by Richard Janecky

Halifax’s Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Mike MacKinnon (left) seen here with National Sports Manager Switch Rouseau, won CF Male Coach of the Year primarily for leading the CFB Halifax Mariners men’s hockey team to two consecutive gold medals at the Atlantic Regional Championships and two silver medals at the CF Nationals.

Canadian Forces (CF) sports heroes and icons from across the country exchanged their team colours for classic military formal wear to take part in celebrating sport at this year’s CF Sports Awards Ceremony in Ottawa.

In recognizing the important contributions coaches make in helping CF athletes find that extra spirit and determination they need to win, this year’s ceremony not only highlighted the strongest, fastest and most skilled, but also those behind the bench and on the sidelines who are vital in helping athletes develop their abilities.

Chief of the Defence Staff General Raymond Henault was the first to honour CF coaches and the contribution they make to sport. In his opening address, he congratulated all who participated in the CF Sports Program and told the audience that CF members committed to coaching play a vital role in sport.

Royal Military College (RMC) basketball star Second Lieutenant Paul Hungler (left) beat out notable athletes like B.C. Linebacker Sergeant J. Kralt and world military triathlete champion Major A.J. O’Keeffe to win the Canadian Forces Male Athlete of the Year. He’s seen here receiving his award from Chief of the Defence Staff General Raymond Henault

“You simply can’t overestimate the value of a great coach,” he said, “It is the coach who motivates and encourages our members to do their best, who helps them learn how to compete and how to win, and who is instrumental in raising and maintaining their spirits and morale when great demands are being made on them.”

Organizers and 3M Canada, one of CF’s principle sponsors in sport, also took advantage of this year’s theme by announcing the first ever coaching award categories for female military coach of the year, civilian coaches of the year and male and female international coaches of the year. Prior to 3M’s involvement, the only categories that existed were the CF Coach of the Year and Environmental coaches of the year.

“It’s high time coaches get the recognition they deserve for all their hard work and their commitment to the CF Sports program,” said CF National Sports Manager Switch Rousseau. “It’s only fitting that in the year where we honour the coach we team up with one of Canada’s corporate champions, 3M Canada, to create these new awards.”

Halifax’s Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Mike MacKinnon won CF Male Coach of the Year primarily for leading the CFB Halifax Mariners men’s hockey team to two consecutive gold medals at the Atlantic Regional Championships and two silver medals at the CF Nationals.

Andy Scott, the president of the Canadian University Hockey Coaches Association and coach of the Royal Military College Paladins hockey team was named civilian coach of the year.

CFB Valcartier’s Master Corporal (MWO) Sylvie Lapalme (right) seen here receiving her award from 3M Canada President and General Manager Mark Borseth, captured CF Female Coach of the Year as a result of her inspirational leadership and effort in leading CFB Valcartier’s broomball and ball hockey teams.

CFB Valcartier’s Master Corporal (MWO) Sylvie Lapalme captured CF Female Coach of the Year as a result of her inspirational leadership and effort in leading CFB Valcartier’s broomball and ball hockey teams L. Cdr. David Molinari of CFB Esquimalt was named CF’s International Male Coach of the Year for his exceptional achievement in coaching the CF’ soccer team.

Personnel Support Program’s (PSP) own Lori Ann Mundt of 17 Wing Winnipeg was awarded the title CF International Female Coach of the Year for her efforts in coaching the CISM CF volleyball team.

General Raymond Henault played a major role in the ceremony throughout the evening as he presented awards to CF sports honour roll and hall of fame inductees, along with the year’s top athletes and officials.

Royal Military College (RMC) basketball star Second Lieutenant Paul Hungler beat out notable athletes like B.C. Linebacker Sergeant J. Kralt and world military triathlete champion Major A.J. O’Keeffe to win the Canadian Forces Male Athlete of the Year.

Bombardier Paul Grady returned home to CFB Gagetown from Saturday night’s CF Sports Award Ceremony, bearing the title Canadian Forces Official of the Year.

CFB Trenton’s Master Corporal Debbie Campaigne accomplished a hat trick of a different kind at this year’s Canadian Forces Sports Award Ceremony on Saturday night, winning three awards for her accomplishments in badminton and fastball. As well as winning Air Staff’s Female Athlete of the Year, she won CF Female Athlete of the Year and was inducted into the CF’s Sports Honour Roll.

The CFB Esquimalt Tritons moved from centre court for centre stage at the Sports Awards Ceremony on Saturday night, beating out notable CF sports teams from across the country and claiming the title of CF Team of the Year.

The Tritons represented the Pacific Region at the CF Nationals five years running and brought home the championship in four of those years. For more information about environmental winner’s as well as the honour roll and hall of fame inductees go to www.cfpsa.com and follow the links.