The founder and coach of the Kapuskasing Weightlifting Club been recognized by the Coaches Association of Ontario for her hard work in growing the sport. Kaylee Wedge was presented the Susan Kitchen Trailblazer Award at a ceremony in Toronto over the weekend. Wedge says as part of the prize, the coaches receive funding for their respective sports.
Wedge says it’s great to be recognized by others in the community. She adds the club has about 15 active members, with the most notable Naza Grant who is on her way to the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Fiji.
“I started weightlifting when I was in University in Sudbury and when I came back to Kapuskasing honestly I just wanted to share my passion with other people from there the club just started growing.”
The Coaching Excellence Award recipients were selected from a large group of nominations across more than 30 sports and 50 communities.
“Receiving this award is a testament to the impact I’ve been able to achieve with my incredible team,” said Kaylee Wedge. “As a female weightlifting coach, it’s important to me to show women that exercise isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about strength, empowerment, and constantly pushing the limits of what we can achieve. Coaching allows me to build a community where women support each other and form friendships that grow stronger with every lift. I’m honored to be recognized for something that brings so much meaning to my life and to the lives of the women I coach.”
“We are excited to honour coach Kaylee for her steadfast commitment and support in developing athletes both on and off the field. The bonds formed through sports play a crucial role in strengthening our communities, and coaches like Kaylee are instrumental in creating those safe, enjoyable, and nurturing environments for youth to thrive,” said Jeremy Cross, Executive Director of CAO.
