Promotion
Youth Coach of the Year Finalists

Youth Coach of the Year Finalists

Winner of national grassroots program to receive $5,000 in new equipment and a $1,000 The Home Depot gift card for their football program; Runners-up to receive $2,000 in new equipment and a $500 The Home Depot gift card

Ten finalists have been named for the 2009 The Home Depot NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award. The award, now in its 11th year, is designed to recognize community or high school level coaches across Canada who share a passion for football dedication to the development of young players both on and off the field.

The following 10 youth coaches (coaching organized teams of tackle football players under the age of 19) are this year’s finalists:

Ivan Yurgan; Assumption Catholic Secondary School, Burlington, ON

Mike Darling; Oakridge Secondary School, London, ON

George Knowlton; Clarington Tigercats, Central Ontario Minor Football League, Clarington, ON

Mark Townsend; Victoria Renegades (Greater Victoria Minor Football Association) & Mount Douglas Secondary School, Victoria, BC

Jeff MacLean; Truro Blue Bombers, Truro Minor Football Association, Truro, NS

Lyle Evanisky; Martensville High School, Martensville, SK

Bruce Marlow; Columbia Valley Bighorns (Kootenays), British Columbia Community Football Association, Invermere, BC

Paul Brown; St. Mark High School, Manotick, ON

Geordie Wilson; Charleswood Broncos, Manitoba Minor Football Association, Winnipeg, MB

Bruce Waddell; Shoal Lake School, Parkwest School Division, Shoal Lake, MB

More than 500 coaches from across Canada were nominated for the award. Football players, volunteers, fans, administrators and fellow coaches submitted short essays recognizing the positive impact a youth football coach has had in their community and on young players. Nominators were asked to consider how their coach taught respect, safety, motivation, leadership and appreciation for the game of football when drafting their nominations.

Over the past ten years the program has contributed more than $130,000 in equipment and facility upgrades to deserving programs, and put the spotlight on the grassroots-level coaches who are the backbone of football in Canada.

Acting as a spokesman for the program in 2009 is Brian Billick, coach of the Super Bowl XXXV Champion Baltimore Ravens. During the month of October a public service announcement aired during NFL broadcasts in Canada and featured Billick encouraging Canadians to nominate a local coach.

“Youth football coaches are some of the hardest working volunteers out there,” said Billick. “This program is our way of saying thank you to these leaders of young men and women.”

“Passionate amateur coaches are the engines that drive the growth of football in this country, “ added MIKE DANISCHEWSKY, Manager, Events and Communications, NFL Canada. “Together with The Home Depot we are proud to recognize these community leaders who prove that good coaching is not about wins and losses, but rather the positive impact coaching can have on young players.”

The winning coach will be selected by a panel of journalists from across Canada, NFL and The Home Depot representatives. The winner and runners-up will be announced via press release on Thursday, November 19, 2009 in Toronto.

The winning coach's program will receive $5,000 of new football equipment and a $1,000 The Home Depot gift card from The Home Depot for football program related renovation projects such as field repair, fixing bleachers and painting a locker room. Team Depot, the Home Depot's associate volunteer force, will also be available to offer hands-on support for the projects.

The schools of the two runners-up will receive $2,000 in equipment and $500 The Home Depot gift cards.

The winning coach will also win a trip to Quebec City as a guest of the NFL at this year’s Desjardins Vanier Cup celebrations, and will be honoured at the CIS coaches breakfast on Friday, November 27, 2009, and attend the Desjardins Vanier Cup, scheduled to be played the following day.

The NFL is a long-time supporter of the game of football at the grassroots level in Canada. Other grassroots initiatives include community ‘Flag League’ and Junior Player Development. For more information visit www.NFLCanada.com.