November 10, 2008 - Douglas instructor wins national Coach of the Year Award

Tim Frick is going out at the top of his game. The outgoing head coach of the Canadian Women's Wheelchair Basketball team was named Coach of the Year by Coaches of Canada last weekend.

Frick was presented with the Jack Donohue Coach of the Year Award on November 7 in Calgary during the Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif, an annual conference organized by the Coaching Association of Canada.

Frick is taking early retirement from his post as a Sport Science and Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching instructor at Douglas College, effective January, 2009.

"Receiving this award is quite humbling, as anyone who is familiar with the iconic Coach Donohue will be aware. He mentored us all to `Dream Big Dreams," says Frick, quoting the title of the late Jack Donohue's biography.

The award recognizes both a coach's dedication to the job and the performance of his or her athletes in the last season. Its namesake is a former Canadian Men's National Basketball coach.

Frick led his team to three Paralympic Games titles and four world championship gold medals. In turn, his players say Frick has inspired them to play hard and play well.

"It was a complete honour to play for Tim," says Jennifer Krempien, who retired this fall after having competed with the women's national team for 16 years. "I probably wouldn't have played for as long as I have if he hadn't been there," she adds.

In addition to his leading-edge technical knowledge, Frick supports athletes' development both professionally and personally, says Krempien.

"He understands that in order to be a complete player, you have to be a complete person. We're women with families and lives. He knows we don't have the luxury to put our lives on hold for four years," she says.

"He is more than effective. He's a world leader," Krempien concludes.

Wendy Gittens, executive director of the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association, agrees.

"Tim's contributions to wheelchair basketball in Canada and around the world cannot be overstated. He has been a driving force behind the tremendous success and growth of our women's program, which is regarded as one of the best in the world," says Gittens.