Sept. 21 to 20 is National Coaches Week. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Thanks Coach

Week aims to recognize coaches

Sep 24, 2019 | 12:33 PM

People are being asked to take the time to say thank you to their coaches.

National Coaches Week, which will be running until Sunday aims to celebrate the positive impact coaches have on athletes and their communities in their role.

Mark Phaneuf, principal at École St. Mary High School, who is also the volleyball and basketball coach said the theme of the occasion is one he truly appreciates.

“What I like about coaching week is it’s not about excellence, it’s about that commitment to those athletes,” he said.

Phaneuf explained some years a coach will have more talented athletes, but every year they are hoping to have kids who are committed to working hard and are dedicated. He added as a parent and a school administrator he appreciates the work coaches put in at all levels in the city.

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“It really sets a good example for the entire community,” he said.

Prince Albert Northern Bears Head Coach Jeff Willoughby said the timing of the week is important.

“I think recognition, especially early in the year, early in the season too is important. It does give maybe a coach the confidence they are being recognized and people are watching,” he said.

Willoughby said the occasion also can remind coaches about the impact they can have on the athletes they are working with. He said his hat goes off to people working with younger athletes who are more impressionable, especially those aged nine to 10.

“It’s building blocks for when they’re 16, 17,” he said.

Prince Albert Mintos Head Coach Danton Danielson said it is important to remember that anyone who makes it to an elite level has at some point been mentored by a volunteer coach.

“On the way up everybody benefits from volunteers,” he said.

He added even with many elite programs, athletes are benefiting from the work of volunteers. Danielson said most people who get into coaching do it for love and that saying ‘thank you’ to someone involved in coaching cannot be underestimated in terms of what it may mean to that person.

“I felt grateful to be involved in hockey on the way up and I’ve never really thought of it as a burden or a time suck for me or anything like that, it’s always been something I’ve been grateful to be involved in,” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn