Under Armour Diversity Series: Saskatchewan’s Harvey Weber

Harvey Weber is a former University of Saskatchewan cross country and track runner and a competitive masters track athlete, but his own running accolades aren’t what make him a local hero. Weber is a dedicated coach, mentor and advocate for runners from all walks of life. With a passion for helping others succeed, he has been instrumental in developing sustainable sport and promoting holistic health and well-being within the Indigenous and newcomer communities in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.

An early coaching start

Weber began coaching track and field during his final year of university, in 1986. He became an NCCP performance distance coach and has been the distance coach or head coach of Team Saskatchewan for the Western Canada Summer Games and the Canada Games every year since 2007. 

A former teacher from Tisdale, Sask., Weber became the head coach of Running Wild Athletics Club (RWAC) after he retired. In this role, he has brought together athletes from diverse backgrounds, including First Nations, Métis and individuals of all cultures and ages. The club’s developmental program caters to athletes aged 12 to 75, ranging from beginners to world-ranked masters athletes.

Empowering diverse athletes

Weber’s primary role as head coach revolves around recruiting diverse athletes to join the club. With the help of other coaches, he trains athletes for competitions like the Saskatchewan Athletics Championships, Saskatchewan High Schools Provincial Championships, National Legions, the North America Indigenous Games (NAIG) and the World Masters Track and Field Championships. 

Within RWAC, Weber personally coaches around 25 runners, comprising both track athletes and road runners. He has also instructed the Athletics Canada Sport Coach Certification Program to 20 First Nations coaches, equipping them with knowledge on coaching the fundamentals of track and field for their own athletes.

“As a coach, I feel it is super important to give all people the opportunity to get involved in running or track and field,” says Weber. “I would see people from other cultures, such as newcomers from India, trying to become more active themselves or find active programs for their children.” This belief has driven him to organize sports camps for Punjabi youth; he has also trained 10 new Canadians through a six-week running program that culminates in a 5K road race.

Overcoming barriers for Indigenous youth 

Over his 30 years of teaching, Weber witnessed the challenges faced by Indigenous youth in education and sports. “When given the opportunity [to coach] by Derek Rope, founder of Running Wild Athletics Club, I was determined to see what we could do for these athletes,” says Weber. His aim was not only to support these young athletes in their sporting endeavours, but also to encourage them to stay in school and pursue higher levels of education.

Weber’s involvement in organizing track meets like the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Indoor Games proved  immensely rewarding. These events provide young athletesa chance to compete and experience being part of a larger community, some of them for the first time. 

Unsung Heroes

While running can be relatively low-cost, things like facility rentals, travel and accommodation, coaching fees and club memberships can add up, making it too expensive for many athletes. To combat this, Weber ensures that RWAC keeps costs minimal, allowing athletes or parents to volunteer and cover these fees. 

Access to facilities is another barrier faced by many of Weber’s athletes. “For many First Nations communities, there are limited facilities to teach or train for running, especially in the very cold winter months,” he says. “I have been part of setting up and coaching weekend track clinics where communities bus in their athletes from over 200 km away.”

Weber has witnessed the positive impact sport can have on kids when they’re finally given the opportunity to participate. Keishaun Wescoup and Noah Kisheyanew were the first two athletes he coached at RWAC, and may never have had the chance to compete had it not been for Weber. 

Both were students at Oskayak High School in Saskatoon, but the school had never been involved in any Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association (SHSAA) sports. Weber helped Oskayak register into the SHSAA so that Wescoup and Kisheyanew could compete in cross country and track–a first for the Indigenous school. Since then, Wescoup has become a mentor coach with RWAC and was part of the Saskatchewan team staff for the 2023 NAIG. Kisheyanew has gone on to the Canadian Army to further his education and training. “Both of these athletes have overcome adversity to become stronger individuals for our community, partly from what they gained as RWAC athletes,” says Weber.

Helping athletes achieve their goals

As a coach, Weber finds his greatest joy in witnessing his athletes achieve their goals. “It could be when one of my athletes runs a 5K non-stop, or even when one of my athletes medals at the World Master Track Championships,” he says. “It doesn’t matter the age or cultural background of the individual; everyone wants to achieve and feel successful.” 

Looking ahead, Weber’s vision for RWAC is to support more Indigenous youth in completing their high school education, pursuing further studies and fostering confidence as they strive to achieve their athletic goals. His coaching philosophy revolves around empowering athletes to become the best versions of themselves, with a focus on personalized growth and development.

Weber’s dedication to coaching and fostering inclusivity within running has left a lasting mark on his community. Through his tireless efforts, countless individuals have discovered their potential, set new goals and embarked on remarkable journeys of personal growth and achievement. His commitment to the development of athletes from all walks of life has made him a beacon of inspiration and a cherished leader within Saskatchewan’s running community.

Thank you to Harvey and his team for being part of the Under Armour Diversity Series. Harvey was nominated by his colleague Kim to participate in this season’s features. If you or someone you know would be a great fit to participate in this UA Diversity Series, please reach out to Canadian Running Magazine with contact info and a brief description of your nominee.