CAC's 2005 Jeux de la Francophonie International Women in Coaching Apprenticeship Project

June 2, 2005

Ottawa, ON - The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is sending three Canadian women mentor coaches to Africa as part of its 2005 Jeux de la Francophonie International Women in Coaching Apprenticeship project.

The three — basketball coach Linda Marquis of Quebec City, athletics coach Carole Crevier of Montreal, and judo coach Carrie Murray of Saint John, N.B. — will be working to prepare five apprentice coaches from Burkina Faso, Niger, and Senegal for the 2005 Jeux de la Francophonie, December 7-17, in Niamey, Niger.

The three-phase project, which builds on a similar CAC program that was launched at the 2001 Jeux de la Francophonie in Ottawa, is being administered by Jessica Chase of Saint Laurent, Que., a bronze medallist as a member of Canada's synchronized swimming team at the 2000 Olympic Games and now a coach and coaching consultant.

Kicking off the project is a four-day, pre-Games leadership seminar to be held in Niamey , June 9-12 to lay the groundwork for a successful experience, identify needs and expectations, and clarify roles and responsibilities. The seminar facilitator is Ariane Loignon of Quebec City, a world silver medallist in long track speed skating who is now a coach and sport administrator.

Following the seminar, each mentor coach will then visit the home country of her apprentice coach to ensure implementation is taking place and provide advice and support. The mentor coaches will be on hand throughout the Games to work side by side with the apprentices and provide support and advice.

For Linda Marquis, who took part in the 2001 project, the learning is a two-way street. "It was such a great experience in 2001 to work with these women. They have such huge courage that it's an inspiration for us," says Marquis. "They have to battle for everything. Once I get there [ Niger and Senegal ], I will do whatever I can for them … I know it's not going to be easy, but I also know it is going to be another great experience for me. I want to give a lot, but I get so much from them, too."

Carrie Murray, who competed as an athlete at the 2001 Jeux de la Francophonie, is a strong supporter of the project. "This program is extremely important for promotion of female development," says Murray . "A program that can encourage females to share ideas and work together is an opportunity to gain experience and to grow as leaders. Female leaders are needed more and more and we can improve our qualities and attributes through learning and development programs".

Carole Crevier is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with the apprentice coaches. "[They] come from developing countries in Africa where there aren't a lot of coaches with the professional knowledge to help them improve," says Crevier. "I have been coaching and teaching for a long time and I believe I can help the apprentice coaches … projects like this are a really important part of the development of a coach wanting to get to the national and international levels of competition. I am nearing the end of my coaching career and I want to give back some of what I received from other coaches."

The apprentice coaches are athletics coach Pauline Compaore of Ouadadougou, Burkina Faso; basketball coach Aminou Boukary of Niamey, Niger; basketball coach Aïssatou Sene Faye of Dakar, Senegal; judo coach B.A. Raïssa Ouattara of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; and judo coach Fatou Sadio, also from Dakar.

The mentor coaches for the 2001 Jeux de la Francophonie in Ottawa were:

Louise Campion, judo

Kim Chapdelaine, athletics

Julie Côté, athletics

Linda Marquis, basketball

CAC is a not-for-profit amateur sport organization with the mandate to improve the effectiveness of coaching across all sports and at all levels of the sport system.

Media Inquiries:

Please note that participants are leaving for Africa and will be available for media interviews today and tomorrow only.

For more information, please contact:

Lorraine Lafrenière Chief Operating Officer Coaching Association of Canada 613-235-5000 ext. 9-2365 llafreniere@coach.ca