Women in Coaching Apprentice Coach Hailey Dermott Steps onto National Stage as Canada Games Open

CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – August 2025 – Canada Games

“I have met a phenomenal group of coaches – but we must find ways to get more women coaching at higher levels.”

By David Grossman

There is a song, written back in 1955 and made famous by the voice of Hollywood actress and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Doris Day, that has true meaning forever.

In the lyrics of “Que Será, Será”, a young girl asks her mother about her future. The English translation is “Whatever Will Be, Will Be”.

Hailey Dermott has heard the song – and even sang it many times with students. Those words do pop up in the lives of millions of people around the world.

For Dermott, who lives in Alliston – about one hour northwest of Toronto – she, as a youngster, wanted to be a diver and compete in the Olympic Games. One huge problem was the distance between her home and the closest pool to accommodate the sport was far away.

Now an alumnus of Banting Memorial High, the former four-time academic honors student turned to other sports – like rugby and trampoline – to keep physically active. One of them, was wrestling – not as popular with women back then as it is today.

Dermott was chosen by her school Board as an Excellence in Education Award winner in her teen years. Now, she coaches the sport and teaches at her alma mater. Examine her career path and she has done quite well for herself.

She may stand four feet, 10 inches and hit the scales at about 102 pounds (she provided those numbers), but that hasn’t stopped her from a well-chronicled list of credentials and success in an entertaining martial arts sport. It’s one that involves grappling with an opponent through different throws or techniques.

“I remember wanting to get involved in activities that required explosiveness and do cool stuff,” she said in a telephone conversation. “Hand and eye coordination is not a strength for me. My strength is working hard, keep practising and learning to be physically strong.”

Coaxed into wrestling by schoolmates, and a sport that her parents endorsed, Dermott has become a role model for many – including the students she teaches and coaches in the Simcoe Country District School Board.

In her first year at Banting, after shuffling over from regional sports rival Nantyr Shores Secondary where she taught for two years, Dermott obtained approval to launch a wrestling program. When time permits, she also commutes to Kempenfelt Bay Wrestling (also known as K-Bay Wrestling) in Barrie to coach youngsters who want to strive for excellence in wrestling. She’s been doing that for almost 14 years.

“I thoroughly enjoy the sport and not just because of what it has done for me but using that valuable experience in my life to share with others,” said the 39-year-old Dermott, who is also a mom of two daughters. “As an athlete, it’s also fun learning how to manhandle people.”

The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) popular series called “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench”, puts the spotlight on individuals – like Dermott – who educate by using the strong coaching fundamentals of improvement, guidance, and training.

Dermott is also a 2025 Canada Games Apprentice Coach with the CAO.

She’s off to St. John’s, Nfld. in August to be with some 9,000 athletes, coaches and volunteers for the country’s spectacle of amateur sport. It’s called the Canada Games – and it occurs every two years. Some have seen it as a launchpad to international competition and events.

“I couldn’t believe it when I received the e-mail that said I had been selected to coach with others,” said a thrilled Dermott, whose Canada Games coaching gig will be a first for her. “Coaching is my happy place – and I love seeing kids get better, grow at what they enjoy doing and become better people.

“(Coaching) can be very rewarding. There are also times when every coach has moments where things are not working the way they had expected. It then becomes a time to re-group, focus on new strategies and strive for the best.”

Dermott certainly didn’t become an elite athlete by watching the professional version geared to entertain audiences and encompass theatrical storytelling and fancy physical feats. She’s zoomed in on what leads to avenues like the Olympic Games and World championships.

Just in case you’re curious, Dermott did lose her first ever match – a 44 kilos (about 97 pounds) event.

Since then, the spotlight has been on her – and she’s dominated in numerous instances. Testimonials include two-time Ontario high school gold medallist, provincial junior champ and two medals (silver and bronze) at the National championships. While earning a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Guelph, where she also competed on the varsity team, Dermott has twice coached at the Ontario Winter Games.

“Far too many girls are dropping out of sports – and that’s not good,” said Dermott, who has a Bachelor of Education from York University. “One of the reasons is that there are not enough good female coaches. I have met a phenomenal group of coaches – but we must find ways to get more women coaching at higher levels.”

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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.

“Coaching is my happy place – and I love seeing kids get better, grow at what they enjoy doing – and become better people”