Page 42 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 131
P. 42
42 Issue #131 December 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com
Diary of a Weightlifter - Giving Back to the Sport
By Thorin Gault (refereeing, among other things) with the sport I observed the decades - to take a step back.
at the Club Challenge competition contributions of the technical I am hearing similar stories from
in Nepean. These events are officials, realized how important outside the world of sports where
designed to introduce newer lifters they were to the success of the organizations struggle to find new
into the competition setting and sport, and figured it would be the helpers – leaving older volunteers
act as a qualifier for the ‘elite,’ least I could do to give back. overworked, burned out, and
Ontario competitions, including
Currently, one of the serious hanging on just to avoid having
the provincial championships. challenges I see in weightlifting what they built from falling apart.
I became a qualified official – and other recreational sports Regardless of your age, or
shortly after I started competing in – is both a lack of officials and what you or your children are
FPO weightlifting, and am currently a volunteers of all kinds. Younger involved in in the community, ask
FPO
level 3 official which means I can people just don’t seem to be
work at competitions up to national stepping into the roles that should yourself, ‘How can I give back?’
Contributing feels good, is fun, and
championships. allow those who have been in a small but powerful way, makes
contributing for years – or even
Unlike most recreational sports the world a better place.
like hockey and basketball,
weightlifting officials are Continued from page 29 of success – it’s the memories and
volunteers who do not get paid. In experiences shared with teammates
fact, when I started, we did not even girls’ hockey. Currently coaching the and how you made the players feel
Cornwall Typhoons U11 B team, he
have our travel expenses covered about themselves that are the true
(we do now for most competitions). finds joy in watching young players
spent last Sunday volunteering develop their skills and have fun on measure of success,” said Dickson.
I as a Technical Official When I started to fall in love the ice. As the Cornwall Typhoons U11
B team embarks on their current
“I love the team aspect of coaching,
Mike’s contact Karate especially in hockey. Watching season, Dickson is optimistic about
their performance.
young players develop their skills “The girls have been off to a
while having fun brings me a lot of
joy,” said Dickson. “To see a player strong start and continue to get
incorporate work ethic and desire better every time they step on the
to accomplish their goals gives me ice,” said Dickson. The team’s high
a sense of pride one can only get expectations are matched by the
from being involved in coaching. girls’ aspirations, creating a dynamic
The collaboration with the other and exciting journey for all involved.
coaches, while working towards a While some might point to
common goal, is refreshing, and winning the bronze medal a
fulfilling. The most rewarding part couple of years ago at the OWHA
of the role is the smiles on the faces Provincial Championships as a
of the players doing something they highlight, Dickson’s favourite
absolutely love and achieving things coaching memories go beyond on-
they continue to work hard toward.”
ice achievements.
His coaching philosophy
revolves around fostering positive “I would have to say it’s seeing
past players and their families
relationships with players and their around the rink and taking the time
parents, believing these connections
reminiscing or catching up on what
are paramount for success on and off is new with them and their lives,”
the ice. said Dickson. “These families treat
or 613-577-9054 hockey is still just a game. Wins that is truly special and a lot more
613-932-9054
“In the grand scheme of things, me like a member of their own, and
and losses aren’t the barometers favourable than any on-ice memory.”
