Madeline Belding is an assistant coach with the University of New Brunswick Women’s Basketball program and a long‑time member of the sport community in Fredericton. After a knee injury ended her playing career at Acadia, she entered coaching in 2013 through the provincial team system, beginning immediately in high‑performance environments and later expanding her experience across New Brunswick, British Columbia, and Ontario, including six years as a full‑time assistant at the University of Windsor and time at the University of British Columbia.

Her pathway has given her a unique perspective on culture‑building, standards, and long‑term athlete development, and she remains deeply committed to mentorship, particularly in supporting female and emerging coaches. With thirteen years of coaching experience, she is passionate about creating people‑first environments, strengthening development opportunities across the province, and fostering a basketball community in New Brunswick that prioritizes joy, growth, and meaningful roles for athletes at every level.

Josh Slate is a Fredericton‑based soccer coach with twenty‑nine years of playing experience and fifteen years of coaching experience, working extensively with grassroots and competitive teams through the Fredericton District Soccer Association. A former Dalhousie University player, he transitioned into coaching after an injury, stepping in at the invitation of a former coach and quickly discovering a passion for developing athletes. His pathway has since included coaching provincial teams, Canada Games teams, and numerous youth programs across the region.

Guided by the mentorship he received early in his career, he is committed to giving back by supporting emerging coaches and fostering environments where players can learn, grow, and enjoy the game. With the momentum of the 2026 FIFA World Cup creating new opportunities for engagement, he is optimistic about expanding participation and elevating the standard of soccer in New Brunswick. His coaching philosophy centres on fun as the foundation for long‑term development, and he encourages young coaches to stay open, try new approaches, and learn from everyone around them.

Micheal On is a Fredericton‑based coach with fifteen years of combined athletic and coaching experience across triathlon, swimming, biking, and running. After beginning his career as a math teacher, he transitioned into sport through dragon boat racing before expanding into triathlon, earning both Level 1 and Level 2 World Triathlon coaching certifications. His coaching journey has included roles with UNB Track and Field and Cross Country, UNB Swim, Velo NB, and Triathlon NB, where he now serves as Head Coach for the U23 program and contributes nationally as a facilitator and evaluator with Triathlon Canada.

Guided by a strong belief in building coaching culture, he is motivated by the long‑term development of athletes and environments, and sees mentorship as a meaningful way to give back to the New Brunswick community that shaped his own growth. Looking ahead, he is committed to strengthening provincial performance, expanding training and talent‑identification opportunities across the province, and fostering a sense of belonging and community within his coaching practice.

Linda Forest has been a dedicated member of the ringette community in New Brunswick for more than thirty years, contributing as a coach, official, volunteer, facilitator, and association leader. After moving to Moncton and discovering limited opportunities in the sport she had played in college, she began refereeing in Riverview and later helped establish the Shediac Cap‑Pelé Ringette Association, coaching its first teams and supporting its rapid growth.

Her daughters’ progression into provincial programs led her to assistant coaching roles from 2005 to 2011, including the Canada Games team, and she has since continued to support athletes and coaches through team‑building work, mental‑skills development, and the facilitation of CSI Ringette clinics. Affiliated with both the Shediac Cap‑Pelé and Moncton Ringette Associations, she remains committed to strengthening the sport through mentorship, inclusive programming, volunteer retention, and the continued development of competitive and community‑level opportunities across the province.

Barry Morrison is a lifelong member of the soccer community in Fredericton, New Brunswick, with thirty‑eight years in the sport and twenty‑seven years of coaching experience. He began coaching in high school through YMCA indoor programs before completing a Bachelor of Kinesiology with a coaching concentration at the University of New Brunswick, which led to roles with FDSA, Soccer New Brunswick, and the UNB women’s program.

After earning a high‑performance coaching diploma from the National Coaching Institute in British Columbia and gaining experience in both New Brunswick and Alberta, he returned home in 2012 and now serves as Director of Soccer for FDSA and Head Coach of the UNB Men’s Soccer program. In addition to his team roles, he works as a coach developer with Sport NB and Soccer NB, and is committed to mentorship, inclusive sport environments, and creating meaningful, enjoyable experiences for athletes at every level.

Marta Belsh is an experienced swimming coach based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and currently serves with the University of New Brunswick Women’s and Men’s Swim Teams. After completing her education in kinesiology in Poland, she moved to Canada in 2000 and steadily built her coaching career through a combination of volunteer work, professional development, and extensive experience. With more than 28 years of coaching experience, she has dedicated her career to helping athletes reach their full potential.

Marta’s coaching philosophy is performance-oriented, strategic, collaborative, and person-centered. She believes that athletic success begins with understanding the individual behind the athlete and creating an environment that supports both performance and personal growth. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to fostering resilience, confidence, and lifelong skills through sport. Her vision for sport in New Brunswick is one where athletes are empowered to achieve more than they believe possible while developing the habits, values, and balance needed to thrive both in competition and in life.

Whitney Burke-Callaghan is a dedicated rugby coach and community leader from Moncton, New Brunswick, with 19 years of experience in the sport. Her coaching journey began shortly after graduating from Mount Allison University when she returned to her former school, Bernice MacNaughton High School, to help coach rugby. Since then, she has remained deeply involved in the game through coaching roles with organizations including Mount Allison University Women’s Rugby and Moncton Black Tide Senior Women’s Rugby, as well as governance roles with Rugby New Brunswick and Moncton Black Tide.

Driven by a passion for athlete development, Whitney’s coaching philosophy is rooted in a growth mindset and guided by the values of joy, respect, and commitment. She is passionate about creating positive experiences that help athletes build confidence, develop their skills, and reach their potential. Having seen firsthand the impact rugby can have on individuals and communities, Whitney is committed to helping the sport continue to grow across New Brunswick while fostering stronger connections within the rugby community.

Andrea Creer-Landine is a passionate swimming coach from Fredericton, New Brunswick, with more than 20 years of experience in the sport, including approximately 15 years as a coach. Her coaching journey began as a young teenager, giving back to the swim club that helped shape her confidence and identity as an athlete. After moving from Nova Scotia to Fredericton, she continued to grow as a coach under the mentorship of respected coach Marta Belsh, whose guidance encouraged her to pursue further training and leadership opportunities. Today, Andrea coaches with the Fredericton Aquanauts Swim Team and the Leo Hayes High School Swim Team, where she is committed to helping athletes develop both in and out of the pool.

Andrea’s coaching philosophy is person-centered, collaborative, and focused on sustainable performance. She believes success begins with understanding the individual behind the athlete and creating an environment where athletes can thrive while balancing sport, school, and personal growth. Drawing on a diverse multi-sport background, she brings a broad perspective to athlete development and is passionate about fostering positive, supportive sport experiences. Through her coaching, Andrea strives to help athletes build confidence, develop lifelong skills, and achieve more than they thought possible.

Lauren Hale-Miller is a passionate volleyball coach and leader from Fredericton, New Brunswick, who currently serves as Head Coach of the University of New Brunswick Women’s Volleyball team and Coaching Development Chair with Volleyball New Brunswick. After a knee injury brought her playing career to an end, Lauren transitioned into coaching and quickly discovered her passion for athlete development while working with Team New Brunswick. With approximately 15 years of coaching experience, she has built a career dedicated to growing the sport and supporting athletes at every stage of their development.

Lauren’s coaching philosophy centers on developing the whole person, recognizing that success extends far beyond performance on the court. She is committed to helping student-athletes grow as players, leaders, and individuals while supporting their development in all areas of life. A strong advocate for increased opportunities for women and young people in coaching, Lauren is passionate about creating supportive environments that encourage more coaches to enter and remain in sport. Through her leadership and commitment to lifelong learning, she continues to make a positive impact on volleyball and the broader sporting community in New Brunswick.

Marcia Laplante is a coach, athlete, and sport leader from Oromocto, New Brunswick, with approximately 15 years of coaching experience across field hockey and ice hockey. A current member of Canada’s national field hockey program, she began coaching as a goaltending coach while competing in high-level ice hockey, including the Canada Games and NCAA Division I competition in the United States. Her coaching experience spans youth, club, school, provincial, and high-performance environments, and she currently serves as a coach with Atlantic Canadian NextGen, Goalie Coach at the University of New Brunswick, Head Coach of Team New Brunswick U16 and Oromocto High School, and President of both Capital Field Hockey Club and Field Hockey New Brunswick.

Passionate about athlete and coach development, Marcia believes sport should be both challenging and enjoyable while helping athletes grow as people first. She is committed to strengthening New Brunswick’s sport system through increased coach development, collaboration, and opportunities for women in coaching. Through her leadership and dedication to giving back, she continues to play an important role in developing the next generation of athletes, coaches, and leaders in her community.

Marc-André LeBlanc is a highly experienced basketball coach from Grand-Barachois, New Brunswick, with nearly 30 years of coaching experience and more than 37 years involved in the sport as both an athlete and coach. What began as a volunteer opportunity with the Moncton Kiwanis Minor Basketball Association evolved into a lifelong passion for coaching and athlete development. Throughout his career, he has coached at the community, high school, university, and provincial levels, including serving as Head Coach of École Mathieu-Martin’s Varsity Girls Basketball team and Assistant Coach with Team New Brunswick’s U15 Women’s program.

Driven by a deep passion for the game, Marc-André’s coaching philosophy is centered on long-term development, emphasizing that success in sport is built through patience, consistency, and a commitment to continuous improvement. He is a strong advocate for coach collaboration and lifelong learning, drawing inspiration from both basketball and other sports to enhance his approach. Committed to growing the game in New Brunswick, he is passionate about creating equitable opportunities for athletes across the province and helping develop pathways that enable New Brunswick athletes to compete and succeed on the national stage.

Manon Loiser is a dedicated cross-country skiing coach from Bathurst, New Brunswick, with more than 24 years of coaching experience. A former competitive skier, Manon was inspired to become a coach after recognizing the challenges she faced as an athlete without consistent coaching support. Determined to help young athletes access the guidance she wished she had, she began coaching through local youth programs and has remained actively involved ever since. Today, she contributes to the development of athletes through organizations including the Sureau Blanc Cross-Country Ski Club and Les Aventuriers de Charlo, helping athletes of all levels grow in confidence and skill.

Manon’s coaching philosophy is built on respect, individualized development, and helping athletes discover their potential. She encourages athletes to focus on their own progress rather than comparing themselves to others, while creating positive experiences that balance personal growth with enjoyment of the sport. Passionate about promoting active lifestyles and expanding opportunities for cross-country skiing in New Brunswick, she hopes to see greater participation, stronger competitive pathways, and continued growth of the sport throughout the province.

Rachelle Perry is a dedicated gymnastics coach and sport leader from Dieppe, New Brunswick, with decades of experience in both artistic and trampoline gymnastics. Beginning her journey as a competitive artistic gymnast, Rachelle transitioned into coaching before expanding her expertise in trampoline gymnastics while living in British Columbia, where she earned her certifications and coached athletes who qualified for the World Age Group Competition. Since returning to New Brunswick, she has played a key role in the development of gymnastics across the province through her work with Beausejour Gymnos Club de Gymnastique, NB Trampoline, and the New Brunswick Gymnastics Association. Her coaching career has included guiding athletes to Eastern and Canadian Championships, as well as coaching at multiple Canada Games.

Driven by a passion for helping athletes achieve their goals, Rachelle’s coaching philosophy is centered on commitment, support, and athlete development. She believes in creating opportunities for athletes and coaches to reach their full potential through hard work, collaboration, and continuous learning. As a leader within New Brunswick’s gymnastics community, she is committed to strengthening the sport by sharing knowledge, developing future coaches, and fostering an environment where athletes can thrive both in competition and in their personal growth.

Nik Wood is a dedicated rugby coach and educator based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, with nearly two decades of involvement in the sport as both an athlete and coach. His coaching journey began in British Columbia in 2011, where he worked with high school and regional rugby programs before advancing to provincial-level coaching with BC Rugby. Following his return to New Brunswick, Nik played and captained the University of New Brunswick rugby team, helping lead the program to two undefeated seasons and two national championship appearances. He later transitioned into coaching with UNB, serving as an assistant coach before becoming Head Coach, while also contributing to athlete development through Fredericton Loyalist Rugby’s U20 program.

With 15 years of coaching experience, Nik’s philosophy is rooted in leadership, human connection, and the pursuit of excellence. He believes coaching extends far beyond competition, focusing on helping athletes grow as people while developing the habits, confidence, and character needed for success both on and off the field. Passionate about expanding opportunities within rugby, Nik is committed to supporting athletes and coaches in reaching their full potential and helping build a stronger, more ambitious sporting culture across New Brunswick.