Michelle Sawatzky-Koop | Athlete – Volleyball Michelle Sawatzky-Koop was born in Steinbach, Manitoba in 1970. While attending Steinbach Regional Secondary School, she really started to excel as an athlete, winning the Athlete of the Year award in her senior year. After graduating in 1988, Michelle committed to playing volleyball for the University of Manitoba Bisons,…
After the 2019 Canada Games in Red Deer, Head Coach Arvin Tronco wondered how he’d develop the next generation of table tennis athletes, specifically the girls he was working with, as many were eligible for the 2023 Games but had either moved to other provinces or had other commitments. So he embarked on a…
Leading up to the 2023 Canada Winter Games, we are featuring the dedicated coaches who spend countless hours giving back to sport. Let’s get to know freestyle ski coach, Blake Grist! How long have you been coaching this sport? Five years. What is your proudest accomplishment as a coach? I love to…
Andrea Ferguson | Athlete – Ringette Andrea Ferguson was born in Winnipeg in 1983 and it didn’t take long before she found her calling in ringette. At the age of seven, she started playing and honing her craft. She worked continuously on her skating, passing, and shooting abilities with her two clubs, the River…
1990 Winnipeg Blue Bombers | Team – Football Call it a team of destiny. Going into the 1990 season, many sports pundits had predicted that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers would finish last in the east division, thanks to a poor record in 1989 and some uncertainty around the quarterback position. Just before the season…
Rooted in our ability to adapt, Traditional Indigenous Games were derived from years of living off the land and the nomadic lifestyle of Indigenous peoples throughout history. Some games challenge the body physically to train agility, coordination, endurance, and strength. Some challenge the mind by using strategy, teamwork, and communication. These games are also an…
The Bison Transport Sport LeadHERship Day is designed to empower and inspire women to become leaders in sport, community, and life. Partnering with Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and the University of Manitoba, this free day-long event will give school-aged girls the opportunity to learn to lead in the context of sport, athletes, coaches, administrators,…
In 2007, Melissa got involved in coaching with Special Olympics as part of an 8-hour practicum requirement for a university course she was taking in adapted physical activity. Special Olympics was in need of swim coaches and at the time, she was a swim instructor. From the moment she stepped on the pool deck, she…
Janice started volunteer coaching with Special Olympics Manitoba in 2009. She started off as an assistant coach with Navviestc Track Club and in 2010, she took over as head coach. She is still with Navviestc and has no plans on retiring! As a Special Olympics athletics coach, Janice became an expert at every event. Over…
Joey Johnson has been involved in wheelchair basketball for almost 40 years as a player and a coach. His coaching journey began at home in 2001 when his brother Bill, asked him to co-coach Team Manitoba’s wheelchair basketball team in its final tournament of the year. From there on, Joey coached multiple summer camps and…