Richmond, BC (November 4, 2016) – Canada’s coaches and sport administrators will be honoured tonight at the Petro-Canada Sport Leadership Awards Gala, hosted by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel.
The gala recognizes Canada’s most dedicated, inspiring, and successful coaches. Annually, award recipients are honoured for exemplifying the values and competencies of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and for their influence in positively shaping the Canadian sport community.
“Every year, the Coaching Association of Canada is proud to recognize coaches and coach developers for the positive impact they have on sport in Canada,” says Lorraine Lafrenière, CEO of the CAC. “These coaches are so passionate about their work and are dedicated to positively impacting athletes in all aspects of their life. After such a tremendous performance by Team Canada at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games, I am so proud to congratulate all of our 2016 Award Winners.”
Also attending this evening’s Gala is the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate all the coaches and coach developers who will be recognized this evening,” said Minister Qualtrough. “The Coaching Association of Canada continues to do an outstanding job in facilitating and promoting the important role of coaches across Canada. Coaches are true game changers for our Canadian athletes on and off the field of play. With the outstanding coach education and the leadership that the Coaching Association of Canada provides in our country, I know that Canadian coaches will continue to empower and inspire our next generation of champions.”
THE WINNERS ARE:
Geoff Gowan Award
The Geoff Gowan Award was created by the Coaching Association of Canada in 1996 and recognizes lifetime contributions to coaching development. It is awarded to coaches who have presented a positive public image of coaching and who have enhanced the role of the coach with the Canadian public. The award resides at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary, Alberta.
Glenn Hoag – Volleyball (Gatineau, QC)
“Glenn’s achievements truly represent the outcomes of a lifetime dedicated to coaching. With over 20 years of experience coaching local, provincial, and national teams, his commitment to coach education and sport development is exemplary. We’re delighted and honoured to be able to celebrate Glenn’s contributions to sport and coaching in Canada,” says Paul Carson, Chair of the CAC Board of Directors.
“I am honoured to receive the Geoff Gowan award. It has been a privilege to work with athletes and coaches all across the world to help grow people through sport. I would like to thank my mentor Charles Cardinal. Charles guided me through the transition from player to coach, and taught me the importance of careful planning and critical analysis. He has been there for me whenever I needed his guidance. It has been and still is a journey of discovery as I have learned so much from the players I coached and all of my colleagues across the world,” stated Coach Hoag.
Jack Donohue “Coach of the Year” Award
This award recognizes a coach who exemplifies the great qualities that made Jack Donohue the legendary coach he was. These qualities include honesty, integrity, a positive attitude, competitiveness, a love of the sport, and that sport is about more than just wins and losses.
Mark Smith, ChPC – Softball Canada (Falmouth, NS)
“Mark epitomizes the traits that Jack Donohue exemplified. Not only has he been involved with Softball Canada in a coaching capacity since 1999, he also gives back off the field of play by working with coaches of all levels to provide them with learning opportunities to continue to develop and grow. A highly respectful, honest, and positive leader, we are so proud to have Mark as the recipient of the 2016 Jack Donohue award,” said Lorraine Lafrenière.
"Being recognized for this prestigious award is a culmination of years of hard work and support from many people. I am grateful to Softball Canada for nominating me for this tremendous honour,” says Coach Smith. “I’d like to recognize the athletes and coaching colleagues, past and present, whose hard work and commitment have significantly impacted my success as a coach and contributed to an athlete-centered approach and culture of excellence. To my softball mentors and good friends Harvey Stevenson, Terry Baytor, and Dick Jacquez, thank you for sharing their wisdom over the years. And most importantly, to my wife Ann, I will be forever indebted to her for allowing me to pursue my love for softball and my passion for coaching for the past three decades.”
Investors Group National NCCP Coach Developer Award
This award recognizes an outstanding individual who has gone above and beyond to inspire and develop NCCP coaches in their community. It is awarded to one national winner every year.
Andy van Neutegem – Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association (Victoria, BC)
“Investors Group is very proud to recognize leaders like Andy Van Neutegem, who not only inspire others within their own communities but who also inspire us all with their commitment to community,” said Trevor Krahn, Director, Community Affairs at Investors Group. “We are extremely honoured to present the Investors Group National NCCP Coach Developer Award to Andy for his commitment to coach development.”
“I am incredibly honoured to be recognized for something that I love to do! It has been a privilege working with coaches throughout Canada who share the passion of coaching athletes, young and old, in a positive and supportive manner,” says Andy van Neutegem. “I am deeply impressed with the commitment of our Canadian coaches at becoming better in making a difference in the lives of all athletes in our communities.”
Sheila Robertson Award
The Sheila Robertson Award recognizes a deserving National Sport Organization or Multi-Sport Service Organization that demonstrates a consistent approach in valuing and recognizing the role of the coach within the organization, the media, and the public.
viaSport British Columbia
“Receiving the Sheila Robertson Award is the pinnacle of recognition for contribution to coaching in Canada and we are sincerely honoured”, says viaSport British Columbia CEO Sheila Bouman. “At viaSport British Columbia, we believe that coaches truly are the backbone of the sport system. Through the commitment and leadership of our coaching team and expert Coach Advisors, we are very proud of the impact that the viaSport Regional Alliance, Coaches Week, BC Coach Administrator Sessions and Coach Developer Conference have had to advance coach education and development across our provincial system.”
Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards
These prestigious awards recognize coaches whose athletes have excelled at World Championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Special Olympics World Games. Petro-Canada, a Suncor business, has been a key supporter of Canadian coaches and the Coaching Association of Canada through its many programs since 1999.
“The dedication and support of Canadian coaches is critical to fuelling our athletes’ dreams. Congratulations to each recipient,” said Deborah Gullaher, vice president, sales and marketing, Suncor. “We are excited to celebrate this evening their dedication to the athletes and sport.”
Alberta
Bill Peters: Hockey Canada
Athletes: Canadian Men’s National Hockey Team
Jamie A Atkin: Gymnastics Canada
Athletes: Kyle Carragher, Denis Vachon, Jonathon Schwaiger, Arden Oh, Danielle Gruber, Tamara O'Brien
John Dunn: Curling Canada
Athletes: Scott Pfeifer, Kevin Koe, Marc Kennedy, Brent Laing, Ben Hebert
Kim Cousins, ChPC: Athletics Canada
Athlete: Alister McQueen
Matthias Ahrens, ChPC: Biathlon Canada
Athletes: Christian Gow, Nathan Smith, Scott Gow, Brendan Green
Paul Ragusa, ChPC: Wrestling Canada Lutte
Athletes: Geneviève Morrison, Erica Weibe
Phil Abbott: Cycling Canada Cyclisme
Athlete: Michael Sametz
British Columbia
Barney Williams: Rowing Canada Aviron
Athlete: Kate Sauks
Bruce Deacon: Athletics Canada
Athlete: Liam Stanley
Bruno Marcotte: Skate Canada
Athletes: Meagan Duhamel, Eric Radford
Carolyn Murray: Triathlon Canada
Athlete: Stefan Daniel
Chris Witwicki, ChPC: Canada Snowboard
Athlete: Sébastien Toutant
Dan Proulx, ChPC: Cycling Canada Cyclisme
Athlete: Catherine Pendrall
Gerald Dragomir, ChPC: Athletics Canada
Athletes: Ben Thorne, Ianaki Gomez, Evan Dunfee
John Tait, ChPC: Rugby Canada
Athletes: Canadian Women's National Rugby Sevens Team
John Wetzstein, ChPC: Rowing Canada Aviron
Athletes: Victoria Nolan, Meghan Montgomery, Andrew Todd, Curtis Halladay, Kristen Kit
Kelly Smith: Athletics Canada
Athletes: Brent Lakatos, Curtis Thom, Tristan Smyth, Alexandre Dupont
Peter Lawless, ChPC: Athletics Canada
Athlete: Michelle Stilwell
Roger Meager, ChPC: Rowing Canada Aviron
Athletes: Ben de Wit, Andrew Stewart-Jones, Kevin Chung
Stephen McBride, ChPC: Sail Canada
Athletes: John McRoberts, Jackie Gay
Steve Bush, ChPC: Water Ski & Wakeboard Canada
Athletes: Whitney McClintock, Neilly Ross, Ryan Dodd, Jaret Llewellyn
Tom Johnson, ChPC: Swimming Canada
Athletes: Emily Overholt
Newfoundland and Labrador
Leonard Roxon: Swimming Canada
Athlete: Katarina Roxon
Nova Scotia
Mark Smith, ChPC: Softball Canada
Athletes: Canadian Women's National Softball Team
Ontario
Adam Morka: Cycling Canada Cyclisme
Athlete: Emily Batty
Amanda Schweinbenz: Rowing Canada Aviron
Athletes: Victoria Nolan, Véronique Boucher, Curtis Halladay, Andrew Todd, Kristen Kit
Courtney Desjardins: Swimming Canada
Athlete: Tess Routliffe
David Ross, ChPC: Gymnastics Canada
Athlete: Rosie Maclennan
Glenroy Gilbert, ChPC: Athletics Canada
Athletes: Akeem Haynes, Aaron Brown, Brendon Rodney, Andre De Grasse
Glynn (Gar) Leyshon: Athletics Canada
Athlete: Damian Warner
John Keogh, ChPC: Rowing Canada Aviron
Athletes: Lisa Roman, Cristy Nurse, Jennifer Martins, Ashley Brzozowicz, Christine Roper, Susanne Grainger, Natalie Mastracci, Lauren Wilkinson, Lesley Thompson-Willie
Kenneth Dool, ChPC: Sail Canada
Athletes: Paul Tingley, Scott Lutes, Logan Campbell
Linda Kiefer, ChPC: Swimming Canada
Athlete: Kylie Masse
Ryan Whetung: Canoe Kayak Canada
Athlete: Nick Troutman
Tom Morris, ChPC: Rowing Canada Aviron
Athletes: Lindsay Jennerich, Patricia Obee
Vickie Croley, ChPC: Athletics Canada
Athlete: Damian Warner
Quebec
Aaron Dziver, ChPC: Diving Canada Plongeon
Athlete: Pamela Ware
Claude St-Jean, ChPC: Swimming Canada
Athletes: Katerine Savard
Derrick Campbell, ChPC: Speed Skating Canada
Athletes: Charles Hamelin, Samuel Girard, Alexander Fathoullin, Charle Cournoyer
Eric Van den eynde, ChPC: Cycling Canada Cyclisme
Athletes: Daniel Chalifour, Jean-Michel Lachance, Charles Moreau
France Latendresse: Swimming Canada
Athlete: Aurélie Rivard
Frédéric Blackburn, ChPC: Speed Skating Canada
Athletes: Marianne St-Gelais, Marianne St-Gelais, Kasandra Bradette, Valérie Maltais, Audrey Phaneuf, Namasthee Harris-Gauthier, Kasandra Bradette
Gregor Jelonek: Speed Skating Canada
Athlete: Alex Boisvert-Lacroix
Guillaume Plourde: Cycling Canada Cyclisme
Athletes: Tristen Chernove, Ross Wilson
Louis-Philippe Legaré: Canoe Kayak Canada
Athlete: Zachery Zwanenburg
Marc-André Pelletier, ChPC: Swimming Canada
Athlete: Nicolas Guy Turbide
Michel Gagnon, ChPC: Racquetball Canada
Athletes: Frédérique Lambert, Jen Saunders
Mike Thompson: Swimming Canada
Athlete: Benoît Huot
Richard Gauthier, ChPC: Skate Canada
Athletes: Meagan Duhamel, Eric Radford
Rino Langelier, ChPC: Racquetteball Canada
Athlete: Samuel Murray
Ryan Mallette: Swimming Canada
Athlete: Hillary Caldwell
Sébastien Travers, ChPC: Cycling Canada Cyclisme
Athletes: Shelley Gautier, Charles Moreau
Yihua Li, ChPC: Diving Canada Plongeon
Athletes: Meaghan Benfeito, Roseline Filion
Arturo Miranda, ChPC: Diving Canada Plongeon
Athletes: Jennifer Abel, Roseline Filion, Meaghan Benfeito
Saskatchewan
Rick Reelie, ChPC: Athletics Canada
Athletes: Brent Lakatos, Curtis Thom, Tristan Smyth, Alexandre Dupont
Australia
Cameron Jennings: Cycling Canada Cyclisme
Athletes: Ross Wilson, Tristen Chernove
Europe
John Herdman, ChPC: Canada Soccer
Athletes: Canadian Women's National Soccer Team
Bart Schouten, ChPC: Speed Skating Canada
Athletes: Jordan Belchos, Ben Donnelly, Ted-Jan Bloemen
Ben Titley, ChPC: Swimming Canada
Athletes: Penny Oleksiak, Chantal Van Landeghem, Michelle Williams, Sandrine Mainville
United States
Jeff Huntoon, ChPC: Athletics Canada
Athlete: Derek Drouin
More information on these deserving winners is posted on the Awards & Recognition page on coach.ca. Please follow #SLS16 for photos of the evening.
About the Coaching Association of Canada
The Coaching Association of Canada unites stakeholders and partners in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. Through its programs, the CAC empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches.
About Suncor
Suncor Energy is Canada’s leading integrated energy company. Suncor’s operations include oil sands development and upgrading, onshore and offshore oil and gas production, petroleum refining, and product marketing under the Petro-Canada brand. A member of Dow Jones Sustainability indexes, FTSE4Good and CDP, Suncor is working to responsibly develop petroleum resources while also growing a renewable energy portfolio. Suncor is listed on the UN Global Compact 100 stock index and the Corporate Knights’ Global 100. Suncor’s common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.
Petro-Canada
Petro-Canada, a Suncor business, operates almost 1,500 retail stations and 280 Petro-Pass wholesale locations nationwide. Petro-Canada’s retail loyalty program, Petro-PointsTM, provides Canadians with the opportunity to earn and redeem rewards. Petro-Canada is proud to be a National Partner of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees, supporting Canadian athletes, coaches and their families for more than 25 years. For more information, visit petro-canada.ca.
About Investors Group
Investors Group, founded in 1926, is a national leader in delivering personalized financial solutions to Canadians through a network of over 5,100 Consultants located throughout Canada. In addition to an exclusive family of mutual funds and other investment vehicles, Investors Group offers a wide range of insurance, securities, mortgage and other financial services. Investors Group is a member of the IGM Financial Inc. (TSX: IGM) group of companies. IGM Financial is one of Canada’s premier financial services companies with $136 billion in total assets under management as of June 30, 2015.
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For more information, pictures or videos of the recipients, please contact:
Michel Hachey
Manager, Communications
Coaching Association of Canada
613-235-5000, ext. 2382
613-858-0242 (Nov. 3-6)
mhachey@coach.ca