Meet the Team
Team Canada Staff
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Head Coach - Sam AshleySam is excited to join Team Canada as a Coach and bring his extensive experience in leadership, coaching, and international rope skipping to the role. He has been the Head Coach of Jump Energy since 2017 and has served as Team Canada Head Coach in 2018, as well as Assistant to the Team Manager in 2021, 2023, and 2025. His years of involvement with the RSC and Rope Skipping Nova Scotia, including leadership roles on the RSC Board and as RSANS President, have given him a strong understanding of the sport and the importance of supporting athletes and team staff.
Sam also brings valuable experience as a former Team Canada athlete, representing Canada from 2006–2018. With his years of international experience and relationships within the rope skipping community, he is excited to contribute to a smooth, positive, and supportive experience for the athletes and staff heading to Norway in 2027. |
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Manager - Nicola EleniakNicola is excited to join Team Canada as Manager and bring her extensive experience in administration, finance, organization, and rope skipping to the role. For the past 21 years, she has worked as a financial controller for a group of multi-million-dollar companies, where she has developed strong skills in accounting, reporting, spreadsheets, HR, multitasking, and managing competing priorities with accuracy and professionalism.
Nicola has also been deeply involved in the rope skipping community for more than 14 years, holding various board positions with Rope Skipping Alberta and currently serving as Treasurer. She has been part of both the RSA and RSC results teams since 2012 and is highly familiar with IJRU registration and scoring systems. As Team Manager for Heartland High Energy, she manages registrations, competition entries, travel arrangements, team practices, and team apparel. With her strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and extensive experience supporting athletes and teams, Nicola is excited to help create a smooth, positive, and well-organized experience for Team Canada heading to Norway in 2027. |
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Assistant Coach - Lauren OuelletteLauren is excited to join Team Canada as Assistant Coach and bring her passion, experience, and enthusiasm for rope skipping to the role. With nearly 30 years as an athlete and 18 years of coaching experience, Lauren has competed at numerous World Championships and achieved provincial, national, and international records and podium finishes. As a head coach for the past four years, she has also helped athletes reach records, podium finishes, and qualify for international competition, including five athletes who qualified for Worlds in Colorado in 2023.
Lauren brings a strong understanding of all aspects of the sport and competition, along with a genuine passion for supporting athletes and coaches. Her experience as both a longtime athlete and coach has prepared her to work hard, step in wherever needed, and support the Head Coach and the entire Team Canada staff. She is proud of the opportunity to represent Canada in a new capacity and is excited to help create a positive, supportive, and successful experience for the athletes heading to Norway in 2027. |
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Assistant Manager - Elise VisentinElise is excited to join Team Canada as Assistant Manager and bring her love of rope skipping to the role. She has a strong background in leadership, organization, and supporting others through her work as a teacher and researcher. She has been part of the rope skipping community in both Ontario and British Columbia as an athlete, volunteer, instructor, and recreational group organizer.
In 2025, Elise represented Canada at the IJRU World Championships in Japan, where she experienced firsthand the camaraderie and excitement of competing as part of an international team. After getting to experience Team Canada from the athlete side, she is excited to take on a new role and help create a positive, supportive, and memorable experience for the athletes heading to Norway in 2027. |