When Team Canada arrived in New Delhi, India for the 2026 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships, the athletes were not the only ones representing Canada on the international stage. Standing behind the barriers, offering advice between points and supporting athletes throughout the competition, was Rose, one of Canada’s emerging coaches and a participant in Table Tennis Canada’s Women in Coaching Mentorship Program.
The Championships marked a significant milestone in her coaching journey. “Representing Canada in India was both an honour and a milestone in my coaching journey,” Rose said. “It reminded me how much I have grown as a coach, while also motivating me to continue learning and pursuing opportunities at this level.”
The opportunity was made even more meaningful because she shared the experience with her mentor, Maxime, who attended the Championships as Team Canada’s Manager. For Maxime, watching Rose work with Canada’s athletes was one of the highlights of the tournament. “It was amazing to see. It’s a nice milestone for Rose,” he said. “She did an amazing job, and I was happy to witness it. I could see how much confidence she had gained, which meant a lot because it was one of the topics we worked on together. I am very proud of her.”
Building Confidence Through Mentorship
The Women in Coaching Mentorship Program is designed to support and develop coaches by pairing them with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, encouragement, and opportunities for growth.
For Rose, the program helped strengthen far more than technical knowledge. “The Women in Coaching Mentorship Program helped me become more intentional and confident in how I approach coaching,” she explained. “It encouraged me to think beyond the technical and tactical aspects of the sport and consider how I communicate, build trust, and support athletes through the pressures of competition.” That confidence became invaluable while coaching at one of the Commonwealth’s premier international events.
Learning Beyond the Table
One of the biggest lessons Rose took from Maxime had little to do with tactics or technique. “One of the biggest lessons I have learned from Maxime is that there is rarely only one ‘correct’ way to coach,” she said. “He encouraged me to stay curious, ask questions, and understand the reasoning behind my decisions rather than simply copying what another coach might do.”
For Maxime, mentorship has also become an opportunity for self-reflection. “As Rose is asking me how to deal with certain situations, I have to look back at how I arrived at those decisions myself,” he explained. “It helps me reflect on my coaching values and beliefs while motivating me to continue improving.”
Their relationship demonstrates that mentorship is never a one-way conversation. Both mentor and mentee continue to learn from each other.
Behind Every Athlete is a Team
While athletes often receive the spotlight during international competitions, much of the work happens behind the scenes. As Team Manager, Maxime was responsible for helping athletes manage everything from nutrition and recovery to jet lag and training schedules. “When traveling to a country like India, it’s very important to make responsible choices regarding meals, recovery, and managing jet lag,” he said. “Those details help athletes perform at their best.”
He was equally impressed with how Team Canada responded throughout the tournament. “Their ability to adapt and their resilience stood out. Schedules changed constantly, but everyone stayed professional and treated every challenge as another opportunity.”
Moments That Make International Sport Special
Not every memorable experience happened on the competition floor. Rose laughed while recalling one evening after a long day of matches when the Canadian team discovered dozens of geckos climbing the venue walls. As the team excitedly photographed the small lizards, they soon realized local spectators were taking pictures of them in return. “It turned into a really funny and special cultural moment,” she said. “It reminded me how unique and eye-opening international travel with sport can be.”
Looking Ahead
The experience in India reinforced why programs like Table Tennis Canada’s Women in Coaching Mentorship Program matter.
By investing in coaches today, Canadian athletes will benefit for years to come. For anyone considering stepping into coaching, Rose offers simple advice. “Stay open-minded, say yes to the opportunities that come your way, and reflect, reflect, reflect. Coaching is one big learning journey, so you do not need to have everything figured out before taking the first step.”
Maxime shares a similar philosophy. “It’s all about sharing, the good, the bad, and everything in between. It’s the best way to spread the passion for table tennis and coaching.” Rose Maxime.rtfRTF
As Canadian Table t´Tennis continues to grow, stories like Rose’s remind us that developing great athletes begins with developing great coaches. The journey from mentee to Team Canada coach is not only a personal achievement, it is an investment in the future of the sport across Canada.
