Barry Hobday is simply an exceptional person who has dedicated almost 40 years to coaching ringette in Manitoba. He has made incredible contributions in the lives of many young athletes. Being coached by Mr. Hobday means playing on a team that feels like a secure family, developing the courage to believe in oneself, and learning the power of teamwork. Being coached by Mr. Hobday means having the chance to connect to inner strength and strivings- for many young people, this may be a precious discovery. It is not hyperbole to suggest that Mr. Hobday is an invaluable positive influence on generations of young people: having a safe place to have fun, a team to which one belongs, exercise, and healthy competition do not just great ringette players make: these are features of resilient people who work together, overcome adversity, and manage stress.
Mr. Hobday has an extensive coaching history of achievements. In addition to the numerous medals at local, provincial, and national levels, please note the Fair Play awards, the Manitoba Hall of Fame, and the Coach of the Year awards. Mr.Hobday is also committed to sport promotion and athlete development. The eastern Manitoba district (Eastman) has a particularly strong ringette program as a direct result of Mr. Hobday’s efforts; these include founding their Tween AA program and visiting arenas in communities which may not have developed ringette programs to discuss the sport’s potential with prospective players, parents, and coaches.
To further garner interest in and excitement about the sport, he created Ringette Day, which showcases high level AA league games in various communities. Mr. Hobday also developed a playbook for newer coaches in Eastman. Mr. Hobday’s expertise in ringette on a technical level and his capacity to impart knowledge are outstanding. Along with his warmth, goodwill, and an unbelievable amount of time and effort, Mr. Hobday’s coaching and promotion of ringette is exceptional: a balance of technical and interpersonal skills, of creativity and hard work.
- Nadia LaJeunesse