RMC Rugby Coach a Featured Speaker at High Profile Coaches Conference
The 5th annual Ontario Coaches Conference was held February 25-27, 2011 in London,.
This year’s conference incorporated the theme “one to one”. The relationship between a coach and their athlete is a key factor in the development of skills and a positive attitude.
Sean McDonaugh, the highly respected varsity rugby coach at RMC was one of the main presenters. He is a graduate of McGill University where he majored in Physical Education. is a graduate of McGill University where he majored in Physical Education.
His topic was titled: How To Win Friends & Influence Ref’s: Breaking Down The Wall Between Coaches & Officials.
Sean is in his 7th season as head coach at RMC. From all reports, he was able to gain the full attention of the 350 coaches in attendance that travelled to London from all points in Ontario. This undoubtedly was due to the fact that he has pretty impressive credentials in the sport of rugby. As a member of the Rugby Canada National focus group of referees he has been involved in dozens of international matches both domestically and abroad. He currently serves as an International Rugby Board Trainer delivering coaching and referees courses throughout the country.
A great coach inspires, challenges, and motivates their athlete to reach their full potential. It’s the fostering of such relationship that builds better athletes and better coaches. The 2011 Ontario Coaches Conference explored that one to one bond.
This event brought together the finest coaches, in the province, for a weekend of learning, networking and celebration. Among other things, they enhanced their expertise through a combination of National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) training and hot coaching topics like debriefing performance, coaching female athletes and legal considerations of social media.
Hats of to Sean McDonough who represented the Royal Military College of Canada in such a distinguished manner at such a high profile event.
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Caption: OCdt Gray receiving her award from Venus Williams and Gord Grace (president of OUA)
(W) Soccer Star Among OUA Student-Athletes Honoured at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) recognized the top female scholar-athletes from across the province at the eighth annual Women of Influence Luncheon on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The event honours female student-athletes who have excelled in their chosen sports, fields of study and community involvement.
Fourth year OCdt Laura Gray was RMC’s recipient at this year’s event. This is yet another honour for Gray who has also been named an OUA East Second Team All-Star on three different occasions, winning the RMC Female Athlete of the Year in 2009-10 as well as being an Academic All-Canadian last year.
This year’s guest speaker was tennis star Venus Williams. Acknowledged as one of the most successful female athletes of the 21st century, Williams’ tennis career earned her 41 singles titles over her continuing 17-year career on the pro circuit and she was the first African American to be ranked at No. 1 on the pro tour. Her community involvement and charity work have allowed Williams to be involved at the grass-roots level of tennis and makes her an exceptional advocate of female athletics.
Along with OCdt Gray, four of her teammates joined her for the event including: OCdts Beckett (IV), Bengle (I), Fearnley (I) & Milos (I), along with their Head Coach, Chad Beaulieu. Together they had the opportunity to listen to Venus Williams speak about her endeavours, challenges and successes in and out of athletic competition. As a once in a lifetime event, these Cadet-Athletes were eager and interested in hearing from the renown Venus Williams and were not disappointed.
Moreover, OCdt Gray was surprised by her parents, Shelley and David, who flew in for the event from Halifax, NS to share the afternoon with their youngest daughter.
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