
High Performance Staff - National Program
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David joined Curling Canada in March 2023, previously working as the Olympic Head Coach with British Curling.
David was instrumental in developing British Curling’s National Curling Academy from 2018-2023. His key role resulted in multiple World and European Championship medals, culminating with Olympic success for British Curling in 2022 with gold and silver medals.
As a certified curling coach & personal trainer, David pursued further academic studies recently, including a diploma in Coaching Science and completing UK Sport’s intensive 2-year Team Leader Program.
David has a highly successful resume as a curling athlete, achieving success on the international stage for three decades. This included 3 Olympic appearances with an Olympic silver medal, six World Championship medals (including two gold medals), European Championship medals (including three gold medals) and two World Junior gold medals.
In 2023, David received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from HRH Princess Anne at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh for his services to sport. In addition, he received the Coach of the Year award at the Scottish Sport Awards and was awarded the Mussabini Medal at the UK Coaching Awards.
David and his family now reside in Okotoks, Alta., having moved from Stirling, Scotland.
Elaine attained Arts and Business Administration Diplomas and spent her early career in the advertising and public relations business in Victoria, B.C.
An early success in coaching a young Julie (Sutton) Skinner to a Scotties Canadian Championship, World silver and Olympic bronze (demonstration), Elaine leaped full-time into coaching, a bold move in the early days of coaching in curling.
Over the years, Elaine was part of the coaching and support teams at seven Olympic Games (1992 Albertville, 1998 Nagano as Head Coach for men and women host Japanese team, 2006 Torino, 2010 Vancouver, 2014 Sochi, 2018 PyeongChang, 2022 Beijing, and continues to be part of the strategic planning for Canada’s preparation for 2026 Milan-Cortina.
Through her long history of coaching, Elaine has operated and led the Four Foot Curling Summer Camps since 1983 and has conducted learn-to-curl and high-performance training camps in Denmark, South Korea, Japan and Canada, influencing thousands of curling athletes and coaches and coaching at over 25 world championships.
Joining Curling Canada in 2004, Elaine led the Women’s National Team Program for 19 years, leading Team Canada women to world championships and the Olympic Games.
Today, her many roles include strategic leadership at the high-performance table, leading the sport science team that supports the National Team Program, leading the Curling Coach+ program that provides development support to the coaches of our national teams, responsibilities in strategic planning and leadership in Own the Podium partnership and Women in Curling Council Lead, a group that promotes gender equity in all areas of curling.
Elaine has received the Petro Canada Coaching Recognition Award, the Joan Mead Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee medal and the Queen’s 125th Anniversary of the Confederation Medal.
With her remaining time, Elaine enjoys travelling the world and spending time with her husband Glen and family, including her five grandchildren.
At the age of 10, Scott started curling in St. Albert, Alta., and never looked back.
Scott thought he had reached the pinnacle of curling by winning the 1994 World Junior Curling Championship, but his journey had only started.
After another World Junior Curling Championship appearance in 1997, he joined forces with the famous “Ferbey Four,” winning the 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005 Briers and the 2002, 2003, and 2005 World Men’s Curling Championships. In 2023, the team was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Scott was the proud lefty named “Puff” of the iconic duo “Huff & Puff,” alongside teammate Marcel Rocque. After the Ferbey Four run ended in 2010, Scott stepped back from the national curling scene until becoming Team Koe’s alternate during its 2016, 2017 Brier and 2018 Olympic runs.
Scott loved his curling support role so much that he began working as a High-Performance Consultant with Curling Canada from 2018 to 2020. Soon after he was selected to lead the Mixed Doubles National Team Program into the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Scott has fulfilled the Team Leader role at six World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships over the past seven seasons.
If you can’t find him on the curling rink, Scott’s likely off travelling somewhere exciting and exotic with his wonderful wife, Chantelle and his two sons, Marlow and Dominic.
Helen oversees the development of Canada’s next generation of high-performance curlers. Since 2018, she has led the National NextGen Program, crafting program visions, managing budgets, and fostering talent in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Since 2015, Helen has spearheaded Curling Canada’s Long-Term Curler Development (LTCD) pathway, creating training and competition opportunities for top NextGen teams across men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles categories. Her leadership extends internationally, supporting Canadian teams on the global stage.
Starting with Curling Canada in 1998 as a part-time coach at the National Training Centre in Calgary, Helen brings decades of experience to her role. A certified Level 4 High-Performance Curling Coach, she has served as Head Coach for Team Canada at multiple Youth Olympic Games (2012–2024) and as a team leader at world championships. Additionally, Helen coached Team Canada to victory at the 2017 World Senior Curling Championships and has held roles at the Canadian Curling Trials as both a coach and alternate.
An accomplished curler, Helen competed nationally in events such as the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Seniors, Mixed, Juniors, and Canada Winter Games, winning the Canadian Mixed title in 1993.
Beyond curling, she is a former high school teacher and varsity soccer player with academic credentials, including a Master of Arts in Education, a Bachelor of Education, and a Bachelor of Science.
Helen resides in Halifax with her partner and daughter.
Jeff joined Curling Canada in 2015 as the Mixed Doubles National Coach and Program Manager. He played a key role in developing the mixed doubles program and served as the national coach for the gold medal-winning team at the 2018 Olympics when mixed doubles premiered as an Olympic sport.
Since 2019, Jeff has served as the National Coach for the Men’s Curling Program. Under his leadership, the team has earned five silver medals at the World Curling Championships and a bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Jeff is a Certified Professional Coach (ChCP) and completed the Own the Podium coaching enhancement program in 2019. He received the prestigious Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award in 2018 and 2019.
With over 30 years of experience in the sport, Jeff has an impressive competitive record, including 15 provincial titles, five national titles, and two World Men’s Curling Championship gold medals.
Jorie has worked with high-performance athletes since 2006, including Canada’s top curling athletes. She has supported teams within the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, the NHL, AHL, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Jorie is a dynamic performance dietician and health & wellness coach and believes prioritizing health and wellness naturally leads to improved performance.
Jorie holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba and a prestigious International Olympic Committee Diploma in Sport Nutrition. She is also a certified Life Coach, a WE-Q (relational intelligence) profile assessor, and a former Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. Since 2009, Jorie has served as Lead Sports Dietitian at the Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba, where she collaborates with athletes and coaches as part of an integrated team to enhance performance and overall well-being.
In addition to her work at the Canadian Sport Centre, Jorie holds leadership roles with Sports Scientist Canada and operates a private practice focused on health and performance enhancement. She joined the National Wheelchair Curling Program in 2014, where she provides nutrition expertise to support the athletes’ physical and mental performance.
A passionate advocate for holistic wellness, Jorie emphasizes the importance of integrating nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being. She lives in Winnipeg with her husband and daughter, continuing her work to support athletes in reaching their full potential.
Kyle brings over two decades of experience in high-performance sports to his role as the Integrated Support Team (IST) Lead and Mixed Doubles Team Leader for Curling Canada. His career began as a strength and conditioning specialist with the University of Manitoba Bisons, where he was instrumental in the success of various teams, including volleyball, hockey and football. Notably, he contributed to the football team’s historic victory at the 2007 Vanier Cup.
From 2009 to 2014, Kyle worked with Team Canada Women’s Wheelchair Basketball, playing a key role in its gold medal win at the 2014 World Championships. Since joining the Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba (CSCM) in 2011, he has supported athletes across multiple sports, such as speed skating, road cycling, para-archery, and women’s volleyball. His involvement in curling began in 2013, working with his first wheelchair curling athlete. This sparked a passion for the sport, and by 2014, Kyle expanded his role to support all of Curling Canada’s high-performance athletes.
Kyle’s expertise has been central in advancing biomechanics applications in curling, and he is actively involved in coaching development across Canada. His contributions have driven excellence internationally, particularly within wheelchair curling. His leadership has supported Canadian curlers’ continued success on the path to the Paralympics and Olympics.
Based in Winnipeg, Kyle is also a dedicated father to two sons and remains committed to supporting the development of high-performance athletes across various sports disciplines. His extensive experience and passion for sport have made him a key figure in Canadian curling and high-performance sports.
High Performance Staff - National Wheelchair Program
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Kyle is the Program Director for the National Wheelchair Curling Program at Curling Canada. With over two decades of experience, Kyle has worked with athletes and coaches from 12 National Sport Organizations and four professional sports organizations as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). He has supported Canadian athletes at six Olympic and Paralympic Games, contributing to the success of Olympic/Paralympic medallists and world champions.
Kyle holds a Doctoral Degree in Human Kinetics, specializing in sport psychology and coach education. He previously served as a Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa, where he coordinated the graduate program in mental performance. Kyle also has advanced Canadian amateur sport through research, leading a nationwide project on developing ‘Cultures of Excellence’ from 2017 to 2022 and currently working on assessing the concept of ‘Winning Well.’
Kyle’s involvement with curling began in 2012 when he joined Curling Canada’s high-performance program as a mental performance consultant for the men’s and women’s National Team Programs. From 2015 to 2020, he served as the Mental Performance and Sport Science Lead for Curling Canada. In 2014, he joined the National Wheelchair Curling Program following its gold-medal performance in Sochi. After two quadrennials as the program’s mental performance consultant, Kyle transitioned to Program Director in 2022, where he has overseen the program’s growth and continued success, including two silver medals and one bronze medal at the last two World Championships (2023 and 2024).
Kyle lives in Gatineau, Que., with his wife, Kayla, and their two sons, Reid and Davis. He is passionate about maintaining an active lifestyle and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Mick is the Head Coach of the National Wheelchair Curling Program. A dedicated and accomplished curler, Mick has won multiple national championships, including the 2012 Canadian University Curling Championship and the 2016 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship, and earned a bronze medal at the FISU World University Games.
He joined the National Wheelchair Curling Program in 2019 as an assistant coach and performance consultant. His strategic input helped the team secure back-to-back World Championship medals—gold at the 2019 B-Event and silver at the 2020 A-Event.
Mick’s exceptional coaching and leadership were further demonstrated when he was named Head Coach in 2020. Under his guidance, Team Canada achieved a Paralympic bronze medal in 2022 and two additional World Championship silver medals in 2023 and 2024. Mick’s coaching excellence has earned him three Petro Canada Sport Leadership Coaching Excellence awards (2022, 2023, and 2024).
Mick holds a Doctoral Degree in Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, specializing in sport psychology from the University of Alberta. He spent eight years as a Lecturer at the university, where he shared his expertise in sport psychology and high-performance coaching. During this time, Mick also led one of Canada’s first high school curling academies and consulted with various varsity teams, helping athletes at different levels enhance their mental and physical performance.
In his personal life, Mick lives in London, Ont., with his wife Sarah, their child Lennon, and two dogs, Gus and Ruby. When not coaching, Mick enjoys an active lifestyle and spending quality time with his family. His commitment to curling and passion for developing athletes continue to drive the success of Canada’s National Wheelchair Curling Program on the international stage.
Erin is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) and the owner of Mind Over Matter Performance. A professional member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA), Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Alberta, specializing in Sport and Performance Psychology. Over the past 10 years, she has worked with various athletes, coaches, teams, and parents at national, provincial, and local levels in numerous sports, enhancing performance through mental training strategies.
Erin’s passion for curling began in her youth and she has been supporting the Wheelchair Curling Program as a CMPC since 2022. She has competed in the sport as an athlete and coach in northern Alberta, where she cultivated a deep connection to the curling community. Erin’s role allows her to support athletes and teams across Canada, helping them mentally and physically excel in their sport.
Outside of her professional work, Erin is an active community member in Edmonton, where she enjoys travelling, spending time at her lake lot, and volunteering with various sports organizations. She also holds a leadership role with the CSPA Governance Committee.
Erin values integrity and work ethic, and her love for human connection drives her passion for her work. When asked about her favourite aspect of curling, she often says, “it’s always been the people,” followed closely by the crisp smell of fresh ice before an early morning draw.
Dana is a highly accomplished coach in the National Wheelchair Curling Program, specializing in mixed doubles. A former elite athlete, Dana boasts a stellar curling career, including three Grand Slam titles and six appearances at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, where she clinched her first national championship in 2019. She also earned a bronze medal at the 2023 World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, an achievement for which she received a Petro Canada Sport Leadership Coaching Excellence award.
Dana’s coaching journey began in the sport’s grassroots programs, where she served as a Curling Development Coach at the University of Alberta. She continues her work there as the Summer Camp Coordinator, further fostering the sport’s growth. In 2021, she joined the National Wheelchair Curling Program, marking the start of her national coaching career.
Dana has participated in the Canada Leads program by Own the Podium, designed to nurture leadership skills among Canadian coaches and athletes. She also attended the Paris 2024 Paralympics as part of the Pursuit program, gaining valuable experience in international competitions.
Dana resides in Edmonton, where she remains a key figure in Canadian curling. Her dedication to the development of athletes and the sport highlights her ongoing commitment to excellence and leadership in the wheelchair curling community.
Jorie has worked with high-performance athletes since 2006, including Canada’s top curling athletes. She has supported teams within the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, the NHL, AHL, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Jorie is a dynamic performance dietician and health & wellness coach and believes prioritizing health and wellness naturally leads to improved performance.
Jorie holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba and a prestigious International Olympic Committee Diploma in Sport Nutrition. She is also a certified Life Coach, a WE-Q (relational intelligence) profile assessor, and a former Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. Since 2009, Jorie has served as Lead Sports Dietitian at the Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba, where she collaborates with athletes and coaches as part of an integrated team to enhance performance and overall well-being.
In addition to her work at the Canadian Sport Centre, Jorie holds leadership roles with Sports Scientist Canada and operates a private practice focused on health and performance enhancement. She joined the National Wheelchair Curling Program in 2014, where she provides nutrition expertise to support the athletes’ physical and mental performance.
A passionate advocate for holistic wellness, Jorie emphasizes the importance of integrating nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being. She lives in Winnipeg with her husband and daughter, continuing her work to support athletes in reaching their full potential.
“Dr. Mac” is a physiatrist at Parkwood Institute in London, Ont., and an Associate Professor at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. He is also the Residency Program Director in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). Steve completed a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology before earning his medical degree from Western University in 2007. He further specialized in residency training in PM&R at Western University, completing the program in 2012. Additionally, he obtained diplomas in Sport Medicine (CASEM) and Neuromuscular Medicine (CSCN EMG).
In his clinical work, he is a consultant on the Stroke and Neuro Rehabilitation unit at Parkwood Institute, where he runs outpatient clinics. His academic focus includes promoting physical activity among individuals with disabilities and impairments. He is involved in developing physical activity guidelines and designing evidence-based resources to guide clinicians in managing musculoskeletal disorders.
Dr. Macaluso’s expertise in Sports Medicine has led him to provide medical coverage for Team Canada at national and international competitions. Since 2016, he has served as the team physician for the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Program. His contributions were integral to the team’s bronze medal performance at the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Games.
Steve lives in London with his wife and two children. His work continues to make a significant impact both in clinical practice and in advancing physical rehabilitation for athletes with disabilities.
Wendy is a renowned leader in Canadian curling, especially celebrated for her contributions to the National Wheelchair Curling Program, where her leadership has been pivotal in its remarkable success. With over two decades of experience in coaching and managing high-performance curling programs, Wendy’s work has been central to Canada’s dominance in wheelchair curling on the international stage.
From 2007 to 2022, Wendy served as the National Wheelchair Program Manager for Curling Canada. During her tenure, the program achieved unprecedented success, with Canadian teams earning medals at every Paralympic Games that wheelchair curling has been part of. This includes gold medals in 2006, 2010, and 2014 and bronze medals in 2018 and 2022. Additionally, her teams made 10 World Championship appearances, securing four gold medals, one silver, and numerous top-five finishes, solidifying Canada as a global leader in the sport.
In her coaching career, Wendy held roles that shaped the next generation of curling talent. She coached the Ontario Curling Association’s High-Performance Program from 2007 to 2014 and was involved in youth development at the Trillium and Amethyst Youth Camps for over 20 years. Her extensive experience and expertise were recognized with numerous awards, including the 2009 Ontario Sport Awards Female Coach of the Year and the 2018 Curling Canada Joan Mead Builder Award.
Wendy’s remarkable legacy extends beyond the wheelchair program, having also served as coach for Team Jennifer Jones from 2014 to 2018, leading them to two Scotties Tournament of Hearts titles and a World Women’s Championship gold medal. She was inducted into the Burlington Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2022, further cementing her status as a transformative figure in Canadian curling.
Wendy lives in Burlington with her husband, Dennis.
Gordon joined the National Wheelchair Curling Program as a Junior Program Physician in 2024, bringing a wealth of expertise in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. With a specialization in Spinal Cord Injury and Brain Injury Medicine, Gordon works as a physician in his hometown of London, Ont. After completing his medical training at Western University, he is an adjunct professor at Schulich’s School of Medicine & Dentistry. He works with individuals who have inspiring stories of resilience and overcoming significant challenges.
Gordon was thrilled to travel with the program to Gangneung, South Korea, for the 2024 World Championships, marking an exciting new chapter in his journey with the team. He is deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the athletes’ and staff’s success, providing medical support and care as part of this dedicated group. Gordon is committed to supporting the National Wheelchair Curling Program and looks forward to being a continued part of the team’s evolution and growth.
Alysia is a registered physiotherapist specializing in neurological rehabilitation and concussion management. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Western Ontario.
Since 2021, Alysia has been working with the National Wheelchair Curling Program, providing valuable support to athletes. Alongside her work with the program, she also practices in an outpatient clinic specializing in neurological, vestibular, and multi-trauma rehabilitation. Alysia contributes to the academic community as an associate clinical lecturer with the School of Physical Therapy at Western University, sharing her expertise with future practitioners.
Alysia lives in London, Ont., and enjoys staying active by working out, baking, and spending time with her family. She also enjoys playing card and board games, often creating fun memories with loved ones. Alysia is passionate about outdoor activities and spending quality time with her husband, two children, and their two giant dogs.
Alysia’s diverse physiotherapy skills and dedication to her professional and personal life make her an essential part of the National Wheelchair Curling Program team.
Sari is a Physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience specializing in using sport as a tool for neurological rehabilitation. She owns Neuphysio Rehabilitation in London, Ont., a multidisciplinary clinic offering home, community, and clinic-based neurophysiotherapy. Sari holds a B.Sc. PT from McGill University and an M.Sc. PT from The University of Western Ontario.
Sari has contributed extensively to clinical practice, teaching, and research throughout her career. She has served as an Associate Professor and Lecturer at The University of Western Ontario’s School of Physical Therapy. Sari is also a highly credentialed professional, holding post-graduate certifications in the Bobath Approach, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Visual Rehabilitation, MyndMove, PoNS, wearable exoskeleton technologies, PD Warrior, and Fit for Golf.
As the founder of TGR Therapeutic Golf Rehabilitation and KOPD Boxing for Parkinson’s Disease, Sari has created innovative approaches to rehabilitation using sport. Since 2014, she has been the lead Physiotherapist for Team Canada Wheelchair Curling, where she has played a pivotal role in supporting Canadian parasport athletes to achieve their peak performance. Sari’s contributions have helped secure several World Championship medals and three Paralympic medals for the team: gold in 2014, bronze in 2018, and 2022.
Her dedication to improving the lives of individuals with neurological impairments through sport and rehabilitation has made her a respected leader in her field. Sari’s work continues to impact both her local and global parasport communities.
Kyle brings over two decades of experience in high-performance sports to his role as the Integrated Support Team (IST) Lead and Mixed Doubles Team Leader for Curling Canada. His career began as a strength and conditioning specialist with the University of Manitoba Bisons, where he was instrumental in the success of various teams, including volleyball, hockey and football. Notably, he contributed to the football team’s historic victory at the 2007 Vanier Cup.
From 2009 to 2014, Kyle worked with Team Canada Women’s Wheelchair Basketball, playing a key role in its gold medal win at the 2014 World Championships. Since joining the Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba (CSCM) in 2011, he has supported athletes across multiple sports, such as speed skating, road cycling, para-archery, and women’s volleyball. His involvement in curling began in 2013, working with his first wheelchair curling athlete. This sparked a passion for the sport, and by 2014, Kyle expanded his role to support all of Curling Canada’s high-performance athletes.
Kyle’s expertise has been central in advancing biomechanics applications in curling, and he is actively involved in coaching development across Canada. His contributions have driven excellence internationally, particularly within wheelchair curling. His leadership has supported Canadian curlers’ continued success on the path to the Paralympics and Olympics.
Based in Winnipeg, Kyle is also a dedicated father to two sons and remains committed to supporting the development of high-performance athletes across various sports disciplines. His extensive experience and passion for sport have made him a key figure in Canadian curling and high-performance sports.