National Coaches Week in Ontario

National Coaches Week is a week to celebrate the tremendous positive impact coaches have on athletes and communities across Canada. This week is an opportunity to recognize coaches for the integral role they play by simply saying #ThanksCoach.

5 Ways You Can Take Part

1. Explore the Participation Guide: The National Coaches Week Participation Guide contains everything you need to make National Coaches Week a success for your coach, team, and organization. Browse the Marketing Toolkit for a better view of the available material.
2. Say #ThanksCoach on social media: Follow National Coaches Week on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #CoachesWeek and #ThanksCoach. You can search in the Instagram for the “National Coaches Week’ GIF, available in the platform’s library, to celebrate this week!
3. Join a community event: Organize a community event to say #ThanksCoach, or join one taking place in your province or territory. 
4. Interesting in taking up coaching?: Learn more about becoming a coach at our dedicate page. We take you through the steps to take on this amazing community role, a coach!
5. Enjoy FREE or discounted NCCP education: This National Coaches Week we’re saying #ThanksCoach with FREE eLearning! Each day throughout National Coaches Week we’re highlighting free multi-sport eLearning modules to support coaches in continuing their Professional Development. Log in daily to the Locker to get started! 

• Saturday, Sept 16               NCCP Making Headway in Sport*
• Sunday, Sept 17                  NCCP Emergency Action Plan module*
• Monday, Sept 18                 NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport
• Tuesday, Sept 19                NCCP Creating a Positive Sport Environment
• Wednesday, Sept 20           NCCP Sport Nutrition
• Thursday, Sept 21               NCCP Coaching Athletes with a Disability
• Friday, Sept 22                    NCCP Leading Drug Free Sport
• Saturday, Sept 23               Mental Health in Sport*
• Sunday, Sept 24                 Support Through Sport*

Note: The paid eLearning modules must be initiated on the day indicated above to take advantage of the free offer.

*These eLearning modules are available for free throughout the year.

Ontario Coaching Excellence Awards

Annually awarded to exemplary coaches across Ontario to celebrate coaches for the integral role they play with their team(s), sport and community.
15 selected coaches were recognized during a special VIP Blue Jays celebration on September 16, 2023 at the Rogers Centre!

Winning coaches are also awarded a $500 prize to be used on purchases they make for their team, club or organization, from local Ontario and Canadian businesses, proudly provided by Hydro One Inc.

2023 Award Winners

• Hans Schroeder, Jozo Weider Race Club, Blue Mountain
• Rebecca Turrill, Tillsonburg Ringette Association, Tillsonburg
• John Ahlstedt, Robert Land Academy, Wellandport
• Robert Studer, Archery 2 You Archery Centre, Oshawa
• Amy Wilson, University of Waterloo, Indigenous Team Ontario, Milton
• Ibrahim Kamal, MJKO Boxing, Toronto
• Mark Peltier, Badminton Warriors of Mnidoo Mnising, Manitoulin Island
• Oswald Jones, Rising Star Cricket, Brampton
• Jennifer Cuddie, London Curling Club, London

• Mary Munroe, South East Trillium Hunter Jumper Association, Gananoque
• Chris Finner, St. Michael Catholic High School, Kemptville
• Stacy Ganogiannis-Reid, East York Collegiate Institute, Toronto
• Spencer Robinson, Toronto Inner City Rugby Foundation (TIRF), Toronto – Susan Kitchen TrailBlazer Award
• Myma Okuda-Rayfuse, Leander Boat Club & McMaster University, Hamilton – Hydro One Safe Play Award
• Grandmaster Young Su Choung, Young Choung Taekwondo Academy, Vaughan & Toronto – Andy Higgins Lifetime Achievement Award

Ontario Coaches Summit Series

Presented by the CAO, the next Ontario Coaches Summit is coming virtually September 20-23, 2023 for $0!

The Summit features top experts from around the world including acclaimed authors, professional coaches, and sport science experts to provide Ontario coaches with tangible takeaways for shaping the future of coaching and sport. 

Speakers & Topics Include:

• Ken Hitchcock – Olympic Gold Medal, Coach of the Year & Stanley Cup Winning NHL Coach
• Coaching Generation Z Athletes
• Dr. Daniel Gould – Award Winning Sport Psychologist, Author, Researcher & Professor, Michigan State University
• The Culture System: Creating an Extraordinary Team Culture
• Sheldon Guy – The story of a BC basketball coach who suddenly lost vision, but only days later, returned to coaching. He’s gone from coaching using what he sees to how he feels.
• …AND MUCH MORE

Education is a journey, not a destination. Continue your journey at Ontario’s premier sport leadership event and register for #OCSS! 

Learn more and register at www.coachesontario.ca/summit.

Province Wide 50/50 Raffle!

CAO is excited to launch the National Coaches Week 50/50 province-wide raffle for the entire month of September!

Starting at just $5, you can purchase tickets online from anywhere in Ontario for a chance to win early bird prizes and the 50/50 jackpot from September 1-30, 2023.  

Purchasing tickets is also a great way to support Ontario’s 150,000+ coaches creating exceptional sport experiences across the province. 

A WIN for Ontario communities, and a WIN for you! 

Learn more at coachesontario.ca/5050.

Ontario Landmarks Light Up to Say #ThanksCoach

Landmarks from across the province will light up blue, gold and red through September 16th – 24th in support of National Coaches Week in Ontario.

Ontario’s Municipalities Proclaim this National Coaches Week!

Municipalities across Ontario have proclaimed Sept 16-24th National Coaches Week!