Aboriginal Apprentice Coaching Program (AACP)

The Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program (AACP) is a partnership between the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), Canada's Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASBs), Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives (PTCRs), the Canada Games Council (CGC), and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC).

The program provides the opportunity for each province and territory to send two (2) coaches of First Nations, Metis and Inuit ancestry to the Canada Games in apprentice coach roles.

The next Canada Summer Games will be held in Ontario's Niagara region in 2022.

AACP objectives include:

• Building coaching capacity within Indigenous communities.
• Providing Aboriginal apprentice coaches with domestic multi-sport games exposure.
• Providing Aboriginal apprentice coaches with professional development and learning opportunities to prepare them for high level coaching and ensure an increase in their level of NCCP certification to a minimum of Competition - Development, Trained. (Apprentices complete training within 12 months following the Games)
• Exposing Aboriginal apprentice coaches to elite/high performance coaches.
• Ensuring Aboriginal apprentice coaches are prepared to handle a meaningful role during the Canada Games experience.

For more information regarding Desired Outcomes and Eligibility please download : PDF for AACP

2022 Aboriginal Apprentice Coaches

The 2022 Aboriginal Apprentice Coaches are:

Province / Territory Coach Name Sport
British Columbia Ryan Williams Lacrosse
Michelle Webster Softball
Alberta Taylor McPherson Wrestling
Saskatchewan Cory Gratton Volleyball
Mandy Herman Wrestling
Manitoba Charisse Cyr Volleyball
Keith Mason Basketball
Ontario Mekwan Tulpin Lacrosse
Al Staats Softball
Quebec Otiohkwanoron Montour Wrestling
Angel Robertson Wrestling
New Brunswick Cathy Ward Volleyball
Keegan Higham Lacrosse
Newfoundland & Labrador Katie Gaudette Volleyball
Nova Scotia Aiyanna Empringham Basketball
Shaniya Vance Volleyball
Nunavut Alayna Ningeongan Volleyball
Prince Edward Island Richard Lush Athletics
Yukon Eric Porter Soccer
Northwest Territories Kyla LePage Volleyball