RED DEER – Applications are now open for nominations for the BFL Canada Women in Coaching Award.
There are three different categories to nominate your coach:
Community Coach: Defined as a woman coaching athletes of any age who play and compete in divisions where there is not a national championship identified as a culminating event. (ex. U7-U15 house league coaches, up to A/AA)
Competitive Coach: Defined as a woman coaching athletes who play and compete in divisions where the participants are eligible to compete in national championships, accredited Sport Schools championships, or provincially designated programs of excellence. (ex. Sport Schools, U15-U18 AAA, U22 Elite)
High Performance Coach: Defined as a woman coaching athletes that are above the age of 16 and compete at the USports, Canadian collegiate hockey, or professional levels.
Nominees are required to meet the following criteria in all three categories:
- Leads by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship,
- Places the emotional and physical well-being ahead of a personal desire to win,
- Places an emphasis on equitable participation of all players registered on the team,
- Demonstrates a commitment to the development of every player and staff member,
- Treats each player as an individual and understands the range of emotional and physical development,
- Does her best to provide a safe playing situation for all players,
- Uses the coaching techniques that are appropriate for the age and skill levels of all players on her team,
- Must be actively coaching at the female hockey, minor hockey or high-performance levels within the province the nomination originates from,
- Must be trained and/or certified in the Hockey Canada National Coach Certification Program,
- Must have completed all elements required to be an active coach,
- Must be a member in good standing within the Province the nomination originates from.
This is the fifth season for the award. National winners of the award in the community and competitive categories will receive $5,000 bursary and a customized Team Canada jersey. Provincial and territorial winners in the Community and Competitive categories will receive a $1,000 bursary. The national winner in the High Performance category will receive a $5,000 bursary and an invite to Canada’s National Women’s Team camp in September 2024.