This season marks the sixth year of the OMHA Coach of the Month presented by The Coaches Site. We asked for nominations of deserving coaches and after much deliberation, Jon Forbes of the Erin-Hillsburgh U13 B team was selected as the Coach of the Month for December.
Know someone who should be Coach of the Month? Click here to nominate them.
Here's his story as told by his nomination:
Besides his uplifting notes, after game player by player one on one positive highlights, and communication with parents that is more than expected, Jon had made such an impact on my son and the team. Jon has built a program on progression and every practice the boys build on what they’ve learned. He reviews each piece and if confusion, demonstrates himself and skates side by side with the boys until they’re comfortable. Even with two tough losses to start the year, he continues to keep the spirits up and their drive to get better every time they are on the ice. He encourages our boys to have fun and be good humans off the ice and on promoting team unity, sportsmanship and pride with his kind words and speeches. I witnessed him speaking to the opposing team member congratulating them on a game well played. He not only preaches but practices too.
Off the ice, he and a handful of parents have put together a food drive, coined “food is our goal” for local charities. As a team, we are aiming to deliver meals to families in need across the township. He is involved, engaging, uplifting and deserves to be recognized for how amazing he is as a volunteer coach for our sons. I’ve never seen my own son look up to a new coach so quickly and I’m proud and lucky to have him in our lives.