Thank a coach

Plenty of Rainy River District eyes are focused on Moose Jaw, Sask. this week, where Devlin native Jenna Enge is playing second for the Northern Ontario rink competing at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Earlier this month, Mike Badiuk, also of Devlin, and Travis Showalter from Nestor Falls—curling with the Dylan Johnston rink out of Thunder Bay—came close to earning a berth to this year’s Brier, falling in the provincial semi-finals to Al “The Iceman” Hackner up in Kenora.
Chris Silver, meanwhile, made local curling fans proud by leading his Fort Frances-based team to the final of the Bantam provincial boys’ championship held here before coming up short against two-time provincial junior champ Tanner Horgan of Sudbury.
These young curlers all go to show that hailing from a small town is no obstacle to future success on the biggest of stages.
None of them would be where they are, however, without people who volunteer to be coaches. Whether at the Fort Frances Curling Club, the Memorial Sports Centre, Plaza Lanes, or Fort High gym, or out on the soccer pitch, this extraordinary group of men and women are giving their time and expertise to help mold future curlers, hockey players, figure skaters, swimmers, bowlers, and those who play squash, volleyball, basketball, badminton, and soccer.
Not everyone will grow up to hoist the Stanley Cup or capture an Olympic medal, or perhaps one day win the Brier or Scotties. But they may earn scholarships to further their education or, at the very least, fuel a lifelong passion that breathes new life into local adult recreation programs and even the next generation of coaches.
Coaches play a valuable role in our community’s fabric. Be sure to thank one today.