Building Better Athletes: Pro-D Day Seminar Returns to PISE in February
After a successful professional development event for teachers and coaches this past October, the Canadian Sport School (CSS) is bringing expert knowledge directly to the athletes themselves.
On February 13th, local high school athletes in grades 9-12 are invited to PISE for a seminar focused on two pillars of athletic performance: mental performance and nutrition. The event marks an exciting expansion of the CSS approach to athlete development, extending the same professional insights that have shaped their weekly seminars to the broader local community.
“After teaching at the Canadian Sport School for the past two years, I’ve seen the positive impact our weekly seminars, delivered by professionals in their fi elds, have had on our student-athletes,” shares Darryl De Leeuw, a CSS teacher. “Knowing how useful the information has been, I realized that it would be great to off er a similar opportunity to our community.”
Leading the sessions will be two experts from the Canadian Sport Institute: Geoff Hackett and Stephen Gurr.
Geoff Hackett brings a wealth of experience as the owner of Mind Power MPC and a mental performance consultant at the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific. With a Masters in Human Kinetics specializing in Sport Psychology from the University of Windsor, Geoff works out of PacificSport Vancouver Island and serves as a technical coach at Nanaimo United Football Club. His expertise in mental performance has helped athletes at all levels develop the psychological tools needed to perform under pressure.
Stephen Gurr, a registered dietitian and sports nutritionist, has over 13 years of experience working with athletes ranging from weekend warriors to Olympic and World Championship competitors. Holding a Masters in Public Health and specialized diplomas in sports nutrition, Stephen has competed in multiple marathons, ultramarathons, and three Ironman triathlons, bringing real-world athletic experience to his professional expertise.
The seminar promises to give young athletes immediate, practical takeaways they can implement in their training routines. From understanding how to fuel their bodies for optimal performance to developing mental strategies for competition, participants will leave with tools to help them become more well-rounded performers.
For local high school athletes looking to take their performance to the next level, this event offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from professionals who work with elite athletes every day.
