Montreal (November 9, 2012) – Canada’s top coaches and sport administrators were honoured at the Petro-Canada Sport Leadership Awards Gala, hosted by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), on Friday night at the Hyatt Regency Montreal.
“Each one of these recipients exemplifies what the Coaching Association of Canada stands for,” stated John Bales, Chief Executive Officer for the CAC. “These coaches have had an incredible impact on the athletes under their care not only during their competitive years, but the passion and dedication that they have instilled in their athletes will last for a lifetime. They are role models for all Canadians and I am proud to congratulate all of our 2012 Award winners.”
THE WINNERS ARE:
Geoff Gowan Award:
The Geoff Gowan Award was created by the Coaching Association of Canada in 1996 and recognizes lifetime contribution to coaching development. It is awarded to coaches who have presented a positive public image of coaching and enhanced the role of the coach with the Canadian public.
David Hart – Water Polo (Ottawa, Ontario)
Victor Zilberman – Wrestling (Montreal, Quebec)
Honourable Mentions:
Dennis Marineau – Bobsleigh (Calgary, Alberta)
Hiroshi Nakamura - Judo (Montreal, Quebec)
Manon Perron – Figure Skating (Boucherville, Quebec)
Coaches of Canada are a partner organization of the CAC that focuses on the profession of coaching. They present the following two important awards: Jack Donohue “Coach of the Year” Award and the Sheila Robertson Award.
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.
David Ross – Gymnastics - Trampoline (Thornhill, Ontario)
“David Ross clearly possesses the characteristics that made Jack Donohue a legendary coach,” said Wayne Parro, Executive Director of Coaches of Canada. “Dave has brought numerous Canadian athletes to international success and he exhibits dedication and commitment that go beyond the competitive arena. He not only has produced results at all levels of competition, but he has invested his efforts in bettering the sport through the development of equipment as well as up-to-date training methods. We proudly recognize our Coach of the Year - David Ross.”
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.
“Speed Skating Canada has consistently demonstrated recognition of the value and role of the coach in developing their athletes and is very deserving of this prestigious award,” said Wayne Parro. “They consistently promote coaching within their organization and ensure that the voice of the coach is heard in their decision-making processes. Congratulations to the board and staff at Speed Skating Canada for their commitment to coaching in Canada!”
National NCCP Coach Developer Award presented by Investors Group:
This new award recognizes an outstanding individual who has gone above and beyond to inspire and develop NCCP coaches in their community. It will be awarded to one national winner every year.
Don Watts – (Calgary, AB) posthumous
“This award is meant to demonstrate how much we recognize and appreciate our coach developers who are out and about in their communities each and every day inspiring others to become the best coaches they can be,” said John Bales, CEO of the Coaching Association of Canada. “As both a sport-specific and multi-sport Master Learning Facilitator, Don Watts’ legacy represents the character, skills, abilities and expertise of the exceptional NCCP leaders we wish to honour with this award.”
Richard Irish, Vice-President, Community Affairs and Marketing Support at Investors Group said: “Investors Group is committed to recognizing community leaders who inspire others to become active in their communities. We are extremely humbled to present our inaugural award to the late Don Watts. He truly was the best of the best and sets the tone for future recipients.”
Investors Group National Volunteer Sport Administrator Award:
This award recognizes the contribution to community sport programs made by a dedicated volunteer who has given countless hours of time so that coaches and athletes can enjoy the benefits of well-organized sport.
Harold Nicholson – Athletics (Hartland, NB)
“Investors Group is active in Canadian communities and celebrates the people who dedicate hours just to make a difference in those communities,” stated Richard Irish, Vice-President, Community Affairs and Area Marketing at Investors Group. “Harold went above and beyond his role as a community sport volunteer – he saw to it that athletics as a sport grew within his province and Canada, making him the perfect recipient of this national award.”
Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards:
Please click here to view the list of the 53 winners of this award for the 2011-2012 season.
These prestigious awards recognize coaches whose athletes have excelled at World Championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Special Olympics World Games.
“Petro-Canada has supported the recognition of Canada’s coaches for 11 years and has recognized more than 200 of Canada’s best. This year, as in years past, there is an incredible list of talented coaches that we are very proud to celebrate,” said Steven Keith, Director, Loyalty and Marketing Partnerships, Suncor Energy.