“I’ve been an avid recreational skier for years, so this sport has always had a place in my life,” said new board member John Rossall. “What I’m really excited to bring to the board is my experience in finance, strategy, and governance. I’ve chaired two non-profit boards and currently sit on the boards of two energy companies, so I’m looking forward to putting that experience to work for Nordiq Canada.”

We’re also proud to share that Morgan Rogers has been re-elected to serve a fourth term as Board Chair, continuing her steady leadership and long-standing commitment to the sport.

Ingrid Otto – Newly appointed to 1-year term

Ingrid Otto has been involved with Nordic skiing for over 40 years, including as a competitor, recreational skier, and as a volunteer coach with the Hollyburn Ski Club. She is looking forward to bringing her passion and commitment to the sport on the Board of Directors.

As a lawyer with a special focus on workplace law and litigation, she brings both legal and risk management expertise. Her areas of practice for the past 30 years have focused on human resources law, including providing strategic advice to clients and ways to mitigate legal and reputational risks. She proudly holds Nordiq Canada License number 4.

John Rossall – Newly elected to 3-year term

John Rossall is a retired engineer and energy industry executive, with a diverse career in engineering and senior executive roles at companies ranging from small start-up ventures to vertically integrated multinationals. He is currently a board director of two large Canadian energy companies. He has also served as Board Chair of two major non-profits. 

A lifelong aerobic endurance athlete, John was a track athlete in his youth before embracing cross-country skiing and cycling after moving west upon completing university. He divides his time between homes in Calgary and Canmore. John holds a B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo and completed the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School.

Re-elected Board Members

Morgan Rogers – Chair 
Re-elected to 3-year term
Canmore Nordic Ski Club, AB

Andrea Poole
Re-elected to 3-year term
Avid recreational skier, ON 

Mark Parsons
Re-elected to 3-year term
Avid recreational skier, AB 

Outgoing Board Members

Nordiq Canada thanks the following outgoing board members for their dedicated service and contributions to the organization.

Katie Weaver
As Athlete Director, Katie played a key role in strengthening athlete voice and engagement at the board level. Nordiq Canada thanks her for championing athletes throughout her term.

Kate Scallion
As an independent director, Kate was a steady advocate for safeguarding initiatives across the organization. Her commitment to keeping members safe has left a lasting impact on the board’s work.

Shawn Leamon
As an independent director, Shawn was a dedicated champion for Divisions, helping ensure their perspectives were represented at the board level. Nordiq Canada is grateful for his contributions.

Full List of Board of Directors

Morgan Rogers
Re-elected Board Chair
Canmore Nordic Ski Club, AB

Andrea Poole
Re-elected Independent Director
Avid recreational skier, ON 

Mark Parsons
Re-elected Independent Director
Avid recreational skier, AB

Ingrid Otto
Newly Appointed Director
Hollyburn Ski Club, BC

John Rossall
Newly Elected Director
Avid recreational skier, AB

Marie-Hélène (M&H) Thibeault
Independent Director
Avid recreational skier, QC

Janet Gates
Independent Director
Avid recreational skier, ON

Anton Scheier
Independent Director
Nakkertok Nordic, ON

Tom Holland
Independent Director
Alberta World Cup Society, AB 

Julian Smith
Athlete Director – Olympic Stream
Georgian Bay Nordic, ON 

Emma Archibald
Athlete Director – Paralympic Stream
Scotia XC Ski Club, NS

Pat Petelle
Division Chairs Council Chair
Montériski, QC

Each year, the Nordiq Canada Awards Committee recognizes individuals whose contributions have shaped the sport at the club, provincial, and national levels. This year’s recipients represent decades of combined service across the country, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia.

Congratulations to the 2026 award recipients.

Dave Rees Award: Jake Weaver

Jake Weaver is a transformative leader whose more than two decades of volunteer service have profoundly shaped cross-country skiing in Canada.

Through his exceptional contributions as a coach, official, and mentor, he has built one of the nation’s leading club programs while helping to develop athletes, coaches, and competition structures at the provincial, national, and international levels.

His leadership of major events, including national championships and world-class competitions, combined with his commitment to athlete development and community building, has left an enduring legacy across the sport.

Widely respected for his integrity, generosity, and unwavering dedication, Jake Weaver is a truly deserving recipient of the Dave Rees Award.

Firth Award: Morna Fraser

For more than two decades, Morna Fraser has dedicated her time, energy and outstanding organizational skills to the Canadian ski community.

Renowned for her quiet diligence and positive attitude, Morna has taken on a variety of key roles to help grow the sport: from the grass roots at her club to helping British Columbia host international races.

As Volunteer Coordinator at Whistler Olympic Park, Morna has recruited, trained and managed large volunteer teams for major events such as the 2025 Invictus Games and the 2023 FIS Jr World/U23 ski competition. She is also a longstanding NCCP Learning Facilitator for Cross Country BC and a valued board member for her club.

Morna’s dedication, professionalism, and collaborative spirit have helped build capacity, elevate standards, and create positive experiences for athletes and volunteers alike, making her a deserving recipient of this year’s Firth Award.

Distinguished Volunteer: Frank Ackerman

Frank Ackermann is a passionate and dedicated volunteer whose contributions have been instrumental in the growth and success of cross-country skiing in Kimberley and beyond.

Over two decades, he has played a central role as a coach, program builder, official, and leader, helping to develop athletes from early grassroots programming through to national and international competition.

His tireless commitment–evident in his work developing club programs, supporting high-performance athletes, and leading major competitions–has strengthened both club and provincial capacity.

Frank’s generosity, humility, and enduring passion for the sport have made a lasting impact on athletes, volunteers, and the broader ski community.

Distinguished Volunteer: Marcus Boyle

Marcus Boyle is a dynamic, tireless and visionary volunteer-leader whose contributions have significantly elevated cross-country skiing at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club and beyond.

As head of the Competitions Committee at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club and a driving force behind the Sovereign2SilverStar Ski Marathon, he has strengthened the club’s capacity to host major regional, national, and international events, while fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration among volunteers.

His hands-on leadership, technical expertise, and relentless commitment have enhanced athlete experiences, generated vital support for club programs, and expanded community impact through initiatives such as charitable partnerships and volunteer development.

Marcus’s energy, innovation, and dedication have left a lasting mark on the sport.

Distinguished Volunteer: Melanie McDermid

Melanie McDermid is recognized as one of the hardest working volunteers in Nova Scotia whose dedication to cross country skiing has benefitted the provincial sport organization, clubs and skiers across the province.

As the organizational backbone of Scotia XC and a key leader at the provincial level, her contributions in administration, program development and strategic planning have helped grow and stabilize the sport at both the grassroots and community levels.

She was instrumental in the development and rollout of the Ambassador program that has introduced newcomers, students and community groups to cross country skiing and continues to serve as a knowledgeable and reliable resource, and provides ongoing guidance and support to coaches, groomers and fellow Board members.

Distinguished Volunteer: Chris Teron

Chris Teron is a dedicated and impactful volunteer whose leadership has played a critical role in the sustainability and growth of cross-country skiing in Canada.

As President of the Canadian Ski Marathon and a long-time hands-on contributor, he has helped guide the organization through significant challenges, strengthening its structure, volunteer base, and overall participant experience.

His ability to combine strategic leadership with active, on-the-ground involvement has ensured the continued success of one of Canada’s most iconic ski events.

Recognized by his peers as someone who can deliver concrete results, Chris embodies the core values of cross-country skiing: commitment, resilience, community spirit and passion for the sport.

Nordiq Canada thanks this year’s award recipients, and the many people across the country whose work keeps the sport moving forward. Congratulations to Jake Weaver, Morna Fraser, Frank Ackerman, Marcus Boyle, Melanie McDermid, and Chris Teron!

The FISU Winter World University Games represent one of the highest levels of international competition for student-athletes, providing an important bridge between university sport, national team development, and future World Cup, Olympic and Paralympic opportunities.

“Canada has a strong tradition of developing high-performance athletes through both sport and education,” said Jeff Ellis, Director of Events at Nordiq Canada. “The athletes identified through this process represent some of the top university-aged skiers in the country, and the FISU Games provide an exceptional opportunity for them to gain international championship experience while continuing their academic pursuits.”

Based on the eighth Canadian Points List, the following athletes have been pre-selected:

Women’s Distance

• Lauren Ybema, University of Alberta
• Bronwyn Williams, University of Ottawa
• Emmanuelle Moreau, Cégep Garneau

Women’s Sprint

• Anika Wallin, University of Calgary

Men’s Distance

• Anders Evanson, University of Calgary
• Jonas Rolseth, University of Calgary
• Eamon Wilson, University of Calgary

Men’s Sprint

• Anders Linseisen, University of Calgary

Para Nordic

• Charles Lecours, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

All eligible athletes who have completed the required Expression of Interest remain in consideration for final team selection (see below). Final nominations will be determined following the FISU Games Trials during the Sovereign Canada Cup, November 28–30, 2026, in accordance with Nordiq Canada’s published selection criteria.

Eligible Athletes

Women

Lauren Ybema, Bronwyn Williams, Anika Wallin, Emmanuelle Moreau, Carly Ram, Sophie Jensen, Sophia Giangrande, Mia Smith, Kiara Pighin, Emmanuelle Paquet, Kate De Beer, Amelia Custodio, Romy Sinotte, Aleah Smith, Virginie Magnan, Min Dobson, Finley Gagnon, Miina Wallner, Kate Mason, Cara Pekos, Ella Svenson, Tessa Quinn-Crook, Paige Saravanamuttoo, Delaney Summers, Madelaine Galik, Chantal Kukulka, Sacha Fleury-Allen, Lily Lynch, Nicole Kukulka, and Stella Duncan.

Men

Anders Evanson, Jonas Rolseth, Eamon Wilson, Adam Heale, Xavier Wallace, Xavier Lefebvre, Nathaniel Sneyd, Tanner McConkey, Louis Bibeau, Mats Halvorsen, Anders Linseisen, Torin Comeau, Nicolas Randall, Noah Vanderzon, Wes Robinsonshaw, Erik Vurma, Cohen Norman, Andreas Inkster, Gabriel Rocheleau, William Vanden Berg, William McGonigle, Nathan Golisky, Japhy-Kai Crookham, Isaac Desilets, Joseph Curran, Kail Sundholm, Skylar Samm, and Jasper Kohut.

Para Nordic

Charles Lecours

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.