Board of Directors
Gwen Smoluk – President
Gwen has a history of leadership, with Racquetball Canada serving as the President since 2016. Prior to that she was the chair of the Athlete Development Committee from 2012 to 2016. Gwen’s intimate knowledge of the sport as a parent of former athletes, a player and volunteer who has served in many capacities has benefitted our sport. Throughout her volunteer tenure, Gwen has enjoyed working with the team to make Racquetball stronger in Canada and is proud of the work the organization has done to enhance programs.
Cher Allen – Vice President
Cher started volunteering at the very young age of 12 and has been giving back to through her commitment and dedication since then. She has been a member of the Racquetball Manitoba Board for many years and was elected to the Racquetball Canada Board in 2020 as a member at large. In 2022, Cher was elected to the position of Vice President. Cher brings an important perspective as an athlete, coach and parent of an aspiring player and as a successful business owner.
Ken Storozuk – Director of Finance
Ken brings an important perspective to our Board of Directors, gained through his years of involvement with the sport. Through his experience at the club level, Ken can speak to the needs of facility owners, sport leaders, tournament hosts and participants. As the board’s Director of Finance, Ken plays an important role in ensuring board oversight of the organization’s finances and the well-being of the organization.o
Christine Keay – Athlete Representative
Racquetball has been part of Christine’s live for over twenty-five years when she first began her career as a junior athlete. She is a long-time member of the National Team who has competed for Canada at the highest levels. This experience, combined with her years spent as the Athlete Director, enables her to bring an important voice and perspective to our Board, which she has been a member of since 2016. Christine also represents our athletes with AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes.
Cliff Hood – Director at Large
Cliff joined our Board in 2019, bringing important skills and a knowledge base which is invaluable. He is a practicing lawyer who has been highly engaged at the community and province level as a volunteer since 1972 when he first opened his practice. He has chaired or served on the Boards for a number of organizations and corporations developing a diverse range of skills. As a player since 1985, Cliff has contributed to racquetball as a tournament host, a sport leader, a financial supporter and a champion of the sport.
Steven Leduc – Director at Large
Steven joined our board at this year’s Annual Meeting. He brings a unique set of skills to the board as an owner of a racquetball club, as well as a publicity and graphics company. He has a diverse background having being involved as a member of Racquetball Québec’s Board of Directors and as a coach, a tournament host and director, and a parent of a high performance athlete. Steven is also an active player and has a desire to contribute to the growth and improvement of the sport at all levels.
Alyson Renaldo – Director at Large
Alyson is the newest member of our board of directors. She is an avid racquetball player and dedicated to growing the sport in her hometown of Toronto and the nation at large. Alyson serves as one of the coaches for the junior level Learn-To-Play program at her local club and competes in provincial tournaments. Beyond the courts, Alyson is a professor of critical thinking and professional writing.
Committees
Standing Committees
The Board has two Standing Committees which advise the Board of issues of governance:
Committee & Chairs
Governance and Nominating Committee – Gwen Smoluk
Finance, Audit and Revenue Generation Committee – Ken Storozuk
Operating Committees
Racquetball Canada has five Operating Committees that support the work of the Board of Directors and Staff. These committees work closely with staff related to planning and delivery and can make recommendations to the Board related to their area of expertise.
Committees & Chairs
Athlete Development Committee – Mitch Brayley
Hall of Fame Selection Committee – Cheryl McKeeman
High Performance Committee – Kris Odegard
Marketing Committee – Steve Scagnetti
Sport Development Committee – John Halko
International Positions
Ron Brown
Board Member, International Racquetball Federation (IRF)
Chair, IRF Policy Committee
Vice President North America, Pan American Racquetball Federation (PARC)
Michel Gagnon
Member, International Racquetball Federation Technical Committee
Provincial Representatives
Provincial Representatives are designated by their Provincial Associations and act as the point of liaison for their province. The Provincial Representatives or their designate attend the Annual Meeting and vote on behalf of their province. We communicate on a regular basis with the Provincial Associations through their representative and hold regular meetings to ensure open lines of communication.
| Provincial Association | Representatives |
| Racquetball BC | Cheryl McKeeman & Calvin Smith |
| Alberta Racquetball Association | Mitch Brayley |
| Saskatchewan Racquetball Association | Randy Van Achte |
| Racquetball Manitoba | Steph Oteyza |
| Racquetball Ontario | Kyle Wiseman |
| Racquetball Québec | Rino Langelier |
| New Brunswick Racquetball | Mike McCabe |
| Racquetball Nova Scotia | Dan Smith |
| Racquetball Prince Edward Island | Allan Meston |
| Racquetball Newfoundland & Labrador | Paul Nolan |
Meetings
Board & Committee Meetings
The Board of Directors and the Standing and Operating Committees meet regularly throughout the year.
The following is the 2024/2025 meeting schedule for the Board of Directors.
- September 3, 2024
- October 15, 2024
- November 19, 2024
- December 17, 2024
- January 21, 2025
- February 18, 2025
- March 18, 2025
- April 16, 2025
- May 20, 2025
- July 22, 2025
- August 19, 2025
Contact us if you would like more information about our Board of Directors or committee meetings or if you would like to view the Board of Director meeting minutes.
Annual Meeting
Our Annual Meeting is held in August or September of each year. The Call for Nominations for the Board of Directors will be made two months in advance of the Annual Meeting. The deadline for nominations is 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting.
More information about our Board of Directors can be found in our Bylaws.
Policies & Bylaws
Racquetball Canada has worked alongside the Sport Law & Strategy Group to develop updated, comprehensive, user-friendly policies and procedures. Racquetball Canada encourages its provincial associations and affiliated clubs to adopt the policies for their own use.
Racquetball Canada’s Policy Suite is comprehensive and reflects current best practices that will guide the organization in its operations including policies that support our values, help ensure accountability and transparency and that deal with bullying, abuse, harassment, discrimination, maltreatment and conflict.
Racquetball Canada also adheres to the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent & Address Maltreatment of Sport (UCCMS).
Planning
Racquetball Canada works to engage its membership in the strategic planning process. Our strategic plan was developed through a process of consultation with the membership at annual planning meetings and through discussion with our partners and our stakeholders including our members, coaches, officials, athletes and volunteers.
Past Presidents
| 2012 – 2016 | Jack McBride | Sherwood Park, AB |
| 2010 – 2012 | Ron Brown | Winnipeg, MB |
| 1999 – 2010 | Usher Barnoff | Calgary, AB |
| 1998 – 1999 | Dave Bell | Halifax, NS |
| 1995 – 1998 | Ron Hughes | Burnaby, BC |
| 1990 – 1992 | Ian McKenzie | Vancouver, BC |
| 1984 – 1989 | Dan Stone | |
| 1982 – 1984 | Morris Waitzer | Montreal, QC |
| 1979 – 1982 | Steve Millstein | |
| 1977 – 1979 | John Chambers | |
| 1975 – 1977 | Ivan Velan | Montreal, QC |
| 1971 – 1974 | John Kempo | Edmonton, AB |
