OTTAWA, ON– Coaches of Canada today announced the 2008 winners of its two national awards — the Jack Donohue “Coach of the Year” Award and the Sheila Robertson Award. Both awards will be presented during Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif 2008, scheduled to take place in Calgary, November 7-9, 2008. The Sport Leadership Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 7, at 7:00 pm at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre.
The Jack Donohue Award recognizes a coach's dedication to the profession and the outstanding performances of his or her athletes during the past competitive season. The late legendary basketball coach, for whom the award is named, was a towering figure in Canadian sport who taught his athletes to value life and to learn from each and every experience.
The 2008 winner of the Jack Donohue Award is Tim Frick, ChPC, of Pender Island, BC, the head coach of Canada's outstanding women's wheelchair basketball team.
In his 19 years at the helm, Frick guided his team to three Paralympic Games titles and four world championship gold medals. The successes include nine straight podium finishes at major international competitions. Frick, a seven-time winner of the Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award, is a passionate educator and a master tactician and technician who consistently demonstrates outstanding knowledge of the game and a keen ability to analyze and react in game situations. Prior to joining the women's team, he coached both Terry Fox and Rick Hansen. For many years a physical education instructor at Douglas College, he was also head coach of the college's women's wheelchair basketball team.
“Tim Frick is the epitome of the professional coach and his approach to coaching has earned admiration and respect worldwide,” says Coaches of Canada president Steven Sugar of Newmarket, ON. “He is above all a quality person who has had a profound impact on his sport and beyond. Jack Donohue left a powerful legacy and Tim fills his shoes admirably.”
Adds Wendy Gittens, executive director of the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association: “Tim's contributions to wheelchair basketball in Canada and around the world cannot be overstated. He has been a driving force behind the tremendous success and growth of our women's program, which is regarded as one of the best in the world.”
The previous winners of the Jack Donohue Award, inaugurated in 2003, are diving coach Michel Larouche, ChPC, in 2003, artistic gymnastics coach Kelly Manjak, ChPC, in 2004, water polo coach Patrick Oaten, ChPC, in 2005, long track speed skating coach Xiuli Wang, ChPC, in 2006, and alpine ski coach Paul Kristofic, ChPC in 2007.
The Sheila Robertson Award, inaugurated in 2005, is named in honour of the founding editor of Coaches Report magazine. The award recognizes a national sport organization that demonstrates a consistent approach to valuing and recognizing the role of the coach within the organization, with the media, and with the public.
Skate Canada, which won the award in 2007, repeats in 2008. “Skate Canada continues to be an outstanding role model for its consistent approach valuing and recognizing the important role of the coach,” says Sugar. “Coach development initiatives include a National Coaches Conference, participation in the annual general meeting, the Best of the Best CanSkate Coach Program, an e newsletter that reaches more than 4,800 Skate Canada certified coaches, regular feature stories on coaches, coach recognition in media releases and announcements, two annual coaching awards, and representation on committees and the board of directors.”
Previous winners of the Sheila Robertson Award are the Canadian Yachting Association in 2005 and Diving Plongeon Canada in 2006.
About Coaches of Canada
Coaches of Canada is the national organization representing Canada's professional coaches—with members who represent all sports, both professional and amateur. Coaches of Canada's mandate is to advance the profession of coaching and to advance the contribution coaches make to individuals, teams, communities, and society.
For information, contact:
Rebecca Norton
Communications and Events Coordinator
Coaches of Canada
Tel: 416-426-7459
rebeccanorton@coachesofcanada.com
