| PacificSport Vancouver Island

1. Drew Cooper

Executive Director

Drew Cooper is the Executive Director for Nanaimo-based, PacificSport Vancouver Island. The Vancouver Island Centre strives to be that vital link in the sport development system that allows athletes and coaches to seamlessly move through the continuum from grass roots through to high performance levels. A graduate of Simon Fraser University, Drew retired after a 21 year competitive rugby career that included the Quebec 'National' Team and clubs on both coasts and in the US. He has coached 17 seasons in the sports of basketball, soccer, football and rugby and was a certified basketball referee for 4 years. The opportunity to work in an environment in which it was possible to make a young athlete's dream come true was the motivation to work with PacificSport, and he considers himself fortunate to be surrounded by so many coaches, athletes and sport administrators who are also passionate about the value of physical activity. ...
2. Catharine Edwards

General Manager

Catharine is PacificSport VI’s General Manager and has worked with the organization for over 15 years. She champions Physical Literacy Training and Development for Teachers, Coaches, and Recreation Professionals, and has been involved with coaching for the majority of her life. Catharine also oversees PacificSport VI’s Multi-Sport Programs for children aged 4-12, PacificSport WheelKids, as well as the After School Programs offered in primary and intermediate schools across the district. After over 20 years of coaching in Ontario and New Brunswick, Catharine became the first Head Coach of the PacificSport Regional Synchro Swim Centre in Victoria. Catharine is a graduate of Physical and Health Education from Queen’s University, and is an NCCP Level 3 Coach....
3. Kevin Lindo

Athlete & Coach Services Coordinator

Kevin is PacificSport VI’s Athlete and Coach Services Coordinator, providing athletes and coaches with benefits and services through regional initiatives and partnerships. He creates and administers educational opportunities for Vancouver Island athletes and coaches and oversaw the IGNITE Athlete Development program. He has 17 years of coaching experience and over 20 years of playing experience as a footballer. After working as a Football Development Officer in the UK, Kevin became a Professional Youth Development Coach for the Major League Soccer franchise New York Red Bulls. He then moved within the MLS to become the Vancouver Island Head Coach for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. As of 2018 Kevin was appointed as the Head Coach of the Vancouver Island University women’s soccer team, and currently plays for the 2017 Jackson Cup Champion Nanaimo United Football Club Division 1 men’s team. ...
4. Jade Richardson

Marketing & Communciations

Jade is PacificSport VI’s Marketing and Communications Lead, and is a former PacificSport registered athlete. She grew up in Nanaimo playing soccer, volleyball, basketball, and track and field, before specializing in the discus throw, and pursuing a collegiate sports career. She is a graduate of Simon Fraser University where she earned a B.A. in Communications and French, while competing in the NCAA Div II for SFU. She earned a ninth-place finish at the 2013 NCAA Div II Championships, and was a two-time conference champion. She was formerly Sports Information Coordinator with Simon Fraser University Athletics. Currently Jade plays soccer for Nanaimo United FC Premier Women. ...
5. Jeannie Isbister

Administrative Coordinator

Jeannie is PacificSport VI’s Administrative Coordinator and runs the day-to-day operations of the PacificSport VI office. She is a former athlete, coach, and official with multiple sports, and has years of experience as a sport administrator. As an athlete she played badminton for Malaspina College, earning a national silver medal during her time with the program. As a coach she has led young athletes through their developmental years in multiple sports, most recently as an Athletics coach, where she led multiple track and field athletes to provincial and national medals. ...
6. Geoff Hackett

Special Projects & Mental Performance Consultant

Geoff is PacificSport VI’s Mental Performance Consultant and Special Projects Coordinator. He assists with programming for athlete development and physical literacy; leads planning for community events, and works with athletes and coaches across Vancouver Island as a Mental Performance Consultant. Geoff has a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology from the University of Windsor and recently earned professional designation with the Canadian Sport Psychology Association. He is an active member of the soccer community on Vancouver Island, playing goalkeeper for the Nanaimo United Football Club’s Division 1 men’s team. Geoff also works for Nanaimo United Football Club as their U11-U18 Head Coach, and is a well-established goalkeeper coach, committing countless hours to developing the position at a youth level. ...
7. Kayla Liddle

Cowichan Sportsplex Programs Coordinator

Kayla is PacificSport VI's Program Coordinator for programming at the Cowichan Sportsplex. She has worked in the recreation sector in the Cowichan Valley since she was a teenager, and is excited to bring a wealth of experience to her role. She grew up playing ice hockey and field lacrosse, including participation with a competitive provincial lacrosse team that was later developed into Team BC's women's field lacrosse team. As an adult her sport of choice is running! Kayla has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Victoria, but has continued working in recreation because of the amazing people and youth she has worked with throughout her career. ...