Conversation with Mathieu Sarrazin

What was it about ACE that made you decide this was the right opportunity for the next stage of your coaching career?


What attracted me most to ACE was the opportunity to be part of something bigger than coaching individual players. Pierre shared a vision of building a world-class development system, developing coaches, and creating a pathway that can positively impact athletes for years to come. That aligns perfectly with the direction I want to take in my own career. I believe great players are developed through great systems, and I’m excited to help strengthen and evolve that vision at ACE.

You’re leaving Quebec and moving to Ontario for this role. What excites you most about that challenge?

Leaving Quebec was not an easy decision, as I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible athletes, families and colleagues over the years. What made this opportunity unique was the chance to challenge myself in a new environment with greater leadership responsibilities and the opportunity to contribute to an organization with a long history of excellence. Growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, and I’m excited to embrace that challenge.

When you first spoke with Pierre about the vision for ACE Vaughan, what stood out to you?

What stood out immediately was that our conversations weren’t only about winning matches, they were about building people, coaches and systems. Pierre’s passion for developing a complete pathway and his willingness to continue evolving after 50 years impressed me. I felt we shared many of the same values: continuous improvement, collaboration, and the belief that excellence comes from having a clear vision and a consistent process.

What can current ACE families expect to see from you on and off the court?

Families can expect someone who is fully committed to creating an environment where players can reach their full potential, not only as tennis players, but as young people. On court, I value high standards, purposeful training and long-term development. Off court, I believe in communication, collaboration and building strong relationships with players, parents and coaches. My goal is to help create a culture where everyone understands the pathway, believes in the process and works together toward shared success.

« My goal is not simply to develop better tennis players, but to help build one of the strongest player development systems in Canada - one that inspires athletes, coaches and families for generations to come. »

...and a follow up with Pierre Lamarche



What made Mathieu the right person to lead the ACE Vaughan Academy?

We have established a strong foundation over 50 years, and our standard of leadership is extremely high. To maintain that level, we required a very specific combination of skills - a leader with a strong sport science background who deeply understood the established ACE System methodology, while also bringing fresh innovation. Mathieu's experience managing academies and developing high-performance athletes made him an exceptional fit, and when he became available, we knew it was the right opportunity for ACE.

What does Mathieu's hiring say about where ACE is headed over the next five to ten years?

This appointment reflects our commitment to continually investing in our people and evolving our Academy system while staying true to our philosophy. Mathieu's expertise in coach development and academy leadership will help strengthen our programs, support our coaching team, and ensure the ACE System continues to be delivered at the highest level across our organization.

ACE has always been known for developing players. How does this appointment strengthen that tradition?

Developing champions has always been part of ACE's identity. Mathieu has contributed to the development of many of Quebec's top players and National Champions, and his experience aligns perfectly with our commitment to helping more ACE athletes achieve that same level of success. Doug Burke and I are incredibly proud of our National Champion tradition, and we're excited about what the next generation of ACE players can accomplish.

How does adding someone with Mathieu's background help elevate not just Vaughan, but the entire ACE Academy system?

Mathieu's impact will extend well beyond Vaughan. His experience in academy leadership, coach education, and high-performance player development will help strengthen the consistency of our Academy pathway across all ACE locations. This investment ensures our players and coaches continue to benefit from one of Canada's most established and respected development systems.



Why is now the right time to make an investment like this in the future of player development?

As we celebrate 50 years of leadership in Canadian tennis, it's the ideal time to continue investing in the future. Canadian tennis is evolving, and so is ACE. Bringing someone with Mathieu's experience into our leadership team strengthens our ability to continue developing exceptional athletes and coaches, while ensuring the ACE Academy remains a leader in player development for generations to come.