As part of the Women and Gender Equality Canada Project, the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) has selected fifteen sport organizations from across the country, and we are honored to be part of this inspiring initiative. In our commitment to fostering growth and inclusivity in coaching, we spoke with our mentors and mentees, starting with the esteemed Thierry Verviers, a well-known coach from Quebec.
With nearly five decades of coaching experience, Thierry shares his motivations for becoming a mentor, his expectations for the upcoming launch in Ottawa, and the importance of structured support for young coaches. His insights reflect a deep understanding of the challenges faced by coaches and the transformative power of mentorship.
Mentor: Thierry Verviers, a well known Quebec coach.
1) You have a remarkable experience as a coach, why did you accept the role of mentor?
I am about to complete my 48th year as a table tennis coach. This long career has allowed me to go through all kinds of situations, sometimes difficult. In these moments, I would have liked to have mentors. Today, I would like to support young coaches, not only in their beginnings, but also when they encounter obstacles.
My goal is to share my experience and knowledge, while helping each person develop their own approach to coaching. I often hear that “it used to be different”, but I sincerely believe that the past can serve as a guide: it enlightens us on the mistakes that should not be repeated and inspires us to innovate. I would therefore like to accompany my mentee in her innovation journey, drawing on what I myself have experienced and learned.
2) During the 2 days in Ottawa, the project will be launched, what are your expectations?
I have no particular expectations, other than to be able to exchange with coaches from all backgrounds, young or experienced. I am convinced that these two days will be an opportunity to accelerate our progress, particularly with my mentee, because these meetings encourage the confrontation of ideas and the exchange of good practices.
I am looking forward to discovering new perspectives and sharing mine. Without this launch time in Ottawa, it would have been more difficult to create this network of discussions. I hope that this will give us additional momentum for the future.
3) The mentoring program is overseen by the ACE, how do you see this contribution?
Being supported by the ACE provides official recognition and a structured framework for mentoring. I have been fortunate to benefit from the help of several mentors throughout my career, but never in such an organized context.
This official approach seems very positive to me for young coaches, because it provides them with clear support, greater visibility and resources better adapted to their needs.
4) Did you benefit from a mentor when you started your career? If so, how did it help you and if not, what would you have appreciated?
At the very beginning of my career, I had the invaluable help of a person who was not officially a coach, nor even specialized in table tennis, but who supported and encouraged me. He gave me the means (logistics, transportation, etc.) to get to training and helped me get through the first sessions.
Without him, I don’t know if I would have persevered. Years later, I had the incredible opportunity to coach his son during a Canadian championship final. This anecdote illustrates how much a meeting can change the course of a life.
Subsequently, I met different mentors at key moments in my career. They all allowed me to question myself, to progress, and to my great surprise, some told me that they had learned from me as well. It’s a great lesson in humility: we all have something to learn from each other, regardless of our level.
5) If you had a magic wand, what would you do to facilitate the path of young female coaches or to improve the table tennis scene in Canada?
I would like every young coach to be able to benefit from a mentor, in a structured, stable and sustainable framework. It is essential that this relationship continues throughout their career, so that coaches never feel isolated and can constantly evolve.
Beyond this support, I would encourage spaces for sharing, such as regular meetings or exchange platforms, where everyone could submit their problems, their ideas and find solutions together.
As we embark on this journey, Thierry’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of coaches serves as a beacon of inspiration. We are excited to witness the positive impact of this initiative and look forward to following the progress of our dedicated mentors and mentees in the months to come.
