Cross Country Skiing Chelsea Nordiq

Agenda

1. Welcome remarks
2. Introduction of coaches and athletes
3. Team culture of excellence
4. Weekly training program
5. Emails and communications
6. Supervised study info
7. Equipment / gear / storage / shipping container info
8. Cell phone policy
9. Fees
10. Use of the RPA (Relais Plein Air)
11. Espoir criteria program requirements
12. Questions

Welcome to the 2026–2027 Sport-Études Program

This year promises to be an exciting one. As coaches, we are thrilled to build a high-performance culture where every athlete trains to reach their full potential, continuously progresses, and enjoys training.

Our goal is to create a training environment that allows athletes to develop the qualities needed to succeed at the provincial and national levels. While not every student-athlete will win medals at these levels, each will benefit from quality programming and coaching designed to the same performance standards.

The objective is for every athlete to train in a way that allows them to reach their personal best. Everyone commits to developing their full potential while contributing to a culture of excellence, hard work, and self-improvement that they will be proud to be a part of.

We ask all athletes to arrive at every practice motivated, ready to give their best, and fully enjoy the upcoming session. They must also have well-maintained equipment suitable for the scheduled training.

Coaching Staff

This year’s coaches will be:

• Maurice “Moe” Samm – Sport-Études Head Coach
  • Email: headcoach@chelseanordiq.ca
  • Phone: 819-593-4083
• Pierrick Forge – Cross-country skiing, running, strength training
  • Email: pierrick.forge@skinouk.ca
• Béatrice Fortin – Cross-country skiing, running
  • Email: esocoach@chelseanordiq.ca
• Additional Coaches – Cross-country skiing and running
• Maxime Playa – Strength training
• Skye Robinson – Strength training

Weekly Training Schedule

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
• Training Link
• MONDAY: Recovery and mobility day or swimming at the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) campus.
• TUESDAY: Technical focus in running or roller skiing. Since there are club practices in the evening, we prioritize technique and volume over intensity.
• WEDNESDAY: Strength training at UQO.
• THURSDAY: Sports education and volume training.
• FRIDAY: Strength training at UQO.

Athletes must arrive on time and be ready to train at 1:15 PM.

There will be a dedicated storage space for gear in our shipping container. Please remember that athletes will also need equipment for club training in the evening. Students taking the school bus will not be allowed to bring equipment on board. However, if you take the city bus or the Trans Collines, you may bring your equipment on board.

Communication

All communications will be conducted via WhatsApp. Parents and athletes must check WhatsApp regularly and report any absences through the app. Please reply within 24 hours if a response is required. For those not on WhatsApp, please call Moe at 819-593-4083. Both athletes and parents are required to be on WhatsApp.

• WhatsApp Link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JI9NRf7vtHeJfolAGBynWg

Absences

Athletes are responsible for contacting the coaches before practice begins if they are going to miss a session. The message must be shared in the WhatsApp app along with the reason for the absence. If possible, please do so before 1:00 PM on the day of the absence.

An athlete should only miss practice if they are staying at school for academic catch-up/remediation or if they have a pre-arranged appointment confirmed by their parents. If an athlete misses practice without a valid reason, their parents will be notified.

Attitude

Athletes are expected to arrive at practice with enthusiasm and ready to work. They must demonstrate respect toward themselves, their teammates, and their coaches. Athletes are expected to do their part in building a high-performance environment and making the most of every training session.

Athletes exhibiting a poor attitude will meet with the coaches. If the behavior persists, coaches will contact the parents, and if there is still no change, the athlete may be asked to leave the program. Sport-Études is an incredible privilege, and athletes must earn that privilege.

Academic Grades

If athletes need to attend supervised study sessions or academic catch-up periods, they must inform the coaches. The expectation of the coaches and the program is that athletes maintain a minimum average of 70% in all their classes.

When report cards are issued, coaches will ask athletes to share their grades for each class. If an athlete is struggling academically, coaches need to know as early as the first semester so that extra time can be planned to help them catch up—rather than waiting until April or May to discover that an athlete risks not being allowed back into the Sport-Études program due to insufficient grades.

Use of the Relais Plein Air (RPA)

This year, we will not have access to the RPA. Therefore, lunches must be eaten at school. Bags and equipment must be stored in the shipping container. Please plan accordingly at school.

Transportation

Transportation for athletes and equipment is the responsibility of the parents. Athletes may also use the STO public transit system to travel from school to UQO.

Strength Training

We will be using the weight room at UQO (Address: 283 Boul. Alexandre-Taché, Gatineau). Gym usage fees and professional coaching fees are included in the Sport-Études program fees. We must remain respectful, as other people will be using the facility at the same time.

Required Equipment

Athletes must have the following equipment:

• Skate and classic roller skis (classic required for Secondary 4 & 5 only), boots, and poles
• Bike helmet for roller skiing (mandatory)
• Running shoes in good condition
• Water bottle and hydration belt/carrying pack
• Skate and classic snow skis, boots, and poles
• Rock skis (older skis that can get scratched) for uncertain early-season snow conditions
• Weather-appropriate athletic clothing

Shipping Container

There is a shipping container near the football stadium where we can store your equipment. Athletes must ensure the container is closed and locked every time it is opened. Equipment has been stolen and lost in the past.

• Container Videos

Sport-Études Apparel

As part of the program, you have the option to order a t-shirt and a hoodie (kangaroo sweatshirt), fully covered by the program, via this link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qOTYdNrYfWc3hh6YvZKjsHANdGbK6ZLVXbUVzx8gcz4/edit?usp=drivesdk

Espoir Criteria Requirements

To be eligible to remain in the Sport-Études program, athletes must meet the Espoir requirements set by Ski de Fond Québec. Below are the requirements by age category:

• ES1 (Ages 12 & 13 during the current season – U14):
  • Train: 2 times per week, supervised by a certified coach
  • Participate: 4 regional races sanctioned by Ski de fond Québec
• ES2 (Ages 14 & 15 during the current season – U16):
  • Train: 4 times per week, supervised by a certified coach
  • Participate: 6 Québec Cup (CQ) races and 1 national race
• ES3 (Ages 16 & 17 during the current season – U18):
  • Train: 5 times per week, supervised by a certified coach
  • Participate: 7 Québec Cup (CQ) races and 2 national races

Program Fees

Payment of Sport-Études fees will take place at the start of the school year.

• Philemon Wright: $2,252 plus tax

Sport-Études Philemon Wright 2025–2026

This includes coaches and UQO professionals.

If payments are made after the deadline, an additional 10% late fee will be added to the program fees.

These fees are payable to Chelsea Nordiq through the Amilia platform.

• Ages 14 and under: No tax
• Ages 15+: Plus tax
• Registration Link: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/chelsea-nordiq/api/Program/Detail?programId=yGM6gwk

If you have any questions, please send me an email at headcoach@chelseanordiq.ca.

We are going to have a great season!

Maurice “Moe” Samm

Head Coach, Sport-Études Cross-Country Skiing