WORA Awards

2023/24 WORA Award Winners

West Ottawa Ringette Association Special Recognition Awards  

Robert MacKean Award - Novice Coach of the Year  (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; and  
• demonstrating a commitment to further their own coaching skills.  

This award was 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. 

Potential recipients are nominated by the membership and the Executive vote is based on the nominations received.

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.  
• 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 is based on the nominations received from the Executive.  

Louise E. Holloway Memorial Award - 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.  
• Potential recipients are nominated by the membership and the Executive vote is 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 is based on the nominations received.

Stephanie Nugent Award - Assistant Coach of the Year

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; and  
• demonstrating a commitment to further their own coaching skills.  

Stephanie Nugent was an active member of our ringette community for many years - as both a player and 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 fulfill 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 Head Coach and 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.

Potential recipients are nominated by the membership and the Executive vote is based on the nominations received.

Bill Hubbs Award - Senior Coach of the Year (U12-U19)

Newly introduced for the 2024/25 season

With the Senior Coach of the Year award, WORA aims to celebrate and applaud the Senior-level coaches (U12-U19) who exemplify the great role model that Bill Hubbs set as a 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; and  
• demonstrating a commitment to further their own coaching skills.  

Together with the unique values exemplified by Bill Hubbs:

• Inclusion and unity - stronger together;
• Respect and humility - stay grounded in your success; thank your opponent and those who make the game possible;
• Responsibility - know you can and do your job;
• Joy and excitement for the opportunity - the game is privilege and offers a chance to do your best; be excited for that opportunity to compete and to laugh and to connect; 
• Integrity - do the right thing;

Potential recipients are nominated by the membership and the Executive vote is based on the nominations received.

This award was created to honour the memory of Bill Hubbs, whose contributions to the sport and the community have been an inspiration to us all. We hope that his spirit provides insight and helps guides all of our future coaches to achieve the standard he set.

Before he was Coach Grandpa, he was known to all as Mr. Hubbs, and sometimes Hubbsy.

Bill Hubbs worked many years in the game wearing many hats, Executive Director of Ringette Canada, Association President, University Club leader, Parent, Grandparent, Mentor, and of course, Coach.

Perhaps because he had served in these many roles, Bill always led first with respect - a respect for the job another has to do, respect for time given voluntarily, often time away from family, respect for the value added because someone is stepping up to do that job, making the game possible. Whether it was in his interactions with Boards, Parents, Officials, his own staffs, or opposing staffs, Bill was so intentional, and a great model, for being courteous and respectful to all those in the game.

Still, his lasting legacy will be as a coach and mentor. In both roles, Mr. Hubbs was best known for his caring style of leadership, and for inspiring confidence and belief in his players and staff. He was always the first to arrive at practice or down at breakfast in tournaments. He made a point to greet each of his players and young coaches, so he could make sure they were ready, they knew he was ready, and that he was there if they needed him. He was also the last to leave, making sure everyone had a safe way home. He went out of his way to make sure you felt heard, validated, and valued. He used questions rather than telling because he knew that in you already, was the answer, and it would be better if you came to that on your own. He helped you to set and visualize goals, often saying, “If you can see it, you can believe it; and if you believe it, you can achieve it.” He was thoughtful, spending many hours working out lineups and strategies, or special ‘door plays’ to be used at just the right moment. And even beyond his time with you, he remembered you. If he saw you at a rink, or achieving something in your life, he reached out. He was well known for collecting sweaters from the various universities and colleges which his former athletes attended. He proudly wore them and shared stories of those athletes. For him, it was the connections that made the game special.

Coach Grandpa - leading from his heart, willingly shared his passion for the game and routinely answered the call when needed. Over his career, he instilled in those around him a desire to do the same, to give back, to stay connected, and to just try their best.

June 2024