Free Manitoulin High Performance Coaching Symposium
As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, an amazing opportunity is coming up for all current and future, Manitoulin hockey coaches who want to tap into the potential of themselves as leaders and their prospective players. Details have been confirmed and the clinic is coming to Little Current on October 28 and 29. Headlining through well-known presenters the Manitoulin Tourism Association (through Trillium Ontario) is sponsoring a hockey education clinic for all hockey coaches as well as those contemplating coaching this year. There are still a couple of spaces available to the present and future of Manitoulin hockey guidance! Without any fee required the sky is the limit with this prospect, organizers would especially like to attract those who may have never felt comfortable with coaching yet such as female and young coaches!
Among the presenters are: Dr. Randy Battachio, sports psychologist, who will be speaking on “Mental Performance.” Randy has worked with Junior, University and OHL clubs. The goaltending coach of the Sudbury Wolves, Miguel Beaudry (himself a former Wolves goalie) will be presenting a session on “How to incorporate Goaltending Drills into the Regular Practice.” Corey Bricknell, head coach of the Elliot Lake Wildcats Jr A (a former member of the Barrie Colts and a Minor-pro player) will speak on “Developing a Defensive System.”
“Every Coach is a Manager” will be the presentation by Todd Stencil, general manager of the Wildcats and longtime Jr A coach as well as an assistant coach in the OHL. Todd is a member of the NOHA’s High Performance Coaches Association. His session will address the fact that Head Coaches need to know all aspects of coaching a team to be successful. Todd is an excellent student of the modern game.
There will also be some on-ice sessions to demonstrate practical drills. These sessions will be divided into age groups so that coaches will experience drills appropriate to the various age levels. This portion of the symposium will be under the direction the RHP Hockey Academy and presented by Jim Emmett, long-time hockey school expert. Local athletes such as Nick Esposto (OHL) and Jesse Peltier (NOJHL) will be among those assisting Mr. Emmett.
The presentations hope to give any dedicated and future coach some practical advice on how to coach Minor Hockey. Participants will be treated to a couple of meals and will also be eligible to win other prizes. Since registration is limited and the event is quickly approaching, organizers urge you to register ASAP. To do this, please contact Shelba Millette at the Manitoulin Tourism Association 368-3021 or by email at mta@manitoulin.net, Lawrence Enosse at the Wikwemikong Youth Centre, 859-3597 or 859-3552 (Fax). You also can phone Larry Leblanc at 377-4673 or e-mail, larrycleblanc@yahoo.ca. If you desire to be a better coach and wish to help your athletes to develop their skills, please register early.
Toronto Waterfront Marathon maven!
There was a big miss last week on the reporting of all the Manitoulin connections to the last running of the Toronto Waterfront race weekend. Not to diminish the amazing run of Evan Bayer, but we must recognize an amazing run of the former Mindemoya runner Kaitlyn Toohey (nee Tallman) who finished with a new, personal best of 2:51:52, eclipsing her old mark by more than 30 minutes! Running the 42.1 km at an average pace of 4:04 min/km, Kaitlyn was the 9th Canadian woman to cross the finish line and just the 14th woman overall and in only, her third full marathon! Keep up the good work, Kaitlyn.
Island Cross-Country
The annual Manitoulin cross country championships took place last Thursday at C. C. McLean where Island runners put all their hard work to the test. On what threatened to be a nasty day weather wise, Thursday the 20th ended up being one of the best, Island Cross-Country weather days in the last while. Thanks to head organizer, Bruce Lindsay as well as immediate supervisors: Robin Best, Tracey Chapman and especially, April Patterson, the day went off without a hitch!
Congratulations to the Central Manitoulin Eagles who eked out an overall team win over Wasse Abin hailing from Wikwemikong and Little Current Public School who took third.
Panther power!
The Manitoulin Panther organization, as it prowls into its 31st season, has been recognizing their founding predecessors and this past Sunday, during their home opening day, the club honoured among others, Larry Leblanc. Additionally, other forefathers (Rick Gjos, Wes Leeson etc.) were also acknowledged as indispensable to elevating the amazing hockey talent on Manitoulin to the next level.
In a ceremony between the winning, Atom and Peewee Panther games, president Craig Abotossaway, NEMI Mayor Al MacNevin and NOHA rep Gail Payette hailed the enduring Panther organization as a collective, Manitoulin initiative. The expressed gratitude for all of the communities that have fed the team rosters over the years, as well as the volunteers and of course the amazing sponsors and community individuals who have managed to keep this important, grassroots, initiative afloat all of these years.
A good sport is good for sports.
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