With the support of Sport Canada and Freestyle Canada, this annual bursary has been created to encourage women to obtain higher levels of education to realize coaching as a professional career. We also envision this initiative to help our programs put more women in the faces of our communities, showing young girls how fun and inspiring freestyle skiing is whether they are international athletes someday or become coaches supporting other athletes’ dreams.
Currently, in the Freestyle Canada system, only 30% of our total coach membership are women. Multiple sports studies have shown that by increasing the number of accomplished, positive, strong role models we can stimulate female participation and program sustainability.
Freestyle Canada has further decided to name this Bursary in honour of Jackie Brown. “Downtown Jackie Brown” was a former National Mogul Team athlete and Provincial level mogul coach who garnered all the characteristics and skills of an infectious role model.
As a National Team athlete, Jackie was a force in our Women’s Mogul Program. Her consistent work ethic and compelling attitude reaped resilience to overcome any hardships and she was a model athlete who was adored by all her teammates and coaches.
Jackie was a Mogul Coach within the Freestyle Ontario mogul system for many years where she had a calculated approach to encouraging young freestyle skiers and ensured a creative and encouraging space for all people around her. As an empowering leader, she exemplified all the traits of the Freestyle Canada values.
The Bursary program is designed to:
- Increase the number of female coaches in Freestyle and Freeski in the Train to Train and Learn to Compete athlete development levels,
- Provide assistance to female coaches interested in pursuing a professional coaching career.
- Increase the number of positive female role models in Freestyle Canada programs.
- Better support our athlete development needs towards international success.
23/24 Eligibility Criteria
You may apply if you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Currently coach at a sanctioned Freestyle Canada team in Canada for the 2023/24 season,
- started the SuperCoach or CompDev NCCP Coach development programs,
- plan to continue coaching Freestyle / Freeski athletes for the next 4 years in some capacity,
This year Freestyle Canada will be awarding the Jackie Brown Women in Coaching Bursary up to six bursaries to support the development of female coaches in Freestyle and Freeski. The bursaries will be worth between $500 – $1,500 depending on the individual education / development plan and the Freestyle Canada athlete development needs. The deadline for applications is February 15th, 2024.
Application Process
Submit your coaching / athletic CV and application letter detailing the following:
- Name and NCCP number
- Contact information (Email, mailing address, phone number) and coaching experience.
- Why you are applying for this bursary (500 words or less)
- What your coaching goals are (500 words or less)
- Why you feel you should be selected (500 words or less)
- Also include a support letter from your current or past freestyle program managers stating why they think you are a positive influence for athletes.
Selection Process and Notification
Between February 16th and February 29th, the selection committee will meet to review all applications and select the recipients. Selection of applicants will be based on eligibility and bursary criteria and priority given to attendees at the 2024 Freestyle Canada Coach Academy held in Whistler in springtime.
Coaches will be notified by email of the decision of the selection committee no later than March 5th, 2024.
Please submit your completed application by the deadline to [email protected].
