Page 30 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 123

30 Issue #123 April 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com

Continued from page 29 to love the sport and find passion practice again, and it’s an exciting Coming out of COVID, Football
within it. With U18, they are older, time as it means they will soon be back Ontario decided that they wanted to
Latour says he also enjoys seeing and I can be a little more upfront with on the field, playing in their summer install a U14 team as an entry point
the kids have fun and see success. them but keeping the atmosphere fun. league. Last season, they lost in the to the U16 and U18 Team Ontario.
“I love knowing the kids are having With these players, they know when B provincial championships, and are Being approached by Head Coach,
a great time and most importantly it’s time to have fun but when I’m ready to take on the challenge again. Dan Legros, for me was a humbling
learning something for the sport and serious and we are getting to work “Being a small community, we take moment as someone came to me and
life,” said Latour. “Growing up I they respect me as a coach because I pride in our athletes and want them saw how I was coaching and wanted
had a handful of bad coaches and a am not one to get mad or yell at them. to succeed. So, this year there are a me to continue on a bigger platform,”
handful of good coaches. You always I truly believe that being upbeat and lot of expectations with our athletes said Latour. “With the success we
remember the great ones and the giving a compliment about what I and our coaches,” said Latour. “Last had last year, I can’t wait to see the
worst ones. To me, I don’t want any saw followed by some constructive year was the first season with the U14 opportunity it brings forward.”
kid to have a bad experience for the criticism is a lot better for the player Team Ontario and with it just coming Coaching for Latour is a constant
sport because of a coach.” to learn.” out of COVID, and it was a last- source of excitement, and he hopes he
When it comes to coaching Latour also believes that football is minute decision to put this team in, can pursue it for the longest amount
philosophy, Latour likes to keep it fun. a lot more than just a sport. It’s also so numbers were a little on the lower of time he can and even make a career
“If it’s not fun and enjoyable for the the perfect opportunity to teach life end. This year we have close to about out of it.
kids then there is no reason for them lessons, particularly about teamwork. 130 kids total rather than about 50 last “Being a previous player and seeing
to give me effort and enjoy what they “With U18, I try to ensure that they year. All the coaches are excited for all the coaches I had growing up, it
are doing,” said Latour. “Obviously, I graduate from high school and if they this event to take place for the kids.” goes unnoticed the sacrifices they
coach a multitude of age groups and are pursuing a secondary education, I Since Latour has been involved make for us as kids, and now being
the philosophy is different from U14 give them tips and suggest things they in coaching since tenth grade, he in this position I truly see the effort
and U18. With my U14 kids I like can do to be prepared,” said Latour. naturally has some standout memories. that goes into it and I want to thank all
to really keep it fun and teach them “Football is a sport where a lot is “My favourite coaching memory is the coaches that have coached in the
with the FUNdamentals of the game interchangeable in life and the sport.” probably being a part of the first ever past,” said Latour. “Sports would not
of football and give them a reason Latour’s U18 team has just started U14 Team Ontario coaching staff. happen without them.”