Page 4 - Brandon Sun - 2018 Community Leader Awards

4 • COMMUNITY LEADER AWARDS 2018 THE BRANDON SUN • THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

» COACH AWARD, SPONSORED BY SHUR-GRO FARM SERVICES LTD.

Caldwell an “inspirational leader in the coaching world”

BY DIANE NELSON
groundwork was built as a“
From teaching school to
coaching hockey, Bob Caldwell
is “an inspirational leader in
the coaching world and the

Bobcat.” “I love working with
So said Caldwell’s nominator the kids and there’s
Merv Tweed. And he had nothing better than
plenty more praise to send
Caldwell’s way. Caldwell, a going on the ice with
Hamiota product, played two a group of coaches
seasons with the Brandon that you’ve passed
University men’s hockey team on something to that
and helped Brandon capture make kids better,”
back-to-back Great Plains
Athletic Conference — Bob Caldwell
championships in 1973-74 and
1974-75.
And Caldwell has parlayed
his acumen and expertise in more than 40 years of coaching at
the local, national and international levels.
Hockey Canada honoured Caldwell with the Gordon Jukes
Award in 2015, recognizing his contributions to amateur hockey
at the national level.
As well, he was one of the driving forces behind the formation
of the National Coach Mentorship Program and was skills
coach for Hockey Canada’s U17 national team.
According to Tweed, Caldwell’s coaching credentials include
global assignments. He coached Poland’s under-18 team and
mentored coaches in Romania. The International Ice Hockey
Federation also brought Caldwell in as a skills camp leader for
youth, and he was part of the IIHF’s coach development
exchange program.
Closer to home, he served as an assistant coach with Andy
Murray in 2012 with the NCAA Division 1 Western Michigan
Broncos.
In 2004, Caldwell spearheaded, and is still involved in, the
Breakfast Club in Deloraine, an early-morning program that
gives young players a chance to work on their hockey skills. The
concept is now used across the country.
He was named Hockey Manitoba’s Volunteer of the Year in
2012 and inducted as a member of the Deloraine Royals into
the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.
“On a personal note,” Tweed wrote, “Bob has served as
teacher, coach, father, and parent to all of my children, and I
know he has played a significant role in their life successes.”
Despite all his accomplishments, or maybe because of them,
Caldwell has no intention of throwing in the towel anytime
soon. “I guess when you get old, there’s stuff in your rearview
mirror – I work with Hockey Canada ad Hockey Manitoba
doing stuff so hopefully I’ll keep doing it for as long as I can,” Community Leader Award “Coach” category recipient Bob Caldwell is pictured on the rink. (Submitted)
Caldwell said.
Caldwell credited his own coaches and mentors in Hamiota of chances to share his experience and his knowledge with Although Caldwell retired a few years ago, he still enjoys
with helping him achieve all that he has, and they have a special players of all ages. working with youngsters – and not-so-young-sters – who share
place in his heart thanks to their support early in his life. “I taught high school for 35 years so I’ve worked with kids his passion for hockey.
“My dad died when I was seven years old and I really all the time and had an opportunity with Hockey Canada to … “I love working with the kids and there’s nothing better than
appreciated the people who made time for me and took the time work with kids all over the world involved with hockey. So it’s going on the ice with a group of coaches that you’ve passed on
to make sure I got to games and stuff,” Caldwell said. “So they been a lot of fun.” something to that make kids better,” he said.
made a lasting impression on me. “I’m really grateful for what The next big thing on his to-do list is Hockey Canada’s special Despite all his other accolades, Caldwell, like many nominees,
they did and just the inclusiveness and giving me opportunities. project in China, where he’ll go, hopefully in November, to give was taken aback and humbled by being recommended for a
That’s always kind of been in the back of my mind.” some coaching clinics and show the Chinese “how we coach Community Leader Award.
Caldwell said he really enjoyed playing hockey when he was in Canada. And then we’ll go on the ice with some of the “It came right out of the blue,” he said. “And I sure didn’t
younger, but at this point, he’s keeping fit so he can still get on youngsters. They have the Olympics in 2022, so there’s a real expect it.”
the ice and coach. And hockey has provided him with plenty push on to have the country get excited about hockey.”

Tosh credited with coaching youths in life, as well as in sports

BY DIANE NELSON

Formerly of Glenboro, Glen Tosh has been
a resident of Souris for the past decade, and
wasted no time getting involved in the
activities of his new community once he
arrived. But prior to that, about 12 years ago,
Tosh was named Sport Manitoba’s Volunteer
of the Year. That honour is presented to a
sport volunteer in the Westman Region for
his or her significant contributions to the enhancement and
development of amateur sport. And those who selected Tosh
deemed him “the epitome of the community volunteer,” lauding
his resume as “both long and impressive.”
He coached senior hockey and led his club to the 2004
Provincial B Championship – Glenboro’s first in thirty years.
In 2005, he coached the Glenboro high school hockey team,
was behind the bench for the minor bantam development hockey
club, served as a director for Hockey Manitoba, was president
of the Tiger Hills Hockey League and served as a player/coach
with the Cypress River Comets Intermediate Baseball team.
Over the years, Tosh coached bantam baseball, high school
baseball, badminton, the high school girls’ volleyball program
(they won a provincial title in 1996), and was involved in the
community’s junior golf program.
As if that wasn’t enough, Tosh has served as president of the
Glenboro Golf and Country Club, chairman of the Glenboro
Community Development Corporation and was a board
member of the Glenboro and Area Community Foundation.
Then came the move to Souris, where his list of
accomplishments and accolades continued to grow. According
to nominator Mark Ryckman, Tosh has coached his own
daughter Brynn’s all-girls Souris Minor Hockey for the past
seven years.
He also manages her extended-season team and coached the Community Leader Award “Coach” category finalist Glen Tosh. (Submitted)
past five years with his son Ty’s hockey team, which included
coaching four years of the extended hockey team, and is him aside from other coaches is that he not only develops his He takes particular delight in watching his young players
managing Ty’s spring hockey team. Tosh is the players’ skills, he also focuses on teaching his players about develop, seeing their skills improve and witnessing them grow
coordinator/coach for the Breakfast Club every Wednesday respect, sportsmanship, hard work, and dedication. His players as human beings. And there’s no denying the bond between
morning during hockey season in Souris. He’s also an Assistant truly develop and mature as people having him as a mentor. coach and players is special. “The relationships I’ve developed
Coach with the Souris Elks Senior Hockey Club. Glen stresses the importance of having fun and that there is a with all the kids I’ve coached over the years – that’s really
Tosh’s contributions don’t end there. He’s also coached his lot more to be gained by playing sports than just winning a something,” Tosh said. “I’ll see kids who are not kids anymore
daughter’s baseball team for three years and his son’s for four. game.” at a social event or something and they’ll come up to you and
“Glen is well prepared for his practices – he is able to efficiently High praise indeed. And Tosh practices what he preaches, just remember you as their coach.
and effectively instruct during the limited practice time,” because what he likes best about what he does is being able to “The hope is that you’ve not only taught them about the sport
Ryckman said in his nomination letter. “He himself is always encourage others. but to be good people and good citizens and hopefully to give
taking extra coaching clinics for – in the end – the betterment “That is definitely the beauty of sports – the teamwork, the back to their community when the opportunity arises.” Tosh
of the kids. In addition to the coaching Glen does, he has been camaraderie that you develop working together as a team for a said he was astonished to be nominated for a Community Leader
the president of Souris Minor Hockey and is currently past collective goal,” he said. That said, while the fun is in the playing Award. And he emphasized he does what he does for the kids
president. He’s past manager of the Souris Elks Senior Hockey and the sharing, the occasional victory doesn’t hurt. “I would and the community, not to gain attention for himself.
Club, president of the Southwest Hockey League (Senior), say all the teams I’ve coached have had a standout moment or “I certainly don’t coach for the accolades or the attention,”
Hockey Manitoba Director, president of the Brandon Real so at some point, but this year’s bantam girls team winning the he said. “I do it because I not only love the game, but I love the
Estate Board, and member of Souris-Glenwood Foundation provincials, the gold medal this year – it was unexpected, but kids – I love working with the other coaches and the kids to
Board. seeing their reaction was really rewarding,” he said. “They’ve make them better at the game and make them better people.
“Glen volunteers his time whenever help is needed at won three out of the last five years. But this year 12 out of the “And there’s a lot of great coaches out there, so I’m very
community events. What makes Glen a great coach and sets 14 (players) were in their first year. So that was really special.” surprised and very honoured.”