The Canada Games Council, together with the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) and the Coaches Association of Canada, is pleased to announce the participants selected for the 2025 Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program (AACP). The Program offers each province and territory an opportunity to send two apprentice coaches of First Nations, Metis, or Inuit ancestry to the Canada Games.
Kelly-Ann Paul, President and CEO of the Canada Games Council, looks forward to following these participants on their journeys to the 2025 Canada Summer Games in Newfoundland and Labrador. "We congratulate all coaches selected to the 2025 AACP," she says. "It's an honour to work with our dedicated partners to support the development and experience of these promising coaches before and at the Games."
Apprentice coaches will work with both Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies and Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives to complete training in the National Coaching Certification Program. This training will give them Competition-Development certification and valuable experience on the staff of a team in the sport of their choice.
"The AACP helps Indigenous communities across Canada build their coaching capacity," says Vanessa McGregor, Interim Executive Director of the ASC. "This program provides a tremendous opportunity for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit participants to gain domestic multi-sport games experience and exposure to the highest levels of elite athlete and coaching performance. We are thrilled to work once again with our partners to train the next generation of Indigenous coaches."
This year's cohort includes 20 coaches. All coaches will serve on the team's staff in their home province or territory. The 2025 Canada Games take place August 8-25 in St. John's.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Lorne Wallington, Softball
Lorne Sam, Lacrosse
ALBERTA
Lauren Cardinal, Basketball
Waylen Auger, Volleyball
SASKATCHEWAN
Thomas Favel, Soccer
MANITOBA
Drake Pilat, Baseball
Savannah Chapman Cochrane, Wrestling
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Tyree Mullaney, Swimming
Bronwyn Rutherford-Simon, Soccer
ONTARIO
Terry McMahon, Volleyball
Matt Sommerville, Volleyball
QUEBEC
Kayla Gedeon, Softball
Tyler Gideon, Basketball
NEW BRUNSWICK
Brian Richardson, Swimming
Ryan Hoard, Wrestling
NOVA SCOTIA
Austin Hepworth, Lacrosse
Nya Kennedy, Softball
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
Robyn Dillman, Volleyball
Shannon Holwell, Volleyball
YUKON
Ross King, Golf
