News Archives: National Coaches Week: Thanks, Coach!
Friday, September 27th, 2019
The relationship between an athlete and a coach is of the utmost importance. Your coach will teach you skills both on and off the court, teach you discipline, encourage you to try new gameplay — it's a neverending series of learning and growth. Coaches are a crucial part of building a healthy, active community. We asked athletes to get involved in National Coaches Week by sharing the way their coaches have impacted their lives as student-athletes.
New or old, all coaches make a difference
A tough position for many coaches is the transition into a new role at a new post-secondary, and onto a new team. That doesn't mean that you can't make an immediate impact with your players, and that's been proven by two current ACAC student-athletes.
Keilan Dobish, men's basketball player for the NAIT Ooks, enters his fourth season with a new coach and a new role, as captain. Though Dobish has only known "Coach Slav" for five months, he says "I already know he is someone that always has my back no matter what the situation or circumstances might be."
A former national champion and Ook, Coach Slav has quickly garnered respect from his new team and has proven his passion for the program from day one. Dobish says that on the court, his coach pushes him to be the best possible version of himself, and off the court, he pushes him to make choices and take steps towards becoming a valuable and contributing member of society when his time with the NAIT Ooks comes to an end.
In his words, Dobish wanted to say thanks:
Thank you, Coach Slav, for giving me the opportunity to continue playing the sport I love for the school I love after our coaching change took place!
Trey Sanderson, men's volleyball player for the Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves is in the same boat as Dobish. The Wolves have a new pack member in Coach Sam Tui'vai, previously coach of the Wolves women's volleyball team in 2016.
Sanderson says that Coach Sam inspires their team through his knowledge of the sport. "He doesn't just work you physically, but mentally to make us think more about the game in a technical way."
Coach Sam has early-on shown the athletes his passion and desire for them to grow. "It means a lot to have a coach that will take the time to come to you one on one and explain to you what he sees in you and what you need to improve on," says Sanderson. "Sam wants the best for all of us, and wants to see all of us succeed on the court and our academics."
In his words, Sanderson wanted to say thanks:
Thanks, Sam for being our new Head coach here at GPRC. Looking forward to the year ahead and learning all that you have to give us.
#ThanksCoach
Article courtesy of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). Read the full article here.
