A coaching and continuing education program: Triathlon Québec has reinvented coach development for 2024

Triathlon Québec has innovated in the development of its coaches by offering, in addition to the formal training courses of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), a peer coaching program. The aim: to offer coaches greater flexibility and support, whether for short-, medium- or long-term development.

Maxime Lemire from Triomax Junior Triathlon Club was able to take advantage of this program and shares his experience with us.

Hello Maxime, could you tell us a little about your professional situation and your coaching environment?

I’ve been a sport development agent with Loisir sport Centre-du-Québec for 12 years now, and I’m a new employee of Excellence Sportive Sherbrooke as a CDEE (advisor for the development of coaches and their environment for the Centre-du-Québec region). I hold a diploma in leisure intervention from Collège Laflèche in Trois-Rivières. I took on the role of head coach of the Drummondville Triomax Junior club in September 2022, and I’m in my^3rd year with the club. I have almost all NCCP, Red Cross, National Lifeguard, etc. training. I’ve always been involved in coaching, whether in soccer (16 years), volleyball (2 years) or soccer (3 years). I’ve also been a duathlon athlete for nearly 3 years.

What does your support project involve?

Daniel Soucy has been coaching me since last year. We’ve worked a lot on the specific aspects of triathlon.

For example:

• Acquire skills in planning a swimming session
• Acquire technical swimming skills
• Helping athletes with their pre-competition routine
• How to individualize athletes’ physical preparation needs

How long did the project last?

We started coaching last August, so we’re now at the end of our first year. Depending on the work to be done and our availability, we meet about once or twice a month.

How did working with Daniel benefit you?

Daniel’s experience is a real asset for young coaches. He takes the time to explain and contextualize ideas, considers our own and knows how to adapt them to our realities. Every subject is approached with thoroughness and seriousness. He allows me to find tools that help me, and he’s always available to answer my thousand and one questions. Daniel’s great availability is also much appreciated, since he can travel, analyze the environment and make recommendations in a respectful and pleasant manner.

Would you recommend working with Daniel?

I’d definitely recommend Daniel to anyone who wants to develop and learn more about coaching. His calmness, patience, experience and ability to listen are very important to me. He is by far an excellent facilitator and wants everyone to feel good about it. This project is an asset for the clubs. They are better supported… for the good of triathlon development in Quebec!

The 2025 cohort has already started. There are still a few places left!