Why Coach? Check Out Soul Beach Volley Ball 38/39 ............................... Belleville Sports Hall of Fame 2022 Nominees

WHY COACH?

By: Terry Boyd

Why would anyone want to coach? It’s a good question. I was asked this very question a few weeks ago. Coaching isn’t just about a few players out on a field, court or rink. It’s about parents, grandparents, opponents, referees, other coaches, league mandates, executive committees, and most recently Covid and lockdowns, the list goes on. I coached my first team when I was 16, an Allstar soccer team in Brighton. Since then I’ve coached hundreds of athletes at all levels, ages and numerous sports. I’ve been fortunate enough to have won championships and collected personal accomplishments such as being a 2 time OCAA coach of the year. This is not why I coach. Most coaches go about their business and require no recognition or gratitude for their time away from their families and dedicating their time to teach and support someone else’s young athlete. So

why coach?

A few years ago at a tournament in Ottawa I watched a mother walk across a field and proceed to punch out a young referee. I intervened and for my trouble was cursed at, and for the first time was concerned I was going to get punched out by an angry Mom. When she spun out of the parking lot with her crying kids in tow I asked the bloody nosed young referee if he was OK. He said he was fine and said I “get paid 20 bucks for this”, he continued reffing the rest of the day. He wasn’t reffing for 20 bucks - there’s much easier ways to make a few bucks. But he knew the game, he loved the game. Is it because we love the game, is that why we ref, coach or volunteer? Could it be that simple? Recently I had the absolute pleasure of watching Andrew Hinchey, owner-operator of Soul Beach Volleyball, work with a young group of female volleyball players. This guy is a dynamo. Andrew grew up in this area and was a small town boy who played and coached volleyball world wide. His credentials are impeccable and include playing for Team Canada, 2 silver medals on the NORCEA tour, a career as a professional volleyball player and more. What struck me about Andrew- in his bio it reads, “he began coaching with the National Team Program to give back to his sport”. His coaching credentials include the University of Melbourne ( Australia ), Durham College where he won OCAA Coach of the year. No surprise that Andrew is a teacher. Let me rephrase that, he is an excellent teacher. As it says in his bio he wanted to give back to the sport. Is this the answer to the question why we coach? It was very clear that Andrew loved coaching, his passion and enthusiasm for the game rubbed off on the girls as they were glued to his every word. It was a coaching session that was fun, fast and taught the girls all at the same time. Is Andrew the answer to my question? I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to be a part of any of Andrew’s programs for the advanced player or beginner to do so. I guarantee a fun, positive learning experience. ( see attached info ). The past few years have been a learning curve for young athletes. Skillsets are lower, draft years have been altered, leagues have been realigned, high school sports have had to change to more of a varsity set up, it hasn’t been easy. Coaches and parents have had to adjust and find ways to motivate young athletes. Enrolment in a number of sports have been alarmingly low, but are thankfully starting to grow. Now more than ever coaches are needed. Not just for the technical parts of the game, but the emotional and mental aspects. Coaching after a two year break from lockdowns means you have to adapt to a new type of athlete with varying degrees of skill levels. Andrew Hinchey has this figured out to a tee, a part of his training strategies is the mental and team building aspects of training. Kids are resilient, perseverance is the key.

Unfortunately, there are negative sides to coaching a team. Judging by some parent’s reactions most amateur coaches must have multimillion dollar contracts. It’s quite the opposite, using holidays, sick days, or spending money to go to tournaments, games etc..

When the team is winning- the coach is great, when it’s losing- it’s the coaches fault. Parents are biased towards their own child- of course, they are invested in their child’s sports, this is a good thing. The downfall is when the sport parent starts aligning other parents against a coach, bad mouthing the coach in front of their child. This is the quickest way to destroy a team. If there is something so egregious that a coach needs to be removed, it should be quick and transparent. If it is a question of coaching tactics or decisions, it’s a conversation between adults who should be conducting themselves as such. Unfortunately emotions and feelings can blur the lines of common sense. Being front and center coaching a team means you are the first target the easiest fruit to pick. Ironically those who align parents against the coach and bad mouth the coach in front of their child stand back with some version of self fulfilling prophecy when things start to fall apart saying “I told you so”, blissfully unaware they are the cause of the problem. So, again I ask, why coach?

I am helping Brett Davis with the Trenton High School Girls varsity soccer team. I like Brett, he’s a great guy, great coach. The team is young players playing older teams, it’ll be a building season. Brett’s attitude is perfect. He’ll take the small victories where they can and build on it for the future. The girls have bought into this, scoring a goal is a victory, a good play is a victory, this attitude assures a bright future. The girls are great, some have experience and others have none but their attitude is second to none- in time they’ll be a force. During practice on a miserable Tuesday night I asked him why he was coaching, he said “he was giving back to the game”. There it is again the same answer that Andrew gave. That’s enough proof for me, this is the reason why coaches coach, it’s for the love of the game. Andrew Hinchey, Brett Davis, and count me in with this group, love the game and want to give back to the game. The negatives associated with coaching fade into the background when you love the game. It doesn’t matter which game, watching athletes succeed whether it’s a National Championship or small victories, you are a part of showing athletes what you know to be true- they will love the game as well. Watching the successes, sharing victories and years later reminiscing with players I’ve coached is proof positive that coaching matters and your role in their lives has importance. Some day when they themselves are showing grey hairs and moving on in their own lives they’ll understand what it means to give back to the sport when they too will coach. They’ll understand it’s how sport grows, it’s why coaches like Andrew, Brett and my all-time favourite Tom McCulloch coach. It’s all for the love of the game.

The Belleville Sports Hall of Fame has received the names of several individuals and teams to be considered for induction into the hall this coming fall. To promote this fall’s induction ceremony and to celebrate the nominees and highlight the importance of nominating deserving candidates, the hall of fame committee has put together brief bios of our present nominees. At this point, we have thirty nominees. The actual 2022 inductees will be chosen by our selection committee later in June and shared shortly afterwards. Our main goal is to host a 2022 induction ceremony this coming September at the Quinte Sport & Wellness Centre. Follow us on social media and our website for up to date information.

This article contains valid nominations that were received before March 30, 2022. Nominations received after this date are not included in this article due to timeline constraints. However, all nominations received before the deadline of May 25, 2022, will be considered for the 2022 induction ceremony. Steve Bancroft -athlete -hockey

Drafted and for the Belleville Bulls of the OHL, Steve was picked in the 1st round by Toronto in the NHL entry draft. He had a 16 year professional career, playing NHL games with Chicago and San Jose.

Glen Fortin -athlete -skating

Getting started with the Quinte Figure Skating Club, Glen went on to be national champion in his age group in 1987. Following his retirement from competition, he has spent 30+ years as a builder and official with Skate Canada, working and judging at national and international competitions.

1976 Juvenile AAA Hockey team -team -hockey

This talented and hardworking group of teenagers brought home Belleville’s first ‘AAA’ hockey crown with a 69-8 won-loss record for the season. They also edged a Swedish team in an exhibition game.

Belleville Yardman Benefit team -team -softball

A dominant force in softball in the 1970’s, they won four pennants & two championships in the Belleville and District Ladies Softball League as well as three Provincial Crowns over a span of eight years.

Steven Stewart-athlete -powerlifting

A standout as a high school football player, Steve turned to weight lifting & body-building after graduation. While rehabbing a serious automobile accident, he returned to weight lifting to the point where he represented Canada at two Paralymics Games.

Ralph McCabe -athlete -baseball

A multi-sport standout in high school, Ralph was tagged with the nickname “High-Pockets” due to his 6’5” frame. After playing Junior Baseball locally, he progressed to a 14 year professional career as a pitcher, including an MLB appearance with Cleveland in 1946.

Doug Plummer -athlete -bowling

Being involved for over 30 years, Doug has coached bowlers of all ages and competed himself at the provincial level. He is a member of the Master Bowlers Assoc of Ontario as well as serving as president of the Bay of Quinte Bowlers Assoc.

Rob Cooke builder -football -rugby

Participating in multiple sports while in high school, Rob excelled on the football field as an OUAA lineman and later on the rugby pitch with the local Bulldogs club. He was a teacher/coach for 30+ years at the high school level, guiding teams in basketball, football, track & field and curling.

Barb Snedden Wood -athlete -multi sport

Fall 2022 Induction Ceremony Nominees

Brad Lentini -athlete -powerlifting

After a number of years lifting weights to achieve fitness goals, Brad won gold at the first lifting event he entered. He went on to medal over 25 times at various competitions and represented Canada several time at international events.

Paula Lockyer -athlete -basketball

Following a standout high school career, Paula continued to excel at the Intercollegiate level at York University. She has also competed internationally in Marathons, Duathlons and Triathlons, including the Boston Marathon.

Jim Parkhurst -builder -drag racing

A fixture in the area racing circuit as a driver and race promoter at Shannonville Motorsports Park for years, Jim is honoured every year at Thanksgiving with a Memorial Race Weekend.

Kim Whaley-Hilts -athlete -darts

After starting as a teenager, Kim proceeded to participate 31 consecutive times at the Canadian Championships, earning the #1 ranking 7 times. She has also competed on the international stage, reaching a #5 World Ranking.

Jen Herron -athlete -volleyball

Representing high school and club teams, Jen earned multiple accolades for her on court success, including a scholarship to Barton College, where she was inducted to their Hall of Fame. She followed up with a teaching/coaching career, at multiple levels and numerous sports, including volleyball, tennis, basketball & lacrosse.

Allan Meagher -athlete

As a teenager, Al played second base for the 1919 Grand Trunk Championship team, as well as on teams in subsequent years that competed for Provincial titles. Following his retirement from the diamond, he managed the Memorial Arena through the 1940’s.

Todd Crawford -athlete -multi sport

A lifetime multi-sport athlete, Todd has medalled at the provincial, national & international levels in numerous track & field events as well as bobsleighing. He was also the driving force behind Belleville hosting a World Floorball Championship.

Howard Dell -athlete -basketball

A standout high school athlete in numerous sports, Howie was nationally ranked in decathlon in 1986. He represented Canada at international competitions in bobsleighing, including World Championships and Olympics.

1996 Quinte Red Devils Peewee -team -hockey

The first Quinte Red Devils team to win a provincial crown was coached by Brian Bowen. Many players from this team went on to the next level of play.

Mark Rupnow -athlete -hockey

A former Belleville Bobcat, Mark went on to a university career which saw him earn first team all-star accolades two years running. He had a strong professional career winning championships at various levels.

Denis Legros -athlete -badminton

As a fifteen year old, Dennis was granted an exemption to compete as an adult in the Quinte Badminton Club. He won the titles the following three years and went on to compete in Provincial and National Championships.

Pat Tracey -Builder -Football

After a standout athlete at the high school and university level in football, Pat turned his attention to coaching. He has spanned 30+ years working at the Junior, University and CFL levels, helping to foster numerous players to professional football careers.

Brian MacKenzie -Builder -multi sport

A graduate of BCIVS, at which he competed in multiple sports, Brian returned to Belleville after university to teach/coach multiple sports in area high schools. He served as President of the Bay of Quinte and COSSA, representing both organizations with OFSSA.

Joanne Moring -Athlete -weight lifting

Getting started as a teenager with the Apollo Barbell Club, Joanne repeatedly medalled at the Junior and Intermediate levels. Following a 15 year retirement, she returned to competition at the Masters level, winning gold at Provincial, National and Pan-Am Events.

39 BELLEVILLE SPORTS HALL OF FAME Fall 2022 Induction Ceremony Nominees

1976 Midget “A” Belleville Yardmen Softball Team

This team of Belleville teenagers won the OASA crown and followed that up with a Silver Medal at the Tournament of Champions. Their roster included BSHoF inductee Andy Rossit.

Mike Kirby -Builder -basketball

A Belleville native, Mike was a standout player at the high school and university varsity level. As a high school teacher, he coached school teams, as well as starting the Belleville Spirits Basketball program.

Judi Gilbert -athlete -hockey

A standout player with local female teams, Judi was the scoring leader on the first Belleville women’s team to claim an OWHA title. She continued to excel at the university level, as a member of an OWIAA Championship team with York University.

1919 Grand Trunk BB team -team -baseball

The first Belleville team to win a Provincial Championship. A number of this teams players would repeat a Provincial title with the Senior A Nationals in 1928.

Grant Goegan -athlete -hockey

A former Belleville Bobcat, Grant had a standout NCAA career and followed that with an 11 year stint playing professionally in Italy. He was on the Italian National Team which competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics

Jon Mills -athlete -golf

A successful amateur golfer, Jon earned an NCAA College scholarship and contributed to numerous team championships. He competed several years professionally and now coaches, winning the NCAA 2021 Coach of the Year Award.

Jim Buck -builder -multi sport

Coaching OCAA Loyalist College teams in basketball, badminton and x-country, Jim’s passion for sports and sportsmanship was evident for over 30 years. He brought the same talents to coaching youth community teams in soccer and basketball. Our main goal is to host a 2022 induction ceremony this coming September at the Quinte Sport & Wellness Centre. Key public health and health system indicators continue to improve, and the province of Ontario is cautiously and gradually easing public health and workplace safety measures. We are optimistic that this trend will continue, and that we will see you at our first induction ceremony in three years! The Belleville Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honouring, and preserving the record of outstanding achievements accomplished by the city’s elite athletes and builders from all eras and displaying them on a permanent basis. The Hall of Fame is housed in the Dr. R. L. Vaughan Atrium at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Center.

Contact Info: Email: bellevilleshof@gmail.com Website: www.bellevillesportshalloffame.com Address:Belleville Sports Hall of Fame 265 Cannifton Road, Belleville, ON K8N 4V8 Social media: Twitter: @bellevilleHOF Instagram: @bellevillesportshalloffame Facebook: Belleville Sports Hall of Fame

For questions related to this press release, please contact: Ian Press, HOF President, 613-921-1665 Nancy Popovich, HOF Vice-President, 613-242-0330

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DRAGON BOATERS BACK ON THE WATER

By Jeff Gard / Total Sports Quinte

Many local dragon boaters are getting back on the water this summer as local organizations look to rebuild their programs following a couple of challenging seasons. Some pivoting was required, of course, especially in the spring of 2020 at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, the Belleville Dragon Boat Club developed a kayaking program with members donating the use of their personal kayaks to the club for the entire summer in order to have different groups with eight paddlers at a time. “Some other members who owned kayaks also brought their boats so had 10 to 12 people paddling at one time,” said the club’s Commodore Nancy Lewis. “We had four different groups going out each week and were able to expand in 2021 with an additional paddling session, so five groups going out each week.” The kayaking program is continuing this year with eight boats available for people who don’t own one, but want to paddle as it launched June 1. At that time the club was still accepting registration for some time slots and you would now need to contact the club to see if they are still available. The kayak program is held Tuesday and Thursday mornings and evenings. Dragon boat racing came to a halt from spring 2020 until August 2021. “By the time the boats were on the water last year most organizers couldn’t put together festivals for competition,” Lewis said.

That’s about to change this year. In June, the Belleville Dragon Boat Club members be taking part in a 150-kilometre paddle down the Trent Severn Canal in Peterborough. The five-day event is organized by Dragons Abreast (dragonsabreast.ca), a breast cancer survivor crew from Toronto, with funds raised directed to a breast cancer support fund. In August, some of the Belleville club’s members will join forces with paddlers from the Pickering Dragon Boat Club to represent Ontario at the Canada 55+ Summer Games in Kamloops, BC. They will events in Pickering, Guelph and a third to be determined to prepare for the national event. Since its launch in 2004, the Belleville Dragon Boat Club has developed three distinct programs to focus on the different interests of its members. There is a recreational program Tuesday and Thursday evenings for those who want to paddle, but at a more leisurely pace; fitness program Monday and Wednesday evenings for paddlers who want to make dragon boating part of their fitness program as it provides an intense workout; and race crew program Monday and Wednesday evenings for those who want to compete. Dragon boating is available in Belleville for ages 14-and-older with some members continuing past age 75. Lewis noted it’s a great team sport and basic skills are developed quickly. “With the different programs people are able to paddle with the program that suits their abilities and interests,” Lewis said. “We provide equipment and the opportunity for someone to have two dragon boat paddling sessions before they need to decide if they want to become a member.” Great team sport and basic skills are learned quickly. “Wonderful cardio workout and participants get to enjoy the beautiful Bay of Quinte from a new perspective – in a boat,” she added. Not surprising, there are a number of challenges that come with dragon boating as well. “For new paddlers it’s the concept that working in unison is essential. Every new paddler works so hard as boats are heavy but the key to success is paddling together as a synchronized unit,” Lewis said, adding weather conditions as another challenge. “High winds can result in crews having to reduce numbers to lighten boats if waves are coming over the sides of the boat. Intense heat and sun can be draining for athletes as competitions take place over the course of a number of hours.” There is often a challenge as well to recruit a sufficient number of men for a mixed crew as the sport is more associated with women, Lewis noted, as dragon boating began in Canada when a Vancouver physician recognized the benefits of the physical activity for women recovering from breast cancer.

Check out more about the Belleville club at www.bellevilledragonboatclub.com.

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DRAGON BOATERS BACK ON THE WATER

Brighton Dragon Boat Club

In Brighton, dragon boating has been available since 2007. Prior to the pandemic, the Brighton Dragon Boat Club had grown its membership to around 100 members and now 2022 is a year of rebuilding. In May, in addition to getting the word out on social media and through street signs, the club held an open house and an open paddle session in an effort to recruit some new members. “A number of past members are not ready to return to our sport where there is such close contact,” said club president Tricia Boehme, who is also head coach of the competitive program, while noting there has been success. “To date we are approximately 90 members.”

There was no season in 2020 and last year Dragon Boat Canada advised no club paddling until August and there were no festivals to compete in. “We were guided to fill boats at half capacity of 10 paddlers instead of the usual 20,” Boehme said. “The capacity restriction was lifted shortly after implemented, however our club chose to keep the reduced numbers. We had a small membership and a reduced paddle schedule, but we managed to get out on the water for both our competitive and recreational programs.” Brighton’s competitive program started in May and practices two nights per week to work on technique, speed and endurance as well as a race plan leading up to festivals. The club competes at a recreational level.

Members were looking forward to the fundraising festival in June in Peterborough, which the crew won in 2019. They’re also hoping to defend a 2019 win when the YMCA’s Trenton Dragon Boat Festival returns this year on July 16. The Brighton Dragon Boat Club is open to anyone 14 years old and up. The club’s recreational program is for members who wish to go out on the water and have a fun paddle for an hour on Presqu’ile Bay. Six sessions are available each week and members are welcome to sign up for as many as they wish. Meanwhile, the competitive program has two practices per week with sessions more focused on technique, endurance and strength. The program was previously referred to as the race team (HeatStrokes). “We wanted to encourage as many new paddlers as possible to try the sport and so created a competitive program with the option to race if interested,” Boehme said. Members thrive with the challenging team aspect of the sport, “realizing that success comes from 20 crew members giving everything they have in unison and that success doesn’t lie with just one or two paddlers,” Boehme said. “We must always be aware of what’s happening in the boat and react to situations. The individual steering the boat has a very challenging job getting the crew to the start line, keeping the boat straight and then controlling the power of 20 down the race course. Keeping a sustainable stroke rate can be another challenge as crew excitement levels rise.

“It will be more challenging for us this year as we have a number of first time paddlers to quickly get up to speed on technique and racing. We are excited though for this challenge and the new members are showing great progress. The adrenaline rush of a race is always exhilarating, especially when you win.”

Keep up with the club at www.brightondragonboat.ca.

Trenton Rowing and Paddling Club

Dragon boating won’t be available in Trenton this year, but the hope is for it to return in 2023. The Trenton Rowing and Paddling Club was formed in 2013 and added the dragon boat program in 2017 when a boat with all the equipment was donated to the club. “We run a small program for those that want to enjoy the physical and social aspects of dragon boating without the pressure to compete,” said Suzanne Andrews. In 2020 and 2021, the club was able to have shortened seasons for rowers and paddlers, but unable to offer dragon boating due to the challenge of keeping members physically distanced. This year presented another challenge. “We are currently searching for a replacement boat as we have retired our dragon boat due to its age and the amount of work required to ensure it is safe and usable,” Andrews. “We plan on coming back in 2023 with new equipment and volunteers in place to run a successful recreational program.” Be sure watch for information about the program’s return at trentonrowingandpaddling.ca as dragon boating is open to adults of all ages and beginners are always welcome. “Experienced members of the team look forward to sharing their love of the sport with those with no experience,” Andrews said.