Coaching is the cornerstone of community sport and recreation. Likewise, the success of Aboriginal participation in sport is dependent on the leadership of qualified coaches. In support of training Aboriginal coaches through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), the Aboriginal Sport Circle annually recognizes the outstanding leadership of certified Aboriginal coaches across Canada.

The Awards

Every year, deserving male and female certified Aboriginal coaches from each province/territory are selected for the Aboriginal Coaching Awards. Regional recipients automatically advance as nominees for the prestigious National Award that is presented to the most outstanding male and female Aboriginal coach in Canada.

What you win
National recipients will receive the following:

1) All expenses paid trip to receive the award
2) A limited edition windsuit
3) National Trophy
4) Cash bursary of $500

Who is eligible?
Nominations are invited from all levels of sport. To be eligible, a coach must meet the following criteria:

- Must be of Aboriginal descent
- Must be Certified through the
National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP)
- Must be a non-paid coach
- Must be actively coaching within the calendar year
- Must submit a completed Nomination Form online or by mail
before the annual deadline (to the appropriate Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal
Sport Body or Aboriginal Sport Circle)

For Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body
visit the member organization section of this site

Nominations
How do you nominate a coach? Complete the online nomination form downloadable on Aboriginal Sport Circle website or complete the following three steps

Step #1
Complete a Nomination Form
(provide detailed information on the nominee and nominator, if applicable)

Step #2
Complete a supporting narrative
(see brochure for details)

Step #3
Send the Nomination Form and Narrative to your ASRCNL

2002 Craig Benoit- Conne River
2003 Max Winters-HV-GB
2004 Dave Winters
No nominees in 2005-2006
2007 Male-Gervais Penashue Sheshatshiu
Female Kayla Kathleen Miles St Teresa's, NL
2008 Male-Mike Alexander, Kippen's, NL
Female- Rosemary Ryan, Kippen's, NL

Rosie Ryan of Kippen's, NL has been named regional winner of the Female National Aboriginal Coach of the Year Award for 2008 by the Aboriginal Sport Circle of Canada.
Rosie has been coaching everything from Volleyball to Athletics and was the Coach of the Athletics team at the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games where the 7 Athletes that represented NL won over 16 medals with the two top participants in athletics for Team NL were her two children William and Jillian Forsey both winning 4 Medals.

Mike Alexander, a badminton coach from Kippen's , NL has been Awarded the 2008 Male National Aboriginal Coach of the Year. Mike's accomplishments include being named coach of the Provicial Teams for the Canada Games 2009 and 2012 and was the Coach of the 2008 North American Indigenous Games Team representing NL. Mike is a Member of the Mikmaq Alliance on the west coast who has been involved in badminton for over twenty years coaching such teams as the British Columbia's Provincial team and Canada's Pan-Am Games team