Two members of the Carlyle Skating Club received provincial and national recognition from Skate Canada Saskatchewan at a Saturday, May 5 awards ceremony in Regina.
Coach Jenna Toms and her assistant, Tiana Delalleau received Skate Canada's Volunteer Coach Award and the Section Program Assistant Award, respectively.
The duo received news of their honours in April. Neither Toms nor Delalleau knew the other was nominated. Toms nominated her 10-year-old assistant and Tiana's mother, Anita Delalleau nominated Toms in her capacity as Carlyle Skating Club president.
“If I put on my president's hat, I couldn't have picked two more deserving people,” says Anita.
Toms was only one of 10 coaches to receive the award this season. Skate Canada's Volunteer Coach Award criteria states - in part - that in addition to having skating, teaching and coaching credentials, the recipient must be: “a professional coach who inspires others to embrace the joy of skating...who has demonstrated commitment to the sport of skating.”
As part of Tom's nomination package, fellow CSC coach Dawn Brady writes: “(Toms) is approachable, encouraging and a positive role model to our Starskaters and their parents.”
Parent Britany Smoliak writes of Toms: “Jenna's love and passion for skating, as well as children, radiates when she is on the ice...I can't say enough good things about all she has done for my girls.”
Fellow parent Karen Fischer agrees, writing: “Our club and each skater in it is truly blessed to have Jenna as one of our coaches. I feel she is very deserving of this award and I know she will continue to share her love, knowledge and passion for this sport.”
“Everyone had great things to say about Jenna when I was putting the nomination package together,” says Anita. “But it really was down to this - Jenna is always there for our skaters and our club.”
Toms' nomination of her assistant, Tiana is an example of her commitment to coaching and acting as a role model to younger skaters.
Toms summed up Tiana's contribution to the CSC this way: “Our club is very fortunate to have Tiana Delalleau as one of our Program Assistants for our CanSkate program...Tiana's knowledge and dependability makes her a valuable asset to our club. She never hesitates to go the extra mile and is always smiling. Tiana has a very caring nature and is a natural leader. I am very appreciative of her hard work and dedication to our program.”
“Tiana's enthusiasm and passion for the sport is contagious and admirable,” continues Toms. “She is a great representation of the ideal program assistant - she is well- deserving of this award and recognition.”
Toms says of the honour: “I know what great examples my coaches were to me when I was younger and I want to give my best to these kids and be a positive role model.”
Tiana agrees, adding: “Someone once volunteered their time to teach me to skate, so it seemed natural that I pass on what I have learned and love about this sport.”
