Flatwater North coach Maeve McManus has been selected for the Women in Coaching Canada Games Apprenticeship Program for the 2021 Canada Summer Games in the Niagara Region of Ontario.

The Women in Coaching Canada Games Apprenticeship Program is a partnership between the Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives (PTCRs), the Canada Games Council (CGC), and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC).

This program provides the opportunity for each province and territory to send two female coaches to the Canada Games in apprenticeship roles.

McManus, 20, already has an impressive coaching resume. Last summer, she was an instructor for Flatwater North’s Canoe Kids program. She has also taught dance throughout her high school career.

She was encouraged to apply for the Women in Coaching Canada Games Apprenticeship Program by her bosses at Flatwater.

“They mentioned the program and I checked it out and applied,” said McManus, between her current coaching duties.

“The opportunity was there and thought I might as well take it.”

McManus admitted forgetting about the application until she was accepted to the program, from there it was nothing but excitement.

“I was excited when I got the email,” said McManus. “I have competed at the Canada Summer Games and I am now excited for the opportunity to go and experience it as a coach.”

She competed at the 2017 Games in Winnipeg. McManus is also one of the first Yukoners to attend the Canoe/Kayak Sprint Paddling National Championships.

The purpose of the program is to provide women coaches with a practical and integrated major national multi-sport games experience.

Selected coaches have direct involvement in preparation and competition and receive support from an identified mentor coach throughout the duration of the program.

McManus said she doesn’t know who her mentor coach will be yet but said she’s looking to gain more competitive race coaching experience.

“I’ve only gone as an athlete so I’d like to learn more about race preparation,” said McManus.

Since receiving her acceptance email, McManus said the program has already provided her with plenty of resources.

“We had a seminar this week online and they have given us a bunch of documents,” she said. “They also provided information about grants.”

By joining the Women in Coaching Canada Games Apprenticeship Program, McManus will be eligible to receive grants to put toward the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).

She has already begun the process of receiving her NCCP credentials.

“I have started the NCCP program,” said McManus. “I have done the canoe/kayak portion but need to complete the general sports sections.”

When she arrives in Niagara, McManus said it will be great to be around other like-minded female coaches.

“It will be cool to have that platform and see other women in coaching,” said McManus. “Even though it’s different sports there will be so much to learn.”

By attending the program, McManus said she’s hopeful she will build on her coaching base and be able to give back to the Yukon community.

The Canada Games are held every two years and alternate between winter and summer. They are the largest multi-sport event in Canada for up and coming amateur athletes.

Each Games features two weeks of competition, between 16 – 19 sports, approximately 3,400 summer and 2,350 winter athletes, and over 4,000 volunteers.

The last Games were held in 2019 in Red Deer, Alta and featured winter sports.