Happy National Coaches Week!

Rustlers coaches were among the thousands of men and women being recognized across Canada over the last three days.

Postsecondary institutions, youth programs and more acknowledged National Coaches Week, highlighting the impact of mentors within the world of sport.

"To see the conference celebrating coaches both tenured and new feels very welcoming," Women's soccer head coach Doyle Church said. "Yes, we are competing against each other week-in, week-out, but we all have the same goals when it comes to our student-athletes' success on and off the field."

Men's soccer coach Kevin Wagner said the responsibility coaches have in managing and developing people is critical for youth and young adult development.

"We want to instill values to all SA's in the program so they can be socially and economically successful when they're ready to leave our program," he said.

That relationship is meaningful in the other direction as well. Men's basketball coach Sheray Thomas spoke to the growth he gets from interacting with players.

"Coaches learn just as much from the athletes they coach and every year is different."

The current roster of bench bosses at Lakeland College have learned plenty in their time in the Border City, combining for more than 60 years at the helm of a Rustlers program

Men's volleyball coach Taylor Dyer highlighted the chance for athletes, present and past, to remember the lessons they learned during Coaches Week.

"What a great way to take a moment and recognize what a tremendous impact a coach has or has had on you," he said. "It's easy to take for granted the endless hours of work a coach puts into you, your teammates and your sport."

"I always felt I never had a bad coach and that's probably a big part of how I was raised, to appreciate people who give their time to help you be a part of an activity like sport," Women's hockey coach Morgan Mann said, while on the road with the middle school soccer team he coaches in addition to the Rustlers. "I have an appreciation for all levels of sport, working with colleagues that have put many hours of volunteering to give back to young people."

"It's time well spent, you get back what you give."