A Day of Reflection, Collaboration, and Growth
May 2, 2025 – Mansfield Ski Club
Coaches, program directors, and alpine leaders from across the province gathered at the AOA/SOD Spring Summit for a full day of collaboration, professional development, and community building.
The event kicked off with welcoming remarks and AOA Report HERE from AOA Executive Director Pat Biggs, who acknowledged the successes of the 2024–25 season and emphasized the importance of continuous improvement across all levels of ski racing in Ontario.
A Focus on Coach Development
The morning sessions highlighted a growing focus on coaching excellence. Sarah Edwards and Jacques Reid presented updates on coach education and development initiatives, reinforcing AOA’s commitment to supporting coaches at every stage of their journey. AOA – May2 – Summit – Poll Results HERE
Two insightful panel discussions followed:
-
Panel A explored how the province can collaborate more effectively to elevate coaching, programming, athlete retention, and personal growth across regions and clubs.
-
Panel B shifted the focus to the current state of athlete and coaching performance, prompting candid dialogue on challenges and opportunities moving forward.
Afternoon Inspiration & Skill Building
After a mid-day lunch catered by Mansfield Ski Club, attendees were treated to a special guest session from Eric Préfontaine of Mont Tremblant Ski Club. Préfontaine offered a fresh perspective from Québec’s high-performance ecosystem and shared lessons learned from his extensive coaching experience.
In the final workshop of the day, Sarah Edwards led an engaging session on the “Three Levels of Listening HERE” giving coaches practical tools to enhance communication, connection, and impact with their athletes.
The day closed with a relaxed social gathering — a chance to debrief, network, and celebrate a strong season of alpine sport in Ontario.
The 2025 Spring Summit reflected AOA’s ongoing commitment to fostering excellence through dialogue, education, and shared leadership.