Mission
The mission of our club is to help all interested kids & adults develop an understanding of the skills and techniques of track & field so as to enable them to enjoy a lifetime involvement with the sport.
We are also motivated to train and work with athletes who display exceptional talents to reach and extend their competitive goals. Above all, we wish to promote the notion of friendly competition.
The club has assisted hundreds of athletes over the years in achieving provincial, national, & international competition levels. Many athletes have obtained educational scholarships at Canadian and US universities & colleges as a result of the training the Cougars provide.
We are also motivated to train and work with athletes who display exceptional talents to reach and extend their competitive goals. Above all, we wish to promote the notion of friendly competition.
The club has assisted hundreds of athletes over the years in achieving provincial, national, & international competition levels. Many athletes have obtained educational scholarships at Canadian and US universities & colleges as a result of the training the Cougars provide.
The Cougars train at the Vanier Oval, located at the Comox Valley Sports Centre
Location: 3001 Vanier Drive Courtenay, BC
(at the intersection of Headquarters Road and Vanier Drive in Courtenay)
Location: 3001 Vanier Drive Courtenay, BC
(at the intersection of Headquarters Road and Vanier Drive in Courtenay)
Questions? Contact our club registrar, Jessica, via email [email protected]
Cougars Coaches
Graham Morfitt : President, Coach Javelin
Graham has been competing in track & field for over 40 years, and has been coaching the javelin for over 20 years. He is a 7-time Canadian Open Championships medallist in the javelin and currently holds 3 Canadian age group records. A member of Canada's 1986 World Junior, 1994 Commonwealth Games, 1995 FISU Games, & 2001 Francophone Games Teams.
Antonie Scholtz : Coach Jumps & Multi-Events
Antonie joined the Cougars as a coach in 2017 and with several years of experience in discus and the decathlon, we are very fortunate to have his strong knowledge in many disciplines, including shot put, discus, hammer, long jump, high jump, pole vault and hurdles. Antonie enjoys supporting athletes as they develop their technique and capacity, translating that into repeat personal bests. His previous experience as the 1991 U18 national champion, 1997 senior national decathlon champion, 1999 U spots/CIAU national pentathlon champion and a member of four Canadian senior national teams as a decathlete, including the 1997 Francophone Games team that travelled to Madagascar, Antonie's experience in track & field is invaluable to the club.
Lindsey Kanary : Coach Jumps
Lindsey's history in the sport centres around the spectacular Pole Vault event. She has been instrumental in the strong success of Cougars athletes in both the horizontal & vertical jumps.
Stefanie Hoffman : Coach Long Jump, Sprints and Sprint Hurdles 100m, - 400m
Stefanie joined the Cougars as both a coach and athlete in 2019. With her extensive training in sport coaching and certifications in performance, recovery, and nutrition, the experience she brings to the club is invaluable. She has been competing in track & field since grade 4 in the 100m, 200m, 100m hurdles, long jump, and for a brief stint, the heptathlon. She loves coaching sprints, seeing the improvements that can be made by one small modification, and working with athletes to see their hard work and dedication come together.
Carlene Van Tongeren : Coach Middle Distance, 800m - 3000m
Carlene joined the club in 2022 as our middle distance coach and brings over 35 years of experience. She enjoys helping young athletes develop their strength and perseverance in the sport and fostering connections through working together as a team. She loves the magic of racing and seeing athletes rise to their potential when competing! Carlene has enjoyed competing in middle distance as an athlete at Simon Fraser University, and as a Master athlete racing in the trails, but maintains her favorite event is still the relays. She values the excellent coaching and camaraderie she received throughout her career and is passionate about giving back to the sport through coaching.
Graham has been competing in track & field for over 40 years, and has been coaching the javelin for over 20 years. He is a 7-time Canadian Open Championships medallist in the javelin and currently holds 3 Canadian age group records. A member of Canada's 1986 World Junior, 1994 Commonwealth Games, 1995 FISU Games, & 2001 Francophone Games Teams.
Antonie Scholtz : Coach Jumps & Multi-Events
Antonie joined the Cougars as a coach in 2017 and with several years of experience in discus and the decathlon, we are very fortunate to have his strong knowledge in many disciplines, including shot put, discus, hammer, long jump, high jump, pole vault and hurdles. Antonie enjoys supporting athletes as they develop their technique and capacity, translating that into repeat personal bests. His previous experience as the 1991 U18 national champion, 1997 senior national decathlon champion, 1999 U spots/CIAU national pentathlon champion and a member of four Canadian senior national teams as a decathlete, including the 1997 Francophone Games team that travelled to Madagascar, Antonie's experience in track & field is invaluable to the club.
Lindsey Kanary : Coach Jumps
Lindsey's history in the sport centres around the spectacular Pole Vault event. She has been instrumental in the strong success of Cougars athletes in both the horizontal & vertical jumps.
Stefanie Hoffman : Coach Long Jump, Sprints and Sprint Hurdles 100m, - 400m
Stefanie joined the Cougars as both a coach and athlete in 2019. With her extensive training in sport coaching and certifications in performance, recovery, and nutrition, the experience she brings to the club is invaluable. She has been competing in track & field since grade 4 in the 100m, 200m, 100m hurdles, long jump, and for a brief stint, the heptathlon. She loves coaching sprints, seeing the improvements that can be made by one small modification, and working with athletes to see their hard work and dedication come together.
Carlene Van Tongeren : Coach Middle Distance, 800m - 3000m
Carlene joined the club in 2022 as our middle distance coach and brings over 35 years of experience. She enjoys helping young athletes develop their strength and perseverance in the sport and fostering connections through working together as a team. She loves the magic of racing and seeing athletes rise to their potential when competing! Carlene has enjoyed competing in middle distance as an athlete at Simon Fraser University, and as a Master athlete racing in the trails, but maintains her favorite event is still the relays. She values the excellent coaching and camaraderie she received throughout her career and is passionate about giving back to the sport through coaching.