A little bit about me

Craig McCord, The Coach’s Coach

• Coach Craig is back on deck following his coaching passion with Natation Gatineau and helping a new generation of swimmers pursue their dreams and he is also helping build better coaches in Canada and around the world with Always Forward Coaching and Consulting.
• A lifelong learner who sees that giving positive energy, gratitude and respect are the underpinnings of strong relationships that are key to success on the field of play and in life.
• McCord is a chartered professional coach and an NCCP Level 3 certified coach. He has been coaching since 1982; leading the Richmond Rapids from 1989 and producing Olympian Brian Johns and Paralympian Walter Wu before joining Swimming Canada in 2004.
• At Swimming Canada he developed and implemented a National Team Development strategy, which has made the Canadian Para-swimming program the envy of other nations and a primary reason Canada can continually produce top flight Para-swimmers.
• His time at Swimming Canada included being Head Coach at the  2007, 2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games and the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games.
• A parent, teacher, instructor and mentor who realizes that there is learning to be had every situation, even a teacher can learn from their students.
  • “We do not know it all and there is always more than one way to overcome a challenge,” says Coach Craig.
• Sport builds amazing people and he has helped develop people-athletes from grassroots to university/international performance to working professionals over his 35 year coaching career. He has coached both an Olympian and a Paralympian, both of which were World Record Holders.
• Application of knowledge is the true measure of what you know and when the knowledge is applied properly, you move towards your desired result.