'Like a passion project': Sask. coach receives national award for canoe kayak excellence
A Saskatchewan coach has received the 2022 Club Developer Award from Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) for her efforts in providing inclusive, competitive and recreational opportunities in her community.
When Jessica Riley became head coach of the Yorkton Canoe and Kayak Club (YCKC) 15 years ago, there were only four members, now there are 500 participants each year.
“I was 18 and didn’t know what I was doing, and putting myself through university, and that’s where it started and it hasn’t really stopped,” Riley said in an interview with CTV News.
She said, with the help of her family and a solid volunteer group, they were able to rebuild the YCKC.
“I always considered my club to have been like a passion project.”
“When the going gets tough, you come back to those core reasons of why got involved in the first place,” she said.
Riley was honoured for her dedication at the CKC annual summit, and it’s well deserved according to some of her athletes.
“Without her, there would be no YCKC,” Raya Cuthill, former athlete with YCKC, said in an interview with CTV News.
“She’s helped me with more than just paddling, she helped me with lots of different aspects of my life.”
“She was basically like a mom to me,” Cuthill added.
“I think it’s been a long time coming, and I’m glad Jessica got an award to show what she’s been doing over these past years,” Ewen Hutzul, a member of the YCKC, told CTV News.
Riley is also a paddling development director with Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan, where she likes to focus on helping other grassroots clubs develop programs.
“The cool part is, I get to take all the things that I’ve learned for the past 15 years, and help other clubs get off the ground,” Riley said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.