CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – August 2025 – Canada Games Edition
“There are times when I question and challenge the Canadian sports system to buy in to more of what the Canada Games means to our citizens and the country.”
By David Grossman
Like many ambitious young athletes, Eric McLoughlin had visualized the dream of a future that would include an appearance at the Olympic Games.
He’s a former swimmer who competed for a large not-for-profit youth sports organization which offers development in performance programs for young people in Brampton. COBRA has been doing it for more than half a century.
McLoughlin had imagined, and re-imagined, in his mind the moment he would march in the traditional parade of world athletes, wearing Canadian attire.
Also in the fantasy, is the clear picture of him winning a medal and thinking of how his development had nurtured from those pre-teeny-bopper days of hard work to a more sincere dedication and commitment to the Canadian amateur sports world.
Dreams do come true, but they can also be delusions.
For McLoughlin, those competitive dreams would never become reality.
However, at the age of 18, high spirits materialized for McLoughlin – but in a different way.
McLoughlin would begin something that would positively impact his career – and life – in a very meaningful and powerful way.
McLoughlin would get his initiation to become a coach. He started voluntarily., but would be remunerated for nine years. It was also a time he will never forget.
After major surgery had been required to fix a broken elbow, as a 13-year-old, he knew those competitive days were all but done. So, he turned to what is defined as the art of achieving specific goals while also boosting life skills, athleticism and developing self-awareness.
McLoughlin received approval to launch a school swim program while attending St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary. However, he had to prove he could recruit teachers to assist with coaching and spark enough enthusiasm with athletes.
Mission accomplished.
What would follow for him in 2006 to be exact, was his first formal year as a coach. It occurred while he juggled academic studies in Northern Ontario. A student, and eventual graduate, at Laurentian University, he found time to work with the Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club.
As a coach, McLoughlin’s initiation made a quick personal impact.
“Helping others learn and provide training, guidance and contributing to maximizing their personal and professional growth – it has all been huge for me,” he said.
His credentials with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) were a huge bonus.
McLoughlin thought there could very well be another way to make it to the Olympics – through the world of coaching.
While that goal remains, other opportunities – like volunteering, as an example, at the Pan Am and Para Pan Am Games – have enhanced his maturity, wisdom and judgement. McLoughlin has also valued the importance of communication, contacts and information-sharing.
In 2016, while taking a post-grad course in event management at Niagara College, it also created an opportunity for McLoughlin to volunteer at the annual conference of the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO). His experience, knowledge and contacts would lead to a fulltime job and an impressive nine-year career in various functions at the CAO.
Athlete, coach, volunteer and educated in sports management were all part of the formula for success and advancement that not only accounts for his current gig leading the Sport Tourism portfolio for Tourism Hamilton – but a fourth trip to the Canadian showcase of amateur talent.
It’s called the Canada Games – first started in 1967 in Quebec City.
Sadly, despite almost six decades of existence, many Canadians have never heard of it. To be transparent, there was a time when McLoughlin was one of them.
“Until I got involved with the CAO, I had never known of the Canada Games,” said McLoughlin. “One of the greatest sporting events in the world, happening every two years, and very few people know of it. I have worked at these Games, enjoyed the phenomenal morale, the fun, competitions, watched achievements and it has been a true spectacle.”
McLoughlin was involved in previous Canada Games in Red Deer, Alta., Niagara Falls, Ont. And Charlottetown, PEI, so the 37-year-old had zero hesitation when the opportunity came to volunteer at his fourth event. This one is scheduled for August 8 to 25 in St. John’s, Nfld.
McLoughlin is on the Ontario leadership and mission staff that handles an array of events and activities. You could refer to him as a jack of all trades and still fall short of his ability to accomplish so much.
“It’s a great experience and honour – to share a connection with the rest of the country at an event that involves some 4,000 participants and 5,000 volunteers,” he said. “It’s a real eye-opener – and especially for athletes who, in many cases, this is the next step to competing for Canada.”
While official statistics reveal that one in seven people in Ontario do some form of sports coaching, there are others who don’t know that the Canada Games is one of the rare counties hosting multi-sport competitions.
“These Games are so much more than just sport,” said McLoughlin. “They bring us together, leave a legacy, enhance communities, and build memories that last a lifetime.
“These are times when I question and challenge the Canadian sports system to buy in to more of what the Canada Games means to our citizens and the country. Something we should be proud of is the myriad of athletes advancing to represent Canada in other world-wide events who got their first experiences right here.”
The CAO series, “Empowering Stories from behind the Bench”, continues to put the spotlight on individuals – like McLoughlin – who educate the use of strong coaching fundamentals of improvement, guidance, and training.
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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.
“Helping others learn and provide training, guidance and contributing to maximizing their personal and professional growth – it has all been huge for me.”
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