Who's Who at ASDC - Capital Region

Michael Cook

Manager, ASDC – Capital Region

A native of North East England, Michael first came to Canada on a rugby trip in 2003. After completing his Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, and following a 5-year semi professional rugby career, Michael decided to make Edmonton his home.

Starting his career as a volunteer Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Newcastle Falcons RFC, Michael has come a long way – he has worked with a wide range of local and international amateur and professional athletes and coaches, is a Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Edmonton Eskimos, and teaches part-time within the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta.

As an athlete, Michael involves himself in sports including Rugby Union, Jiu Jitsu, Soccer and various charity runs.

Lindsey Materi

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

A native of Calgary, Lindsey moved to Edmonton in February 2009 after completing his Masters degree in the field of Pedagogy/Motor Learning at Western Michigan University. His area of specialization is Motor Learning, and his research focuses on the effects of patterned sensory enhancement (PSE) and Individually Prescribed Instructions (IPIs) on Apraxia in Cognitive Level Learners.

Lindsey began his career as a Strength and Conditioning Coach in 2002 with the U of L Weightlifting Club (Alberta Cup Champions/Team Alberta). Since, he has worked with the Canmore Eagles of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, the Canadian National Alpine Ski Team, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and numerous other elite athletes in sports including softball, rowing, basketball and swimming.

As an athlete, Lindsey participated in Team Canada’s U/17 Hockey Program (Team Pacific) and played in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen, Swift Current Broncos and Kelowna Rockets. He finished his hockey career with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns while completing his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. Lindsey has also had success in long track speed skating and the sport of weightlifting.
 

Celeste Lavallee

Head Sports Dietitian

Originally from a small town Saskatchewan, Celeste moved to Edmonton in 2002. Celeste completed a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science at the University of Alberta and then went on to finish a dietic internship in the Capital Health Region to become a Registered Dietitian.

Celeste is certified as a Sports Nutritionist by the International Society of Sport Nutrition and has worked with both recreational and national level athletes. Celeste has also completed Part 1 of the International Olympic Committee's Diploma in Sports Nutrition and is looking to complete this diploma by fall 2009.

Celeste strives to help athletes perform at their best by providing leading-edge nutrition advice based on current evidence. Celeste is a recreational competitive athlete, triathlete, and runner. Celeste is also an avid outdoor enthusiast, enjoying activities ranging from canoeing and backcountry camping to golfing and mountain biking. 

Lisa Rogerson

Head Mental Skills Coach

Lisa Rogerson, originally from Ontario, moved to Edmonton in 2001 to complete her doctoral degree in Sport Psychology at the University of Alberta. Since then, Lisa has been consulting with athletes and coaches from a variety of sports from novice to Olympic levels of competition. Lisa joins The Alberta Sport Development Centre (Capital Region) as the Head Mental Training Coach to help further develop Alberta’s sport participants.

As an athlete, Lisa participated in a variety of high school sports and went on to compete in varsity Athletics at the University of Manitoba. During this time she worked as a consultant and the Life Skills Manager at the Canadian Sport Centre in Winnipeg. Here she was fortunate enough to work with Olympic athletes/coaches and developed a strong interest in building Sport Psychology programs for Canada’s best young athletes.
Lisa has 17 years of consulting experience with both individual and team sports in a wide range of disciplines. Some of her latest experiences include the 2007 Canada Winter Games, 2007 Western Canada Games, Provincial/National Curlers, National cyclists, Olympic hockey players, National/Provincial elite gymnasts, and an LPGA golfer.

Kirsti Van Dornick

Athlete Development for Disability Sport

Kirsti moved to Edmonton from Camrose, Alberta in 2002. She attended the University of Alberta, and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree. Since then Kirsti has gone on to obtain her certification with the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology as a Certified Exercise Physiologist and become a Registered Kinesiologist through the Alberta Kinesiology Association.

Kirsti has worked with a variety of athletes in both group and individualized settings through The Steadward Centre for Personal & Physical Achievement. She is dedicated to providing everyone with the opportunity to reach their highest potential within their chosen sport, and is an avid believer of the benefits sport and physical activity bring out in its participants.

In her spare time, Kirsti enjoys participating in recreational sports such as slo-pitch, golf, and volleyball. She also enjoys yoga, weight training, and running.
 

Susie Materi

Strength & Conditioning Coach 

Originally born and raised in Edmonton, Susie has participated successfully in both winter and summer sports for the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Nationally for Team Canada with their junior Rowing Program. After a successful athletic career, Susie completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at The University of Calgary before completing her Master’s degree at Western Michigan University while simultaneously working with athletes from Pacific Sport Rugby, Rowing Canada, U of C, U of A, U.S Paralympics Sport and The Canadian Sport Centre (Calgary). While at Western Michigan University, Susie studied the effects of Individually Prescribed Instruction and worked tirelessly with the Michigan Department of Education to design developmentally appropriate curriculum content for k-12 Physical Education. Susie brings her knowledge in the field motor learning and physical education to ASDC-CR, coupled with a desire to provide young athlete’s with a strength program based for their stage not age alongside the Long Term Athlete Development Model.

Ciara Kallal

Performance Profiling Specialist

Born and raised in Edmonton, Ciara has taken advantage of the great sporting and educational opportunities the city has to offer. Ciara graduated from the University of Alberta in December 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree. Currently she is working towards professional certifications as a Certified Exercise Physiologist with the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology and as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Ciara is also very active within the University Athletics Department working with Varsity Athlete Health and in the University’s Sport and Health Assessment Center. As an athlete, Ciara was involved with various basketball and soccer teams before training competitively in track and field for numerous years. Now, she currently enjoys weightlifting and playing recreational sports. She also enjoys camping and spending time outdoors.