COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – It is USA Archery’s honor to recognize member-nominated and voted coaches of the year annually. These coaches stand out among their peers for their significant dedication and efforts to grow the sport and develop athletes. USA Archery is grateful to these coaches for their continued work to promote and improve the sport in their communities and across the nation. We congratulate all nominees and finalists.
A developmental coach of the year is coach of a youth club, school or junior-level coach, or a coach directly responsible for coaching athletes to the junior and/or elite level. This award is based on the accomplishments from the past year. The 2019 Developmental Coaches of the year are Melinda Hawley and Eric Tollefson.
Coach Melinda Hawley is a Level 4-NTS Coach who works for C.B.A. and You at the Archery Excellence Indoor Range/Learning Center in Independence, MO. Coach Melinda believes in archery, you not only learn a valuable and fun sport, but also gain self-confidence, boost self-esteem, learn to be disciplined, gain better focus, and learn the value of life and how to treat others with that same value. Coach Melinda is also active in continuing to grow as a coach and has attended Para Coach Observer Programs and the National Symposium.
Coach Eric Tollefson of ArcheryLA recently became a Level 5-NTS Coach. He has coached several archers to podium finishes at USAT Events and JOAD Outdoor Nationals. Coach Eric possesses an incredible understanding of his archers' mindset which is crucial to the archers' success. His nominator explained, “He has a special understanding and knows just the right thing to do or say to help his archers regain confidence especially at critical times during the tournament.”
A volunteer coach of the year nominee is a coach who does not receive payment in any form for their involvement in coaching. This award is based on the coach’s accomplishments over the past year.
The 2019 Female Volunteer Coach of the Year is Coach Elizabeth “Liz” Coombe. Coach Liz is the director and coach at Cincinnati Jr Olympians JOAD Club. Several of Coach Liz’s athletes went on to achieve their Olympian awards and place at the National Field Championships. In particular, Coach Liz’s athletes believe she does an outstanding job of teaching them to learn from their mistakes and use learning moments as an opportunity to improve as an archer and as a person.
The 2019 Male Volunteer Coach of the Year is Coach Jason Pfister of Ace Archers. Coach Jason’s archers have performed and medaled at Ohio state events, USAT events, and National Field and Target Championships. Jason is well known for his dedication and commitment to the sport and leads by example with his coaching. According to his athletes, “Jason is a wonderful role model for our club members. [We] consider him a pillar of the archery community as he is someone who defines good sportsmanship and the spirit of giving back.”
USA Archery is proud to congratulate these outstanding coaches. Learn more about the Coach of the Year Awards.
To find a coach near you, click here.
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