Instructor mentorship program
The CASI Instructors Mentorship Program is a volunteer-based program for all CASI instructors that aims to provide mentorship to instructors of any identity, with special emphasis on historically excluded groups.
New for the 2025 season, the CASI Instructors Mentorship Program is a volunteer-based [pilot] program for all CASI instructors that aims to provide mentorship to instructors of any identity, with special emphasis on historically excluded groups. Everyone deserves to feel included and welcomed in snowboarding. We are stoked to have this program in place to help instructors in the community in the form of guidance, support, aid in achieving their goals, be them riding/teaching, motivation or anything in between, you are supported.
To apply to be a Mentor or to receive Mentorship (mentee) this season, tap the appropriate link below!
MENTOR: https://form.jotform.com/242979145910262
MENTEE: https://form.jotform.com/242985811382262
OUR COMMUNITY
Community Coordinators will help facilitate program participation and the creation of pairings within regions. They may also be mentors or mentees themselves. Mentors and mentees can communicate with their Community Coordinators or the CASI Instructors Mentorship Team (Program Leaders) should they need support.
Community Coordinators
Melanie Camman
BC (Vancouver)
Michelle Clifford
Ontario & Québec
Meaghan Curtis
BC (Interior)
Petra Eikelenboom
BC (Interior)
Kaz Kitayama
Alberta (Banff)
Manuela Olibera-Dorn
AB (remaining)
Hiro Ozawa
Atlantic
Arija Whalen-Bunkis
Ontario & Québec
Millie Whelan
BC (Remaining)
program leaders
Melissa Da Silva
Sun Peaks, BC
Geneviève Pilotto
Director of Education and Programs
RESOURCES
A non-comprehensive list of resources compiled for participants of the CASI
Instructors Mentorship Program who seek learning and/or support.
Creating Inclusive Environments for Trans Participants in Canadian Sport
https://cces.ca/sites/default/files/content/docs/2024-01/cces-trans-inclusion-policy-guidance-en.pdf
Inclusion Resources
Intercultural Skills in Sport Module
https://www.coach.ca/module/intercultural-skills-sport
Leading the Way: Working with LGBTQ Coaches and Athletes
https://coach.ca/sites/default/files/documents/2024-06/leadingtheway_v2017.pdf
Mental Health in Sport Resource Hub
https://coach.ca/mental-health-hub
Introduction to Coaching Athletes with a Disability
Safe Sport Training Toolkit
https://coach.ca/sport-safety/safe-sport-training/safe-sport-training-toolkit
Articles
The Power of Mentoring in Sports
https://sirc.ca/articles/power-mentoring-insports-who-what-and-how/
The Evolving Role of Coaches in Athlete Mental Health
https://sirc.ca/articles/the-evolving-role-of-coaches-in-athlete-mental-health/
Podcasts
All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding (Members of PSIA-AASI National Team)
Tested (CBC & NPR)
Other Resources
Indigenous Women Outdoors
https://www.indigenouswomenoutdoors.ca/our-mission
Support Services
Canadian Sport HELPline
1-888-837-7678 or https://abuse-free-sport.ca/helpline
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness
1-855-242-3310 or hopeforwellness.ca/
A helpline dedicated to supporting First Nations and Inuit Peoples. Service is available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, English and French.
Trans Lifeline
1-877-330-6366 or translifeline.org/
A helpline dedicated to the well-being of transgender people. The phone line is staffed by transgender people for transgender people.