Date: September 16, 2026
Presenter: Kaylee Grant
Attendance: 18 coaches and sport leaders from across the Northwest Territories, Ontario and Manitoba
The first session of the Sport North Professional Development Inspiration Series featured NWT hockey coach Kaylee Grant. Kaylee shared stories and lessons from more than 15 years of coaching, with a focus on building people first and creating positive, supportive environments for athletes.
Kaylee discussed some of the challenges facing female athletes in the North, including limited registration numbers, access to facilities, travel, inconsistent development opportunities and the transition between female and co-ed teams. She emphasized that athlete retention should be an important measure of success and encouraged coaches to consider the social, emotional and developmental needs of each athlete.
The session explored practical ways to help female athletes build confidence and overcome a fear of failure. Ideas included creating appropriate opportunities for success, providing female mentors and role models, explaining the purpose behind activities, adapting drills and ensuring athletes feel supported both on and off the playing surface.
Kaylee also spoke about the important role coaches play beyond teaching technical skills. Coaches can become mentors who support athletes through education, leadership development and future opportunities. When former athletes return as coaches and leaders, the positive impact continues into the next generation.
The conversation highlighted the value of collaboration across sports, communities and organizations. Participants discussed sharing coaching resources, coordinating schedules for multi-sport athletes and creating a central resource hub so coaches can build on existing knowledge instead of starting from the beginning.
The session closed with a reminder that strong coaching is rooted in relationships, reflection and a willingness to continue learning. By working together and sharing what we know, coaches can create stronger experiences for athletes and build a more connected northern sport community.
The next Sport North Professional Development Inspiration Series session will feature Isaac Ayiku from Soccer on October 21, 2026.