Thank a coach

Who knew a future Stanley Cup winner was taking to the ice when Duncan Keith got his start with the Times Tigers here all those years ago?
When Jenna Enge threw her first curling stone, did anyone realize she would grow up to compete in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts?
Was it evident Lyle Dolph would go on to qualify for a national tournament the first time he rolled a ball at Plaza Lanes? Or that fellow teen Donovan Taylor would sign a letter of intent to swim with the University of Indiana Hoosiers—and perhaps one day represent Canada in the Summer Olympics—when he first hit the waters of the Memorial Sports Centre pool?
All kids dream of scoring the winning goal or earning a gold medal. Very few grow up to be champions, of course, but they all have one thing in common: they had to get their start somewhere—and that began with a dedicated coach.
For Jenna Enge, who plays second for the Tracy Horgan rink that will be vying for the Scotties crown as Team Ontario starting this Saturday afternoon in Red Deer, Alta., it meant helping to hone her skills on the curling sheet through the junior and high school ranks.
For Lyle Dolph, it meant long bus rides to YBC competitions in Timmins, Sudbury, and North Bay. For Donovan Taylor, early-morning practices to work on his strokes and turns on top of trips to out-of-town meets.
It’s great to see locals excelling in sports beyond hockey—from curling, bowling, and swimming to figure skating, squash, and soccer. Fort Frances is fortunate to offer a variety of opportunities so our children can have fun, stay active, and maybe, just maybe, achieve the pinnacle of their dreams.
What makes it all possible, though, are the local residents who volunteer their time as coaches, passing along their skills to the next generation, offering advice and encouragement, and just making sure the kids have a chance to play.
Coaches are the backbone of local recreational activities, so be sure to say thanks next time you see them.
And you never know. It one day may be your child or grandchild in the spotlight.