On Oct. 27, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) arrested 42-year-old St. Catharines resident Derek Ovenden following allegations of sexual assault.
Two different women reported being sexually assaulted multiple times by Ovenden between 2009 and 2012. Detectives with the NRPS Sexual Assault Unit did not receive information about these allegations until early 2026, according to a police report dated Oct. 27.
At the time of the alleged offences, Ovenden was an adult who was a volunteer cheerleading coach for both women.
Ovenden now faces six charges, including one count of sexual assault and sexual interference, and four counts of sexual exploitation.
Authorities shared that Ovenden volunteered as a cheerleading coach at several high schools in St. Catharines within the District School Board of Niagara. He later opened his own cheerleading gym, Cheer Empire Eagles. The police statement did not identify the schools where Ovenden previously coached.
Following his arrest, Ovenden remained in custody and was scheduled to attend a bail hearing after he was arrested on Oct. 27 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines. At the time of writing, the police have not provided further details about the outcome of the hearing and the allegations against Ovenden have not been proven in court, as he has not been convicted of these crimes.
NRPS detectives believe there may be additional victims sexually assaulted by Ovenden and are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
The allegations have also prompted for many people to release the news themselves on various social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, writing comments expressing anger and concern over the reports.
One Facebook commenter, who identified themselves as a coach, wrote, “this sickens me to read. Parents put their trust in you to protect their children like your own when they aren’t there. I sincerely hope he’s punished to the maximum extent of the law.”
Other commenters are questioning why certain men hold a coaching position in women’s cheerleading, with another Facebook user asking, “Why are straight males allowed to teach women’s cheerleading?”
The theme of analysing men in coaching positions was mirrored in the Instagram comments as well, with one user writing, “Well well well no surprises here,” with another responding, “What’s a straight man got any business coaching cheerleading anyways? Like did he not make the football team?!”
The reactions raise broader questions about the responsibility placed on coaches, the trust families put in youth sports programs and the safeguards in place to protect young athletes.
Anyone wishing to speak with investigators about their experiences or provide information that could assist the investigation can contact the NRPS Sexual Assault Unit at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009336. Those wishing to provide anonymous information can contact Crime Stoppers at 289-248-1058.
To stay informed about developments in the case, readers can follow Special Crimes Canada on Facebook and monitor the NRPS News page for future updates.