June 2008 - Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations

OFSAA NewsThe Bulletin | June 2008Continued from page 1This was exemplified by the Canadian women’s hockey team that wonthe gold medal at the 2002 Olympics. In the final game against theUSA they were assessed nine consecutive penalties by the Americanreferee. Led by their coach, the team remained undistracted, andin the process taught us all a lesson about composure and stayingfocused on the end goal.Considering the number of games contested over the course of allOFSAA championships, the incidents involving coaches or athletesand officials is low. However, to continue to advance the “educationthrough school sport” philosophy, OFSAA must continue to promoterespect for all those involved in the competition, including officials.Doug Gellatly,Executive DirectorHosts NeededHosts are still required for the followingchampionships in 2008-09:• Nordic Skiing• Girls’ A Soccer• Boys’ A/AA Rugby• Boys’ Baseball Semi-final (West)• BadmintonIf these championships do not have hostsby June 13, they will be cancelled.If you are interested in the rewardingexperience of hosting an OFSAAchampionship, and wish to know moreabout what is involved, go to ourwebsite and click on Championships -Championship Convenor Info. Contact anystaff members listed there for assistance.Please let OFSAA staff know if you areinterested by June 12.OFSAA Executive Member Honoured at Ontario Sport AwardsCongratulations to OFSAA Executive Council member ValDunn for receiving the Syl Apps Award for her outstandingservice to OFSAA and school sport at the Ontario SportAwards on April 24.Named after Canadian pole-vault champion and formerToronto Maple Leafs captain, the Syl Apps Award is alsoknown as the Special Achievement Award for Volunteerismand is presented by the Sport Alliance of Ontario inpartnership with the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion.It recognizes Ontario volunteers who have contributed tothe development of sport in the province.Val started with OFSAA in the fall of 1989 and is currentlya member of the executive council representing NEOAA.She has been vice-chair and chair of the Committee forGirls Activities, as well as a member of the ConstitutionalReview Committee. She received OFSAA’s Leadership inSchool Sport Award in 1996-97 for Boys’ A Volleyball, andwas the first female recipient of the Coaching ExcellenceAward from the Coaching Association of Ontario.OFSAA isproud toannouncethat theCoachesAssociationof Ontario(CAO) hasselectedtwo OFSAAteachercoachesasthe 2008recipients ofthe SchoolSportAwards. Deb Shaw of Kenner CVI in Peterborough andMike Russell of Rick Hansen Secondary School in Peel.The CAO’s Coaching Excellence Awards recognize thesignificant contributions coaches make to both their sportand to athletes in Ontario.Deb Shaw has coached in the secondary schools withinCOSSA for more than 25 years, leading her athletes inbasketball, volleyball, soccer and hockey. She is alsothe staff advisor for the Girls Athletic Association. Deb’s“kids come first” attitude also involved her in field hockey,softball and track when the need arose in her school.As Val is retiring this year, receiving the Syl Apps Awardwas a fitting finale to an outstanding career as a teachercoach.Congratulations Val!Coaching Excellence Awards Recognizes OFSAA Teacher-CoachesDeb Shaw (right) receives her award fromOFSAA President Tracey Parish.Val receives her award from the Ministry at the OntarioSport AwardsDeb has worked tirelessly, season after season, toprovide programs for her students to develop characterthrough sport. She always encourages young staffmembers to get involved with athletics, and is anexcellent mentor to new coaches; always leading byexample.Mike Russell has coached in the secondary schools withinROPSSA for over 25 years, during which he convenedmany association championships, including volleyball,badminton, basketball and cricket. He has beenextremely involved in coaching track and soccer, and hastaught physical and health education.Mike is known for going out of his way to share hisknowledge and love for volleyball and other sports toencourage another coach’s knowledge and development.He is a true professional and many young coaches havebenefited from his advice. Mike’s coaching style alwaysputs the student-athlete first, allowing the personaldevelopment of the athlete through school sport.OFSAA congratulates Mike and Deb, and thanks themfor their commitment and dedication of OFSAA’s motto ofEducation through School Sport.In 2009, the Coaching Excellence Awards will be givento one OFSAA male coach and one OFSAA femalecoach. Nomination information can be found on theOFSAA website.2 www.ofsaa.on.cawww.ofsaa.on.ca 3