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Weekly Division Update July 11

Table of Contents: 

• 2024-2025 Nordiq Canada Coaching Licence

Register for a Coaching Licence

You need a coaching licence if you perform typical coaching or instruction tasks with a Nordiq Canada club, including delivering or helping to deliver practices with any age group. Only coaches who meet the Minimum Mandatory Coaching Qualifications and have a valid Coaching Licence will benefit from Nordiq Canada’s liability insurance while coaching with a Nordiq Canada ski club.

The licence is renewable annually and is valid from July 1 to June 30. You must already be a club member to sign up for a Coaching Licence.

Please share this information within your offices and with your members as appropriate.

Weekly Division Update July 4

Table of Contents: 

• Leslie Bode Appointed as Nordiq Canada’s New Para Nordic Development Coach
• Lunch and Learn Sessions for Nordic Coaches

Leslie Bode Appointed as Nordiq Canada’s New Para Nordic Development Coach

Nordiq Canada is excited to announce Leslie Bode as the new Para Nordic Development Coach. Leslie brings a wealth of experience, having served as the NTDC Assistant Coach and Manager, and in various roles with Cross Country Ski Ontario, including support for Team Ontario at the Canada Games. This past season Leslie was part of the World Junior and U23 Championships team, and the World Cup team as a wax Technician.

In the new role, Leslie will support Para Nordic Development and Prospects athletes along with their divisions, clubs, and coaches. She will support the development of a National Para Nordic strategy to grow the Para Nordic capacity across Canada. Leslie will also support and lead the development and facilitation of Para Nordic NCCP coaching materials and coach development.

Meeting Link

Please share this information within your offices and with your members as appropriate.

Weekly Division Update June 27

Table of Contents: 

• Lunch and Learn Sessions for Nordic Coaches
• Game Plan Canada: Mental Health Factsheets
• Recording Available: The Climate Is Changing, and So Must Our Sport

Join the Session Here

Recording

Mental Health Factsheets

Please share this information within your offices and with your members as appropriate.

Weekly Division Update June 20

Table of Contents: 

• Nordiq Canada Annual Awards recipients
• 2024-2025 Coach and Technical Staff Immersion Opportunities
• NCCP Learn to Compete On Snow Workshop
• Nordiq Canada Board Chair
• Lunch and Learn Sessions for Nordic Coaches

Congratulations to the 2024 Nordiq Canada Annual Awards recipients

Reid Carter – Dave Rees Award
Claudia van Wijk – Firth Award
Kevin Pettersen – Volunteer of the Year Award
Sandra Houde – Volunteer of the Year Award
Norda – Sponsor of the Year
Brittany MacLean and CBC Sports – Media Recognition Award
The remarkable achievements and contributions of these individuals underscore the vibrant and supportive community within Canadian cross-country skiing.
As Nordiq Canada continues to honour and recognize these contributions, the inspiration drawn from such dedication promises a bright future for cross country skiing in Canada.

Full Story

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Learn More

Nordiq Canada Board Chair 

The Board of Directors has elected Morgan Rogers as its chair for a one-year term. Morgan can be reached at boardchair@nordiqcanada.ca.

“It’s a tremendous honour and privilege to be reelected as the Nordiq Canada board chair, and I am thrilled to continue to lead the board and collaborate with our stakeholders and partners as we work together towards the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games.” – Morgan Rogers

Meeting Link

To celebrate, we had the privilege of speaking with Sharon Firth. She graciously shared her journey, highlighting the significance of Indigenous representation in sport. 

A member of the Gwich’in First Nation, Sharon Firth was born in Aklavik Northwest Territories in 1953. Sharon and her twin sister Shirley competed in four Olympic Games and three World Ski Championships. They won a combined 79 Nationals medals and were named to the National Ski Team for 17 consecutive years. Sharon was inducted into the order of Canada, Canada Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Ski Hall of Fame, and was awarded the John Semmelink Memorial Award, the Commissioner’s Award from the government of the Northwest Territories, and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. 

In the interview we discuss growing up in Aklavic NWT, surviving residential schools, the Territorial Experimental Ski Training program, representing Canada and the Indigenous community, giving back, and life after competitive skiing.  

Listen Now (click to listen)

Sharon Firth’s Bio 

“The current systems that we live with at this moment in time are founded on genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Indigenous people of Turtle Island. We should remember that as we move through our everyday lives. Residential and Indian Day School was my era, sixties scoop was many of my friend’s era and there are still kids being taken away from their families and communities in so called Canada. And then to think about how this affects kids getting into sport and particularly sport that is dominated and governed by folks who do not look like them or share the same cultural values. There are many Indigenous sports organizations and competitions that Indigenous youth feel more comfortable engaging with and being part of.” – Sharon Firth 

“They came down a hill,” van Wijk remembers, the image seared into her mind like it was yesterday. “Around a corner and then back up a hill, right past me—flew by me, actually—and I was like: ‘Oh. My. God. They never touched the snow!’”

That memory of Sharon and Shirley Firth continues to resonate with Claudia van Wijk, the 2024 recipient of Nordiq Canada’s Firth Award. Presented annually to a woman who has made an outstanding contribution to cross-country skiing in the country, van Wijk is honored to receive an award named after the two icons. Members of the Gwich’in First Nation, the Firth twins were the first Indigenous women to represent Canada at the Olympics and were part of Canada’s first women’s National Ski Team.

“These women,” van Wijk marvels, “could ski as well as the guys. That made such an impression on me. They were a great inspiration; a great model to emulate.”

Following a long athletic career in kayaking, Van Wijk teamed with husband Dirk to expand the Nakkertok Cross Country Ski Club located outside Ottawa. Their investment of land for new trails, and fundraising has expanded the club into one of the largest in Canada.

“I love to ski,” she says. “For me, it’s pure paradise. Just fifteen minutes from Ottawa, our nation’s capital, you’re outside, surrounded by nature, with only the sound of birds chirping… It’s heaven.”

“The biggest reward is seeing how healthy the club is. When you get there on a Saturday morning, it is so colorful, little kids whipping around, most giggling and, yes, some crying. But you know they’re going to fall in love with the sport.”

If the van Wyks hadn’t bought the land, Claudia concedes, it “would’ve been developed, like everything else.”

“So, I feel very, very proud because it’s given a lot to a lot of people; but it’s also given me a lot, too. I love to give back to the sport that’s given so much to me, the way Sharon and Shirley did,’ emphasizes van Wijk.

Claudia and Dirk van Wijk at the Nakkertok Nordic Centre.

Other Nordiq Canada award recipients include Reid Carter for the David Rees Award, along with Kevin Pettersen and Sandra Houde for the Volunteer of the Year Award.

The David Rees Award is presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding extended commitment to cross-country skiing in Canada.

A long-timer skier himself and division chair of cross-country B.C., Reid Carter founded Black Tusk Nordic Events Society to host the 2023 FIS Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championships, and 2022 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals and U.S. Super Tour Finals in Whistler, B.C. Carter and wife Laura contributed $1.3 million to make these prestigious events a reality.

Over 15 years, Kevin Pattersen, Volunteer of the Year recipient, helped transform his home club Caledonia Nordic Ski Club in Prince George, B.C. into a world class hosting venue, and the largest club in Canada.

During his tenure he’s been vice-president, president, and chairman for a multitude of prestigious national and international events, beginning with the 2015 Canada Winter Games and progressing to the 2024 IBU Para Biathlon World Championships and FIS Para Nordic World Cup Finals.

He’s been instrumental in acquiring funding for the improvements at the club, including a $1 million grant to build a 2.5 km roller ski track.

“For me, (the Distinguished Volunteer Award) really helps fuel the inspiration; knowing that the impact we have is felt far and wide,’ says Pettersen. “It’s acknowledging what we’ve pulled together to accomplish something here, and being recognized for that is an incredible feeling.

“It draws the spotlight to all the amazing work that everybody – not just me – does to make this an incredible place.

“Just like high-profile athletes inspire the next generation, the recognition of this, we hope, inspires others.”

Kevin Pattersen at the 2024 IBU Para Biathlon World Championships

Volunteer of the Year recipient Sandra Houde, a recreational skier and mother of two young skiers, became involved at the Club Nordique Mont-Sainte-Anne in 2017. Since then her commitment has grown adding work for Ski de Fond Québec and the Chaudière-Appalaches region.

A particular joy for her is assisting skiers in the U14 categories to grow their connection to the sport. She does this by organizing competitions, supervising, and developing the competitive program, coordinating the training of officials and youth instructors, managing club clothing orders, and overseeing club infrastructure and events. Houde was instrumental in mobilizing volunteers at the Nordiq Canada Selection Trials in 2023 and a couple of months later the Coupe Québec Final, after it was canceled at another site.

“I like to see the young athletes accomplish a lot of things,’ says Houde. “I also really enjoy welcoming new people to the club; if they have questions, I give them my telephone number because I know what it’s like to be a new family from a different place, to not know a lot of people.

“Competitions are a lot of work, being responsible for the volunteers is a lot of work, but these events wouldn’t be possible without the people involved. It’s not me. It’s a team.”

“In each year since my first, we have seen 15 new families arrive at our club. That’s the best feeling for me.”

The remarkable achievements and contributions of these individuals underscore the vibrant and supportive community within Canadian cross-country skiing. Claudia van Wijk’s profound impact on the Nakkertok Cross Country Ski Club and her connections to the Firth twins highlight the enduring legacy of pioneers in the sport. Reid Carter’s visionary efforts and generous contributions have elevated the status of competitive skiing in Canada, while Kevin Pettersen’s dedication has transformed the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club into a hub of excellence. Sandra Houde’s tireless commitment to fostering young talent and welcoming new families exemplifies the spirit of community and volunteerism that sustains the sport.

As Nordiq Canada continues to honour and recognize these contributions, the inspiration drawn from such dedication promises a bright future for cross country skiing in Canada.

Please share this information within your offices and with your members as appropriate.

Weekly Division Update June 13

Table of Contents: 

• Coach Lunch and Learn #2 – June 25th
• AGM Recap
• 2024-2025 Coach and Technical Staff Immersion Opportunities

Join the Session Here

Learn More

Carter was torn. Fold or fight. He hadn’t established the Black Tusk Nordic Events Society to walk away with the dream of Canada hosting the prestigious event unfulfilled.

A long-time cross country skier, and Division chair of Cross Country BC, Carter had been recruited Georgia Manhard, a renowned volunteer in the ski community, to spearhead the initiative to bring the FIS Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championships to Whistler.

A year before the Championships, Black Tusk Nordic hosted the 2022 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals as a dry run for the major event. The 2022 Nationals event hosted 1,200 athletes, 400 coaches and wax technicians and wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of volunteers who’d committed their time and talents.

“You don’t want to blow that up, that amazing group of people,’ marvels Carter.

With the Championship event on the line, and hundreds of athletes, coaches, wax techs, and support staff from around the world unsure if they would be heading to Canada for the championships, the decision was made.

“My wife said to me: ‘You’ve been at this three years. You know you’re going to hold it. We’re very fortunate. We should just pick up the difference.’

“I thought about it for a moment, and I told her: ‘I think you’re right.’ And we were good.

When your partner says something like that, it’s pretty wonderful and makes things much easier.”

The couple donated $1.3 million to save the event.

“The big shout-out,’ acknowledges Carter, “should go to my wife, Laura. I could see what the budget was going to look like for the Worlds, and I had to make a decision – hold them or not hold them. Being honest, if at that point we said we weren’t going to hold it, it would be a long time before FIS gave Canada an event again.”

Laura Carter at the 2022 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals in Whistler BC.

“We did incredibly well fundraising with many generous donors when you look at things,’’ reflects Carter. “The problem is the Sea-to-Sky Corridor is a very expensive place to hold an event.”

A sampling of the costs provides a glimpse into the budget for such a large endeavour: $950,000 in food services, $900,000 for accommodation, $265,000 in transportation, $344,000 for broadcast and photography, and $375,000 on supplies such as temporary tents and trailers.

“People who suggest you should just go out and find more corporate sponsors need to understand they simply don’t exist.” explains Carter “Rossignol, Salomon, Lanctot, were all great partners in this along with several others. But a FIS event like this has a budget of approximately $3.2 million and finding sponsors that can make a business case for larger scale investment is challenging.”

Despite the cost, the Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championships were a huge success from both competitive and experienced perspectives.

Thirty-six nations, 460 athletes and 350 team trainers, coaches and FIS officials attended. The competition was broadcast live on nine TV stations in Scandinavia and Europe, along with a CBC Sports livestream.  “Expensive but it really changes the impact,’’ notes Carter. “It was on TV in Europe, up on the website for a long time afterwards, and it’s still on YouTube”.

Three hundred and fifty volunteers gave their time to work at the Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championships. A 15-vendor marketplace in the finish line stadium parking lot gave the event site an Olympic feel.

Team Canada at the 2023 FIS Junior/U23 Nordic World Ski Championships in Whistler BC.

Carter singles out the hiring of John Aalberg, a Norwegian-born American cross-country skier who competed for the USA at the 1992 and ’94 Winter Olympics and has since designed and staged a slew of major competitions, as pivotal in moving the project forward. The initial stages of planning, Carter admits, had been a bit of a trial.

“That (hire) was in September ’21,’’ recalls Carter. “John had put on all the major events, designed Whistler Olympic Park, the ski jump, nordic combined and cross country courses for Beijing and other Olympics.

“He agreed to be the project manager for an exceptionally generous amount – almost as a volunteer. As soon as we had John, everything fell into place quickly. We were in great shape.”

Aalberg brought his Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship “know everyone and know everything” pedigree to the project.

“The Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championships are probably the one that’s the most work of any event you can put on” Aalberg explains. “I’ve done Olympic Games, but I had a staff of over 200 people reporting to me. I was in charge of Callaghan Valley, (for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games), all the venues up there, and had a huge staff and 2,500 volunteers.

“But for the Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championships… “there are more athletes and coaches than an Olympics, yet almost the same number of events with far less staff.

“It all depends on your budget and the available human resources. “Obviously without Reid and his family’s contribution, these events wouldn’t have happened. We all know that.” said Aalberg.

The list of invaluable people who committed to the project is lengthy: Norman Laube (Black Tusk Nordic Events Society Chair), Jake Weaver (chief of competition), Rick Smith (chief of ski jumping), Morna Fraser (volunteer co-ordinator), Nancy Richard (marketing and communications), Dirk Rohde (venue operations), Cynthia Sully (special events co-ordinator), Tim Hope and Nadine Brandt (Whistler Olympic Park liaisons), Shera Clement (finance director), Ian Lowe (accommodation), and so many more.

“It’s an experienced and talented pool around the Vancouver-Whistler area that you can call on,” praises Carter. “A National Championship? No problem. A World Junior and U23 Championships? No problem.”

That degree of care and commitment resonated with everyone gathered at Whistler. The reviews during and after the event? Unanimous raves.

“For me, I talk to the teams and the coaches and by the looks on their faces, I know the truth,’ says Aalberg. “By that, I can tell if it’s been good or not. I trust them. And at those Championships those faces told me: ‘This is one of the best.’”

Rémi Drolet, Sasha Masson, Jasmine Lyons, and Liliane Gagnon celebrate a fifth-place finish in the Mixed Team Relay

“That’s what you have to do at a big international event. That human feeling we all strive for – to have a good time, the people you meet, the friendships you make, to think we’ve helped out in making a difference at an event for the people on hand competing or those watching.”

The importance of hosting large international events on Canadian snow can’t be understated.

“These events are so great for training coaches, building programs, and developing athletes…” “I think everyone is keen to know what the next one is.” says Carter.

In recognition of their support of cross-country skiing in Canada, Nordiq Canada is introducing the Reid and Laura Carter Award to honour all they have done in nurturing the talents of development athletes. The award will be presented to the top U20 male and female aggregate winners at the Canadian Ski Nationals starting in March of 2025.

When asked about his future plans to continue to support athlete development in the ski community, Carters response is resolute:

“I’ll definitely continue. I’m still chairing Cross Country B.C. We hosted a Teck B.C. Cup this year and will likely have Westerns next year. I’ve been involved in youth and development sports my whole life.

“And I’ve been incredibly fortunate. I’m not done yet but I’m very happy to be able to give back.”

Please share this information within your offices and with your members as appropriate.

Weekly Division Update June 6 

Table of Contents: 

• 2024-2025 Coach and Technical Staff Immersion Opportunities
• Happy Pride Month!

Learn More

More resources

Coaching Wax Technician and Race Service Opportunities (click to view)

Application process (Click to View)

Interested applicants are asked to complete the following application form. The deadline for applications is July 1, 2024.

SafeSport

Nordiq Canada’s SafeSport policies requires everyone taking part in a Nordiq Canada trip to complete the following SafeSport requirements before departure.

• · E-PIC
• · 1 reference letter
• · SafeSport Application Form
• · Screening Disclosure Form
• · NCCP Making Ethical Decisions (coaches only)
• · CAC (Coaching Association of Canada) SafeSport Training
• · Rule of Two online learning – (CAC)
• · Driver’s Abstract – required to drive athletes

Requirements do not have to be completed to apply. Successful applications will be emailed instructions on how to complete them.

Expenses

Expenses related to travel, accommodation, food, SafeSport certifications, and approved miscellaneous costs will be covered by Nordiq Canada. Expense claims must be made using the Nordiq Canada Expense Claim Form found in the Document centre on the Nordiq Canada Website.