Douglas College is getting pumped up to celebrate National Coaches Week this month.
The annual event, which kicks off on Sept. 19, recognizes the dedication and hard work of coaches across B.C. and Canada, and the positive impact they have on the lives of those who participate in sports.
“Coaches are the cornerstone of any athletic community. They are the leaders who inspire participants to develop a positive relationship with sport and recreation,” said Dominique Falls, the Fieldwork and Coaching co-ordinator for the Sports Science Department in a press release.
The college will open its doors to the public and provide a behind-the-scenes look at how competitive athletes train, including tips from the pros. During National Coaches Week, the public is invited to the New Westminster campus to watch strength and conditioning coach Jake Elder run through a 75-minute training session on Sept. 22 and 24 with Douglas College varsity athletes. Elder will then lead the audience through the rationale and athletic benefits behind the training sessions. Admission is free, but space is limited.
Other events slated for the week include a coach awareness booth on Sept. 21 (Coquitlam campus) and Sept. 23 (New Westminster campus).
The New Westminster campus will also feature a session on coaching with a smart phone on Sept. 21 and an information seminar on sport psychology on Sept. 24.
From Sept. 19 to 27, students will take part in the Go Shoeless challenge, raising funds to support Right to Play, an international organization that helps to educate and empower disadvantaged children through fun programs and activities.
Douglas sport science students will challenge varsity athletes to take off their shoes for one practice or class, take a “selfie” of their bare feet and fundraise for Right to Play.
The Douglas College group with the highest donation total by the end of National Coaches Week will win the challenge.
Douglas College is one of the largest colleges in British Columbia, providing applied bachelor’s degrees, university transfer, career and post-degree programs for over 20,000 students each year.
For more information, visit douglascollege.ca
