June 08, 2016 – Cross Country Canada is pleased to announce the coaches selected for the FISU 2017 Universiade taking place in Almaty, Kazakhstan from January 29 to February 8, 2017. Team leader for the cross-country squad at the University Games is Katja Mathys, Cross Country Ontario Coaching Development Co-ordinator and Manager for Team Ontario at Canada Winter Games 2015.

Toivo Koivukoski, who will be the head coach, has been coaching at the national level with North Bay Nordic and the Nipissing Nordic Varsity team for 8 years. He also is the head coach for the NOD Junior Lakers which was established in the 2015/16 season. He also brings international experience as the assistant coach for Team Canada at the World University Games 2013. His own high level racing experience will be an asset to the athletes and support team alike.

Mary Waddell, as the assistant coach, is a veteran of five world university games in Tarvisio and Torino – Italy, Harbin – China and Erzurum – Turkey in 2011 and Trentino, Italy 2013. She has been coaching various teams in Alberta, BC, Ontario and the Yukon. She also knows ski racing inside and out as an official at various national and international events like the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Her qualifications as both a coach and official will bring a very strong depth of knowledge to her participation.

Kirk Potter will be the ski technician for the Games. He has been involved in the same capacity at the 2011 Games in Erzurum, Turkey and in 2013 in Trentino, Italy. His previous attendance at the games will greatly add to the success of the team.