CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – July 2026
“As a coach and educator, you do things the right way and students tend to follow it.”
By David Grossman
He remembers those early years, back when he was a teenager benefitting from inspirational educators and coaches.
These were intriguing and appealing times for Greg Spagnoli. Also, there were some fascinating years of education, growth and dipping into the world of leadership and responsibilities.
It was also the start of something huge for him. Looking back, one might see it as somewhat of a dream come true. For the past 25 years, Spagnoli has been a busy chap. For him, it’s been about providing opportunities to showcase young people and highlight their efforts, achievements, triumphs and prosperity.
As an honors academic student at Cardinal Leger Catholic Secondary in Brampton, Spagnoli was also a multi-sport athlete. He was well known around the school, a popular guy, a pacesetter and luminary of sorts. Spagnoli absorbed advice, especially from his school guidance counsellor Steve Pettit. The time would come for his initiation to the enterprise of coaching.
It was also a time for Spagnoli to make his mark emphasizing discipline, improvement and training. This was a tough job for a 17-year-old in his final year of grade school – and while also contributing as a player on the school senior boys’ soccer team.
Hearing that the school’s senior girls’ soccer team had a lineup of remarkable and dedicated players, there was something missing. There was no coach. Things would change. A sympathetic Spagnoli wanted to get involved. The school administration staff, aware of his strengths and popularity, advanced their trust and gave him the green light.
Spagnoli, with lots of experience as a player and knowledge of the game, was about to launch his initiation at coaching. As for the team, the roster was made up of girls who were his age – and even classmates. Finally, the results – they would advance to the Region of Peel playoffs that year, too.
“There were significant challenges,” said Spagnoli. “It was a great experience. Everyone was playing, learning and respectful – and it was a great way to end that school year. Developing the person before the player is what makes you better.”
Soccer, an activity and sport that he took to liking and learned as a seven-year-old with local clubs, would continue for Spagnoli while he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at York University. He spent four years as a striker and would play on a team that won a bronze medal in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) circuit.
But there were other memories – and not so pleasant.
In his rookie year at York, Spagnoli required surgery after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during a practise. His admiration for the sport continued – but had to remain off the soccer field for almost one year. Spagnoli would have to deal with a second anterior cruciate ligament. This time, on the other leg.
Next up on his academic studies, it was the Ontario Institute for Education at the University of Toronto. For him, a career goal of becoming a teacher.
With the World Cup now followed by millions of people across the planet, the Coaches Association of Ontario – in the wake of Canada’s huge success making it to the round of 16 – the CAO is shining the spotlight on Spagnoli in this month’s popular feature story series “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench”.
There is also a connection – other than Spagnoli playing soccer (coaching several provincial high school gold medals with team at Canpion). It’s his connection to Canada’s National team. Three of the acclaimed players wearing the red-and white were once his students and players at Campion – Jonathan Osorio, Cycle Larin and Tajon Buchanan.
Spagnoli likes to emphasize “success breeds success”.
“It’s a powerful statement, as a coach and educator, you do things the right way and students tend to follow it,” said Spagnoli, who now lives in Milton and has coached his kids at the Milton Magic Soccer Club when he’s not devoted to the responsibilities of a high school vice principal.
For Spagnoli, it’s not only about soccer. He may have been a coach for 33 years, but Spagnoli stresses that education speaks more these days.
“As an educator, you see different sides of a student,” he said. “For many, it changes from the classroom student to the athlete. There are mitigating factors. Students earn the opportunity to play for a school team. It’s not a right, but a privilege.
“We try to hold students responsible for their actions, for coming to school, attending classes and doing well. They need to buy in to that – and they see the joy and passion that comes from it.”
After a short term as vice principal at St. Marcellinus Catholic Secondary in Mississauga, Spagnoli will be returning to Campion to handle similar duties. As for him continuing coaching – and he’s played a major role in some 70 students advancing to universities on soccer scholarships – that’s a time issue.
Basketball, he claims, has been a big part of his life – but not as a player.
In his first two years as a teacher, he coached at Cardinal Leger – taking over from Pettit, who had retired. Then, with his move to Campion, Spagnoli continued the coaching experience for 10 years, which included guiding his players to several tournament titles across Ontario.
Now, in his spare time, he’s the supervisor of basketball officials in the OUA. There’s more. He continues to officiate in a professional loop that provides an experience for players across the country – the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).
-END-
David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations. In 2026, he was inducted to the Toronto Sports Hall of Honour with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Developing the person before the player is what makes you better.”
CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – June 2026
“For many Queer and Trans folks, walking into sport and recreation spaces can be nerve wracking and even risky – which is understandable given the lack of inclusive sport spaces that exist.”
You can call it convincing and even uncompromising.
Talk with Amber Hutchinson, or maybe watch her in action, and you’ll meet a person who is making a real, and positive, difference in people’s lives.
Her mission continues to focus on creating opportunities for people to avoid hiding their identity.
As a 37-year-old mother of two, the Brampton native is committed to recruiting – and that’s not necessarily targeting up-and-coming elite athletes. Hutchinson is quite clear, when speaking with her, that one of her key objectives is to seek out Queer and Trans individuals who have an interest in important leadership roles such as coaching sports teams.
“There are lots of people with talent, inspiration and a desire to help others,” said Hutchinson, who is a Queer woman.
“But (those individuals) feel like there is no place where they get a sense of belonging within a sport community. That has changed – and continues to change.”
Hutchinson, with a strong understanding of the sport system, high performance training and experienced in program management, has coached swimming and supportive programs for Swim Ontario and Swimming Canada for the past 13 years. A wealth of knowledge was gained from those experiences. She is currently employed with the Toronto Swim Club.
In 2021, as an advocate of the aquatic sport being a lifelong activity, it was more than her instinct, passion and well-educated background as a graduate from Western University in London, Ont., that led to this personal huge initiative.
It was about filling a gap as it relates to gender equity.
Her focus and ideology, as well as the responsibilities of being a President and founder of Toronto’s Purple Fins Swim Club, continues to be around building a social organization that is exclusive to Trans, Two-Spirit, and Non-Binary individuals.
Purple Fins now has some 60 members and is a gender-free masters swimming club intended to train Trans and Non-Binary swimmers. The club also welcomes Queer women.
“For many Queer and Trans folks, walking into sport and recreation spaces can be nerve wracking and even risky – which is understandable given the lack of inclusive sport spaces that exist,” said Hutchinson. “Creating a space that folks can trust has taken a lot of patience, care, and authenticity.”
The Coaches Association of Ontario, as part of its popular feature story series “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench”, is featuring Hutchinson during Pride Month which honours and advocates for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
In May of 2026, Hutchinson was involved in a session titled “Building Inclusive and Equitable Coaching Spaces” where she spoke about understanding the challenges that 2SLGBTQ+ coaches may face and the importance of belonging in sport. The session included recognizing how inclusive leadership shapes coaching and athlete experiences.
For Hutchinson, whose coaching experience started while studying at Western, the areas of tutoring, guiding and improving swimmers has become a huge part of her life.
Her career involves a field unfamiliar to many people. She’s a biomechanist. Sometimes it’s referred to as sport science and is associated with kinesiology. Swimming biomechanics blends sport-specific expertise with physics and human movement. Hutchinson’s work includes an emphasis on skill acquisition and performance analysis.
Hutchinson is a technical performance coach who supports instructors, educator, trainers and athletes in many ways. She works collaboratively with coaches and swimmers to enhance their current training programs.
In her case, it’s using an underwater video system and hand paddles with force sensors to analyze a swimmer’s strokes and skills. She then uses the data collected to teach athletes how to apply force more efficiently within their movements. Ultimately, it’s leading to improved performance and greater confidence in their racing abilities.
“When I entered coaching, it was a way to connect with individuals who knew they had a coach on deck that that could support them for more than just swim instruction, but also to nurture friendship and their journey of self-identity,” said Hutchinson, whose club functions out of the recreation and athletic centre at Toronto Metropolitan University.
“At Purple Fins, our swimmers come to the pool for more than a workout – they come for community and friendship and the joy in belonging to a space that affirms their identity.”
Hutchinson, who now resides in Toronto and chose not to hide her Queer identity, knows diversity is beautiful. At Purple Fins, swimmers show up as their authentic selves and feel supported to succeed and thrive in sport as well as celebrate their differences.
“I have had individuals tell me that being involved with the Purple Fins has been life-changing and essential for survival – it’s a place to develop friendships, an opportunity to build confidence, great relationships as well as share values and beliefs.”
Hutchinson knows the 2SLGBTQ+ community has come a long way in the past five years.
“To get to where we are now, has taken a great deal of work – and I’m proud of what we’ve done (at Purple Fins),” she said. “Many of us grow up feeling like we don’t have the same opportunities as others – and many of us grow up without a vision of a fulfilling future.
“That’s why visibility is incredibly important – not only for swimmers in the water and the coaches on the pool deck, but for everyone in the community to see that they have an opportunity to join a swim team as their authentic self.”
As a leader on deck, Hutchinson sees individuals show up at the pool carrying a lot of heaviness from their daily lives.
“I use swimming as a tool for folks to re-focus, connect with their bodies through movement and achieve short term goals within practice,” she added.
“Swimmers leave practice walking with more confidence and breathing a bit easier – you can see it in how they move and how they connect with their teammates with renewed energy. I can also feel the change myself as a coach.”
END
“Creating a space that folks can trust has taken a lot of patience, care, and authenticity.”
CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – National AccessAbility Week 2026
“Choosing things that are difficult to accomplish, and getting them done, moves you forward in life”
He has an addiction.
There is no undisclosed or concealed secret behind his obsession.
In fact, Michael (Frog) Frogley is quite open about it.
His fixation is too straightforward. It’s to be successful – and try to persuade others to take a similar approach in their daily lives.
Known by his colleagues, athletes and many followers by his nickname “Frog”, he has a work ethic – and not a replacement for it. Talent, education and hard work are part of his daily formula but so are critical items like integrity, respect, being selfless and his curiosity which can often amount to lots of questions.
Frogley is also adamant about the importance of discipline, and especially as it relates to the world of sports. It’s a word he targets in his dealing with coaches and athletes. As he puts it, “(discipline) is hard, but choosing things that are difficult to accomplish, and getting them done, moves you forward in life”.
Born into a military family in the charming seaside community of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, home for him has changed numerous times – and especially when he continued in his father’s footsteps with admiration and a fondness for being in the Canadian military.
A graduate of Colonel By Secondary School in Ottawa, Frogley struggled to find a career path. Fond of business, math and economics, he spent two years at Carleton University, but opted for the military reserve.
Frogley was a robust kind of dude, super competitive in his teenage years as a macho jock, and like most people his age. But life changed for him on the evening of June 18, 1986. It was a weekend break from the military and the 22-year-old Frogley, along with friends, made a last-minute decision to head to a family cottage near Kazabazua, a small village in Quebec and about a one-hour drive northwest of Ottawa.
“I was driving my sports car, went into a ditch, the car rolled and I broke my back,” he recalled. “I was unconscious, paralysed from the chest down and doctors at the old Civic Hospital in Ottawa told me I wouldn’t walk again. I didn’t have a picture of the future. It was like stepping in to a room with lights off and adjusting to darkness.
“You think you’re always invincible, that things happen to other people, but when it hits home you realize that it’s not a dream but worse. Fortunately, my friends were safe, but my accident put me in a wheelchair for life.”
Frogley wants to be understood, has opinions on many things, but clearly has a message for young people that things can happen to anyone when they’re not careful.
Getting on with his life, days of rehabilitation, Frogley had far too many questions without answers. His fondness for the military took a jolt – and, especially, an opportunity to work in the navy.
“I knew my military career wasn’t going to go well,” he said. “I figured wheelchairs are not really accessible in submarines.”
Frogley had time in the hospital to think about just exactly what his future would be.
“While recovering, I knew I was paralysed and wondered what I could do going forward – and not what I can’t do,” he said. “That’s when I turned those personal lights back on. I was at the rehab centre, while my house was being made accessible, and connected with wheelchair basketball.”
Frogley wrestled in high school, but there had also been a fondness for basketball which he learned at age 10. A local club had heard about him, and it didn’t take long for Frogley to find a place to shoot baskets at the rehabilitation centre. In 1988, his competitive career started with the Ottawa Royals.
“There came a time when I realized my playing days were done, so I figured why not coach,” he said. “So, I approached the staff at Colonel By. They knew my situation and that I wanted a chance to help. I wanted them to see me and even though I was in a chair, I wanted to prove that I could make the athletes better.”
Things didn’t go well at first and Frogley admitted he wasn’t a great coach, but passion and perseverance took over. In 1989, he coached the junior boys’ basketball team to a Carleton Board of Education championship.
“I love coaching – more than playing,” said the 62-year-old Frogley, who has been coaching sport for 40 years with his experience including playing on Canada’s National team at the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona where the team finished fourth.
After playing that year, he coached at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for four years. While coaching, he finished his Master of Science in Education degree at the same university. After his degree, Frogley moved on to the University of Illinois- Urbana/Champaign where he coached for a remarkable 17 years.
“When you coach, you work with athletes – some more talented than others,” said Frogley, who along with his wife, have three children. “When you work with struggling athletes and see them succeed, there’s a sparkle and I can see them building self-esteem and knowing they accomplished something big because of hard work and effort.”
While his first gold medal may have come at the Stoke Mandeville World Games in Stoke Mandeville, England in 1989, there came a time when he would end his playing career. Frogley then became the head coach of the Men’s National Team from 1996-2004.
He guided Canada to Paralympic success for the first time in program history with back-to-back gold medals in 2000 and 2004. Frogley also served as an assistant coach in 2006 as the Canadian men won their first World Championship title. Two years later, they added a Paralympic silver.
Humble and preferring to shine the light on people he has coached, Frogley has been inducted into the Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame and was the recipient of a special Leadership Award for long-term leadership and development in the Junior program of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association.
Looking back, Frogley has become a leader, a trailblazer and a mentor who is still involved in the development of the sport at all levels.
“I have always tried to be the best I can,” said Frogley, who now lives in Whitby and has been involved in sports consulting with targeted wheelchair programs. “To do everything to the best of my ability. My parents taught me that and, as a coach, that’s what I tell others in schools, clubs as well as national and provincial programs.”
As part of its popular feature story series “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench”, the Coaches Association of Ontario is sharing Frogley’s story on National Access Ability Week (NAAW) in Canada.
It’s an annual event held this year from May 31 to June 6 to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities and to promote barrier-free communities creating a more inclusive society. The week includes Red Shirt Day where people wear red to show support for persons with disabilities and their families.
David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.
“I love coaching – more than playing. When you work with athletes and see them succeed, there’s a sparkle.”
CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – National Volunteer Week 2026
“Volunteer work is vital. As a volunteer my passion is to ignite people and not just in a playing capacity, but as a leader that goes far beyond being just an athlete.”
Busy.
That one word just about sums up the life of Gabriella Bunag. Some might also engage in the use of adjectives like energetic, industrious, or productive when referring to the 27-year-old.
All are accurate. However, one thing Bunag isn’t – that’s being inconspicuous.
Check out what this energetic individual has accomplished and it’s fair to raise the question of when she finds the time to accomplish so much and, yes, with near perfection.
What does become crystal clear, especially when watching her in action or asking people about her vital contribution, is the positive impact she continues to have on others. Asked about her mission in life, there was no hesitation – “to contribute to society in a confident and favourable manner”.
That also involves leading with quite a bit of integrity and purpose as well as dedication, mentorship and perseverance.
As you read on, there’s more to disclose and cherish about how she juggles her often chaotic and stressful life – both business and voluntary. First, a bit about this multi-talented individual.
Bunag, proud of her Filipino heritage, is from Toronto. As a youngster, she was fascinated with people “who fixed things” and at one time contemplated being a plumber. She’s a graduate, and with academic honours, from Senator O’Connor College. Having studied at Ryerson University, Bunag earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree that focussed on human resources management.
Playing sport, coaching and officiating would all become part of her life. At times, it was exhausting – and still is – but superseding all of that continues to be the uplifting excitement and enjoyment that comes with success.
Many see her as a superb role model for young people.
“I do what brings me happiness,” said Bunag. “Competing was fun, but coaching has taught me the important steps and plans needed and, in many cases, how to improve things that could have been done better”.
While Bunag’s initiation to playing basketball came at the age of 13, she admits that pursuing the sport to the professional level was not in the career plan. However, there still is a dream of one day becoming a senior executive with a basketball team.
At the age of 14, somewhat of a setback occurred while in Grade 9.
Bunag suffered her first concussion (she has had four in total) when, accidentally, she was sandwiched by two opposing players in a school basketball game. The blow resulted in an injury to a sensitive, thin-boned area on the side of her head between the forehead and the ear. It’s an area that can be vulnerable to serious injury.
It didn’t take long for her interest to change from perfection as an athlete on the hardwood to the role of excellence in managing and coaching.
“Volunteer work is vital,” said Bunag. “As a volunteer, if I have inspired someone to do something, I’m happy. My passion is to ignite people and not just in a playing capacity, but as a leader that goes far beyond being just an athlete.”
With Bunag as an example, the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) continues to salute those who have dedicated countless hours as volunteers. During National Volunteer Week in Ontario – and across Canada from April 19–25 – the CAO celebrates the vital contributions of volunteers to their communities.
Bunag’s initiation to assume team managerial duties came when she was invited to assist with coaching the game of hoops at elementary school. Additional experience followed that included working with the men’s basketball team at Ryerson. As for that first official coaching job, it came in 2018 with a not-for-profit group called Girls Addicted to Basketball (GAB).
“I’m enjoying what I do,” said Bunag. “I’m trying a lot and remain dedicated to upgrading my skills and development with a goal of being better at everything. When I do that, I know I’m able to help young people get better at what they do as well.”
With a post-secondary degree and her focus turning to employment as a priority, following several co-op opportunities with superb companies, Bunag accepted her first fulltime job. That came in 2023 – and it would lead to the current duties and responsibilities as Human Resources Manager with a major law firm in Toronto.
But Bunag, benefitting from physiotherapy and rehabilitation that helped with dealing with her symptoms from the mild traumatic blows to her head, was not done with sports. In fact, quite the opposite. She coaches a girl’s under-14 team called the Toronto Lords.
It’s an Ontario Basketball Association program. Even more attractive, is that it has partnered with Canada Basketball’s Junior network that is affiliated with the National Basketball Association (NBA).
In case you were wondering, Bunag has all the right credentials to be a statistician with the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (International Basketball Federation) and will handle additional responsibilities at the statistician table for the Toronto Tempo that will debut in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) this month.
As if that isn’t enough, Bunag is also a licensed boxing official with the Athletic Commission of Ontario. Her duties include in-ring reviews of boxers between rounds of matches to ensure rules and guidelines are followed. She’s also midway through a Master’s degree in Sport Business at Toronto Metropolitan University, (formerly known as Ryerson and re-named on April 26, 2022).
Tedious times for Bunag, but quite the prolific individual.
“Coaching has taught me the important steps and plans needed and how to improve things that could have been done better.”
CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – International Womens Day 2026
“It’s not just about training the body, but also developing skills for concentration, about training the mind and self-defence.”
Sports as we know it, can be enjoyable and quite physical.
It’s also where expertise and competency play a huge role.
Let’s add the word risky, too.
Now, let me share some words about Janet Lawless.If she decides one day to write an autobiography, it would be fascinating to read – and especially about how she would link athleticism, coaching, personal awards, playing saxophone, combat fighting and being the mother of six girls.
As a remarkable and ambitious woman, Lawless is involved in an activity whereby she is trained, qualified and extremely talented. As for the sport itself, one could say that last year’s recipient of an Ontario Excellence award likes, without animosity, to kick butt.While many see her as a teacher of sport, implementing all the fundamentals that go with it, she will never lose the respect of being a marquee athlete in self defense. The official term is a combat fighter.Authentic and transparent, she owns several black belts – and not the ones you buy at the clothing store. Examine closely and they are distinct awards of honor in martial arts depicting a high level of fitness, proficiency and qualifications. They signify a mastery in technical skills and the fundamentals of a fighting structure of a sport that dates back thousands of years.Touting patience and energy, Lawless likes to use the words confidence, discipline and focus when talking, and instructing, about some 11 different types of martial arts that include karate and kung fu to kick boxing and judo.
Now 60 years of age, she has passed the stage of personal competitions.
Want some advice? Just remember that she holds a 6th-degree black belt in karate and another black belt in Modern Arnis – which is a comprehensive Filipino self defense system that focuses on using rattan sticks, blades, and empty-hand techniques.
So, it may not be wise to sneak up on her. In martial arts, an individual can handle anything that comes their way.
Lawless turned to coaching – and she does that in a grandiose manner. There is no sign of clumsiness in her work. No retreat or showing of incapability. It is quite the opposite with her displaying world-class instruction along with the development of new skills and a boatload of confidence from her and a team of instructors.
The benefactors, from Lawless and her team of instructors, are some 200 students attending sessions held at three different community centres in eastern Ontario. Parents of her students have high praise and say through her work, Lawless “has been helping to shape a generation of confident, resilient women who know their worth and how to protect themselves”.Having earned credentials that qualify her to be a National coach, Lawless is often referred to by Japanese titles that define a hierarchy of skill and teaching responsibility. Common to her is Shihan, a master instructor, and Dan signifying a high-level ranking. You’ll hear others call her Dayang, which is a southeast Asian term meaning noblewoman.Lawless is also the owner (and an instructor) of the 6Tigers Academy in a place called Manotick, which is a suburb of Ottawa.
Home for her is about a 30-minute drive away in Greely, a village just south of the Nation’s capital. Close to 25 years ago, the incredible journey started after opening her first karate school in Barrhaven, in the former city of Nepean.
So much for the geography lesson.
“The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants”
Now, the focus is on Lawless – who may have seen early signs of educating dating back to age three when she received a chalkboard for her birthday. With a degree from the University of Ottawa, further education at Queen’s University in Kingston, she wanted to make a positive impact in a male dominated sport.
“When I opened (6 Tigers Academy), the goal was to show people what they are capable of,” said Lawless, a Hydro One Safe Play award winner, recognized for her dedication to inclusivity and empowering women through self-defence.
“Martial arts is an excellent way to build physical health and self-discipline. It’s not just about training the body, but also developing skills for concentration, about training the mind and self-defence.”
Lawless was one of 15 coaches who received the prestigious 2025 Ontario Coaching Excellence Awards from the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) in conjunction with Hydro One. The award highlights coaches for “their dedication to developing athletes and fostering safe, inclusive sport environments”.
Through its popular feature story series “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench”, the CAO is highlighting Lawless on International Women’s Day set for March 8 – the global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
“Many of life’s failures are experienced by people who did not realise how close they were to success when they gave up”
Initiation to sport for Lawless may have been in swimming, followed by provincial competition in diving. Reminiscing about those days in grade 11 at Ottawa’s Sir Robert Borden high school, she said that is when her first experience in coaching occurred after having accepted the invitation of assisting with 15 and-16-year-old students.
It wasn’t until a friend of one of her daughters was taking karate classes, that Lawless saw an opportunity of not just signing her up for the program – but launching her own school with martial arts programs.“That’s when it happened and now as a coach, I have the opportunity to make a huge impact in the lives of so many others,” said Lawless who teaches remotely across the country including in a variety of Indigenous communities. “I can contribute to taking athletes to another level.”
Lawless, who is also referred to as a Master instructor, shared how she hosted a “Women’s Self-Defense Gathering” in Manotick that focussed on the tactical and psychological aspects of safety. She wasn’t sure who would attend. She got her answer when 44 women, between the ages of 11 and 74, showed up.”Coaching duties haven’t been restricted to her club. She has coached Ontario athletes at the National championship including g three from Manotick who won medals. There’s more. Lawless has been to the World championships in Budapest in 2023 and Paris in 2025 – as coach of refugee athletes.
“Life’s not about how hard a hit you can give, it’sabout how many you can take and still keep moving forward”
“As a coach, I have the opportunity to make a huge impact in the lives of so many others. I can contribute to taking athletes to another level.”
CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – Black History Month 2026
“There is a great deal of satisfaction watching kids commit to something and you get to not only see but also participate in their progress.”
You have likely heard people toss around initials, when discussions tend to focus on things like genetics or if the phrase used is “it’s in your DNA”.
The DNA term is defined as Deoxyribonucleic Acid – a molecular blueprint that can involve the passionate gift of making others feel good.
That fits nicely when describing the accomplishments of Gord Gallimore – an educator, coach, parent and so much more. Gallimore has had a life-long plan, one that has regularly been modified and grows consistently with importance and greatness.
Simply put, it’s the compassion, care and feeling he displays when it involves dealing with others. Let’s look at young people – students and athletes. Growth is good, but so is confidence. Gallimore’s enthusiastic camaraderie has positively transformed the lives of thousands.
There have been numerous moments that have shined for Gallimore who, in addition to teaching various subjects at David Suzuki Secondary School in Brampton, has coached sports for the past 24 years.
Gallimore had recollections of an interesting discussion he had during his high school years with teachers Sam Papaconstantinou and Gary Waterman.
“I remember it well – with two of my coaches,” said Gallimore, who is now often referred to as “Coach Gord”. “They told me I would make a great teacher and coach. It’s funny how thinks happen.”
Whether it has been developing and mentoring at four high schools, several universities or minor football teams in Mississauga, Peel, Halton and Durham, Gallimore has consistently achieved one huge objective. That’s his personal counselling and tutoring of teenagers with the emphasis on encouragement and endorsing their physical, social and emotional development.
“It has always been about giving kids a positive impact in their lives,” said the 46-year-old Gallimore who, along with his wife, passed on that message to their two children.
“Coaching is something I genuinely enjoy, and I’ve seen how meaningful the work can be for many people. At times, though, there are challenging situations with students and parents, which is simply part of the role and happens fairly often.”
Pride, more than selfishness, highlights his days as an athlete – and chosen Football Player of the Year in his final term at Father Michael Goetz Secondary in Mississauga.
Gallimore then headed to Canada’s east coast and earned a degree in Economics from Acadia University Wolfville, N.S. Teacher’s certification and a Master’s degree came from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, where he found time to also coach and take on the job of football recruiting coordinator.
Worth noting is that at age 23, Gallimore required medical attention to repair a lingering shoulder injury and departed Acadia to returned to Toronto for surgery. He took courses at York University – and coached high school football.
“What I find to be very important is to develop and maintain good relationships with players and others,” said Gallimore, who is highlighted during Black History Month and featured in the popular Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) series Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench.
“I’ve seen an array of personalities … people with great talent and others having to deal with troubled lives,” said Gallimore. “As an educator and coach, I very much need to be that positive role model. I think I’m good at what I do, teach and coach, but there are people who don’t see me as valuable.”
The CAO’s series shines the spotlight on individuals, like Gallimore, who have exhibited strong coaching fundamentals. His approach to coaching, is to always find ways to excel in sport.
Gallimore is also Founder and President of the Peel Panthers, a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers – and a club that has grown to more than 500 players. The team, with players 19 years of age and younger, competes in the Ontario Summer Football League (OSFL). Gallimore emphasizes on his list of team goals are the key elements of discipline, teamwork and accountability.
While others have indicated that Gallimore is not one to thrive on game scores and numbers, for him it has been it has been in the capacity of providing meals to those in need, assisting students with school studies and the tutelage of cultivating relationships.
Not being a big fan of personal awards, Gallimore doesn’t believe in egotism. For him, it’s all about viewing the glory and pride associated with those he has inspired. Others believe that when the spotlight shines on people, it should be supported and cherished.
Gallimore’s vision has been colossal – and speaks to the strength of his willpower and determination.
“Like everyone, there are times when I get frustrated (with coaching) and my wife asks me why I continue to do it,” he said. “I tell her that I love football and coaching. There is something special about (coaching) and being a positive influence on kids.”
When the focus is on distinction, the Coaches Association of Ontario honored Gallimore, one of 15 recipients, with the 2025 Ontario Coaching Excellence Award for their positive impact on athletes.
In 2018, the Toronto Argonauts and BMO presented Gallimore, one of six recipients, with a Community Coach award highlighting their impact on growing and developing the game of football in their respective schools and communities. He also was the recipient of the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation outstanding service award in 2016.
“Coaching is something I genuinely enjoy, and I’ve seen how meaningful the work can be for many people.”
CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – January 2026
“As a coach of young women, the priority is about helping people become better, so it guides them throughout life.”
If there is always an opportunity to assist a young girl, especially as it relates to the sport of ringette, count on Courtney Proudfoot to be there.
Proudfoot, now a 41-year-old mother of two, spends her days as president of her own company and consults in employee benefits. Somehow, she finds time to also continue her athletic world by playing, as a member of a tournament team, in a sport that requires ice hockey skates, a ringette stick, full protective equipment and a rubber pneumatic ring.
The sport is ringette. Played on ice, participants use hockey skates and a ringette stick. It was created back in 1963 by two enthusiastic Canadians from Northern Ontario – Red McCarthy from Espanola and Sam Jacks, who lived in the former township of West Ferris, now amalgamated with North Bay.
There was a time when ringette was once played exclusively by female competitors. These days, it’s also popular with boys. Estimates show more than 60,000 Canadians are involved – from players to coaches and officials.
As for Proudfoot, she took an interest in the sport as an eight-year-old. She had no interest in figure skating. When the opportunity came to learn to skate, and try ringette, at Moses Springer Community Centre in Waterloo, she had no knowledge of ringette – but decide to try it.
There was no turning back.
She spent 33 years as a player, which also include 27 years as a coach – something she also took a liking to at age 14. While devoting time to assisting with various age groups, she’s currently focussed on the development, training and knowledge of 12 and 13-year-old girls in the Waterloo Ringette Association.
“I remember wanting to play hockey, but there was no girls hockey in the area and when my parents had heard about ringette, they got me involved,” said Proudfoot, a former Athlete of the Year back in her high school days at Bluevale Collegiate Institute. “I had my first coaching experience, as a junior ringette coach, while I was in high school.”
Proudfoot, whose maiden surname was Ludwig at Bluevale and a two-time Ontario high school cross country medal winner, hit a roadblock when it came to finding ringette as a sport while a student at Wilfrid Laurier University. No luck. That is until she joined the Waterloo Ringette Association and was part of the Waterloo Open A team that won an Ontario Provincial championship in 2007.
Now, with university degrees (with academic honours) from Laurier and Ryerson, she has taken her experience and knowledge to the next level. It’s about ways to build confidence in youngsters, emphasize life skills and determination as well as engaging girls to get motivated and have fun playing ringette.
“It’s so important to help the next generation of girls,” said Proudfoot. “I care deeply about them, staying active and learning through sport. “I often look back at my positive experiences. I know girls’ sports can be tough, things happen, but the emphasis is always on finding a better way to treat each other on, and off, the ice.”
Proudfoot has her way of improving performance and achieving specific goals. There is also the time to deal with many thought-provoking questions – especially the ones related to the sport, and related items, that never seem to end.
“I hope that people see me for more than just being a ringette coach,” said Proudfoot. “It’s more than just standing there and watching kids play a game. As coaches, we have expectations. For players, no practice means no playing time. If you make the team, there has to be 100 per cent commitment. I’ve been grateful and very fortunate to not have an issue with a player.”
Proudfoot does recall circumstances that helped her become a strong and respected coach – one admired by her teammates, colleagues and parents.
“What shaped me to become a great coach was recalling the difficulties, as a young player, and how (some) coaches dealt with players,” she said. “At that age, it’s so easy to drop out of the sport, fade away. I wanted to be a better player – and I worked tirelessly to listen, learn, contribute and stay confident.”
Pick one – mentor, motivator or role model. All three fit when pointing to Proudfoot and what she has done to build strong leaders, motivate teamwork and empower young women.
The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), in partnership with Hydro One, shines the spotlight on dedicated and brilliant individuals from across the province. Proudfoot is one of them. Stories salute their dedication, achievements and exemplary work as coaches – along with the integral role they play with their athletes, sport, and community.
“Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench” is the theme of a series highlighting individuals for their time, talent and support in improving performance and increasing confidence of athletes.
Proudfoot was one of 15 winners of the 2025 Ontario Coaches Excellence Awards. Some 150 coaches were nominated. Proudfoot received a cheque in the amount of $500 to purchase new sporting equipment from local Ontario or Canada businesses.
When pressed on which one of learning, development or confidence-building contributes to making a person a successful coach, Proudfoot was quick with her answer.
“All of them and much more,” she said. “As a coach of young women, the priority should never just be on winning a championship or medal. It’s about helping people become better, so it guides them throughout life.”
“It’s so important to help the next generation of girls. I care deeply about them, staying active and learning through sport.”
CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – December 2025
“You learn to win when taught by proven mentors who include success in relationship building and personal development.”
The grand adventure may very well have started when a youngster, who was living on a farm in Jamaica, spent his Saturday mornings in front of a television.
Appealing to him was the wizardry of a distinct group of basketball players who were combining athleticism, talent and some entertainment with their style of play. That American team was known as the Harlem Globetrotters – an inspiring gathering of athletes with unbelievable and gifted ball-handling skills.
Fixated to the screen, that seven-year-old would conclude that, for him, it was the right time to merge his own superb qualities. Despite his young age, he was already established as a world class triple jumper and gifted in soccer so much so, that he was constantly observed by scouts from professional teams
The name of that youngster was Aton Simms. It wasn’t long before the basketball world would get to know him as “Tony” Simms, an individual who would use his gifted talent focussing on a sport invented by a Canadian.
Simms, too, would become a national icon, a sports legend, an Olympian, and a member of the esteemed Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame. What he didn’t know back then was that he was becoming a role model for thousands.
Talk to him today and he has stories – lots of them.
Simms likes to share an amusing episode in which his mother bought him a soccer ball, while thinking it was a basketball. Simms would devote his time to dribbling with it around various rooms. His actions – at that age – caused a kerfuffle knocking over some coveted household items while impersonating the dazzling talent of the Globetrotters.
Fast forward to 1984, and Simms would live his dream. He became a member of that classic Globetrotters squad. As for a salary, Simms was offered a stipend of about $500 a week. Nice, but not enough to live on.
Times would change, financial remunerations were higher, and he would play the game of hoops around the world – from Spain to Mexico, the Philippines to the United States.
Simms had already moved with his family to Toronto after being sponsored by an older sister, who was a chief microbiologist at the former Wellesley Hospital.
As a student at Stephen Leacock Collegiate, Simms was well-liked, gifted and would be chosen Athlete of the Year. At 6-foot-5, Simms was dominant on the basketball court and became one of the best teenage players in the country. He led his school team to a provincial championship while constantly focused on improving his development and skills.
A point guard, Simms was smart as well as agile – and quick for a big guy. There weren’t many players better at the defensive game than Simms. Opponents would quickly find out that he was not only tough to play against, but he was diligent with a basketball.
Highly recruited, he was eager to get better, wanted to study, learn and play in the United States. In a conversation with his mother, conscious of huge costs for education, Simms would decide to accept a rare two-sport scholarship (for basketball and track) to Ohio State University.
“She saw what I had wanted and told me – so let it be written, so let it be done,” recalled Simms. “My mom was a believer – and I became one, too. I was one of the first in Canada to get one of those special multi-sport scholarships and my mom was thrilled.
“Basketball was my love. You would always find me in the gym. Focussing on that sport, I made the decision to leave (Ohio State) after one year to focus strictly on basketball and attended Pensacola Junior College in Florida. My physical size and the way I played was very attractive to other schools and I went on to Boston University.”
Having earned a degree, Simms would later be inducted to the Boston University Sports Hall of Fame. As a pro, he was drafted by the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association.
While he may not have been the top scorer for his team, his job – and he did it well – was to stymie top players on opposing teams. That job included some eye-catching moments that created misery for a player many got to know as Michael Jordan.
Playing the game was one thing. Benefitting from advisers was something he admired. As for coaching, paramount to Simms was the knowledge he gained from notable mentors like Rick Pitino, Red Auerbach and Hubie Brown.
Simms would become more than just a performer in the game, he was known as the defensive stopper whose athleticism and confidence were emboldened game after game.
When his playing days ended in 2000, Simms didn’t go far from basketball. The desire to help others became a priority. As for coaching, something he has done for some 40 years, Simms claims it ranks with his finest moments.
“I focussed on other areas of life,” said Simms, who transitioned from star athlete to a respected coach and adviser. “I got into the financial field, also doing motivational speaking and became a partner in Remix Sports Academy, which focuses on a variety of areas in a high-performance environment and includes discipline, competitive play and skills development for youngsters between the ages of 11 and 16.”
For Simms, now 66-years-old, a father and residing in Toronto, he had a desire to teach, coach and be the one to emphasize fundamental concepts that allow the level of play of a person to get better and become more meaningful for young people.
“I believed there was a special response to athletic development,” said Simms. “My formula to be successful is to emphasize imagination with intelligence, control and discipline. We do it naturally but rarely combine it. To help young athletes move to levels they never thought they could achieve.”
While appreciative of his coaches, there were more who impacted his life.
“I wish there was a way to thank every person, there are so many, for their contribution to my life and playing a huge role in what I have achieved,” said Simms. “Most coaches talk about winning … to me you learn to win when taught when by proven mentors and better if they include success in finance, relationship building and personal development.”
“For young people they can never get better if they don’t know their discipline, put in the work, have confidence to challenge themselves and be honourable make intelligent decisions with wisdom. For myself, I wanted to play professional basketball – and I was able to figure out a simple plan that allowed me to achieve great success.
“Now, I teach these principles and the proven blueprint steps through the game of basketball so others can realize their success as entrepreneurs or sport athletes. It’s my way to leave a legacy for others.”
The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) continues to highlight individuals for their time, talent and support in improving performance and increasing confidence of athletes. These stories are shared with an extensive community as part of the popular series called “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench”.”
“I teach proven blueprint steps through the game of basketball so others can realize their success as entrepreneurs or sport athletes.”
For the first time, the 2025 Ontario Coaching Report offers a holistic 360-degree perspective with coaches, athletes and parents included
TORONTO, Nov. 25, 2025 — The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), in collaboration with Hydro One Inc. (Hydro One), released the 2025 Ontario Coaching Report today, shedding light on the current state of sport culture and coaching practices across the province. The report reveals that Ontario coaches remain the cornerstone of a positive sport culture, trusted by athletes, respected by parents, and deeply committed to safe, inclusive sport.
However, the report identifies concerning trends that put this positive culture at risk, including rising rates of hazing and widespread support for early sport specialization, both of which run counter to the Long-Term Participant Development (LTPD) framework recommendation that was implemented as part of the 2012 Canadian Sport Policy.
Key findings in the report include:
The 2025 edition of the report marks the first time that coaches, athletes and parents have been surveyed collectively. As a result, this report offers a holistic 360-degree perspective on the current culture of sports and coaching leadership in Ontario.
This year’s report builds on the findings from the two previous editions and paints a clear picture: while coaches overwhelmingly value fun, respect, and inclusion, competitive and cultural pressures can push them, and their athletes, away from these ideals as athletes age and competition increases.
Despite these challenges, the report shows strong alignment between Ontario coaches, athletes, and parents on what makes sport meaningful. Nearly all groups rank fun, safety, fair play, and inclusion among the top priorities for sport participation, which are values that mirror Canada’s national sport principles.
The findings from this report offer a blueprint toward protecting positive sport culture in Ontario. These measures include mandatory coach training, anti-hazing initiatives and developing resources and education that help all stakeholders understand the benefit of delaying early specialization to ensure young athletes can enjoy long, healthy, and happy sport experiences.
The Ontario Coaching Report is part of the Safe Sport 101 partnership between CAO and Hydro One. Launched in 2019, Safe Sport 101 is a free virtual hub that provides coaches with the tools and resources they need to make sport safe, fun and inclusive for all. The hub includes the Safe Sport 101 Playbook eLearning series, downloadable resources, and grant programs.
Over three years, 2000 coaches, 500 athletes and 500 parents representing more than 100 sports were surveyed by Leger for the report, a significant step in assessing coaching behaviors across all sports and contexts, ranging from grassroots to club competition and high performance. The full report is available at safesport101.coachesontario.ca/report.
“The 2025 Ontario Coaching Report offers a 360 view, confirming that coaches are the backbone of creating a positive sport culture. They are trusted, and influential in the lives of the athletes and participants they work with” said Jeremy Cross, Executive Director of the Coaches Association of Ontario. “The findings are an important reminder that coaches must prioritize fun and safety as they navigate pervasive challenges, such as hazing and the pressure for early specialization. The recommendations coming out of the third report in the series serve as an action plan for all stakeholders in the delivery of sport. Thank you to Hydro One for their investment in building safe communities. We are committed to support the coaches with the training, tools and resources they need in their respective sport communities.”
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution to athlete development. However, if we want to increase the likelihood of someone falling in love with sport for life, and perhaps even becoming an elite performer, limiting their early engagement in sport to a single activity is a risky foundation.” Dr. Kathryn Ryan, Senior Research Associate in Athlete Selection and Long-Term Participant Development at the Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sport at the University of Toronto.
“Coaches play a defining role in shaping the next generation of athletes. This report reminds us that creating safe, positive and inclusive environments must always come first. The CAO has been a strong voice advocating for athletes and coaches, highlighting key issues and helping to build stronger support systems across Ontario.” – Lisa Pearson, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Hydro One.
About the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO)The Coaches Association of Ontario is an independent, non-profit organization that supports coaches from community to high performance across all sports in Ontario. Providing coach development, funding opportunities, and events that support, recognize and represent all coaches across the province.For more information, please visit www.coachesontario.ca, follow us on Facebook, Instagram.
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SOURCE Coaches Association of Ontario
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Read the 2025 report!
CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – November 2025
“Sport and coaching – the impact it can have on young people is profound.”
It’s not often that one gets an opportunity to meet a luminary.
Forget about looking for a definition of that word. It’s much easier calling Cecelia Carter Smith what she is – a legend. She’s that exceptional individual who has influenced, motivated and inspired hundreds of people, of all ages, in a very compassionate and impressive way.
For some 33 years as a mentor, and now in her retirement years, Carter Smith continues to find time and opportunities to bring joy, laughter and prosperity to others.
Simply put, it has been her life-long way of doing things.
She’s a former World indoor record holder at 600 yards, a two-time Commonwealth Games competitor and four-time Canadian champion in track. Those are just a few of her numerous accomplishments as an athlete. While the accolades continue with a lengthy list of noble awards, citations and tributes, all are merited and justified.
Carter Smith is an incredible woman. Her spotlight of recognition extends far beyond being listed in the prestigious Hamilton Gallery of Distinction and induction to the Sports Hall of Fame at McMaster University.
Back in 1984, she was chosen Woman of the Year in the category of Health, Sport and Fitness by the Hamilton Status of Women Committee. A year later, the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association singled her out for making an outstanding contribution as a physical and health educator. The citations just kept coming.
Carter Smith is not one to boast about receiving accolades on how great she is. That’s not her. What she does thrive on is devoting time to elaborate on her personal delight and fondness for coaching, teaching and making others feel better – especially in a world confronted with challenges.
Peaks and valleys do occur for everyone. For her, the shocker was being informed by medical specialists that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Resilience and a gutsy determination to win her battle – which she has – is what Carter Smith calls “the biggest reward”.
Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi once was quoted saying “it’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”
As for Carter Smith, the importance of not giving up is in her soul.
That road to greatness for one of Canada’s all-time elite female runners did not come easy having to endure several stereotypical barriers in her life.
Growing up in Bronte, a neighbourhood in the west end of Oakville (about 40 kilometres southwest of Toronto), there was some financial hardship. Along with her brother and parents, the family lived with grandparents for a short time. The support from her parents was huge and compelled her to work hard and aim for the top in everything she achieved.
Choosing running as her sport came about because it didn’t cost much – a pair of shoes, shorts and a shirt. At age 16, Carter ((her surname before she was married) started out as a sprinter, then moved on to middle distance events. She credits Pat Cole, who back then coached at the Hamilton Olympic Club, as the one who put things in motion.
Carter Smith had a genuine desire, as a youngster, to pursue teaching as a career. At the age of 21, she started a teaching career while continuing to train and keep a dream alive of competing at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.
What she didn’t know at the time, was that becoming an educator would be enhanced greatly by a passion and propensity to coach. When mixing the progress of cultivating literacy and education with a desire to tutor others at excelling in sport as a coach, you have in Carter Smith, a very special and unique individual.
“Someone had time for me, knew I had a talent (as an athlete) and helped me learn, strive for excellence, know the ethics of hard work and respect for others,” said Carter Smith, who points to her years as a coach being a very special part of her life.
“I figured kids can do it too and wanted to be someone who could have that positive impact. If you can use sport as a vehicle to get you somewhere, I believe that adds to you becoming a wonderful human being. As a coach, with explosive energy, every day was a joy. I loved what I did. Look what sport did for me, it defined me in many ways.”
As one of the top athletes at Thomas A Blakelock High School in Oakville, Carter Smith periodically has fond memories and flashbacks of those younger years. For instance, it was in 1966 when she competed in her first international track event – at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games (BECG) in Jamaica.
While running was always very much a part of her life, there were no outstanding personal medals. Wearing the colours of Canada – and being a finalist in both the 440 and 880 yards at the BECG – were the huge perks and rewards. Worth noting was that 1966 was the last time the imperial distance was contested before changing to metric lengths.
As for that initial taste of victory in a race, it came away from the track. As a five-year old kindergarten student, she was entered in a doll buggy dress up competition. With toy dolls, young girls would dress up their buggies, and parade behind them to show their treasure. Not Carter. When organizers gave the approval to walk – Carter ran as fast as she could.
A trailblazer, she made a positive impact on the track scene, in the classroom and throughout the countless times she put her name forward to volunteer. Carter Smith was convinced that being yourself can – and did – make a huge difference.
Her engaging personality and power of performance were impeccable. Coaching was not restricted to track and field and in one place. She coached volleyball, cross country and basketball at the elementary and secondary school levels.
The thirst to share coaching excellence continued at McMaster University with the focus on track, cross country and basketball. You’ll still find her at the gym offering basketball tips.
Carter Smith has lived her everyday life with a common phrase – and it’s one that was firmly entrenched in her days as a coach – and a great one.
“It was always about wanting to do something better tomorrow than I did today – could be anything, but working with youngsters in a positive way was important to me,” said the now 81-year-old Carter Smith, who is gifted with energy, passion, humility and enthusiasm.
“Sport and coaching – the impact it can have on young people is profound. Back then, girls were never given much encouragement in sport. I did what I could and believe I rode a magic carpet throughout my career – and was carried by those I coached.
“While it has been a wonderful journey – and continues to be, I would like to be remembered for bringing joy and laughter to others.”
The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) highlights individuals for their time, talent and support in improving performance and increasing confidence of athletes. These stories are shared with an extensive community as part of the popular series called “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench”.
“As a coach, with explosive energy, every day was a joy. I loved what I did. Look what sport did for me, it defined me in many ways.”
CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – September 30, 2025
“I can see how a healthy living programs can have a positive effect – and I want them to see that I am a caring adult in their lives.”
Terry McMahon is saving lives.
He works in a high school student environment – but is not a teacher, administrator or custodian.
Simply put, getting called into a room, spending time in a gym or at the local Friendship Centre with McMahon, could end up becoming the best day in the life of that individual.
What also becomes abundantly clear when talking with him is that his duties, responsibilities and objectives always remain the same.
McMahon is a coach – an Indigenous Graduation Coach. The official explanation is described as providing “culturally relevant mentorship, guidance, and support to self-identified First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students”.
Some see him as somewhat of a counsellor, an individual trained to listen to people and give them advice on how to deal with their issues and dilemmas He’s a sports coach, too. More on that later in this story.
The 44-year-old, who lives in Fort Frances – known for its beauty, culture and history – could very well be one of the most popular individuals in the Northwestern Ontario community. In many respects, he is helping teenagers deal with a multitude of problems and connecting them with support services.
Advising young people about the importance of academic success and a career – are also huge goals for him.
McMahon, seen by many as an influencer, a friend and offering up parental encouragement, also uses the world of sport – volleyball in particular – as a method of improving physical ability and strengthening life. For McMahon, he doesn’t have to stand on a pedestal to extoll his fortitude, integrity and standards.
“Building relationships, it’s rewarding work, has it’s tough aspects, but I love what I do,” said McMahon who, as a youngster had his own share of social issues and challenges before moving on to earn a college education.
“I grew up in Fort Frances, as a teenager had my own problems and struggles along with some close calls too, but (I) was able to turn my life around. Now, I do what I can to help others and put youth on a good path for life and break down any barriers they may face.”
McMahon has gained a wealth of experience in many jobs. With a fondness for outdoor life, he worked hard to earn a Parks and Forest Recreation Diploma from Fleming College. He spent time employed at summer camps, volunteered whenever opportunities were available, ran cooking classes, sports programs, personal physical development activities, and the list continues.
The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) highlights individuals for their time, talent and support in improving performance and increasing confidence of athletes. For “Truth and Reconciliation Day”, set for September 30 across Canada, the CAO selected McMahon to befeatured in its popular series called “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench”.
McMahon is among the 15 recipients of an Ontario Coaching Excellence award given to highlight positive attitude, leadership, and strong commitment to sport.
Singled out as the CAO’s Trailblazer Award recipient, he was also the province’s sole apprentice coach in the 2025 Aboriginal Apprentice Coaching Program. A $500 prize from Hydro One Inc., and to be used on making purchases from Canadian businesses, was given to McMahon for his 807 Selects Volleyball Club. It is a community program that functions out of the local high school.
Working towards his National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) credentials, McMahon was a member of the staff that guided Ontario’s women’s volleyball squad to a gold medal at the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s, Nfld. Something else about McMahon is that he is quite humble when talking about accolades and citations.
“I don’t go looking for awards, I guess someone noticed that I was doing a good job – outreach is my pride and joy,” he said. “I’ve helped lots of kids and been successful. Sport is a vessel to keep (teenagers) engaged. It instills a great deal of discipline, leadership, confidence and the much-needed skills in life.”
Talk with McMahon about playing and coaching his specialty sport – volleyball – and he’s adamant that it’s more than just a group of people gathering around a net with a ball.
“It’s inclusion, it’s community, a sense of family and belonging,” he said. “If nothing else, it’s an escape for a short period of time in a day from the harder things life may bring.”
McMahon says that he hopes people see his positive achievements, and ability to help, as one of a role model.
“There are situations with high-risk kids, behavioral issues, delinquency and others targeted by bad groups,” he said. “It took me until age 29 to turn my life around, when I became a strength and conditioning coach. I can see how a healthy living programs can have a positive effect – and I want them to see that I am a caring adult in their lives.”
*Photos courtesy of Justin James, Team Ontario
“Sport instills a great deal of discipline, leadership, confidence and the much needed skills in life.”
CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – August 2025 – Canada Games
“I have met a phenomenal group of coaches – but we must find ways to get more women coaching at higher levels.”
There is a song, written back in 1955 and made famous by the voice of Hollywood actress and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Doris Day, that has true meaning forever.
In the lyrics of “Que Será, Será”, a young girl asks her mother about her future. The English translation is “Whatever Will Be, Will Be”.
Hailey Dermott has heard the song – and even sang it many times with students. Those words do pop up in the lives of millions of people around the world.
For Dermott, who lives in Alliston – about one hour northwest of Toronto – she, as a youngster, wanted to be a diver and compete in the Olympic Games. One huge problem was the distance between her home and the closest pool to accommodate the sport was far away.
Now an alumnus of Banting Memorial High, the former four-time academic honors student turned to other sports – like rugby and trampoline – to keep physically active. One of them, was wrestling – not as popular with women back then as it is today.
Dermott was chosen by her school Board as an Excellence in Education Award winner in her teen years. Now, she coaches the sport and teaches at her alma mater. Examine her career path and she has done quite well for herself.
She may stand four feet, 10 inches and hit the scales at about 102 pounds (she provided those numbers), but that hasn’t stopped her from a well-chronicled list of credentials and success in an entertaining martial arts sport. It’s one that involves grappling with an opponent through different throws or techniques.
“I remember wanting to get involved in activities that required explosiveness and do cool stuff,” she said in a telephone conversation. “Hand and eye coordination is not a strength for me. My strength is working hard, keep practising and learning to be physically strong.”
Coaxed into wrestling by schoolmates, and a sport that her parents endorsed, Dermott has become a role model for many – including the students she teaches and coaches in the Simcoe Country District School Board.
In her first year at Banting, after shuffling over from regional sports rival Nantyr Shores Secondary where she taught for two years, Dermott obtained approval to launch a wrestling program. When time permits, she also commutes to Kempenfelt Bay Wrestling (also known as K-Bay Wrestling) in Barrie to coach youngsters who want to strive for excellence in wrestling. She’s been doing that for almost 14 years.
“I thoroughly enjoy the sport and not just because of what it has done for me but using that valuable experience in my life to share with others,” said the 39-year-old Dermott, who is also a mom of two daughters. “As an athlete, it’s also fun learning how to manhandle people.”
The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) popular series called “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench”, puts the spotlight on individuals – like Dermott – who educate by using the strong coaching fundamentals of improvement, guidance, and training.
Dermott is also a 2025 Canada Games Apprentice Coach with the CAO.
She’s off to St. John’s, Nfld. in August to be with some 9,000 athletes, coaches and volunteers for the country’s spectacle of amateur sport. It’s called the Canada Games – and it occurs every two years. Some have seen it as a launchpad to international competition and events.
“I couldn’t believe it when I received the e-mail that said I had been selected to coach with others,” said a thrilled Dermott, whose Canada Games coaching gig will be a first for her. “Coaching is my happy place – and I love seeing kids get better, grow at what they enjoy doing and become better people.
“(Coaching) can be very rewarding. There are also times when every coach has moments where things are not working the way they had expected. It then becomes a time to re-group, focus on new strategies and strive for the best.”
Dermott certainly didn’t become an elite athlete by watching the professional version geared to entertain audiences and encompass theatrical storytelling and fancy physical feats. She’s zoomed in on what leads to avenues like the Olympic Games and World championships.
Just in case you’re curious, Dermott did lose her first ever match – a 44 kilos (about 97 pounds) event.
Since then, the spotlight has been on her – and she’s dominated in numerous instances. Testimonials include two-time Ontario high school gold medallist, provincial junior champ and two medals (silver and bronze) at the National championships. While earning a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Guelph, where she also competed on the varsity team, Dermott has twice coached at the Ontario Winter Games.
“Far too many girls are dropping out of sports – and that’s not good,” said Dermott, who has a Bachelor of Education from York University. “One of the reasons is that there are not enough good female coaches. I have met a phenomenal group of coaches – but we must find ways to get more women coaching at higher levels.”
“Coaching is my happy place – and I love seeing kids get better, grow at what they enjoy doing – and become better people”
