HIGH ACHIEVERS: Lorraine Lafrenière becomes first female president for International Council of Coaching Excellence

By Martin Cleary

An eavesdropping moment on a bus triggered a quick response and a job interview.

An unexpected phone call from a former employer sparked another job opportunity that will be cherished for the rest of her working life.

The board of directors of a respected global coaching organization gave her its full support and filled her heart with joy.

The conversations surrounding these key moments have developed into pivotal milestones in the life of Ottawa sports administrator Lorraine Lafrenière, who was acclaimed late last month as the first female president of the International Council for Coaching Excellence, which was founded in 1997.

“I feel great about that (first woman president). It says something about Canada,” Lafrenière said in a phone interview Wednesday.

Lafrenière assumes the reins of the not-for-profit, international organization, which has the mission of leading and supporting the development of sport coaching globally, from Ottawa’s John Bales, who held the role for 20 years.

Both Lafrenière and Bales will sit on the board as president and past president respectively for four years.

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For 16 years over two shifts, Lafrenière has held prominent roles with the Coaching Association of Canada. She currently is the chief executive officer, a position she has held since 2013, and previously served as its chief operating officer from 2002-2006.

She also leads Canada’s coaching education partnership with the National Coaching Certification Program, which has initiatives in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as Safe Sport.

“I feel very grateful,” Lafrenière added about being welcomed as the new volunteer ICCE president at the 15th International Council of Coaching Excellence Global Coach Conference Nov. 20-23 in Athens. “Every time I get an opportunity, whether it was from Frank Ratcliffe (former Canadian Olympic Committee employee), being CEO of Cycling Canada or Canoe Kayak Canada, it’s emotional.

“It’s a moment of gratitude. It’s a moment of healthy pride. It’s a moment of humility.”

In a CAC press release, Lafrenière noted that “coaching is a cornerstone of athlete development and wellbeing and this role provides an opportunity to strengthen global collaboration, uphold ethical standards and advance inclusive coaching practices worldwide.

“I look forward to working with ICCE members to continue building a strong and united coaching community.”

Bill Greenlaw, the chair of the CAC board of directors, called Lafrenière’s international promotion “a tremendous achievement for Canadian sport and for the global coaching community.”

“Her ability to lead with integrity and vision has strengthened coaching in Canada and influenced international best practices. We are proud to see her expertise and passion recognized on the world stage.”

Ratcliffe was travelling by bus to work one day in 1989, when he said to the person beside him that he couldn’t find anyone to fill a job in his public relations department. Lafrenière, who was working in the Canadian Intramural Recreation Association office at the time, immediately turned around and said she could do that job.

That eavesdropping moment turned into a conversation, which led to an interview and a job offer. Lafrenière went on to become media/press chief for seven years with the COC.

After being the chief operating officer at the CAC (2002-2006), the CEO and secretary-general at Cycling Canada (2007-2009) and the director-general at Canoe Kayak Canada (2009-13), Lafrenière received a surprise phone call from the CAC in 2013. Bales was retiring as CEO of the CAC and Lafrenière was asked if she would be interested in the position.

“I was tickled,” she recalled. “When they offered me the job, I thought how proud my mother would be.”

Lafrenière, 60, has been the CEO of the CAC for 12 years and loving every minute of it.

For the past eight years, Lafrenière also has been a member of the ICCE board, where she championed integrity and ethical standards in coaching worldwide. She became chair of the ethics committee, when it was created in 2019.

When Bales stepped down as ICCE president, Lafrenière started to think if that role would suit her. She expressed her interest, which led the board to ask her to stand for election.

Lafrenière, who was named one of the most influential women in sport for 2014 and 2015 by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport, met with ICCE council secretary-general George Mavrotas and the board to present her vision for the organization.

At last month’s general assembly in Greece, Lafrenière had the full endorsement of the board, no challengers for the presidency and was acclaimed as the ICCE’s new leader.

Lafrenière will stress business development to increase revenues and member engagement to bring in new countries as well as continue to strengthen gender equity and inclusion plus safe sport programs.

ICCE has a membership of more than 50 countries and believes “international collaboration and exchange can accelerate positive change in the realm of coaching development and help these coaches give athletes around the world a chance to pursue excellence.”

“Lorraine’s leadership and commitment to ethical, inclusive coaching have shaped the Canadian sport system and influenced global standards,” the CAC said in a press release. “Her previous role as chair of the ICCE ethics committee reflects her dedication to integrity in coaching worldwide.”

Lafrenière was introduced as president before 360 coaches, coach-developers, researchers, sports scientists, technical directors and sports administrators from around the world in Athens. The delegation included 20 Canadians, including Anne Merklinger, the Own the Podium CEO; Diane M. Culver, a University of Ottawa School of Human Kinetics full professor; and Lafrenière, who were all speakers during the four-day conference.

“We are thrilled to see Lorraine take on this global leadership role,” said Isabelle Cayer, the CAC’s executive director programs and partnerships.

“Her commitment to ethical coaching and safe, inclusive sport has had a profound impact in Canada and internationally. Being entrusted with the presidency amplifies her vision and dedication to elevating the profession of coaching.”

If Lafrenière’s mother, Rosemary Dunn-Lafrenière, were living today (she died Sept. 26 at age 96), she would have been proud of her Lorraine’s international appointment.

Rosemary might even have recited once again from an 1839 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem that she quoted from to motivate her growing children:

“Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.”