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LCol Trudel is a CAF Physiotherapy Officer currently attending the Joint Command & Staff Program and is part of the Professional Technical Network providing guidance to the Physiotherapy trade.

In addition to his day-to-day job, LCol Trudel is also the Chief Trainer and co-creator of the CAFATP. He provides oversight for the entire program and works to ensure that the program continues to grow and deliver excellent services to CAF athletes, domestically and internationally.

In 2003, while in Kingston Major Trudel began his sports coverage career. “During that time, I covered many sports and was surprised that a more comprehensive program did not exist.” This lead LCol Dan Trudel and Maj (Retd) Daniel Crumback to conceptualize a restructuring of coverage that was being provided to CAF Sports program and production of the CAFATP. A program which began with two physiotherapists and a handful of trainers providing coverage to nationals and some CISM teams has expanded to include over 500 trainers with a governance structure, training curriculum, and the capability to provide coverage to any sporting event, involving CAF athletes, domestically or worldwide. The program is a collaborative endeavour with both military and PSP trainers of varying backgrounds. Leading by example LCol Trudel has provided coverage to over 73 events, including four CISM Military World Games, countless training sessions and was the Medical Coordinator for four world level CISM competitions, including three hosted by Canada.

Due to his leadership and tireless dedication, CAF athletes are able to count on an extensive network of accredited, high-quality athletic trainers that allow them to reach peak performances. As such, it comes as no surprise that in 2019 LCol Dan Trudel was inducted into the CAF Sports Honour Roll for his role as a Builder of Athletic Therapy in the CAF Sports Program.

“Involvement in the CAFATP has provided me with opportunities that I would have never imagined, and I get to work with a diverse, motivated team to ensure that all our CAF athletes get the coverage they deserve. I encourage you to get involved by speaking to your local PSP Sports Coordinator or your Regional Head Trainer.”

Maj Mahoney is a Physiotherapy Officer currently working at Health Services HQ as the Physical Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Coordinator.

"I have the privilege to work with ill and injured members on a daily basis and it is the most rewarding part of my position.

My current role in the CAFATP program is Operations Coordinator. I am responsible for maintaining a nationwide list of trainers and therapists to attend CAF National Sport Championships as well as CISM training camps and World Championships.

In 2008, I met a patient who inspired me to focus on amputee rehabilitation and adaptive sport. Since then, I continue to be inspired each day by many ill and injured members. Over the last 15 years, I’ve deployed to Afghanistan, participated as part of Team Canada’s medical team for the Invictus Games in Toronto and Australia; have attended many Soldier On events; and of course have travelled multiple times with the CAFATP program for CISM and National events.

In 2010, I became involved with the CAFATP and since then I’ve held the position of Regional Head Trainer for the Atlantic; been the trainer for the CISM Taekwondo team at the World Military Games in Korea in 2015; attended several regional and national events as well as a trainer for the World Marathon Championships hosted in Ottawa in 2018. Most recently, I attended the World Military Games in Wuhan, China as the trainer for the CISM Women’s Volleyball Team. These experiences have been worthwhile as it enriches me as a CAF member. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people and have made many lasting friendships as a result.

Becoming an athletic trainer for the CAF Sports program has been challenging and rewarding. I encourage you to contact your local PSP Base Sports Coordinator or your Regional Head Trainer to become involved."

Capt Stefanov is a Physiotherapy Officer currently posted to CF H Svcs C(A). Prior to her current posting to Halifax, she was in Greenwood, NS, and Kingston, ON, in a variety of clinical and administrative role. In a previous life, she was a NCM in the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) for over a decade before training to be a physiotherapist and transferring to the Regular Force.

Capt Stefanov became involved with CAFATP in 2015, and was the trainer for the CISM Men’s Volleyball Team for two years prior to her deployment on OP REASSURANCE in 2019. She assumed the Training Coordinator position in early 2020, and is currently responsible for CAFATP course development and delivery, and the maintenance of training standards within the Program.

Briana Laplante has been employed with Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) since 2015, where she spent her first five years as a Fitness and Sports Instructor at CFB Halifax and on various deployments as a Fitness, Sports and Recreation Coordinator on HMCS Athabaskan and HMCS Montreal. In 2020, she became the Fitness and Sports Coordinator at the Fleet Fitness and Sports Centre and is still in the role today.
Briana obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Human Kinetics degree at St. Francis Xavier University in 2012. She holds a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certificate through the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP) and is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor. She also held the position of student athletic therapist for the X-Men’s Soccer team for her last two years of university where she first discovered her passion for athletic therapy, sport taping and injury prevention. 
Not long after starting her career with CFMWS, Briana joined the CAF Athletic Therapy Program (CAFATP) by attending Taping Level 1 and Intro to CAFATP, Sport First Responder and Taping Level 2 shortly after. She was eager to get involved with CAF Sports at both the Regional and National Level and gained valuable experience working with other trainers and physios at various events. After almost a two-year-long hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Briana began working towards the CAFATP Taping Instructor certification to allow her to host courses locally and official became an instructor in early 2024. With her experience and involvement in CAFATP over the past 10 years, she was appointed as Acting Atlantic Regional Head Trainer to cover Amanda Johnson while on MATA/PATA until December 2025.
Briana is excited to see the opportunities this acting role presents and eager to support the trainer community in the Atlantic region. Please feel free to reach out at any time with questions regarding upcoming regional events and CAFATP courses.

Melissa has worked for PSP for over a decade and is currently the Fitness Coordinator at CFB Shilo.

In addition to her day-to-day job, Melissa is the Regional Head Trainer (RHT) for the Canada West region. She has been involved in the CAF Athletic Trainer Program since 2009, serving as RHT since 2011. As the RHT for the Canada West region, she coordinates all CAFATP related training for the Canada West region and is also a Taping Level 1 instructor.

Melissa holds a Kinesiology degree from the University of Manitoba. She is also a Certified Athletic Therapist, Exercise Physiologist, Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor (200hr), Crossfit Level 1 Trainer as well as Pre/Post Natal, Group and Aquatic Fitness Leader. She has been active her entire life but currently spend her days training for half marathons, triathlons, CrossFit competitions and spending time with her children.

“As a trainer, you get to provide taping and medical services to our CAF athletes at local, regional, national and potentially international events, travel, network, gain hands on experience.”


 

I am a Medical Technician currently working at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre (CFHSTC) in Borden. Prior to this, I was posted in Ottawa and Cold Lake, Alberta, where I attained my Level 1 Taping certification. Over the years, I have had the privilege to work as the Head Trainer for various events, including hockey, running, and soccer to name a few, which has further enhanced my expertise in sports-related medical care.
Since 2015, I have been actively involved in the Canadian Armed Forces Athletic Trainers Program (CAFATP), contributing to regional and national-level events. These opportunities have allowed me to connect with athletes, trainers, and organizers while applying my medical training when needed. In addition to my daily responsibilities, I have been the Acting Regional Head Trainer since June 2024, combining my experience and passion for supporting athletic programs.
As a lifelong athlete myself, I understand the dedication, discipline, and time required to achieve success in sports. Growing up as a competitor taught me how to effectively balance the demands of both sports and work. I have carried those skills into my role as the Acting Regional Head Trainer, allowing me to approach this position with a unique perspective and determination. This mindset also applies to supporting athletes on and off the field.

I always look forward to meeting new people at all events so please come by and say Hello if you see me!

Mathieu has been part of the PSP family for over 15 years. He held the position of Fitness and Sports Instructor at the St-Jean Garrison for nearly 13 years, before joining the exercise team for the Adapted Physical Fitness Program of the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School (CFLRS) in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. He is primarily responsible for the training and the reathletization of candidates, recruits and officer cadets at CFLRS, who have been injured during their basic qualification (BMQ/BMOQ).

Mathieu holds a baccalaureate in Kinesiology and a graduate diploma specialized in athletic exercises from the University of Sherbrooke, as well as the title of Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP) from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). Having always been active and athletic, he has excelled in various disciplines, from track and field to volleyball.

He joined the CAF Athletic Trainer Program (CAFATP), obtaining his level 1 athletic trainer certification in 2011, then level 2 in 2019. Since January 2023, he has been an instructor for the course Introduction to CAFATP, as well as the Sports Taping courses, levels 1 and 2. Finally, in November 2023, he was appointed Regional Head Trainer for Quebec.

If you would like to know the dates of the Quebec Regional Championships, know more about the CAFATP or the courses offered, feel free to contact him.