Caroline Reimer’s Coaching Journey

Caroline Reimer never planned to become a coach, but as fate would have it, roller derby changed her life—and the lives of many others—forever. Caroline’s coaching journey began in 2012, when her daughter Abigail, known on the track as "Super Fly," expressed a love for roller derby. Faced with the challenge of traveling to Calgary for games, Caroline and Heather Herman co-founded the Lethbridge Roller Derby Guild’s junior program, bringing the sport closer to home and opening the door for local athletes to get involved.

Coaching wasn’t entirely foreign to Caroline. With previous experience coaching soccer, she stepped into her new role with determination, fueled by a desire to help her daughter and other young athletes achieve their dreams. Little did she know, this decision would ignite a passion for coaching that has spanned more than a decade.

“I often found myself coaching from the track while playing,” Caroline recalls, explaining how her transition from athlete to coach was a natural one. After multiple concussions, she knew it was time to focus on coaching, where her true strength lay. Over the years, her coaching has extended beyond roller derby to include junior volleyball and kart racing, proving that her passion for mentoring athletes transcends any one sport.

Caroline’s coaching philosophy, shaped by advice from her mentor, Russ Sheppard, is simple: “You can only control the controllables.” She instills this wisdom in her athletes, encouraging them to focus on their effort, attitude, and participation. Win or lose, Caroline’s mantra remains the same: “As long as they give 100%, I’m proud of them.”

Coaching isn’t just about teaching skills—it’s about changing lives. For Caroline, that transformation has been deeply personal. Roller derby helped her find her purpose when she was searching for a place to belong. It even inspired her to leave her job of 17 years, pursue a degree in education, and graduate with both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education. Coaching, she says, has impacted her life in ways she never expected.

Her journey has also been full of unforgettable memories. One that stands out is a moment in 2013 when the kids dared her to do the Harlem Shake. She embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, and the video still gets laughs to this day. “Now, I try to keep up with TikTok trends, but they just roll their eyes at me,” she laughs.

But perhaps the most defining moment of her coaching career came in 2023, when she led Team Canada Juniors at the Junior World Cup in France. Both the female and open division teams fought their way to the bronze medal games, and watching them play some of the best roller derby she’s ever seen was a deeply rewarding experience. “It was incredible to witness,” she says with pride.

Despite her success, Caroline remains humble, focusing the spotlight on her athletes rather than herself. “It’s always about them, not me,” she insists. Even being named the 2023 High Performance Coach by the Lethbridge Sport Council—a prestigious award that recognized her contributions—wasn’t about personal glory for Caroline. Instead, she saw it as a step toward giving roller derby the visibility and recognition it deserves.

As National Coaches Week shines a light on the incredible contributions of coaches across the country, Caroline Reimer’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder of the transformative power of coaching. “Coaching is not for the faint of heart,” she says, offering advice to those just starting out. “But the impact you’ll have on your athletes is greater than you’ll ever realize.”

From the local track in Lethbridge to the world stage in France, Caroline’s passion, dedication, and love for her athletes continue to shape the future of roller derby—and leave a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to skate by her side.

National Coaches Week is a time to celebrate the positive impact coaches have on athletes and communities across Canada. This annual campaign is an opportunity to recognize coaches for the integral role they play, and to take time to say #ThanksCoach.

Please take minute this week to say Thanks Coach, to all the coaches who are out there making a difference.