Taekwondo Canada Announces the Addition of Carla Bacco as Next Generation and Pathway Development Coach
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Ottawa, ON – Taekwondo Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Carla Bacco as Next Generation and Pathway Development Coach. A resident of Burlington, Ontario, Bacco will continue in her coaching role at the club level, while also taking on this new position and supporting the development of both able-bodied and para-athletes across Canada.
Bacco brings extensive experience to Taekwondo Canada. She is a Chartered Professional Coach with a proven record of success at the national and international levels across Cadet, Junior, and Senior competition. Her expertise in para programs has also contributed to strong results at every level.
In this role, Bacco will lead the technical delivery and alignment of Taekwondo Canada’s NextGen National Programs for Cadet, Junior, and Para athletes in both Olympic and Paralympic taekwondo. She will work closely with staff, provincial and territorial representatives, and club coaches to build a unified high-performance pathway from grassroots participation to international success, helping strengthen Taekwondo Canada’s future podium potential.
A longstanding advocate for Safe Sport, Bacco will prioritize athlete well-being, equity, and inclusive coaching practices. Through strong integration with sport science teams, she will promote long-term athlete health and recovery, safe and inclusive environments for para athletes, and mentally resilient development pathways that reduce burnout and increase retention.
Announcing Bacco’s appointment, Executive Director Dave Harris said, “Taekwondo Canada is pleased to welcome Carla Bacco to the organization. Her experience and reputation within the Canadian taekwondo community are outstanding, and we look forward to the growth and impact she will bring.”
“Carla brings both the technical mastery and the visionary leadership required to build Canada’s next generation of champions,” said Dr. Allan Wrigley, High Performance Director. “Carla’s holistic and inclusive approach will strengthen our national system for years to come.”
Bacco expressed her enthusiasm for the role, underscoring the importance of building sustainable, world-class infrastructure: “I am honored and excited to step into the NextGen & Pathway Coach role with Taekwondo Canada. I look forward to bringing a high-performance vision centered on athlete development, national consistency, and building sustainable systems that support Canadian athletes in succeeding on the international stage.”
In her first year, Bacco will focus on establishing standardized national tools and launching key initiatives such as regional talent-identification events, Para-Discovery Days, and international benchmarking opportunities—efforts designed to scale as the program evolves.
About Taekwondo Canada:
Taekwondo Canada is the official governing body of Taekwondo in Canada, overseeing the sport in all Provinces and Territories. Taekwondo Canada is recognized by World Taekwondo, PATU, International Olympic Committee, Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees and Sport Canada.
MISSION: Taekwondo Canada will inspire and foster excellence in Taekwondo, promoting health, community, safe and accessible pathways for all and to allow participants to achieve their best through comprehensive support and development programs.
Contact:
Dave Harris
Executive Director
(519) 519-859-7410
[email protected]
