Massive March

On March 1, Nate Riech stopped in for a visit.  94 Forward has been supporting Nate and the Athletics Canada West Hub since Rio 2016.  Nate is a Gold Medalist and World record holder.  In a few months Nate will be off to the Paralympics in Paris.  Keep smiling and Go get ‘em Nate!

This is Issue 6 of our newsletter - 94 Forward initiated a new strategy on April 1, 2023. You are a part of our journey.

March 2024 was massive.  We hosted 3 training blocks with mountain bike, diving and triathlon.  We hosted 4 coach development sessions. We added amazing sport people to the walls in our office. 

We’ll tell you about it in a rapid fire series of newsletters coming to you every week for the next few weeks

Ontario Cycling MTB Camp

The first training group we welcomed were mountain bikers from Ontario Cycling (OCA).  Mike Suraci, OCA Performance Director, provided the leadership to get the camp framework in place so Head Coach Rob Holmgren and Rising Star Coach Roxy Slotegraaf could put 14 Ontario athletes through 14 days of training, development, and education.  94 Forward’s Master Coach Houshang Amiri was on hand to support the camp. 

Well done to our own Pete Disera (OLY) for working with the group on and off the bike.  Pete worked closely with Ian Ackert - a ride leader who was a bronze medalist at the 2023 Mountain Bike World Championships in Olympic Cross Country. 

Also a big thumbs up to Laurence Cote, middle distance runner now working for Rowing Canada for her presentation on building a personal brand. 

This was the first training group from Ontario under the new strategy.  The training block was a huge success and the athletes were a delight to have in town.  The group completed 50 hours of on-bike training, with extra credit to the great Victoria weather during the camp.

Coach Development

A huge feature of the new 94 Forward strategy is coach development.  As a pilot, 94 Forward sent Island Swimming Head Coach Lucien Zucchi to Australia to work with Michael Bohl.  As part of the agreement Coach Lucien must share his learnings which he did in a series of coach development sessions, the first was held in March.

As a special feature in coach development, 94 Forward brought in Leadership expert Tim Jackson from Jackson Leadership.  Tim is a former 94 Forward athlete and National Team Rugby player. He presented to a select group of coaches and system leaders over two nights and ran an open session at the University of Victoria for a range of sport leaders.

Tim’s unique work on ‘leadership edge’ left everyone with a working definition of ‘edge’ and practical guidelines on how and when to use it.  If coaching is a combination of teaching and leading, these sessions gave current and future leaders something to consider.  Thank you Tim.

Honouring Our Community

On the evening of March 25th, in the 94 Forward Boardroom, surrounded by her peers, Veronica Planella’s picture was unveiled as a new addition to the Builder’s Wall. 

Her smiling face now joins numerous greats from many sports including Rowing Coach Mike Spracklen, who’s coaching practices were the feature of Veronica’s Ph.D thesis, which has been accepted by the International Olympic Committee.  Veronica has the distinction of being the only person on the Builder’s Wall to have worked with and helped ALL of the athletes on our walls AND all the coaches.  Hats off to her magnificent spirit and commitment to service.

👍 Getting involved with 94 Forward

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If you’re a first time reader of this newsletter, read past issues here: