Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) has announced the launch of its second Commonwealth Women Coach Internship Program (WCIP), which pairs intern coaches and mentor coaches in an initiative designed to prepare more women to assume high-performance coaching roles.

Launched in August 2020 for three interns and their mentors, the WCIP, a scheme financially backed by Sport Canada’s Support Program for Gender Equity and Safety in Sport, has expanded to include six interns and their mentors.

They include Jessica Zelinka, the 2007 Pan American Games heptathlon gold medallist and who won Commonwealth Games silver at Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014, and Catharine Pendrel, winner of an Olympic bronze in cross-country cycling at Rio 2016. 

Lisa Mensink, who represented The Netherlands in the triathlon at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, is another former elite athlete nominated to take part in the programme.

Erin MacGregor, Sierra Moores and Giselle Delgado, who coach in boxing, swimming and squash, complete the group of interns.

The mentors include Carolyn Murray, who represented Canada in the triathlon at Beijing 2008 and was the winner of a gold medal on the World Cup circuit. 

"Equality is a core Commonwealth value, and CSC has a long, strong, and proud history of being gender balanced in its governance and programmes, except coaching."

Said CSC President Richard Powers.

"There is a great need to have more Canadian women in high-performance coaching roles. We hope the WCIP will help to address this need."

Rio 2016 cross-country cycling bronze medallist Catharine Pendrel has joined the scheme designed to help create the new generation of Canadian coaches ©Getty Images

Sheilagh Croxon will return as the CSC WCIP programme lead.

She has a wealth of coaching experience at all levels of sport in Canada, including an eight-year stint leading the Coaching Association of Canada’s Women in Coaching programme.

Croxon has designed a virtual education programme built around providing leadership development sessions featuring women trailblazers in Canadian sport.

"I look forward to working with CSC in collaboration with the NSOs (National Sports Organisations) to expand this unique programme in 2021-22."

Said Croxon.

"We have assembled an exceptional group of intern and mentor coaches who will build positive momentum in Commonwealth sport. By providing intern coaches with the opportunity to gain valuable coaching experience, ensuring their access to leadership development, and developing a strong network of support, I am confident that future national teams will benefit from the inclusion of talented, trained women coaches such as these."

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