When asked what made him pursue coaching he says, "Without a doubt my passion for the sport. Hockey is ingrained in me as a daily ritual. When I quit playing at the age of 21, I knew that I was going to miss going to the rink everyday so I volunteered with the Ottawa Jr Senators as they were right in my backyard and they were looking for a video coach. I always believed that I would one day be a better coach than player because I feel that I undersand the game at a higher level than my own playing ability could get me. The transition to coaching seemed to be a no-brainer as I want to help kids understand the art of hockey. I want to help kids break down in-game situations in order to help them make better decisions on the ice". Dan says it's difficult to say what he likes about coaching Hockey the most. "There are so many parts of coaching that I am passionate about. I would have to say that my favourite part of coaching is seeing the day-to-day progression of players that are really eager to learn and to improve their game. There is nothing more satisfying than working with a player or a group of players and seeing them develop under your very nose. Seeing players ask questions, incorporating new elements into their game, getting outside their comfort zone, improving on their bad habits, buying in and being open-minded… those are the day-to-day things that make coaching the best job in the world. Dan reminisces on one of his most rewarding moments as a coach, and describes the first game that was played in Gloucester last season after the team was sold. "It was my first game as a Head Coach and we had only practiced once. The feeling and the energy the players showed that night will be something I will never forget. The team had only one win in their first 10 games before that night and we ended up winning that first game against a very good opponent. It was a win that was fully attributed to raw emotion, passion for the game of hockey, and a rejuvenated moral. Seeing the look on those players faces and knowing that things were turning around is what made it rewarding for me. It motivated me to put in the work all season long because I didn’t want to let this group down. Coaching is full of rewarding moments as long as you take the time to recognize them".
Like other sports, Hockey teaches many lessons that can be applied to other aspects of ones life. Through coaching, Dan explains, he's learned that winning and succeeding is a result and not an objective. There are many terrific coaches and great teams out there that never get the chance to win. Only one team can win every year. It is usually a combination of several things that make a team win and, unfortunately, luck can play a big factor. If winning is your objective, you will be disappointed when you lose. Therefore, as a coach, you must focus on the journey and overcoming obstacles with your players. If you focus on winning, your motivation and confidence can take a hit when you lose. If you focus on the process and doing things the right way, losing motivates you to push yourself. Embracing challenges and enjoying every day of the journey is what I try to value and encourage my players with. Obstacles are part of the process and they should not defeat you; they should push you to persevere. This way of thinking definitely applies to all aspects of my life including my job, my relationships, my hobbies and my goals. Do you know of or are you a coach in the Ottawa area? HESN wants to hear from you, contact us at info@hesn.co
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Adam Boxall is the Defensive Coordinator for the Myers Riders Peewee team. Boxall grew up playing NCAFA football with Bel-Air and Myers. After his NCAFA days were over, Boxall went on to play for the Ottawa Sooners in the QMJFL for five years, winning two championships and being named an All-Star. Boxall also played three seasons with the Montreal Condors/Ottawa Deacon Demons team before having to hang up his cleats due to an injury. Along with football, Boxall also played hockey and baseball and was recruited by the Montreal Expos.  Boxall started coaching full-time in 2009. “A good friend of mine worked at St. Patrick High School and they were looking for an offensive lineman coach. That was a great year in which we won the high school AA Championship. I stayed at St. Pats for 2 more years before accepting a job coaching with my brother for Myers Riders Tykes and have been with the organization ever since.” Boxall explains.  Boxall says that his favourite thing and main love of coaching is driven by the feeling of success. “When I see players master a skill or an individual comes alive in a session when ordinarily they sit back in the shadows and don’t push themselves forward to be heard. Football gives them the confidence to express themselves and I enjoy being part of a team that is united on a field, rooting for each other to do their best and produce a great performance” says Boxall.  Boxall says that one of his most rewarding moments as a coach happened when he was the interim head coach for a Mosquito game. “In 2015, my brother Scott was in the hospital and was unable to coach. He named me the interim head coach for that upcoming game and I remember sitting in the hospital room going over plays and schemes. We have been coaching alongside each other since tyke and he felt that I was the right fit for the job. Needless to say we won that game and I felt very proud calling him after the game with the players to let him know that he was not let down.”  Boxall’s biggest challenge as a coach has been a recent one, “I was blessed with twins and it has been very hard to balance home life and coaching. I have an amazing wife who supports me with coaching and I’m able to coach 2 nights per week. Without her love and support I really do not think I would be coaching this year” explains Boxall.  Do you know of or are you a coach in the Ottawa area? HESN wants to hear from you, contact us at [email protected]. Stephen Dean is the President of the Nepean Eagles as well as the President of the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA). Dean played baseball and football in Ottawa growing up. Dean finished his tackle football days at St. Pius X and began playing touch football. “My enjoyment of the game extended to many years playing and coaching in the Ottawa Nepean Touch Football League (ONTFL), this, ONTFL, is what brought forward the idea to add touch football to NCAFA.” says Dean.  Dean began coaching when his son made the local team, “he had just turned 9 and joined the Nepean Redskins (now known as the Eagles). This eventually led to my taking on the role of club president and a board member of the NCAFA.” In 2005, Dean became the NCAFA president. “I took on the presidency roles as I felt I could add value to their respective organizations. With the Eagles, it was to consolidate the four tackle levels into a more efficient program, while adding cheerleading, flag football and a girls touch programs. With NCAFA, it was to reshape and grow football, add girls touch, expand to other geographies, as well as stabilize and grow our financial base.” says Dean. Dean says that his favourite thing about his position is “the ability to affect change. No change can be made without getting the buy-in of the membership. I enjoy working with the board members and building consensus as we move our sport forward.” Dean says he has had many rewarding moments, but that created many benefits was “the removal of weight limits in 2007. This decision removed a system which limited participants from playing with their peers and unfairly stigmatized those who were ‘over’ weight. We now have players on the field who come in all shapes and sizes and we have become the inclusive sport football was always meant to be.”  Dean, and NCAFA, face a variety of challenges to the sport, the main challenge is “NCAFA’s ability to remain flexible and focused. This will especially be the case in dealing with a significant amount of proposed changes coming from Football Canada. The best way to deal with situations like this is from within. To that end, I have been asked by the OFA to chair a committee to review the FC ‘s proposed changes and make recommendations in turn.” “On a final note, it should be clear to all that a strong NCAFA is imperative to ensuring football continues to thrive in the region. We have entered a phase where I see a stronger NCAFA emerging. With partnerships like that with the REDBLACKS and the efforts of many committed volunteers, I see a very bright future for the NCAFA and the sport of football.” says Dean.  Here are some things that others in Ottawa's football community have to say about Dean: "When you're young playing sports your coaches are your mentors. They provide guidance and advice for you along your athletic career. However, when you're older having mentors and advocates is equally important, and Steve has come to be a great mentor and friend to me over the years. Like the coaches you remember and are grateful for, I am truly grateful to have known and learned many lessons from Steve". - Jesse Card “I had the pleasure of working with Steve Dean on the Board of Governors for the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA) for several years. I found him to be a man of boundless energy, integrity and honesty, with a sincere desire to do what was best for the players at all ages across the league. Under his leadership, NCAFA grew to become the largest amateur tackle football program in the province. Steve always had time for you no matter what the issue. In the football community, I consider him to be a true leader with a clear vision. On a personal level, I consider him to be a friend.” - Jim Wagdin |
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