CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – June 2025
“I remember eyeballs were popping in the arena when the early transition was obvious, but I have also turned heads when I coached my team to a championship and trophy.”
By David Grossman
Nothing comes easy – and, in fact, can even be a bit of a grind at times.
Hockey, soccer and lacrosse coach Kaydee Duhamel knows, sweats the details intensely and gears up game after game. Top of the list is always finding compelling gratification in the journey of sports.
Duhamel, who lives in a small Northern Ontario city on the western outskirts of Sudbury, was a multi-sport athlete back in those high school days. Remembering the times as a teenager, Duhamel also recalls the dialogue with coaches.
“I learned, had a lot of fun – but was stubborn,” said Duhamel, who is a maintenance supervisor with Vale Base Metals, a global mining companywho delivers nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum metals that are essential for the world’s energy transition. “At times, I was a pain – but never disrespectful. I understood they had a job to do.”
After graduating from Lively High School, and moving on to nearby Cambrian College, Duhamel had an interest in the trades sector. Duhamel would graduate with two diplomas specializing in something called instrumentation technology.
The short version of explaining this career is “using instruments to measure, record, and control process variables like level, flow, temperature, and pressure in industrial settings”. Simply put, a person needs to excel in the technical areas of installation, maintenance, and calibration.
There’s also something called troubleshooting. It’s the approach to identifying and resolving problems – and can also be adapted to various other challenges – including coaching.
With a strong passion for sports, Duhamel, who has three children, became enamored with coaching at the age of 27. It was back in 2007, while watching Emily, a daughter, play in the Walden Minor Soccer Association, that Duhamel had an impulse to use knowledge and tutor youngsters.
Enter the world of coaching – and Duhamel has been at it for 18 years. This year, Duhamel is taking a break – but confirms retirement is not in the picture.
“I love watching kids learn, the excitement that happens, building confidence and then being proud of themselves and their achievements,” said Duhamel, who was a volunteer firefighter living a childhood dream of driving the big red truck. “Being a parent, coaching, firefighting – it’s all very rewarding.”
When required, Duhamel has a way of dealing with youngsters who let it slip that there was a coach on the scene.
“I use humour to get them under control – and it depends on the topic and the situation,’ said Duhamel. “Normally, like in hockey, I tell them – when you can beat me one on one on the ice, that’s when you can make smart comments and not listen. It works.”
Duhamel is featured this month in the popular Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) series “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench” – a selection of individuals, from across the province, who are featured for maximizing their potential to teach and educate others in a variety of life skills and sports.
June is also Pride Month – an observance dedicated to the celebration and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and the queer culture and community. In 2021, at the age of 41, Duhamel chose to begin treatments and transitioned to becoming a woman with the name, Kaydee.
“I had lived my life based on the expectations of others,” said Duhamel. “I always knew I was transgender and wanted to be like the girls. I was so many things before I was trans – coach, supervisor, parent – and I still am.
As for coaching athletes, focusing on those between six and 17 years of age with some for 13 consecutive years – Duhamel has a theory and attitude that challenges youngsters to be better, salvage opportunities to improve life skills.
“I always wanted to be a coach, be with my kids as much as I could,” said Duhamel, who emphasized living diversity and inclusion. “I helped all the kids, but coaching gave me more time with my own. I start every year by meeting with parents and reward the accomplishments of young people more on their overall performance end effort.
“There’s always emphasis on the determination and achievements. We all know there will be moments of frustration. Things always don’t go your way, so I try emphasizing to learn and adjust.”
-END-
David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.
“I love watching kids learn, the excitement that happens, building confidence and then being proud of themselves and their achievements.”
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