Our first ever Coach of the Year Award goes to....TONY FRANKLIN!!!

Each year, the Coaching Manitoba Excellence Awards recognize the exceptional achievements and significant contributions coaches have made to their sport and athletes through coaching. These award do not reflect the accomplishments of the coach in any one year, rather, they recognize the impact coaches have made to their sport and its athletes over a number of years.

In April, four outstanding coaches were honoured for their commitment to sport, leadership, personal development and coaching effectiveness in four categories – grassroots, developmental, high performance and school system. These recipients were then forwarded for consideration for Sport Manitoba’s newly created Coach of the Year award presented at the Sport for Life Gala May 21, 2009.

In the past twelve years, he has coached the CIAU Brandon University Bobcats, the Southwest Male Directors Cup team, the Female Under 18 Program of Excellence, and the Deloraine High School and novice teams. He coaches for the hometown hockey school and the Deloraine Breakfast Club program. He is also a member of Hockey Manitoba’s National Coach Mentorship Program and their Director of High School Hockey. Winner of the Grassroots Coaching Manitoba Excellence Award, from Hockey…Tony Franklin!

Tony is the type of coach who always puts the best interests of his athletes first and foremost. He is a treasured community leader who gives generously of his time. His competence and integrity make Tony a person that other coaches often seek out for ideas and advice. Congratulations Tony Franklin!!

Want to hear Tony's acceptance speech? click here

Who else was recognized at the 2009 Sport for Life Gala,..click here