Alpine Women in Sport (AWiS) is proud to be a female-led impact organization dedicated to supporting coaches across Canada. Get to know our leadership team.
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Hi, I’m Catherine Grant, a mother of two former female racers who are now coaches. I have held many Board roles with Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club and am now the Coast Zone Chair with BC Alpine.
I helped start Alpine Women in Sport (AWiS) with Olympian and author, Mike Janyk back in Dec 2018 as a grassroots female-only group. AWiS has now evolved into a national alpine coaching community with all genders included yet still with a focus on creating pathways for female coaches.
I am not a former ski racer or coach, but I am passionate about coaching and the impact that a coach can have on our children/athletes. In my mind, it is imperative that we provide support for our coaches so that they can grow and develop in whatever direction they choose.
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I’m Ally Dandy, a U16 OCup women’s coach at Craigleith Ski Club in Collingwood, Ontario. I grew up ski racing at Milton Heights Racing Club, where I quickly found my love of coaching, and am entering my 10th season of coaching, having coached U8 to U16 athletes.
When I’m not coaching, I’m is a Pediatric Hematology Oncology Registered Nurse at McMaster Children’s Hospital. I am passionate about building community to support the development of ski coaches from coast to coast!
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I’m Sonya Tesanovic, a born-and-raised Vancouverite who first stepped onto snow at Grouse Mountain while still in my mother’s belly. A former ski racer for 10 years with the Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club, I am ACA EL Certified and DL Trained, earned my National Officials 2 certification, and coached full-time U8 through U14 while pursuing a BA in Sociology at UBC. Now onto my second degree in Holistic Nutrition, I am currently Grouse Tyee’s U10 Assistant Head Coach and Dryland Head Coach, fulfilling my 9th year of coaching.
I joined AWiS in 2018, determined to encourage young female coaches to pursue higher levels of coaching. My passion for coaching young athletes stems from my desire to keep kids in the sport because I believe that the foundation for lasting friendships, good communication skills, respect for others, and a sense of community are all developed at a young age. By instilling a love for teamwork and continuous development within athletes and coaches, I hope to build a stable network and sense of self amongst everyone in alpine ski racing, regardless of whether they take the professional, coaching, or skier-for-life route in the end.
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Hey, I’m Caitlin Wallin, one the social media whiz’s over at AWiS. I practically grew up on skis, racing since I was knee-high and shifting gears to coaching at 16. Six years deep into coaching, and my love for the slopes is stronger than ever. When I’m not chasing the thrill of skiing, you’ll find me outdoors, jamming to music, and indulging in home-cooked goodness with my folks and loved ones. Life’s good, but nothing beats the rush of carving through snow
Seeing mostly men in coaching and athlete roles sparked a fire in me to make a change and give women a voice. Growing up with male coaches, it was figures like my female coaches who showed me the power of female representation. Having joined AWiS, I’m part of a movement whose objective is to create pathways for female coaches and create opportunities.
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Hi, I’m Mana Sarrafi, a Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club racer, now turned coach. I found my passion for skiing by watching female athletes such as Lindsey Vonn, Tina Maze, and Mikaela Shiffrin dominate the scene. They were empowering idols to a young female racer like myself.
When given the chance to join Alpine Women in Sport, I saw it as an opportunity to do my part in empowering other young girls while also creating a positive environment for women in the skiing community.