Canadian coaches celebrated at Petro-Canada Sport Leadership Awards

by Sail Canada on 4 Nov 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.

via Sport 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

Paralympic sailing coaches Ken Dool and Steve McBride are being honoured with the Petro Canada coaching excellence award for their coaching contributions with Paralympic silver medalists John McRoberts, Jackie Gay, and bronze medalists Paul Tingley, Scott Lutes, Logan Campbell.

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.”