CAC EDI Grant Program is sponsored by Coaching Association of Canada. Supports sport organizations in projects that increase diversity of the coaching population and create inclusive, accessible sport environments, with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion including for girls and women in coaching and mentorship.

CAC EDI Grant program | Coaching Association of Canada | Association canadienne des entraîneurs The CAC offers grants to eligible sport organizations (NSOs, PTCRs, and the COPSI Network) that organize and operate programs and initiatives to increase the number of coaches who identify with one or more of the CAC’s Priority Groups.

In the CAC’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy , Priority Groups include “women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and people that identify with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. ” A PTSO is eligible to apply with the endorsement or in partnership with the NSO partner. Support the development and implementation of projects by sport organizations to increase the diversity of coaches in Canada.

Grant recipients will receive up to $1,500 to support their project and must contribute a minimum of $500 to the project. All project activities must be completed between April 1, 2026, and March 1, 2027, and a final report must be completed by March 1, 2027.

Component: Text and Media Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to: Hosting a specialized introduction to coaching workshop or a relevant NCCP Workshop Training new NCCP Coach Developers (example: training NCCP Coach Developers who can deliver an NCCP workshop in another language to a new community) Developing a mentorship program Developing a Community of Practice Providing practical coaching experiences for coaches (example: attending a National Championships in a coach apprentice role) Component: Call To Action Paddling Together: Indigenous Ringette Coach Recruitment, Support, and Mentorship Program Goal: Recruit Indigenous coaches into ringette across British Columbia.

Province‑wide initiative to increase Indigenous representation and leadership. Recruit Indigenous coaches and provide culturally grounded mentorship, certification, and leadership development. Integrate Indigenous ways of knowing and teaching.

Built partnerships with Indigenous communities and addressed systemic barriers. Three new Indigenous coaches were recruited. Increased Indigenous representation, strengthened inclusivity, and established visible coaching pathways.

The Ice Hawks will strengthen the Flex program by maintaining Indigenous coach recruitment and mentorship and by establishing a culturally responsive coaching certification pathway. Mentorship will expand through on‑ice and off‑ice support, regular check‑ins, and individualized development plans.

The program will deepen cultural integration and explore expansion of the Flex model to additional Indigenous communities to support long‑term sustainability. Northern Women Coach Developer Initiative Goal: Develop women in leadership roles within biathlon, particularly in Northern Alberta, through coaching education, mentorship, and advancement. Increase the number of women coaches and Strengthen the competencies of existing coaches.

Two women appointed to the Board. Three NCCP courses were delivered. Six women trained (including three new coaches).

Three provincial camps were delivered. Four mentor–mentee pairs supported. LF Core Facilitator training completed by three individuals.

Twelve women selected for Arctic and Alberta Winter Games coaching roles. Biathlon Alberta will continue supporting newly trained Learning Facilitators and expand course delivery, especially in remote regions. Coaching pathways in Northern and Indigenous communities will be strengthened through increased training and development opportunities.

“Try Biathlon” events will evolve from single‑session introductions to structured multi‑week programs to encourage sustained participation. Canadian Broomball Federation Newfoundland & Labrador’s First Learning Facilitator Goal: Increase local coach‑development capacity by training the province’s first woman Learning Facilitator and reducing barriers to coach education.

Deliver content‑specific training and co‑facilitated workshops with new Learning Facilitator candidates. Deliver the first‑ever Broomball Technical Coach (BTC) workshop in Newfoundland and Labrador. BTC workshop delivered successfully, training local coaches.

The province’s first Learning Facilitator was identified, trained, and supported. Reduced reliance on out‑of‑province facilitators and strengthened long‑term capacity. Two coaches will work toward full certification as Learning Facilitators through scheduled core training and a hybrid delivery model.

Continued mentorship, co‑facilitation, and observation opportunities will support sustainable coach development. Karate for Participants with a Disability – Coaching Opportunities and NCCP Program Increase the number and visibility of athletes and coaches with disabilities. Build capacity to coach para‑karate athletes.

Improve access to coaching opportunities. Provide an opportunity for Para committee to impact NCCP programming development. Identify barriers to participation for coaches and athletes with disabilities.

An increase in para‑ready coaches was achieved. Coaching staff successfully supported para‑athletes at the Senior Pan American Championships and World Championships. Karate Canada will see the project through completion, building on current momentum and capacity.

Nunavut Badminton Coaching Symposium Goal: Train coaches and support continued certification within the badminton coaching pathway. Deliver Regional Coach Module 3. Initiate coach portfolios to support certification.

Continue to pursue Regional Coach‑level certification opportunities. Regional Coach modules were delivered to seven coaches. Coaches will continue portfolio development and evaluations leading up to and during the 2025 Territorial Tournament.

Nunavut Badminton will continue supporting Nunavummiut and Indigenous coaches through ongoing online symposium opportunities. Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association (OAWA) OAWA Coaches Development & Inclusion Clinic Goal: Increase participation, retention, and development of coaches from CAC Priority Groups through a one‑day professional development clinic.

Project Target Audiences: Visible minorities (BIPOC) Persons with disabilities Coaches from underserved communities Deliver a coach‑centred professional development and networking event. Include nutrition sessions, leadership discussions, on‑mat training, and peer networking. Women’s participation doubled.

BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ coaches were represented. Strengthened mentorship, collaboration, and peer support. A sustainable annual clinic model was established.

The clinic will become an annual EDI‑focused event within OAWA’s coach development calendar. Targeted outreach will increase engagement with Indigenous coaches and coaches with disabilities, including those working with athletes with disabilities. Regional and virtual follow‑up opportunities will be explored to improve accessibility for northern and rural coaches.

Partnerships will continue to reduce financial barriers and strengthen inclusive coach development across Ontario wrestling. SSC Hybrid Speed Skating Pilot Program SSC Hybrid Speed Skating Pilot Program supported by Patinage de vitesse Québec Goal: Increase representation and development of women in high‑performance coaching. Deliver five national camps offering hands‑on mentorship, elite coaching practice, and transition training.

Two women coaches (Shannon Rempel and Valérie Maltais) participated in the program. Coaches improved effectiveness through mentorship and immersive training experiences. Mentor–mentee objectives will continue within the hybrid program and expand into broader professional development for high‑performance coaches.

The hybrid training model will continue and be adapted for Year 1 of the Olympic cycle. Sport‑Études Next Gen Coaching Goal: Integrate school programming, women coach leadership, and a local Francophone basketball club to grow bilingual coaching capacity in New Brunswick. Engage female student‑athletes in certification (L2T and NCCP).

Built partnerships among high schools, PSOs, and community clubs. Support the development of a new Learning Facilitator. Twenty female athletes progressed to certified coach status.

Francophone coaching pathways were strengthened, addressing linguistic and structural barriers. Program delivery will expand to increase benefits for both athletes and coaches. MED will be delivered earlier in the semester to enhance learning applications.

Competition Introduction courses will be integrated into a four‑year development pathway for Grades 9–12. Ongoing mentorship will connect emerging coaches with summer and community opportunities. The new Learning Facilitator will continue receiving support to expand bilingual delivery with Basketball New Brunswick.

School, community, and PSO partnerships will be strengthened to ensure inclusive access for Francophone youth and women coaches. Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Inclusion of the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle NL in Sport NL Summits Goal: Improve access to NCCP pathways for Labrador coaches by strengthening partnerships and addressing systemic barriers.

Partner with Aboriginal Sport and Recreation (NL) to ensure Labrador representation in provincial summits. Address barriers such as travel challenges, geographic isolation, and lack of culturally relevant pathways. Strengthened trust, communication, and collaboration.

Increased understanding of northern and Indigenous coaching barriers. Improved planning for inclusive and accessible coach‑education delivery. Post‑summit momentum will be translated into concrete coach‑development actions in Labrador.

Access to NCCP certification will expand through localized and online delivery models. Collaboration with Aboriginal partners will guide culturally relevant programming. In‑person Aboriginal Coaching Modules will be offered through ASRCNL to support coaches working with Indigenous athletes.

Ongoing relationship‑building will support sustained engagement and long‑term impact. Women in Squash Mentorship Program Goal: Create leadership pathways and strengthen representation of women in coaching and facilitation roles. Deliver a women‑led leadership pipeline supported by structured mentorship.

Offer a women‑only Community Instructor Course to remove certification barriers. Provide practical leadership experiences through Women’s Squash Week programming. Nine women certified as Community Instructors.

Fourteen mentees and four active mentors engaged. Thirty‑three ambassadors supported sixty‑one events across twenty‑five facilities. More than 700 participants participated, representing record engagement.

Established a sustainable, women‑centred coaching infrastructure. Connections, mentorship, and coach development will be strengthened across all levels of women’s squash. Women in Squash Conference opportunities will continue to expand.

A new series of women‑focused coaching webinars will launch in 2026–27. Coach development will remain a priority, including support for a woman coach preparing for the Canada Winter Games. Additional practical coaching opportunities will continue to be integrated into competitive events.

Baseball Canada; Women in Coaching Program Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sport Association; Boccia Coaches with Disabilities Development Program Curling Canada; “Confidence” – Building Confidence in Female Coaches Cycling Canada; Diversifying Coaches at Cycling Canada Field Hockey Canada; Stick Together Mentoring Program Rowing Canada Aviron; Women Coaches Leading Women's Crews Sailing Canada; Coach Development: Training Camp & Competition Mentorship for Female Coaches Taekwondo Canada; Women on the Rise Triathlon Ontario; Coach Developer Mentorship Volleyball Canada; Mentorship for Women Coaches