Our Online Leadership Training Program courses are BACK and offer information and resource packed sessions that will help elevate and streamline operations of your Athletic Department. Take Professional Development that is directly related to your role and day-to-day operations. These courses are also the stepping stones to our CIAAA Certification program and can be used towards your Grace Masters Program prerequisites.
Our CIAAA Partner Province members receive a $25 course discount. Use the code #CIAAA25 at check out to apply!
Need to activate your 2025-26 membership as a Partner Province (BC,AB,SK,MB & PEI), email caleigh@ciaaa.ca for your code.
Monday November 10 – LTP 501C: Philosophy, Organizational Structure, and Professional Development This course is aimed at assisting athletic directors set the tone for their program. Origins of athletic administration are addressed in addition to codes of ethics. The concept of “educational athletics” is discussed and refined. The role of the athletic administrator and the importance of having a school philosophy are addressed and workshop participants have the opportunity to interact with others to refine their own philosophies. Organizational relationships are examined from a provincial, national and international perspective. Key policies are also reviewed. Current and future courses are highlighted and the certification program is described. **LTP 501C is the one of three fundamental courses required for the CRAA Certification
Wednesday November 19 – 719C: Positive Sporting Behaviour Enhance your leadership, management, and decision-making skills with this practical course for athletic administrators. Learn the key differences between leadership, management, and supervision, and explore proven strategies to strengthen your effectiveness. Interactive exercises and tools help you apply concepts directly to your athletic program.
Thursday November 27 – LTP 705C: Educational Athletics – Mentorship, Leadership and Character Development Character based coach-to-coach mentoring programs utilize the talents, strengths and qualities of the entire team of coaches to maximize the potential of the coaching staff. Mentoring is an attitude, a relationship and an investment, which provides coaches the opportunity to support and nurture each other professionally, personally and ethically. This course will highlight mentoring models that demonstrate key behaviours to implement when establishing an effective mentoring program. It will also provide athletic administrators strategies and methods to develop and enhance successful coach-to-coach mentoring programs.
Do you have an upcoming PD session, convention, or staff day to fill!
Let the CIAAA take care of the planning with full day, half day or single sessions available. Contact caleigh@ciaaa.ca for more information.
Reminder to talk to your administration/district today about the 2026 National Athletic Directors Conference! We are heading to beautiful Kelowna, BC for the best AD Professional Development of the year. This three day conference is filled with Workshops, Leadership Training Courses, Discussions, Speakers, Socials and MORE! Hotel bookings are available now and registration will open soon.
Olivia Thompson couldn’t think of a better ending to her final high school field hockey game.
The Grade 12 student at Medway High School scored the only goal in the OFSAA Championship game Saturday afternoon as the Cowgirls beat Saltfleet District High School from Hamilton 1-0.
“It’s incredible,” said Thompson, a co-captain of the Cowgirls.
“We all worked so hard all season for this moment, and we came together when it really mattered as a team and got it done.”
Midway through the first half, after a short corner gave Medway possession deep in their opponents territory, Thompson stepped inside the circle and fired a rocket from about 15 yards out to score the game’s only goal.
Olivia Thompson (9) jumps for joy after scoring the only goal of the OFSAA gold medal game at City Wide Field in London, Ont. on Saturday Nov. 8, 2025 (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
“I’ve been coaching 22 years and we’ve never made it to a gold medal game,” said Dana Kajan, co-coach of the OFSAA champions.
“To be hosting this and to come through for our fans, for our community, I’ve been crying since the second game today. It’s just unbelievable.”
Medway advanced to the final after shutting out Bishop PF Reding 4-0 in the morning semifinal.
The girls were the number eight seed coming in after losing the WOSSAA title match to Goderich, but they knew on their own home turf, they would be a force.
“We knew coming in we were better than eight and we were going to show every team out here that we were, and we did,” said Thompson.
Kajan was having trouble finding words for the effort put forth by her girls.
“They just put it all out on the field today,” said Kajan.
“They were just so excited to bring it home back with Medway hosting. We were ranked eighth and we came out on top. How sweet to do that on a home field.”
With a massive crowd cheering them on, Thompson was floored by the local support.
“I’ve never seen this many people watch a game for field hockey before,” she said.
“I think it’s incredible. We brought notice how much of a sport it is.”
Medway celebrates after winning the gold medal at OFSAA Field Hockey in London, Ont. on Saturday Nov. 8, 2025. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
Kajan agrees that the crowd support was phenomenal, and believes London is an underrated field hockey city.
“We don’t have a huge league to develop from but hopefully having this here, we have the facilities here and it’s such an incredible sport,” said Kajan.
“It changed the course of my life, and I’m hoping that even for one or two players here, that it will do the same for them and it opens up pathways for them. Hopefully with all our fans here, they see that as well.”
The victory gave Medway its first OFSAA field hockey gold medal.
