The Club Development Award, the Coach Developer Award and Coach Recognition Awards are presented on an annual basis to coaches and club leaders who have made significant achievements in their communities. Nominations for the awards take place at the end of the competitive season and the awards are presented annually at the CKC Summit. This year, with the Summit being postponed in 2024, the awards were presented at the 2025 Coaching Symposium in Ottawa taking place from January 29th to 30th. 

CKC Club Development Award 

The Club Development Award is presented annually to a coach, club leader or volunteer who has clearly demonstrated his or her abilities at developing a club or the sport through grassroots programs such as creating a new club or program or promoting the sport through the club.  

The 2024 recipients of the CKC Club Development Award are Phil Laliberté (Otterburn) and Océane Marchand (Club Nautique de Sherbrooke).  

Phil Laliberté
Phil has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of Otterburn Club over the past three years. His contributions, particularly in restructuring the high-performance program and his active role as a coach, have propelled the club to new heights. Under his leadership, Otterburn athletes are now excelling on provincial, national, and international stages, earning the club a reputation for producing top-tier talent. The club has also expanded its membership by embracing a diverse range of paddling activities, including paddle all, dragon boat, SUP, and a masters program. With Phil’s guidance, Otterburn is on track to not only match but surpass the golden years of the club from the 1970s. 

In addition to his work at Otterburn, Phil is pursuing a PhD in Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources, focusing on the coaching profession. His research aims to bridge the gap between coaching practice and academic study, advocating for better work conditions and sustainability within the field. Through his work with Pôle Sports at HEC Montreal, Phil is addressing issues such as coach burnout and the high turnover rate, while helping to improve leadership development for coaches worldwide. As a mentor at Otterburn, he has also worked to inspire the next generation of coaches, showing them the value and potential of coaching as a legitimate, rewarding career. 

Océane Marchand
Océane is a dedicated and skilled trainer known for her ability to listen to her athletes and tailor her approach to help them achieve their best results. Her strong organizational skills and work ethic have earned her the respect of athletes, parents, assistant coaches, colleagues, and peers alike. 

Passionate about sprint paddling, Océane actively seeks to improve her own skills, participating in training camps with the Quebec team in Florida and supporting Canada’s young Olympic hopefuls in Europe. Her enthusiasm for the sport is contagious, and she excels at motivating her athletes to reach their highest potential. 

With a personalized approach to coaching, Océane creates a positive and effective training environment that has led to significant improvements in her athletes’ competitive performances. She has demonstrated great adaptability, adjusting training programs and integrating innovative techniques for both physical and mental preparation. Her leadership and team-building skills have fostered a strong sense of community, encouraging athletes to support one another and progress together. 

CKC Coach Developer Award 

The Coach Developer Award is presented to a coach who contributes to the training of new Canoe Kayak coaches outside of, or in addition to their regular coaching duties. 

The 2024 recipients of the CKC Coach Developer Award are Emily Parsons (Abenaki Aquatic Club) and Kevin McIntyre (Banook Canoe Club). 

Emily Parsons
Emily Parsons is a standout coach and mentor whose impact on both athletes and coaches has been profound. As the only female head coach in the Atlantic division, Emily has become a powerful role model, inspiring others through her leadership and positive approach to coaching. Her commitment to promoting a respectful, ethical, and athlete-centered environment has made her a trusted figure within the sport at the provincial and national levels. 

A passionate advocate for coach education, Emily plays a key role in facilitating training workshops and mentoring emerging coaches. She takes a holistic approach, helping coaches develop not only their technical skills but also their leadership, communication, and ethical decision-making abilities. Emily’s outreach efforts, including collaboration with neighboring clubs, have fostered a sense of community and knowledge-sharing across the paddling network. 

Under Emily’s guidance, athletes have seen significant success, with numerous podium finishes at the 2024 Atlantic Championships. Her coaching style focuses on developing both athletic ability and essential life skills like confidence, resilience, and respect. Emily’s commitment to continuous professional development and her dedication to nurturing the next generation of leaders make her a true ambassador of the sport. 

Kevin McIntyre
Kevin is the Head Coach at Banook Canoe Club, where his dedication and leadership have been instrumental in developing youth athletes and fostering their growth both on and off the water. Under his guidance, many athletes have reached new heights, with several being selected to represent Canada internationally. Kevin is deeply committed to the holistic development of his athletes, supporting them not only in their athletic pursuits but also in their academic and personal lives. 

One of Kevin’s standout contributions is his creation of the Coach-in-Training (CiT) program, which he initiated in his first summer as Head Coach. The program was designed to provide young athletes (ages 14-15) with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to pursue coaching roles in the future. The CiT program has become a cornerstone of Banook’s coaching development, offering mentorship and training to youth from diverse backgrounds, including BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, female, and newcomer communities. 

Through this program, Kevin has helped build a sustainable coaching pipeline at Banook, with past CiT participants going on to become part-time coaches. In addition to overseeing the CiT program, Kevin manages the coaching schedule for all levels at Banook, supervises both seasonal and off-season coaches, and personally coaches the high-performance athlete group. His work has not only strengthened the club but also ensured the future of canoe and kayak coaching in Canada. 

2024 Canoe Kayak Canada Coach Excellence Nominees: 

CKC congratulates all who were nominated and to the 2024 recipients. For more information on the CKC Excellence Awards please click here.