Elevate Schedule
*Schedule is subject to change
Day 1 - Friday, October 23, 2026
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Grand Ballroom
Opening Remarks and Governance, Committees & Your Role in School Sport
Welcome to Elevate: Inside BCSS & How Decisions Get Made
Presented By: Jordan Abney, BCSS Executive Director & Deanna Schaper-Kotter, BCSS President
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Location TBA
Presented By: Nicole McRae, Wellington Secondary &Â
Athletic Director 101: 1st Year Survival Guide
Everything a new Athletic Director needs to know to get started, stay organized, and navigate their first year with confidence—from BCSS and league responsibilities to scheduling, communication, and common challenges.
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Location TBA
Presented By: Shauna Stam, Credo Christian & Zoel Thibault, Sullivan Heights Secondary
Practical strategies for handling challenging situations with parents, coaches, athletes, officials, and the wider school community.
When Things Go Wrong: Managing Conflict with Confidence
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Location TBA
Learn how to effectively use social media to promote teams, celebrate student-athletes, build school pride, and manage your athletic program’s online presence while avoiding common pitfalls.
Presented By: Josie Delisa, BCSS Graphic Design Manager & David Sheppard, Langley Secondary
Your Athletic Brand: Using Social Media to Build School Pride
12:05 PM - 12:55 PM
Location TBA
Build your understanding of BCSS eligibility, transfers, residency, and common scenarios while learning how to use the handbook effectively and avoid common mistakes.
Presented By: Prabh Jauhal, BCSS Member Services Manager &Â
Eligibility Made Easy: Navigating the Rules with Confidence
12:05 PM - 12:55 PM
Location TBA
A practical month-by-month roadmap to help Athletic Directors plan ahead, stay organized, and keep on top of key tasks and deadlines throughout the school year.
Presented By: Breanne Quist, Nanaimo Christian & Lindsay Robb, Rutland SecondaryÂ
The Athletic Year at a Glance: Planning for Success
12:05 PM - 12:55 PM
Location TBA
Practical strategies for communicating with parents, running effective preseason meetings, setting clear expectations, navigating difficult conversations, and building positive relationships.
Presented By: Lisa Ellis, Langley School District & Courtney O'Brien, North Surrey SecondaryÂ
Getting Parents on your Team: Setting Expectations
Before Problems Begin
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Location TBA
Learn how to work effectively with school administration, align athletics with school goals, advocate for your program, and build strong support for school athletics.
Presented By: Brent Sweeney, South Delta Secondary & Terry Ainge, Retired Administrator
The Athletic Director-Principal Partnership: Building Trust, Alignment and Support for School Athletics
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Location TBA
Practical strategies for building and managing your athletic budget, exploring sponsorships and grants, developing effective fundraising ideas, and creating long-term financial stability.
Presented By: Jake Mouritzen, G.W. Graham Secondary & Lindsay Brooke, St. Michaels University SchoolÂ
Funding the Future: Budgeting & Fundraising for School Athletics
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Location TBA
Understand the eligibility appeal process, what committees look for, required documentation, and common mistakes to avoid when preparing and submitting an appeal.
Presented By: Alec Lewis, BCSS EAC Chair & Jordan Abney, BCSS Executive DirectorÂ
Eligibility Appeals: Best Practices for a Complete Application
3:05 PM - 4:00 PM
Grand Ballroom
Discussion Forum
An opportunity to connect with fellow Athletic Directors, share experiences, discuss common challenges, and learn from the different approaches being used in schools across BC. Each forum will focus on a specific topic and provide an open, practical conversation where participants can share ideas and take away strategies that may work in their own programs.
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Topics:
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Creating Inclusive Opportunities in School Sport
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Creating Balance Between Competition and Participation in School Sport
3 :05 PM - 4:00 PM
Grand Ballroom
Protecting your Program - Risk Management Panel
Join a panel of experts for a practical conversation about managing risk in school athletics and protecting student-athletes, coaches, and athletic programs. The panel will explore key areas including student safety, emergency preparedness, eligibility, technology and communication, and emerging risks facing Athletic Directors today.
Panelists will share their expertise, perspectives, and practical advice while addressing real-world questions such as what every athletic department should have in place, how to prepare for emergencies and critical incidents, communicating effectively with families, and what Athletic Directors should be thinking about next.
The session will also provide an opportunity to learn from the experts and leave with practical strategies to strengthen risk management in your own athletic program.
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Panel Members:Â
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Jordan Abney, BCSS Executive Director
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Ryan Shaw, Richards Buell Sutton
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Dr. Shelina Babul, Sports Injury Specialist BC Injury Research and PreventionÂ
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BCSS Athletic Director
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
RICHMOND
OLYMPIC OVAL
Social - Richmond Oval Experience
Take a break from the sessions and join us for an evening of food, drinks, conversation, and connection at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
This is a great opportunity to relax, connect with fellow Athletic Directors from across BC, and continue the conversations from the day in a casual setting.
Come connect. Come unwind. Come experience the Oval.
Day 2 - Saturday, October 24, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:20 AM
Grand Ballroom
The Future of School Sport - Where Do We Go From Here?
Panel Discussion
Join a panel of school sport leaders for a conversation about the future of athletics in BC. Explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping school sport, from changing student interests and participation to coaching, technology, leadership, and the evolving role of the Athletic Director.
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Panelists will share their perspectives on what school athletics could look like in the years ahead and what schools and BCSS can do today to prepare for what's next.
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Panel Members:
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Jordan Abney - BCSS Executive Director
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Chris Kennedy - West Vancouver School District Superintendent
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Cal Westbook -Â Daaxiigan Sk'adaa Nee Athletic Director & BCSS Board Member
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Rick Lopez - Vancouver School District, Director of Instruction Educational Services & BCSS Board
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Trevor Koelka - Rockridge Secondary, School Administrator
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Grand Ballroom
AD Forum: Mentorship, Lessons & Tricks of the Trade
An opportunity for Athletic Directors at all stages of their careers to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. Bring your questions, challenges, and ideas to an open discussion focused on practical advice, lessons learned, leadership strategies, and the everyday realities of the AD role.
Practical strategies to help Athletic Directors stay organized and save time through effective scheduling, templates, technology, delegation, and streamlined systems. Learn how to build annual workflows that keep your athletic program running smoothly throughout the school year.
Presented By: Jackie Snell, Lower Vancouver Island Athletic Coordinator & Jennifer Oatway, Burnaby North Secondary
11:50 AM - 12:40 PM
Location TBA
Run Smarter, Not Harder: Systems for Successful Athletic Departments
Practical strategies for finding, onboarding, developing, and retaining great coaches. Explore mentorship, coaching evaluations, recognition, and ways to build a strong coaching culture that supports both coaches and student-athletes.
Presented By: Jake Mouritzen, G.W. Graham Secondary & Rick Lopez, VSB Director of Instruction and Educational Services
11:50 AM - 12:40 PM
Location TBA
The Coach Development Playbook
Plan, deliver and run tournaments smoothly while creating memorable expereinces for student-athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators. From scheduling to volunteers and branding, learn practical strategies to elevate your event from well organized to unforgettable.
Presented By: Gerald Lambert, Southridge School & Shannon Klassen, BCSS Director, Sport
11:50 AM - 12:40 PM
Location TBA
Beyond the Bracket: Creating Exceptional Tournament Experiences
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM
Grand Ballroom
Closing General Session & Lunch
Wrap up the inaugural Elevate Summit with a final opportunity to reflect on the ideas, conversations, and connections from the conference. Join us for closing remarks, key takeaways, and lunch as we celebrate the first Elevate experience and look ahead to the future of school athletics in BC.
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Location TBA
The Canadian Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (CIAAA) provides professional learning and development opportunities for Athletic Directors and Athletic Administrators across Canada. Their programming is designed to strengthen athletic leadership and enhance educational athletics in schools.
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CIAAA offers 22 Leadership Training Program (LTP) courses covering a wide range of topics relevant to athletic administration.
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BCSS member school Athletic Directors are automatically members of the CIAAA each year, providing access to CIAAA resources, professional learning, and development opportunities.
Courses Offered:
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TBA
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TBA