Sheldon Persad

Sheldon’s extensive background includes 40 years as a sport coach in multiple sports, and working with athletes as a sport scientist at the highest levels, including world championships, Commonwealth Games, the Pan Am Games and the Olympics. As a co-owner of Personal Best, his expertise has reached clients across four continents. He is one of only two Certified High Performance Sport Scientist Leaders in Ontario within the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, demonstrating his understanding of athletic development and organizational performance.

Beyond his coaching history, Sheldon has held pivotal leadership roles, including his long tenure with the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (formerly the Canadian Sport Centre). There, he served in various capacities and is currently serving as a Consultant. His experience in these roles has equipped him with a robust understanding of strategic planning, program management, and fostering high-performance environments. Sheldon is a co-founder of the Certified Professional Trainers Network (CPTN) and the inaugural President of the Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCA), highlighting his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to professional development within the sports industry. 

What makes Sheldon an ideal fit for TIRF is not just his professional acumen, but also his personal connection to rugby and community. He has been involved with rugby for over 40 years as a player, coach, and administrator, including coaching at high school, university, and club levels. He is currently Director of Rugby for the Toronto Saracens, helping to rebuild the club and demonstrating his commitment to the sport’s grassroots and organizational health.

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