Page 39 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 53

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #53 April 2017 39

South Stormont Novice Selects Honour Coaches

just X’s and O’s, especially when
By Micaela Wylie Arbic
working with seven and eight-year-
olds. The biggest part of coaching,
odney Wilson knows that
Rwinning isn’t always the key especially at this age, is connecting
with the kids and building them up,
to success. As assistant coach of
not just as hockey players but as
the South Stormont Novice Rep young people,” Wilson said. “The
Selects, this season was the first year
team competed in a very strong
the league had a competitive novice division, but each player improved
team. Despite a winless season, each tremendously throughout the season;
member of the team learned valuable
where they had good success in
lessons.
tournament and exhibition play.”
Each of the coaching staff was
One season accomplishment for
presented with plaques at the year- the boys was winning their home
end banquet, highlighting what each tournament. “We pulled our goalie
coach taught each of the 12 players.
late in the game and scored with 8.8
“For me, coaching is more than seconds left in the third period to send

the game into overtime,” Wilson said. There, they beat Clarence-Rockland
5-4, claiming the B Division title of The SSMHA Novice Invitational.
Wilson has been involved in the South Stormont Minor Hockey Association
(SSMHA) for four years. In addition to coaching his novice team, he worked
with the Own The Ice program as well as the Akwesasne Jr. B Wolves.

Coach Rodney Wilson proudly displays the plaque presented to him.
Photo Submitted