WORA Awards

2021/22 WORA Award Winners

Robert MacKean Novice Coach of the Year Award  (Fun1, Fun2, Fun3)

With our Novice Coach of the Year Award, WORA aims to celebrate and applaud the Novice level (Fun1, Fun2, Fun3)  coaches who exemplify the great  model that Robert MacKean set for us as a coach and mentor. Throughout all of his numerous seasons as a Novice level coach,  Robert focused on the fundamentals and taught his young ringette players the importance of hard work, fair play, and teamwork.  The recipient of this award reflects the coaching standards of the West Ottawa Ringette Association, which include: 

• showing respect for players, officials, opponents and parents;  
• supporting a philosophy of fair play and learning through encouragement;  
• demonstrating concern for the development of the athlete;  
• demonstrating initiative and a willingness to learn and further their own understanding and development in ringette;  
• demonstrating a commitment to further their own coaching skills.  
• potential recipients are nominated by the membership and the Executive vote based on the nominations received.

Robert MacKean Award - created to honour the memory of Robert MacKean and his contributions to the sport of ringette - both in West Ottawa,  and the region. Robert was first and foremost a ‘Ringette Dad’, who got hooked on the sport when his daughter Heather started to play the game.  By the time his younger daughter Jenny became a “Bunny”, Rob was a veteran ringette coach, who had also served as President of the Goulbourn  Ringette Association and the National Capital Region Ringette League. Robert was a perpetual “student” of the sport; he tried to stay up to date on new ideas and strategies as a ringette coach, and kept himself educated on what was happening in the sport locally around the National Capital region and throughout the province. He encouraged ringette players to not only play this great sport for as long as they could, but also to give back  to the sport they loved through the coach-in-training and officiating programs.  

Ruth Baker U19 (Belle) Leadership Award - “long term dedication and commitment”  

• presented to a ‘graduating’ U19 player who has been with ringette for many years as a player and perhaps also in other capacities - referee, coaching, etc.  
• recipient is someone who is regarded as an on- and off-ice role model for other players  
• the recipient is selected by the U19 team coaches.

Mary Green Award - “for outstanding service and dedication”  

• recipient is someone who has provided many years of dedicated service to the association and/or the sport - might be someone leaving the association  
• Executive vote based on the nominations received from the Executive.  

Louise E. Holloway Memorial Award for Volunteer of the Year - “willing to contribute”  

• recipient is someone who has gone above and beyond in terms of contributing to the association and its goals over the past  year (must be a non-player)  
• potential recipients are nominated by the membership and the Executive vote based on the nominations received  .

J.D. Green Spirit Award - “to the team that demonstrates true team spirit”  

• awarded to the team that has demonstrated true team spirit and good sportsmanship throughout the season  
• potential recipients are nominated by the teams themselves and the Executive vote based on the nominations received.

Steph Nugent Assistant Coach of the Year Award

With the Assistant Coach of the Year Award, WORA aims to celebrate and applaud the assistant coaches who exemplify the great model that Steph Nugent set as a coach, assistant coach and mentor. 

The recipient of this award reflects the coaching standards of the West Ottawa Ringette Association, which include: 

• showing respect for players, officials, opponents and parents;  
• supporting a philosophy of fair play and learning through encouragement;  
• demonstrating concern for the development of the athlete;  
• demonstrating initiative and a willingness to learn and further their own understanding and development in ringette;  
• demonstrating a commitment to further their own coaching skills.  
• potential recipients are nominated by the membership and the Executive vote based on the nominations received.

Stephanie Nugent was an active member of our ringette community for many years - as both a player and as a coach. Unfortunately, Steph passed away much too soon in November 2020 at the age of 48 from Breast Cancer. Steph was a constant presence at the rink from the time her daughter Carmen started playing ringette in Bunnies. A passionate promoter of the sport of ringette, she could always be counted on to help out at Bunnies and Come Try Ringette events. After being a Head Coach at the Novice levels for several years, Steph took on the role of Assistant Coach as Carmen moved up to U12 and into the competitive stream. Steph fulfilled the role of Assistant Coach for many years up to U16 as her daughter progressed in the sport. Steph continued to fulfil the role of Assistant Coach even as she was undergoing cancer treatments. 

A teacher by profession, Steph brought a perfect balance to the teams that she coached. In their own words, players that Stephanie has coached have described her as patient, comforting, and supportive. Steph was fiercely competitive- but always had the right approach in ensuring the players were learning, receiving constructive feedback and encouragement; and she did so in an environment that was both positive and respectful. She will be remembered as someone who was modest and unassuming - and as someone who treated all players fairly. As a member of the bench staff, she will be remembered as someone who contributed to the team and the bench in a positive way towards helping young players develop as athletes and as individuals. As a Coach and as an Assistant Coach, Steph has had a lasting impact on so many young women who have played ringette for the West Ottawa Ringette Association. This award is being created in Steph’s memory to recognize the contributions of an exceptional Assistant Coach.

July 2022