There is arguably no more important role in hockey than that of the coach, who is tasked with guiding young players not only on the ice, but off it as well. They are leaders in hockey, and leaders in life.
Hockey Canada and BFL CANADA are on the hunt for the country’s best women behind the benches, and they are calling on players and parents from coast to coast to nominate hockey coaches who have made significant contributions to the game.
Category Definitions:
Community Coach: Defined as a woman coaching athletes of any age who play and compete in divisions where there is not a National Championship identified as a culminating event. (ex. U7-U15 House League Coaches, up to A/AA)
Competitive Coach: Defined as a woman coaching athletes who play and compete in divisions where the participants are eligible to compete in National Championships, accredited Sport Schools Championships, or provincially designated Programs of Excellence. (ex. Sport Schools, U15-U18 AAA, U22 Elite)
High Performance Coach: Defined as a woman coaching athletes that are above the age of 16 and compete at the USports, Canadian Collegiate Hockey, or Professional levels.
For our Community, Competitive and High Performance categories, the nominee:
- Leads by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship.
- Places the emotional and physical well-being ahead of a personal desire to win.
- Places an emphasis on equitable participation of all players registered on the team.
- Demonstrates a commitment to the development of every player and staff member.
- Treats each player as an individual and understands the range of emotional and physical development.
- Does her best to provide a safe playing situation for all players.
- Uses the coaching techniques that are appropriate for all of the age and skill level of her players.
- Must be actively coaching in a sanctioned local hockey association or high performance levels
- Must be trained and/or certified in the National Coach Certification Program.
- Must have completed all elements required to be an active coach.
- Must be good standing with their provincial or territorial member.
What can my coach win?
Nominations for the BFL Women in Coaching Award are now closed. Thank you to everyone who nominated a coach in their community! Winners will be announced the week of July 1st. Stay tuned to see if your coach won!
The national winners of the BFL Women in Coaching Award in the Community and Competitive categories will receive a $5,000 bursary and a customized Team Canada jersey.
Provincial and territorial winners in the Community and Competitive categories will receive a $1,000 bursary.
The national winner in the High Performance category will receive a $5,000 bursary and an invite to Canada’s National Women’s Team camp in September of 2024.
HOCKEY MOM, HOCKEY COACH, HOCKEY LEADER
Armed with a passion for helping women behind the bench, Jamie Keeley has created opportunities with the Knights Hockey Club, throughout Calgary and across Alberta.
When Kelly Paton began her coaching journey, her mentors were key to helping her develop confidence behind the bench.
Guided by influential coaches in her playing days, Shakita Jensen knew she wanted to give back by becoming a coach.
CELEBRATING CANADA’S COACHES
Watch as Hockey Canada and BFL CANADA surprise the Women in Coaching award winners with the big news!
Congratulations to the 2024 provincial and territorial winners:
Hockey Canada and BFL Canada recognize the country’s best women behind the bench with the BFL Female Coach of the Year award. This season, 21 deserving women have been honoured for their efforts.
There is arguably no more important role in hockey than that of the coach, who is tasked with guiding young players not only on the ice, but off it as well. They are leaders in hockey, and leaders in life.
| COMMUNITY | COMPETITIVE |
|---|---|
| Alberta | |
 Jamie Keeley |  Brett Campbell |
| British Columbia | |
 Randi Morrison |  Carly Haggard |
| Manitoba | |
 Brenda McCallum |  Regan Boulton |
| New Brunswick | |
 Amy Nelson |  Yasmine Jaillet |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | |
 Jessica Hogan |  Shari Diamond |
| Nova Scotia | |
 Holly Beaton |  Fielding Montgomery |
| Hockey North | |
 Sarah Fleming |  Shakita Jensen |
| Ontario | |
 Jennifer Moad |  Jessica Schroeder |
| Prince Edward Island | |
 Sarah Lewis |  Sasha Weekes |
| Quebec | |
| – |  Mélodye Lepage |
| Saskatchewan | |
 Trina Mann |  Alana Serhan |
About BFL Canada
Founded in 1987 by Barry F. Lorenzetti, BFL CANADA is one of the largest employee-owned and operated Risk Management, Insurance Brokerage and Employee Benefits Consulting Services firms in North America. The firm has a team of over 1000 professionals located in 23 offices across the country. BFL CANADA is a founding partner of Lockton Global LLP, a partnership of independent insurance brokers who provide Risk Management, Insurance and Benefits Consulting services in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, visit bflcanada.ca or follow on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
