Thomson joins Nordiq Canada following eight successful seasons as Head Coach of Sweden’s women’s national cross-country ski team. Over the course of his coaching career, he has helped guide athletes to 43 championship medals and 277 World Cup podium finishes while leading teams through two Olympic Games and four FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. A licensed sports physiotherapist, Thomson brings extensive combined expertise in physiology, athlete development, and high-performance leadership.

“I am honoured to join Nordiq Canada at such an exciting time,” said Thomson. “Canada has talented athletes, committed coaches and dedicated staff, and I believe there is tremendous potential to build on that foundation. I’m looking forward to working alongside the team to create a high-performance environment where athletes can challenge the best in the world and consistently perform at their highest potential.”

“Stefan is one of the most accomplished and respected high-performance coaches in international cross-country skiing, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Nordiq Canada,” said Beckie Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Nordiq Canada. “Stefan’s broad expertise in high performance training and cross-country skiing, together with his proven track record at the highest level of the sport, make him an outstanding fit to lead our national program. We are so excited for what lies ahead under his leadership.”

Thomson will work closely with athletes, coaches and integrated support staff as he leads the Senior National Cross-Country Ski Team into the next phase of its high-performance program.

As part of this review, Nordiq Canada invited members of the ski community to participate in a Town Hall and a national Youth Sport Development Survey. The feedback received, alongside existing long-term athlete development principles, has helped inform the proposed updates outlined below.

The Consultation Process

March 2026 – Town Hall consultation and engagement session at Ski Nationals (Mont Sainte-Anne)
April-May 2026 – Survey distribution and results collation (online)
May 2026 – Events Committee review
June 2026 – Nordiq Canada Board of Directors review

About the Survey

The Youth Sport Development Survey was conducted in Spring 2026 and received 268 responses from across Canada.

Who Participated?

The consultation engaged individuals from a variety of roles across the sport system:
40% Parents (106 respondents)
36% Coaches (97 respondents)
11% Volunteers and Club Members (30 respondents)
7% Provincial Sport Organization Representatives (19 respondents)
6% Other Stakeholders (16 respondents)

Representation Across Canada

Participants represented communities from coast to coast to coast, including:

Survey Feedback and Proposed Actions

1. Supporting Long-Term Athlete Development

One of the clearest messages received from participants emphasized the importance of ensuring competition structures at younger ages support development before performance.

Young athletes develop at different rates, and many participants expressed support for competition environments that focus on skill development, confidence-building, participation, and enjoyment before introducing formal rankings and points systems.

Readers interested in learning more about Long-Term Athlete Development principles and age-appropriate competition environments can explore resources from Sport for Life, which has informed athlete development frameworks used across Canada.

1.1 Planned Action

Beginning in the 2026–2027 season:

• U12 and U14 athletes will no longer receive Canada Points List (CPL) rankings.
• CPL rankings will begin at the U16 level.
• U12 competitions will no longer include rankings, podiums, medals, or awards based on placement.
• Race organizers may continue to recognize participation and achievement in age-appropriate ways that encourage positive experiences for all athletes.

2. Creating Age-Appropriate Competition Pathways

Feedback highlighted the importance of ensuring athletes compete in environments that reflect their stage of physical, social, and emotional development These changes are intended to support long-term athlete development while maintaining appropriate opportunities for progression and high-performance advancement.

2.1 Planned Action

Beginning in the 2026–2027 season:

• U16 will become the minimum age category eligible to compete at the Nordiq Canada National Ski Championships.
• Limited exemptions may be considered for exceptional U14 athletes with divisional support.
• “Racing up” (the practice of competitors entering and competing in age categories older than their own) will be restricted to athletes competing in U20 and above categories, with specific exceptions available for pathways such as World Junior Trials and NCAA eligibility requirements.

3. Improving Accessibility and Competitive Equity

Accessibility, affordability, and fairness were recurring themes throughout the survey review process.

Many participants expressed support for initiatives that reduce financial barriers and create more equitable competition environments for young athletes and families. The responses received also highlighted interest in approaches that place greater emphasis on athlete performance while reducing the influence of equipment-related advantages.

3.1 Planned Action

Nordiq Canada will undertake an additional comprehensive feasibility study related to:

• Common wax protocols
• Youth ski fleet limitations

Because of the complexity of these topics, no changes related to wax protocols or ski fleet limitations have been finalized at this time.

The study will explore implementation considerations, feasibility, and potential impacts.

Recommendations are expected to be presented in Fall 2026.

4. Strengthening Collegiate Competition

The feedback received from across the community highlighted strong support for collegiate cross-country skiing as an important pathway within the sport.

For many athletes, post-secondary participation provides an opportunity to continue competing, training, and contributing to the ski community while pursuing their educational goals.

4.1 Planned Action

Beginning in the 2026–2027 season:

• Collegiate competition opportunities will continue to be offered through the Canadian Collegiate Nordic Series (CCNS).
• The series will continue to be integrated into Tier 1 and Tier 2 events throughout the season.
• Student-athletes will be recognized through a dedicated collegiate competition stream.
• The Nordiq Canada National Ski Championships will continue to include a dedicated Canadian Collegiate Nordic Championships category and awards – restricted to Collegiate teams only.
• Eligibility requirements will be updated to make participation more accessible to student-athletes across the country.

What Happens Next

June 2026

Announcement of proposed changes

Fall 2026

Presentation of feasibility study findings and implementation guidance for divisions, clubs, coaches, officials, and race organizers related to common wax protocols and youth ski fleet limitations.

Winter 2026–2027

First season operating under approved youth sport development updates.

Spring 2027

Evaluation of implementation outcomes and identification of any required adjustments.

Questions or Feedback?

Nordiq Canada welcomes ongoing feedback from members of the ski community as this work continues.

For questions or comments regarding the proposed updates, please contact: info@nordiqcanada.ca

This unique and dynamic position is split equally between supporting Nordiq Canada’s growing national Events and Partnership initiatives and assisting with the administration and delivery of our Para Nordic high-performance and development programs.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively across departments, helping to coordinate major events, sponsor and partner activations, athlete services, program logistics, communications, and stakeholder engagement.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly organized individual seeking broad experience within the Canadian sport system while contributing directly to both organizational growth and athlete success.

Click here to learn more and apply

The 33rd FISU Winter World University Games will take place from January 15–25, 2027, in Changchun, Jilin Province, China. The Games will bring together top university student-athletes from more than 50 countries for 11 days of international competition and cultural exchange.

Building on the success of recent FISU Games and the continued growth of university winter sport internationally, Nordiq Canada is excited to support Canadian athletes in competing on the world stage while representing both Canada and the Canadian university
sport system.

Expression of Interest Process

Athletes interested in being considered for selection must complete the official online Expression of Interest registration process by June 26, 2026.

Please note: Submission of an Expression of Interest does not guarantee nomination or selection to Team Canada. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Zone4 registration – Expression of Interest

Please read the FISU information package for more details, including eligibility requirements, selection criteria, competition program, and estimated athlete costs.

2027 FISU Information package

Pre-selected athletes will be named no later than June 30, 2026. The final team will be named no later than November 30, 2026.

As a contributing member of the Nordiq Canada Coaching staff, this position will involve organizing and leading training camps and competitive opportunities, providing enhanced services and support, and ensuring optimal functioning of Development team athletes in their DTE’s, including alignment with their IAPP’s.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to one of Canada’s leading winter sport organizations and to work alongside world-class athletes, coaches, and support staff in pursuit of sustained international excellence.

Click here to learn more and apply

A respected coach and sport leader with more than 30 years of experience in Nordic sport, Akerman brings a strong background in athlete development, coach education, and high-performance programming across cross-country skiing and biathlon. 

“Jacqueline brings a tremendous amount of experience and energy to our program,” said Marshall Starkman, Para Nordic High Performance and Athlete Services Manager. “Her collaborative approach and commitment to athlete development and culture will be a great asset to our athletes and coaching staff.” 

Over her career, Akerman has coached athletes at every level of the sport, including internationally for Canada at events such as World Cups, Youth Olympic Games, FISU Games, and World Youth and Junior Championships. 

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Para Nordic National Ski Team Program,” said Akerman. “I’m looking forward to working with the athletes and staff to help support continued growth and success on the world stage.” 

Nordiq Canada welcomes Jacqueline Akerman to the national team coaching staff and looks forward to the experience she will bring to the program. 

Click here to learn more and apply

Notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting of Nordiq Canada (incorporated as Cross-Country Ski de fond Canada) on June 30 at 5:00 pm MDT:

1. Welcome and Call to Order
2. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest
3. Roll call and Establishment of Quorum
4. Confirmation of votes per member
5. Approval of the Agenda and appointment of meeting secretary
6. Appointment of scrutineers
7. Adoption of Minutes: 2025 AGM (https://nordiqcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025-AGM-Meeting-minutes.pdf)
8. Board Chair report (presented in advance)
9. CEO report (presented in advance)
10. Report of Auditors (2025-2026)
11. Appointment of Auditors (2026-2027)
12. Nominations Committee Report (Board Candidates will be circulated 21 days in advance of the AGM)
13. Election of New Directors
14. Adjournment of AGM

Please review the following documents before the AGM:  

• Division Voting Delegate Form for 2026 AGM
  • If the Division Chair will not be voting, you must submit the Division Voting Delegate Form for 2026 AGM  to nwilliams@nordiqcanada.ca no later than seven days before the AGM.

NST Selection Rationale & Synopsis

AAP Selection Rationale & Synopsis

Summary of National Ski Team Nominations: