Coach Profile: Diane Tam – Canoe Kayak

National Coaches Week is September 23-30.  An initiative of the Coaches Association of Canada and the Provincial and Territorial coaching organizations, this week celebrates the tremendous positive impact coaches have on athletes and communities across Canada.  This week is an opportunity to recognize coaches for the integral role they play by simply saying #ThanksCoach.

The BC Games and Team BC are part of BC’s athlete development pathway, but also provide an important opportunity for coaching development.  Organizations like Rowing BC have seen the progression and success of their coaches through these programs. 

In honour of National Coaches Week, we are profiling some outstanding coaches who took part in the 2017 Canada Summer Games propelling Team BC to its best ever finish.

Diane Tam, Vancouver
Canoe Kayak Coach – 2014 BC Summer Games and 2017 Canada Summer Games
NCCP Level 3 – Competition-Development Certified 

Coaching Style:  Challenge. Inspire. Trust.

Inspirational quote: “’If you dream and you allow yourself to dream you can do anything” – Clara Hughes

Motivational song: Learn to Fly / Walk (Foo Fighters)

Fun and coaching:
Incorporating ‘fun’ days into the training schedule…which are practices out of the norm. Just to help change things up from time to time and have some fun.  

Best memory from BC Games and Canada Games:
Watching my athletes race!  Whether it be a good race or not so good race, being able to watch them race against the other top athletes is the best feeling.

Best coaching moments:  
Watching one of my athletes podium and make the Team Canada squad for an international Olympic Hopes regatta.

Future coaching goals: 
Continue to inspire and develop young athletes and grow our (paddling) club.  And hopefully have some athletes make the Canadian national team one day.