NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Gemma Koughan

Secretary, Executive Director, Sport PEI

Gemma Koughan has been with Sport PEI for over 25 years, starting as a summer student and now is in the role of Executive Director for the federation. She holds a Master’s degree in Sport Administration from the University of New Brunswick. She is a believer in the power of sport and being physically active, and spends her free time making sure that both are a big part of her life – past, present and future. Ensuring youth have the opportunity to participate in sport, and that they can experience the physical, social and mental benefits that comes with participating, is why KidSport is so important to her.

(902) 368-4110

Jaclyn Pauls

Treasurer, Finance, Sport Manitoba

Jaclyn Pauls became the Treasurer of KidSport Canada in June 2019, works for Sport Manitoba as Senior Manager of Finance, and has been working in sport in Manitoba for over 20 years. Sport was always an important part of her family life growing up - both the values of participating in sport and volunteering in sport, as we observed our parents volunteering in sport as coaches and board members. As a child, I loved gymnastics, and later moved into artistic swimming and water polo and of course the great school sports system options. Working in sport now and having two young children I am enjoying introducing them to the variety of sporting experiences there are available. I was introduced to KidSport in 2002 and the organization has been close to my heart since.

(204) 925-5915

Jamie Ferguson

Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer, Sport Nova Scotia

Jamie Ferguson is the CEO of Sport Nova Scotia, a not for profit, non government federation comprised of a membership of approximately 60 provincial sport organizations. Prior to Sport Nova Scotia, Jamie worked for Tennis Canada as the Senior Director of the four-province coalition known as the Atlantic Tennis Alliance. He also worked for several years in the coaching field, and had an opportunity to work as an international touring coach as well as being very involved in the certification system at both the national and provincial levels. Jamie is a member of many advisory committees and boards at both the provincial and national level. He is currently the chair of the board of KidSport Canada, and the chair of the Canadian Council of Provincial and Territorial Sport Federations. Jamie has also participated as a member of a working group comprised of government and non-government sport representatives who helped develop the process leading to the most recent Canadian Sport Policy. Jamie has been involved in KidSport in various capacities for many years, and believe strongly that every child should have the opportunity to participate in sport and reap the many positive physical and mental wellness benefits that sport can provide.

(902) 425-5450

Rob Newman

Vice Chairperson, President & CEO, Sport BC

(604) 333-3404

Bill Othmer

Board Member, Executive Director, Sport North Federation

Bill has been with the Sport North Federation since 1990 serving as Sport Consultant, Sport Manager and currently Acting ED. Having resided in several northern communities as Recreation Director prior to working at Sport North, Bill sees the direct impact KidSport delivers.  He believes that KidSport builds healthy, active role models and provides Northern Youth with the opportunity to participate in Sport. Bill has seen the benefits firsthand serving as Chef de Mission at Canada Summer/Winter Games as well as the North’s signature event; the Arctic Winter Games.  Many recipients of KidSport have moved on to be Athletes and Coaches at these events, as well as serving as Directors of Territorial Sport Organizations.  Creating “Good Citizens” thought Sport is important to Bill and he is grateful that KidSport makes this happen year after year.

(867) 669-8336

Cheryl McCallum

Board Member, Manager - Community Sport Development, Sask Sport Inc.

Cheryl currently resides in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where she is presently employed with Sask Sport. as the Manager of Community Sport Development. Cheryl has worked in the non-profit sector for 17 years, which has allowed her to gain a wealth of experience in community development and strategic management. In addition to her work with non-profits, she has had the opportunity to experience the corporate sector for approximately eight years. In her spare time, likes to golf and spend time with family. She also enjoys donating her time on inclusive initiatives that prioritize children and youth development, and is currently an active volunteer board member with the Aboriginal Sport Circle, KidSport Canada, and Orchestra’s Canada. Cheryl has a passion for community based activities that have a direct impact on participation of children and youth, and believes that KidSport has the ability to increase physical activity, health, and well-being in communities throughout Canada.

(306) 975-0807

Evan Andrew

Board Member, Director - Brand & Revenue, Sport Manitoba

As the Director, Brand & Revenue at Sport Manitoba, Evan Andrew oversees Marketing, Communications, Partnerships and Revenue Generation for the organization. Evan is a life-long sports fan who grew up playing hockey, baseball, soccer and golf, while closely following professional leagues and tracking team and individual statistics. Evan believes in the holistic power of sport and is proud to be part of an organization that works to increase access for youth to organized sport.

(204) 925-5606

Kathy Salmon

Board Member, KidSport Society of Alberta

KidSport is near and dear to Kathy’s heart as she has been involved in Alberta for the past 26 years; as the first provincial director and then as a board member where she now serves as Past Chair. She is touched by the thank you letters parents and kids send to KidSport Alberta in appreciation of the fund-raising and sport partnership efforts so that kids can get off the sidelines and into a sport of their choice. Kathy competed in luge from 1984 to 1994 and represented Canada at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. For years Kathy coached luge and facilitated public speaking and self-marketing courses for athletes at the Canadian Sport Institute. Kathy works for the Calgary Board of Education as a school principal. She specializes in supporting learners acquiring English as an additional language and is currently pursuing her education doctorate in language and literacy. She has three grown children and one step-child who all participated in sports growing up and has spent years behind the scenes as a team manager and volunteer for hockey, lacrosse and soccer. Kathy loves road cycling and enjoys triathlon. She has recently become a certified yoga instructor and is learning how to mountain bike.

(403) 836-2530

Paul Varian

Board Member, Officer - Play For ALL, Ontario

Paul Varian is President of Capitis Consulting Inc., a Toronto-based sport management consultancy. Through this form, he has helped hundreds of sport organizations – from small community-level clubs to large national sport governing bodies - enhance their productivity and effectiveness through strong sport organizational management. Varian is also a lecturer and professional speaker on a variety of sport business matters and is author of Amazon #1 Best Seller Don’t Blame The Soccer Parents. Before establishing Capitis Consulting Inc., Varian managed Canada’s largest participant soccer club, Oakville Soccer Club, expanding its revenues by 62% and aggregate player registration base by 28% to over 19,000. He was also Chairman of the Nominations Committee of the Canadian Soccer Association following the Association's transformative governance reforms in 2011. Varian also held the role of President and CEO of Sport BC during the build-up to and during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games, serving as a strong advocate for amateur sport in British Columbia, Canada. Prior to this, Varian served as the first Chief Executive of the Irish Hockey Association and also Chaired the Organizing Committee for the 2005 Women’s European Nations Hockey Championships. MBA-qualified and a Chartered Director, Varian resides in Burlington, Ontario, with his wife and three children and is an enthusiastic participant of questionable talent in tennis, golf, soccer and field hockey.

(905) 466-7412

Rémi Richard

Board Member, Deputy General Director, Sports Québec

(514) 252-3114

Sabrina Durepos

Board Member, Chief Executive Officer, Sport New Brunswick

(506) 451-1327

Troy Croft

Board Member, Executive Director, Sport Newfoundland & Labrador

(709) 576-4932