September 22-30, 2018 is National Coaches Week, a time to celebrate the tremendous positive impact coaches have on athletes and communities across Canada. This week is an opportunity to recognize coaches for the integral role they play by simply saying #ThanksCoach. You can follow all of the National Coaches Week social media action on Facebook and Twitter using hashtags #CoachesWeek and #ThanksCoach.
Cycling BC would like to say #ThanksCoach to all the coaches out there for playing a crucial role in building a healthy and active community.
We will be posting a series of coach profiles on our website throughout National Coaches Week, September 22-30, and have asked athletes to take this opportunity to say “thanks” to their coaches.
The next instalment in our #ThanksCoach series is a profile on Tim Sherstobitoff, Head Coach and Program Director of the Developmental Escape Velocity Organization (DEVO), one of Canada’s premier youth development cycling programs.
Two of his athletes, Elizabeth Gin and Ethan Ogrodniczuk, had this to say about their coach.
#ThanksCoach Profile: Tim Sherstobitoff
Pick 3 words to describe your coach.
EO: Commited. Knowledge. Honest.
Committed: I’ve never met a coach as dedicated to his athletes and this extends beyond cycling. From coming to the track and giving me some extra encouragement as I ride my legs out for hours on end to ensuring that I have the knowledge and strength to achieve what I’m capable of during races, he’s always there to help make me a better athlete. As a student-athlete, I have to find a balance between sports and school. Tim assures I can find time to excel at school while still being able to push my limits in training.
Knowledge: The knowledge Tim has passed onto me in the four years I’ve known him has been fundamental to my development. Since day one he’s taught me everything that’s helped me become the racer and athlete I am today.
Honest: One aspect I can attribute my success to is the honesty Tim has with me regarding my training and racing. As all riders do, I have bad days on the bike but when Tim’s there he gives me some tough love and a “build a bridge and get over it” mentality to get me going again. The kind of relationship I have with him makes me want to push even harder in my pursuit of success.
Other than the sport they coach you in, what sport would you like to watch your coach try?
EG: I would love to see Tim pick up something exciting like cheese-rolling.
If you had to pick a karaoke song to describe your coach what would it be? Why?
EG: Waterfalls by TLC – Tim is always chasing waterfalls. I think he has an internal waterfall-detecting GPS.
EO: Waterfalls by TLC. If you’ve ever met Tim (or seen his Instagram), you’d understand his obsession with waterfalls. I think he might spend more time chasing waterfalls than he spends time at home.
What lesson(s) has your coach instilled in you?
EG: Tim has taught me not to underestimate my abilities when I’m outside of my comfort zone.
Share a story about your coach.
EO: At the 2017 Junior Track National Championships, I suffered a crash in the scratch race and accumulated a sizeable amount of splinters. That night, Tim spent over a half hour pulling out those splinters, while my teammate Quinn laughed in amusement. If that isn’t athlete-coach bonding, I don’t know what is.
What does your coach do that makes him a great coach?
EG: There’s a lot of things that make Tim a great coach; he has lots of high-level racing experience and solid advice. He also knows how to pump everyone up, draw them out of their shells and have a good time. His investment and dedication to his athletes have resulted in really high-trust relationships. Because of the trust and respect we’ve developed, I can trust him when he challenges me to step out of my comfort zone and put myself out there. Ultimately, Tim is an excellent coach because he pushes for one’s growth not only as an athlete but in the quality of their character.
EO: Whether it’s on the bike, in the gym, or in the classroom, he tries to make cycling fun. When I have hard training sessions, Tim’s always there to crack a smile and make the pain cave a little less painful.
Why do you want to say “thanks, coach”?
EG: Thanks for sticking up for us Devos and taking on roles that we need at each particular moment, such as; serious mentor, the concerned mother, cool uncle or fun aunt. Thanks for walking me through the ranks these past 5 years; from non-committal u15 who was unenthused with bikes, to 1st year Junior, wildly in love with cycling, mixing it up in Elite and eager to step onto the world stage. Who would’ve known? Thanks for being the Tim that the rest of youth cycling in Canada needs and that Greater Vancouver is very blessed to have.
EO: I want to say thanks to Tim for all that he’s provided me with over these past 4 years, especially for the hours of dedication to my development as an athlete and for providing me with the confidence to chase my goals and dreams. Your commitment and devotion to inspiring young athletes is something I hope to replicate in the future – it’s truly life-changing.
#ThanksCoach
With events held across the country to celebrate coaching, National Coaches Week provides coaches with the recognition they deserve for the time they devote to ensuring Canadians live an active, healthy lifestyle.
Stay up to date with everything happening leading up to National Coaches Week by visiting www.coach.ca/nationalcoachesweek and by following along on Facebook and Twitter using #CoachesWeek and #ThanksCoach.
For more information on coaching and how to become a cycling coach, please go to our Coaching Resources or check out the events calendar for upcoming coaching courses in your area.
Cycling BC will be holding an NCCP Let’s Ride! Community Initiation coaching course on Saturday, October 20, 2018 for everything you need to start coaching. Register now to reserve your spot.
