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Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services News Release ******************** Ontario Coaches Week, a celebration of the province’s thousands of community coaches launched in 2006 by the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), returns for its third year, Ap
Kate Adams
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services
News Release

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Ontario Coaches Week, a celebration of the province’s thousands of community coaches launched in 2006 by the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), returns for its third year, April 12-20, 2008.

North Bay is among the thirty-five communities around the province who will host a FREE event; a “thanks coach” breakfast hosted in partnership with the City of North Bay. Coaches are invited to enjoy this complimentary breakfast on Saturday, April 19, 2008 from 9 - 11 am at Memorial Gardens. Reservations can be made online at www.coachesontario.ca

About Ontario Coaches Week:

The theme of the week-long celebration — “Ready, Set, Coach! — reflects the CAO’s goal of recruiting, educating, and celebrating Ontario’s community coaches. It also reflects the CAO’s recognition of the urgent need to attract more qualified volunteer coaches to bring the benefits of sport to thousands of youngsters throughout the province.

Statistics compiled from the last two years reflect strong interest in Ontario Coaches Week with over 2,000 coaches directly involved.

Throughout the week, free workshops will target new coaches including women, aboriginals, and youths. Also planned are a wide range of fun and interactive events providing coaches, from the novice to the veteran, with access to experienced coaches, free resources, and networking opportunities. On the menu are

• NCCP Free Days, delivering NCCP courses for up to 400 coaches in 20 under-serviced communities that have not recently hosted a NCCP course.
• Coaching Athletes with a Disability, delivering free specialized introductory workshops in partnership with Paralympics Ontario.
• Free Ready, Set, Coach workshops for those interested in becoming a coach.
• Three Women-only NCCP courses led by female Learning Facilitators.
• A “Thank You, Coach” banner contest for elementary school students across Ontario.
• Three regional “Thanks Coach” Breakfasts’.

Ontario Coaches Week is built on partnerships; joining the CAO again this year are, the Coaching Association of Canada, and Paralympics Ontario. The celebration is funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Health Promotion and the federal government.

“Our partnerships are vital to the success of Ontario Coaches Week and to our overall goal of bringing innovative opportunities to Ontario’s coaches,” says CAO executive director Susan Kitchen. “This initiative, which was so successful during the last two years, also spotlights the vital role of the coach in affecting thousands of Ontario’s youth in positive ways.”

The Coaches Association of Ontario is an independent, non-profit, coach-led organization provides representation and recognition for coaches in a variety of contexts and strengthens development opportunities and provides resources for coaches.

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