2009 Coaches BC Coach of the Year Award Recipients

We are pleased to announce this years 2009 Coaches BC Coach of the Year Award winners. This year we had a total of four winners in three distinct categories. Winners will receive their award during the upcoming 4th Annual BC Coaches Week. Thanks to all of you who submitted nominations. We received a record number of nominations making it very hard for us to select this years winners! This year we had a total of four winners in the three award categories. Here is a little bit about each of the winners but be sure to come to Coaches Week to see the winner closest to you receive their award!

 

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Category 1: Recreational/Grassroots – 2 Winners

 

Maureen Brinson: (Campbell River) 

Maureen is one of the founding members of Special Olympics in Campbell River and she has been coaching Special Olympic athletes in that community since 1983. Maureen has coached and supported Special Olympic athletes from the local community level right up through to the international level. The fact that since 1988, at least one of her athletes has attended the Special Olympics National Games speaks to her dedication, commitment and her coaching effectiveness.   Maureen is always willing to share her coaching knowledge with others across the province and throughout Canada, and after 27 years of coaching, she continues to research ways that she can assist her athletes in enhancing their performance.

 

 

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Bryan Baxter: (Nanaimo)

Bryan has been one of BC Lacrosse’s most passionate and active volunteers for over 25 years and has had a significant impact on the successful growth of this sport in BC. He has held a regional coaching position since 1996, and he was instrumental in the development of an Aboriginal Youth Sport Program that introduced Lacrosse to more than 1600 school aged youth. Bryan is a Learning Facilitator for both Box and Field Lacrosse, has been a clinician on the Power of Sport tours, and promotes all aspects of Fair Play amongst both players and parents. An excellent instructor, he exudes patience and proficiency in the development of the skill of the sport of Lacrosse with his athletes.

 

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Category 2: Regional/Provincial

 

Mits Ikeda: (Abbotsford)
Mits has been a legendary name in gymnastics in Canadian since he immigrated to Canada 37 years ago, and under his tutelage he has taken about 40 gymnasts to National Championships, produced 7 Senior National level gymnasts, 5 of which made the Senior National team. He has attended 6 World Championships as one of Team Canada’s coaches, was head coach for the 1999 Pan American Games and has been the Coaching Chair of the Men’s Technical committee of Gymnastics BC. His successes have earned his club the recognition as a national training centre for men’s gymnastics. He is a consummate leader, creating a positive environment that has inspired young athletes to reach their potential and he has encouraged them to continue their involvement in gymnastics as coaches, judges and volunteers.

 

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Category 3: International

 

Elaine Dagg-Jackson (Saanich): (Saanich)
A Level 4 Chartered Professional Coach, Elaine has coached at 4 Winter Olympics, including this past Olympics where she was coach for the Canadian Women’s Team that collected a Silver medal. She has coached both men’s and women’s teams at 16 world championships for Canada, Japan and Korea, and she has been the Canadian national coach and team leader since 2003. She has been the manager of the Canadian Curling Association’s (CCA) National Women’s Team Program since 2004 and she wrote ‘Team Canada Handbook for National Teams’.  Elaine has also represented the CCA on behalf of High Performance sport with the Own the Podium program.