Ueli Albert (MHPCTL 2020), recently graduated with a Master of High-Performance Coaching and Technical Leadership. He grew up in Switzerland and competed on the national athletics team in the 800m. His background in athletics and his decision to move to Canada prompted him to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. He is the founder of Global Wheelchair Athletics and is also currently an adjunct professor at Acadia University.
In 2004, Ueli received a scholarship from Dalhousie University “to study kinesiology and run for their Varsity track and field team.” He achieved great success as a student-athlete by participating in the World FISU Games and becoming a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) champion. After graduating in 2009, he partook in adapted sport classes and worked at Acadia University’s S.M.I.L.E. program, while serving in his first coaching position as a national wheelchair racing team coach. He continued in his position until he founded Global Wheelchair Athletics and became the head coach for Team Nova Scotia Athletics in 2014.
Ueli always had a passion for coaching, but he did not expect to become involved in para sport coaching. “When I first got involved in para sport, I could not believe how few opportunities were available for people with a disability to get involved in sport,” states Ueli. The lack of opportunities motivated him to create more for para sport athletes. Furthermore, he had not planned to do a Ph.D., nor to have a career in post-secondary education. His career path shifted to academia in 2017 when he enrolled in the UBC School of Kinesiology’s High-Performance Coaching and Technical Leadership (HPCTL) program. Pursuing a Master of HPCTL at UBC required him to “do research, confidently make evidence-based decisions in his work, and communicate his findings to his peers and students.” His time at UBC was nothing short of an eye-opening experience. When asked about his memorable moments at UBC, Ueli enthusiastically responds that he relished his in-person classes and getting to know his coaching classmates. “We had great discussions and really connected in a short time. I might have even yodeled in one of our outings to the pub,” reflects Ueli.
As a coach, Ueli has had many career highlights. He helped five athletes qualify for senior and junior national teams and coached at several international competitions, including the World Junior Championships, the Para Pan Am Games, and the Paralympic Games. Working in para-athletics and para sport leadership gave him substantial insight into the existing issues of inclusion. “When I was coaching para-athletics, I constantly made decisions based on the person and the individuals,” remarks Ueli. “To me, inclusion is non-negotiable, and it starts with the mindset. Everyone involved needs to let go of biases and stigmas attached to minorities.”
A year before he graduated with his master’s degree, Ueli began teaching para sport coaching and inclusive leadership at Acadia University. Despite the obstacles that the COVID-19 pandemic presented, Ueli not only finished his MHCPTL degree, but he was accepted into Acadia’s Ph.D. Education program. Ueli will begin his Ph.D. in July 2022 to explore para sport coach education and improve para sport programs.