It takes not one, but several coaches to make an impact on any minor player, regardless of what sport they might happen to be involved with and the line-up this season reflects several who are deserving of the recognition.
Ten Canadian finalists have been named for the 2014 NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award.
(en francais ci-dessous)
The award, now in its 16th year, is presented by BlackRock Canada, an industry-leading investment management and services provider.
Run in conjunction with Football Canada, the award is designed to recognize community or high school level coaches across Canada who dedicate themselves to the development of young players both on and off the field. The award is not based on wins and losses.
The following ten youth coaches (coaching organized teams of football players aged 19 or under) are this year’s finalists:
- Paul Arsenault Nova Scotia Minor Football Association, Valley Minor Football, Kentville, NS
- David Battistel St. Patrick High School, JV, Thunder Bay
- Alain Gauvin L’Association Régionale de Football Laurentides Lanaudière et la Ligue de Football des Laurentides, Terrebonne, Quebec
- Paul Howard National Capital Amateur Football Association, South Ottawa Mustangs, Ottawa
- Shawn Irwin L.Y. Cairns School & West Edmonton Raiders Football Association, Edmonton
- Chase Moore Western Canada High School, Calgary
- Vince Orieux Holy Rosary High School & Lloydminster Minor Football, Lloydminster
- Jay Prepchuk Handsworth Secondary School, Vancouver
- Joe Sardo Hamilton Football Association, Hamilton
Jason Schenn Rural Manitoba Football League (9-man) Moosomin Generals, Moosomin, SK
Current and former players, volunteers, fans, parents, administrators, school principals and fellow coaches submitted short essays recognizing the positive impact a coach in their community has on young players. Nominators were asked to consider how their coach teaches respect, leadership and appreciation for community and the game of football when drafting nominations.
Among this year’s finalists are:
• An Edmonton teacher who has introduced football in school for students with a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Disability
• A former professional football player pioneering a Safe Contact™ initiative in Hamilton
• A coach ensuring youth in a disadvantaged Ottawa community have a chance to play
Over the past 15 years the program has contributed more than $180,000 in equipment and facility upgrades to deserving coaches and programs.
“BlackRock Canada is proud to recognize the efforts of these ten very deserving finalists,” said Noel Archard, Managing Director, Head of BlackRock Canada, who will help cement the winning coach’s legacy by creating $5,000 in bursaries that will assist young players in the coach’s community who are in financial need. “These coaches are community builders and are nothing short of inspirational.”
The NFL will donate $5,000 of new football equipment to the winning coach’s program. The two runners-up schools will each receive $2,000 in equipment.
The winning coach will be selected by a panel of journalists from across Canada. Winner and runners-up will be announced via press release and posted online (NFL.com) on Tuesday December 2, 2014.
Past winners:
• 2013: Quentin Tynes, Halifax Minor Football Association, Halifax
• 2012: Dave Hocking, London Minor Football, London
• 2011: Rick Gilson, Grand Prairie Composite High School, Grand Prairie
• 2010: John Svenson, Melville Comprehensive School, Melville
• 2009: Bruce Waddell, Parkwest Outlaws, Shoal Lake
• 2008: Quinn Skelton, Medicine Hat High School, Medicine Hat
• 2007: Jeff Green, Chatham-Kent Secondary, Chatham
• 2006: Dan Del Mastro, Michael Power Catholic Secondary, Toronto,
• 2005: Jeff Yanchus, John F. Ross CVI, Guelph
• 2004: Kevin Campbell, Hammarskjold High School, Thunder Bay
• 2003: Paul Kerber, Western Canada High School, Calgary
• 2002: Gordon Judges, St. Mary Catholic High School, Pickering
• 2001: Paul Normandeau, Kelvin High School, Winnipeg
• 2000: Mitch Chuvalo, Western Technical Commercial High School, Toronto
• 1999: Mike Tanner, Queen Elizabeth High School, Halifax
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