DAVE BOURNE, 2008 HOMERUN SPORTS COACH OF THE YEAR, SOFTBALL CANADA
November 25, 2008
Toronto, ON
NORTH YORK, ON- Softball Ontario is pleased toshare with the softball community that Dave Bourne of Port Dover, ON is the recipient of 2008 Home Run Sports Coach of Year, Softball Canada.
Dave Bourne has a long and extensive background in the great game of Softball. Beginning his career as a player, Dave competed until 1986 on several teams including the Ancaster Provisioners, Grimsby Peach Kings and the Burlington Cougars at the Senior Men’s A level. With his love ofthe sport of softball, it was a natural progression for Dave to become involved with coaching near the end of his playing career.
Beginning in 1982, Dave was the Head Coach for the Burlington Senior Men’s Fastball Club, and in 1986 he also took on the responsibilities of Manager of the club. In his time with Burlington, Dave made two ISC World Championship appearances – in 1982 and 1987. In 1991 Dave moved to a different level of Softball, becoming involved in Ontario Rural Softball and coaching a Pee Wee and Midget Girls Team. Dave found his niche coaching at this level and from 1993 to present he has coached Bantam,Midget and Junior teams in the Provincial Women’s Softball Association.
Nationally, Dave has coached several teams to appearances at the Canadian National Championships – often resulting in winning a medal. He is respected by his fellow Coaches, and admired by players, partners and softball volunteers across Canada. His passion for the game of softball and for coaching in general is evident to all who encounterhim both on and off the diamond.
Coach Bourne’s love of coaching and softball leadership inspired him to become more involved in Softball Ontario’s Coaching Program, and began assisting with the delivery of Coach Education as a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Instructor in 1999. His talent as a Coach and as an Instructor lead Dave to become a member of the Softball OntarioCoaching Committee in 2002, serving as Chair of Softball Ontario’s Coaching Symposium in 2003and becoming the Chairman of the Coaching Committee in the next year. In2005, Dave was selected as Softball Ontario’sMaster Learning Facilitator for the new NCCP program. Dave has beeninstrumental in the development and delivery of Competition-Introduction, Softball in the province of Ontario.
Dave’s extensive background as Softball Ontario’s Coaching Chairman, Master Learning Facilitator, and his experience coaching softball at the provincial andnational level, combined with his leadership skills, organizational skills andtechnical skills made him an ideal candidate for the 2008 Home Run Sports Coachof the Year, Softball Canada
Congratulations Dave!
For more information on Softball Ontario’s CoachingProgram or the National Certification Coaching Program, please contact StephSutton ssutton@softballontario.ca or 416-426-7150.
Softball Ontariois the governing body for the sport of softball in Ontario. Our goal is to promote and developthe sport of softball for its athletes, officials and volunteers by providingprograms and services at all levels of competitions.
