AKWESASNE, Ontario - Twelve Aboriginal coaches from five provinces and three territories will have an opportunity to be part of the coaching staff at the 2009 Canada Summer Games being held in Prince Edward Island from August 15 to August 29, 2009. They will participate in the games as part of a pilot project developed in partnership by the Aboriginal Sport Circle, Canada Games Council and the Coaching Association of Canada.

The Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program (AACP) will provide participants with valuable multisport games exposure, as well as receiving professional development from their assigned coach mentor throughout the games.

A collaborative effort by all provincial and territorial sport bodies was fundamental in identifying and select coaches for this year’s games. This program will provide Aboriginal coaches with the opportunity to develop their coaching skill at a high performance level. This pilot program will extend to the upcoming 2011 Canada Winter Game in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Coaches selected for the 2009 Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program include:

TEAM
Prince Edward Island: Ryan Knockwood, Rugby
New Brunswick: Sheila Francis, Athletics; Jason Peters, Basketball
Quebec: Jesse Kahonwaken:re Rice, Canoe/Kayak
Manitoba: Kristy Fewchuk, Volleyball
Saskatchewan: Corey Matthews, Basketball; Jonathon Smith, Wrestling
Yukon: Tuton, Soccer; Robin Chambers, Athletics
Northwest Territories: Farrah Bourke, Soccer; Christina McAdam, Swimming
Nunavut: Patrick Angoyuaq, Wrestling

The AACP participants gathered in Winnipeg, Manitoba this past April to attend a professional development workshop. Topics of discussion included: Understanding the multisport games system, the Canada Games experience, Making Ethical Decisions, Long Term Athlete Development, Taking It (an understanding on banned substances), and the Aboriginal Coaching Manual workshop.