FINALISTS NAMED FOR 2010 ‘THE HOME DEPOT’

NFL YOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

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

Toronto, ON – November 9, 2010 − Ten finalists have been named for the 2010 The Home Depot NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award, the NFL announced today. The award, now in its twelfth year, is designed to recognize community or high school level coaches across Canada who share a passion for football and dedicate themselves 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:

More than 100 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 coach in their community has 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 eleven years the program has contributed more than $140,000 in equipment and facility upgrades to deserving programs, and put the spotlight on the grassroots-level coaches who are the engines that drive football in Canada. The award is not based on wins and losses.

“Together with The Home Depot the National Football League is proud to recognize the efforts of these ten selfless coaches,” said Mike Danischewsky, Manager, Events and Communications, NFL Canada. “Their stories represent what is taking place on thousands of football fields across the country. Without the volunteer efforts of coaches youth football in this country simply would not happen.”

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 Tuesday, November 16, 2010 in Toronto.

$5,000 of new football equipment will be donated to the winning coach’s program. The winning coach will also receive a $1,000 gift card from The Home Depot (for ‘football program related renovation projects’, such as field repair, fixing bleachers, painting a locker room, etc.). If required project assistance will also be provided by local The Home Depot associates through Team Depot.

Two runners-up schools will each receive $2,000 in equipment and $500 gift cards from The Home Depot.

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 26, 2010, and attend the Desjardins Vanier Cup, scheduled to be played the following day.

“These community leaders prove that good coaching is not about wins and losses, but rather the positive impact coaching can have on young players,” added Danischewsky.

For more information on The Home Depot NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award, to receive details from the essays used to nominate the above listed coaches (see below), please contact:

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Nominated Calvin Nigh, Ridgeway, ON

Nominated by Mike Beck mbeck29@sympatico.ca   

I believe I have a nice football story and nomination for coach of the year for you. I would like to nominate my friend and neighbour coach Calvin Nigh.

            Football was once a great , winning tradition at Ridgeway Crystal Beach High School throughout the 1960’s and 70’s. The last game was played in 1974 and the old players still talk about how great winning championships was back in the day and how  good it still feels to have been there. 

            This past winter Calvin set forth to put a football program back in Ridgeway. After months and months of fundraising,  and setback after setback, the Blue Devils took their first snap in September 2010 for the first time in 36 years. With the help of many small town businesses, service clubs and old fashioned fund raising, he successfully rounded up nearly $22,000. The University of Windsor helped seal the deal with a shipment of 80 sets of used shoulder pads.

            With everything in place we are now the proud home of a 44 player football team with coach Nigh leading the team to the semi finals this coming week. I believe coach Nigh should be recognised for leading the way in new concussion awareness teaching, tales of old fashioned values and sacrifices parents make to get their sons and daughters a chance to play football after school.

            Coach Nigh is a damn fine football teacher with skills he has acquired over the years and time spent playing for the University of Guelph Griffins. The proof is paying  off both on and off the field in Ridgeway.

            Thank you, Mike Beck.

Brian Findlay

(416) 603-9452 x 301

(416) 802-4062 - mobile