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Abbotsford's Mitchell named mentor at BC Summer Games

Hall of Fame wrestling coach mentoring Abbotsford’s Ashley Topnik at Games
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Mouat’s Jim Mitchell

A legendary Abbotsford coach has been chosen to participate in the BC Games Coach Mentorship Program as part of the Abbotsford 2016 BC Summer Games.

Mitchell, who was named to the Wrestling Canada Hall of Fame earlier this year, is the long-time athletic director and wrestling coach at W.J. Mouat, and he will be mentoring former Mouat student and wrestler Ashley Topnik at the Games.

Mitchell is one of 14 coaches from six B.C. communities to take part in the mentorship program.

A partnership initiative between viaSport and the BC Games Society, the mentorship program pairs apprentice and mentor coaches for unique hands-on experience and training at the Games. The program assists coaches in enhancing and developing their coaching skills with the ultimate goal to pursue higher levels of coaching certification.

"The BC Games Coach Mentorship Program highlights the personal commitment and the passion to develop athletes that B.C.'s top coaches possess," said Sheila Bouman, viaSport CEO. "We are proud to work with the BC Games Society and B.C.'s Provincial Sport Organizations to offer B.C.'s emerging coaches this incredible learning experience."

Coach pairs are nominated by their Provincial Sport Organization and earn professional development credits toward the National Coaching Certification Program.

"The BC Games provide an opportunity for coaches to develop their skills under the unique conditions seen at a multi-sport event," said Kelly Mann, president and CEO of the BC Games Society. "We know that these coaches will benefit from the experience and take their new skills and knowledge forward to positively impact athletes for years to come."

Other mentorship pairs at the Games include: Mentor - Brian Joe (Burnaby) and Hayley Van Poele (Burnaby) for Girls Softball; Mentor: Jennika Efford (Victoria) and Sarah MacDonald (Victoria) for Swimming; Mentor Jennifer Callow (Lake Country) and Ethan Callow (Lake Country) and Mentor Duncan Harrison (Chilliwack) and Kayla Gimard (Chilliwack) for Boys Volleyball; Mentor Stephen Epp (Nanaimo) and Chantal Cumming (Nanaimo) and Mentor Bob Smith (Surrey) and Alycia Palmer (Surrey) for Girls Volleyball.

The Abbotsford 2016 BC Summer Games take place July 21 to 24 with over 3200 athletes, coaches, and officials from across BC competing in 18 different sports.

For more on the Games, visit bcgames.org.