Kelly van Niekerk named cross country associate head coach

The Acadia cross country program is thrilled to announce Kelly van Niekerk as the team’s associate head coach.

van Niekerk first joined the team in January, working alongside head coach Ralph Williams. She brings a wealth of leadership experience from her tenure at Google, where she led Canada’s most prominent brands through digital transformation. Her exceptional ability to navigate complex projects and steer teams toward ambitious goals is a testament to her leadership skills.

“Kelly has a great passion for the sport of running and she brings that to the Acadia women’s cross country team,” said Williams. “She has become a respected mentor and leader and team is already seeing the benefits of her involvement in the program.”

In 2020, van Niekerk moved to Wolfville with her husband and two children. Inspired by the beauty and uniqueness of the area, she felt motivated to get involved and contribute to the vibrant local energy. van Niekerk currently serves as president of the Wolfville Business Development Corporation, focusing on driving growth, development and sustainability for the business community.

Her dedication to the community and the team is unwavering. As a passionate runner, van Niekerk is always seeking ways to foster connection and teamwork in a sport that often seems individual. Her commitment to the team and the community exemplifies her character, and we are confident she will inspire the team to reach new heights.

"Working with the cross country team has been incredibly rewarding for me personally. The calibre of the women on the team is so impressive, and being part of their running journey is pure joy," said van Niekerk. "My goal is to instill motivation, discipline and a growth mindset in the team. I want to be a trusted confidant for the athletes, ensuring that their varsity experience is exceptional. If they graduate and leave Acadia with a lifelong love for running, I will consider it a great achievement. I am excited to be part of their running journey and to contribute to their personal and athletic growth."

With her background, van Niekerk will undoubtedly bring a fresh perspective and help modernize the program. She has recently completed the NCCP club coaching course through Athletics Nova Scotia and is just as passionate about coaching as she is about running. van Niekerk competes in road races from 5k to marathon and is currently training for the Chicago Marathon this fall.

The Axewomen cross country season opens at home on September 7 with the Acadia Invitational at Hennigar’s Farm. They will compete in Antigonish and Moncton before the AUS championship on October 26 in St. John’s, Nfld.