National Coaches Week is September 17-25. An initiative of the Coaches Association of Canada and the Provincial and Territorial coaching organizations, this week celebrates 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.
The BC Games are part of BC’s athlete development pathway, but also provide an important opportunity for coaching development. Organizations like BC Speed Skating have seen the progression and success of their coaches through these programs.
In honour of National Coaches Week, we are profiling some of our outstanding coaches who took part in the coach mentorship program in 2016. This program pairs apprentice and mentor coaches for unique hands-on experience and training at the BC Winter and BC Summer Games.
Mentor Coach: Corine Masich, Prince George
Why did you choose to get into coaching?
I love working with children/youth. I have worked with youth for more than 35 years – beginning as a kindergarten helper at the age of twelve, then teaching swimming to special needs children, and eventually coaching/instructing alpine skiing and athletics. As a teacher, I began coaching sports which allowed maximum participation – cross country running, badminton, athletics, tennis, skiing and snowboarding.
2. What is your favorite thing about coaching?
Developing the skills and attitudes needed in a respectful and meaningful learning environment where the athletes can strive to be the best they can be. It is satisfying to see athletes achieve their goals, whether it is winning a medal or finally executing a difficult skill.
3. Do you have a particular coaching style?
I strive to be fair and consistent. I am always willing to try new ideas.
4. What multisport Games have you attended?
As a coach, I have attended BC Summer Games from 1996-2000 and 2014 for athletics. The 2016 BC Winter Games were my first and I went as a speed skating coach. I attended the 2015 Canada Winter Games as an official at the Short Track Speed Skating event.
5. What was your favorite memory from coaching at the BC Games?
Watching the camaraderie among the athletes and witnessing personal achievements. One of the most difficult moments was when I coached two of my athletes in the 1000m final. Both girls are very good friends, as well as teammates, and one beat the other by 4/1000 of a second for the bronze medal. The fourth place athlete was my daughter; however, I was equally thrilled for her teammate, as I was sad for my daughter.
My best moment at any Games, though, was meeting my future husband in 1997 in the parking lot of BCIT as we were waiting for the busses to take athletics to Burnaby Central. I was with Zone 7 and he was with Zone 8.
6. What did you learn from being involved in the coach mentor/apprentice program?
I enjoy sharing knowledge, collaborating with coaches, in addition to continuously learning from other coaches.
7. What has been your best success in coaching?
As a coach of both high school sports and club sports, nothing is more satisfying than seeing athletes achieve their goals.
8. What are your next goals as a coach?
To continue to encourage, inspire, and challenge my athletes to achieve a spot on Team BC for Short Track and Long Track for the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
Apprentice Coach: Jennifer Gibson (Charlie Lake)
1. Why did you choose to get into coaching?
I’ve been an athlete since I was young and always involved in sport. I started volunteer coaching when I was in my teens and after I finished competing it was an easy decision. I wanted to stay involved in sport and give back. Help young athletes build and work towards accomplishing their dreams.
2. What is your favorite thing about coaching?
Seeing an athlete work on a skill and accomplishing it. Seeing the look on their face and the realization they can do achieve what they set their mind to.
3. Do you have a particular coaching style?
I feel like I am a pretty relaxed coach and try to interact with my skaters as a peer. A guide and mentor for them. I love the friendships I have created with the skaters – almost like a big sister feel with many of them.
4. What multisport Games have you attended?
BC Winter Games 2016 (coach) and 2015 Canada Winter Games (volunteer speed skating official)
5. What was your favorite memory from coaching at the BC Games?
Watching my skaters overcome some real struggles and perform the next race or day at the top of their game.
6. What did you learn from being involved in the coach mentor/apprentice program?
I had a great opportunity to work with two fantastic coaches on the zone two team. My background is long track speed skating and this meet was short track. I was able to learn so much about racing short track in a very competitive environment.
7. What has been your best success in coaching?
Teaching my boys how to speed skate and showing them how much fun sport can be.
8. What are your next goals as a coach?
I am currently working on my competition development coaching certification. I would like to be a part of the Team BC 2019 Canada Winter Games coach team in long track.
Photo: Jennifer Gibson (front) and Corine Masich (far right) with some of their BC Speed Skating coach colleagues.