news, you’ll find him on the ball diamond or the hockey rink.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Joe Carter’s game 6 walk-off home run to win the World Series in 1993, hockey gold medal game at the Salt Lake Olympics, and being in attendance for Gretzky's last game at Maple Leaf Gardens.
Sporting Hero: Wayne Gretzky, Matt Stairs
Favourite coaching quote:“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” - Wayne Gretzky
Yolande Usher - Manager, Corporate Partnerships & Marketing
613.235.5000 x 2392
Yolande has been involved in non-profit organizations for over five years, gaining experience with Right To Play and the Canadian Cancer Society in Development and Corporate Partnerships. She holds a Post-Graduate degree in Sport and Event Marketing from George Brown College to complement an HBA in Economics and Urban Studies from the University of Toronto. During her time at UofT, she also sat on the Intramural Sports Council. Yolande is passionate about healthy and active living, and has worked and volunteered for organizations that reflect these values.
When she was younger, Yolande grew up living overseas with stints in Turkey and Switzerland among many others. Each step of the way, she has always been involved in a range of sports that include trampoline, volleyball, soccer, snowboarding, running and any other game she has the opportunity to play. You’ll most likely catch her riding her bike in to work.
Most memorable sporting moment: Watching Karen Cockburn win bronze at the Sydney Olympics in 2000- the first year trampoline was introduced as an Olympic sport.
Sport Hero: My cousin; Triathlete Jason Wilson (Barbados). I’ve watched him develop in the sport ever since we were kids. His commitment and dedication to the sport of triathlon is unparalleled, and our family was so proud to see him compete at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Favourite Coaching Quote: Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
Pascal Villeneuve - Coordinator, Communications
613.235.5000 x 2395
Most of Pascal’s earliest and fondest memories are associated with sports. Born and raised in New Liskeard, Ontario, Pascal moved to Ottawa in 2016 to attend Algonquin College’s Sport Business Management graduate program after earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Laurentian University. He joins the Coaching Association of Canada team after completing a year-long internship at Swimming Canada where he gained experience in communications and marketing.
Most memorable sport experience: Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Championship run in 2016
Sporting Heroes: Lebron James & Steve Nash
Favourite coaching quote: “Making shots counts, but not as much as the people who make them.” – Mike Krzyzewski, Head Coach, men’s basketball at Duke University
Shannon Hall - Coordinator, Events
613.235.5000 x2353
Born and raised in Waterloo, Shannon attended the University of Waterloo and completed her BA in Recreation and Sport Business. After graduation, she moved to Ottawa to pursue a career in sport, and has since worked for the Ottawa Sport & Social Club and the City of Ottawa. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in event management, customer service, and marketing and communications. When Shannon isn’t working, she can be found on the volleyball court or volunteering at a local retirement home.
Most memorable sport experience: Seeing her sister get back on the ice after a year-long battle with Chronic Regional Pain Disorder (CRPS).
Favourite coaching quote: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” - Bobby Knight
Brad Welock - Coordinator, Marketing
613.235.5000 x 2388
Hockey, mountain biking, and baseball were Brad’s go-to sports as a kid. He played Junior B hockey in BC’s Kootenay region, working his way to a berth in the 2001 KIJHL Junior B Championship. After completing a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2006 at UBC Okanagan, Brad set his sights on a post-graduate certificate in Sport Business which he completed in 2010 at Durham College. Following a four-year stint at the Bell Sensplex facility in Ottawa where Brad orchestrated youth and adult hockey leagues and camps, he joined the CAC team in 2015.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Coaching at the 2008 BC Midget Boys Tier III Provincials
Sporting Hero:Vince Lombardi
Favourite Coaching Quote: When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less.” – Paul Brown
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TEAM
David Allard - Director, Projects and Technology
613.235.5000 x 2390
Born in Montreal, David started his sporting career at the outdoor pools in the West Island, where he was exposed to swimming, water polo, and diving. After twenty years of competitive swimming at the provincial and national levels, David moved on to other pursuits, and is currently pursuing a third-degree black belt in karate. David holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Computer Science from McGill University, and an MBA from Concordia University, reflecting his passion for facilitating interaction between technical and non-technical teams. David was most recently the Director of IRE at the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, where he was responsible for the association’s IT support and products. David is passionate about all things IT and loves a good challenge, whether it is solving a problem, playing a board game, or learning new skills in a sport.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Winning gold in the Men’s 200m individual medley at the 2000 CIS National Swimming Championships on the last day of competition.
Sporting Hero: Mark Tewksbury
Favourite coaching quote: "Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda
Darren Larose – Senior Systems Analyst
Darren is one of the brains behind the development of The Locker. When asked what he does, he told us: “for(int i = 0; i < insanity; i++) { code.Write(); }.” We won’t try to decode that, but if you enjoy the nice clean look of the Locker, then you have Darren to thank!
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Grade 7 standing long jump second place :(
Sporting Hero: Masahiko Kimura
Favourite Coaching Quote: If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball." – Patches O’Houlihan, DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
Jeff Mees – Lead, Technology Platforms
With over fifteen years experience in enterprise system development, tackling decades worth of sports data seemed like an interesting new challenge to Jeff. A devotee of kitesurfing and mountain biking, Jeff has put his years of software development to good use helping to build our new NCCP database – The Locker.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Watching his daughter win third place at the provincial championships in her first year of competitive riding.
Sporting Hero: Rodney Mullen
Favourite Coaching Quote: “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” – Lou Holtz
Jean-Christophe Charbonneau – Software Developer
Claudia Gagnon – NCCP Projects and Product Manager
613.235.5000 x 2350
Claudia has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Communications from Queen’s University, and a Diploma in Corporate Communications & Public Relations from Fanshawe College. She started her career as the Communications Assistant for Rogers Television in Ottawa helping to promote the community station and working with some great sponsors and community groups. After four years, she brought her skills and talents to the non-profit sector and started working at the CAC, where she has had nothing but continuous exciting challenges including working on coach recognition programs, sponsorship grant programs, the sport nutrition program, and eLearning product development.
Most Memorable Sporting Experience: Placing second in an open cross-country running meet with over 200 female participants.
Favourite Coaching Quote: “Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
COACH AND PARTNER SERVICES TEAM
Chris Patterson – Links Coordinator, Team Leader – Coach & Partner Services
613.235.5000 x 2369
Chris started playing soccer when he lived in England and played consistently for 30 years. He stopped playing when it ceased being fun and got involved in coaching as a way to keep his kids involved in sport and to continue to play a role in the game he loves. A political science graduate with a focus in Soviet and East European Studies, Chris has also been a soccer referee for six years as he says it makes him a better coach.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Playing cricket on the beach in Nevis with the locals and showing them that this tourist got game AND coaching his U-15 girls team to the house league futsal title.
Sporting Hero: Neville Southall – Goalkeeper Everton FC
Favourite Coaching Quote: Not a quote but a coaching concept – winning doesn’t matter when you played to the best of your abilities.
Jennifer White - Coach & Partner Services
613.235.5000 x 1
Most memorable Sport Experience: Attending the 2012 women’s World Hockey Championship gold medal game, where Canada won the title back from the USA with an overtime win.
Sporting Hero: Mia Hamm
Favourite Coaching Quote: You miss 100% off the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky
Vickie Lemire - Coach & Partner Services, CEO Support
613.235.5000 x 2383
As captain of University of Ottawa Gee-Gee’s women’s hockey team and recipient of the 2016-2017 RSEQ Leadership & Citizenship Award, Vickie joins the CAC with a wealth of sport insight. Previous to the CAC, she completed an internship with CAAWS and graduated with of Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa. Vickie plans include coaching girls’ hockey, while sharing her passion for the sport.
Sporting moment: To put on a team Canada jersey for the first time at the U-18, 3 game series vs. the U.S.A. in Rockland, Ont. Also winning Gold at the 2009 Jeux du Québec.
Sporting heroes: All female athletes, breaking barriers.
Favourite coaching quote: “Not every victory shows up on the scoreboard.” – Unknown
Martial Desrosiers Drainville – Executive Coordinator & International Communications
613.235.5000 x 2375
A graduate of the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Martial is currently finishing a certificate in business at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. Heavily involved in competitive ultimate, Martial currently plays with local Ottawa teams and coaches both a local high school team and a junior team during the summer.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: In 2010, he and two friends created the first men’s ultimate team for Université du Québec en Outaouais and participated at the Canadian University Ultimate Championship.
Sporting Heroes: The ones that are told they’re too short to succeed.
Favourite Coaching Quote: “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” – Derek Jeter
Erica Bergman - Manager, Finance
613.235.5000 x 2374
Erica has been actively coaching synchronized swimming since 1994, and has coached at the recreational, provincial, and national level. She is currently the recreational coordinator for Gloucester Synchro where she is also coaching a provincial ages 13-15 team, and a University-level duet. She has a Bachelor of Commerce – Honours Finance from the University of Ottawa and is currently pursuing her CPA designation.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Watching my children play sports, and seeing them give 100%.
Favourite Coaching Quote: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." – Aristotle
Michael Nguyen - Coordinator, Finance
613.235.5000 x 2362
Growing up in Ottawa, Michael’s favourite sports included basketball and soccer. When he reached high school, he developed a passion for volleyball and hockey. Michael enjoys playing, watching, and studying the inner workings of different sports, including eSports.
Michael decided to pursue a career in the ever-growing sports industry because most of his best memories relate to sports. With a diploma in Business Administration and a graduate certificate in Sport Business Management from Algonquin College, he joins the CAC after completing a year-long internship with Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group’s finance department.
Most Memorable Sport Experience: Germany winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Sporting Heroes: Kobe Bryant & Gavin Schmitt
Favourite Coaching Quote: “It’s not about any one person. You’ve got to get over yourself and realize that it takes a group to get this thing done.” – Greg Popovich