Coaches

Besnik Mece, Head Coach and Technical Director

Tatjana Mece, Head Coach and Conditioning Coach

The Meces have played a pivotal role in the Lower Mainland track and field community for more than 25 years.  In addition to leading the Vancouver Olympic Club since 2005, they coach the New West Spartans Track and Field Club, founded the New West Royal City Track and Field Club Junior Development Program, and coached the Douglas College running program.

In addition to coaching, Tatjana and Besnik have co-organized varsity track and field and cross country events. They co-founded the Harry Jerome Outreach Program, that trained thousands of inner city elementary and high school athletes in Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster. Tatjana and Besnik are also the technical organizers for the Vancouver Olympic Club hosted Elementary Track and Field event held in Vancouver every April.

International Experience

Both Besnik and Tatjana represented the Albanian National Track and Field Team in the Balkan and European Championships. Tatjana was the Albanian National Champion in high jump, pentathlon and the 4x100m relay team. Besnik was the Albanian National Champion in 3000m steeplechase.

The Meces were also part of the Albanian National Team committee for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and the 2016 World Indoor Athletics Championship in Portland, Oregon.

Before moving to Canada, Tatjana was a Physical Education teacher at University of Tirana, in the faculty of Medicine and Science. Besnik held several notable positions in Albania, including the General Secretary of the Albanian Athletics Federation, Human Resource Director for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and Chair of the Department of Athletics for the Albanian Olympics Committee.

Qualifications and Recognition

Tatjana and Besnik Mece have University Degrees in Physical Education and Athletics. Both are certified level two sprint hurdles and middle-long distance coaches and level three technical middle-long distance coaches.

Athletes trained under the Meces currently hold nine Canadian Records. They’ve coached athletes to 35 Canadian Championship Titles, with seven athletes representing Canada at the World Championships.

Tatjana was recognized by BC Athletics for Excellence in Coaching, Junior Development, in 2007 and Excellence in Coaching, Senior category, in 2013.

Besnik was recognized by BC Athletics for Excellence in Coaching, Junior Development, in 2010 and Excellence in Coaching, U16 & U18 category, in 2019. In 2019 Besnik was also honoured with Athletics Canada’s Jane and Gerry Swan Award for Canadian Development Coach of the Year.