The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

A20- The Canadian Champion, Friday, October 6, 2006 \Seasoned b-bail coach earns top regional award By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Gin Jobnston bas guided the Holy Rosary Hawks to an awful lot of basketball success over tbe years. Recently, tbey've netted ber a little well- deserved recognition in return. Last montb tbe longtime boops coach was bonoured witb the Halton Catbolic District Scbool Boards Jobn Sbaw Award of Coacbing Excellence. Nominated by principal Carol Cowan on bebaîf of players, parents and peers, Jobnston was one of jusi [our elemeîîtary scbool teacbers fromn across tbe region to earn the award for the 2005/06 scbool year, and the irst in recent mem- on, from nortb Halton. 'Gins an ace coach. Shes so dedicated and just brings out the best in her players," said Cowan. Leading her Hawks to a fourtb North Halton titie in six years this past spring,Johnston was no doubt honoured by the distinction - but seemcd equally bumbled by it. I just love sports and working with the kids," said The Champions Coach of the Montb [or this past May, who along with coaching basketball is a region-wide co-ordi- nator of track and field and is set to begin ollici- ating volleyball this [ail. I really don't think Ive done anything that others bavent." Theres many who'd beg to di[fer with that. Among them is Barb OConnor, an elementary curriculum consultant for health and physical education witb the huard and one o[ tbree people who decided on the awards. With ber tbree chul- dren aIl going tbrougb tbe Holy Rosary sporting ranks, sbe's seen firstband johnston's contribu- tions to the basketball program - as well as ber dedication to sports in general. The latter took ber and OConnor to a province-wide physical education conference last year, while the seasoned basketball instructor reg- ularly attends clinics and reads materials to "get fresb ideas on coacbing strategies and drills." Said OConnor, "'m really proud Gin got the award. She doesn't fit what you'd tbink of a JK teacher in terms of coacbing. Shes innovative, progressive and not afraid to step outside tbe norm. And shes so unselfisb. Her first priority is always the kids." Big tests ahead for young 'Hawks The lceHawks were certainly cballenged during an espe- cially bectic September, but tbe real litmus test could come over tbe next eigbî days. During ibat time tbe rebuilding jr. A club bas tbree straigbî games against formidable opponents. That stretcb starts îonigbî w itb a bome-icqep sbomdown agaînsi the Oakville Blades who now sport îhree former lccHlawks, încluding 2005-06 \Vcestcrn ( onfcrence Rookie ol the N'car ( ocy Goloubef. Sunday the IcecHawks arc in Burlington, w bile next Friday, ihey play liosi 10 ihe hccted up Hamnilton Rcd Wings-. All ihrcc gainues-tari ai 7:30 p.m. Milton ciirretils oct opies ses cîîh spot iin ihe \Vcsî sw h a 3-7- 1 -1 record - wiih ail tiîce \,vins and one tic coming ai Mcoîorial .\ieiîa MILTON HEIGHTS RACING CLU On Johnston BRING THIS AP IN & ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A GLEN EDEN FAMILY SEASONS PASV *No Purchase necessary APPROXIMATE VALUE $1400 *See website for details