Selkirk coach Scott Gurney, 42, was honoured recently with Coach of the Year honours by the Royal Canadian Legion Sports Foundation.
Gurney, head coach at the Legion Athletic Camp’s beginner track and field program since 2002, was humbled by the award which was presented by camp founding father and head coach George Phillips
“It was a humbling experience,” said Gurney, 42, who has coached at Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive School since 1997. “There have been and there continues to be so many excellent coaches to come down here and all from different sports disciplines. To be recognized like this is once again a great honour.”
Gurney, who has a long association with the Legion Athletic Camp having also spent several summers as a basketball coach, enjoys the “enthusiasm” of the athletes in attendance.
“I enjoy coming down here working with kids. They are really enthusiastic and want to learn about their sport,” said Gurney in regards to the multi-sport six-week summer program which is held annually at the International Peace Garden situated on the Manitoba/North Dakota border. “A lot of times the athletes don’t have event specific training for track and field and here you can give them technical stuff they can go back with and hopefully become a better athlete.”
A total of 187 athletes took part in Week 2 of the summer program in the sports of advanced track and field, track and field, equestrian and gymnastics.
Previous Coach of the Year honours have gone to Ross Bolton, Dryden, volleyball, 2008; Gary Sova, Winnipeg, judo, 2007; Vicky Wilson, Brandon, equestrian, 2006; Duane Whyte, Swan Valley, basketball, 2005; Glen Perrin, Killarney, elementary/wilderness, 2004 and Dave Malowski, Brandon, basketball, 2003.
The 48th Legion Athletic Camp operates July 12 – August 22, 2009 and offers 10 sports to school-ages athletes. For more info www.legionathleticcamp.com
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