Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport Kevin Doherty and the Coaches Association of Saskatchewan have proclaimed May 24 - 31as Coaches Week in Saskatchewan.
The week's goal is to take time to recognize and celebrate the valuable contributions coaches make to sports and our communities, as well as to offer education opportunities for Saskatchewan coaches.
"Coaches Week is an opportunity to celebrate the thousands of Saskatchewan coaches in amateur sport," said Chairperson of the Coaches Association of Saskatchewan Garry Armstrong. "We have an amazing and vast network of coaches who are an integral part of the amateur sport system which supports about 300,000 participants. The skills, passionate leadership and dedication of our coaches do make a difference - helping athletes achieve their goals and realize their dreams, as well as helping young people advance life and leadership skills through sport. We encourage everyone to recognize and say "thank you" to the coaches in your community and also learn about becoming a coach yourself."
"In addition to teaching us how to be better athletes, coaches show us how to be better citizens," Doherty said. "They lead by example. They motivate; they inspire. They are the reason so many Saskatchewan residents have competed in national and international arenas. As our province continues to grow, we will continue to require passionate, committed people who can demonstrate what we gain by leading healthy, active lifestyles."
There are more than 25,000 coaches in the province, most of whom work as volunteers. These coaches dedicate their time and energy to supporting Saskatchewan athletes on and off the field, and are integral to the success of Saskatchewan's sport system.
For more information on Coaches Week, or to get involved in coaching, visit www.saskcoach.ca.
