Ontario Coaching Excellence Awards

Celebrating Ontario’s Coaches!

The Ontario Coaching Excellence Awards

Ontario’s highest coaching honour across all sports and levels, celebrates the integral role coaches play with their team(s), sport and community.

In 2025, 15 selected coaches will win a VIP CFL Experience at BMO Field on September 13, as we kick off National Coaches Week 2025! #ThanksCoach

2025 OCEA Award Winners

• Gord Butler – Curling – Ottawa
• Gord Gallimore – Football – Brampton
• Shawn Hachey – Martial Arts – Barrie
• Julius Naredo – Basketball – Toronto
• Deluxshan Pathmanathan – Basketball – Oshawa
• Lana Perry – Archery – Sault Ste Marie
• Courtney Proudfoot – Ringette – Waterloo
• Sandra Sinclair – Baseball – Kingston

• Diane Tonner – Taekwondo – Scarborough
• Nicola Vescio – Track & Field – Toronto
• Amanda Valiquette – School Sport – Ottawa
• Jeff Masterson – School Sport – King City
• Terrance McMahon – Volleyball – Fort Frances
  Susan Kitchen Trailblazer Award
• Janet Lawless – Karate – Manotick
  Hydro One Safe Play Award
• Ken Hall – Para Throws and Para Hockey – Brampton
  Andy Higgins Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominations

Check back in 2026!

CAO & Hydro One – Our Partnership

Hydro One is committed to giving back to the communities where they live, work and play. Their community investment program builds safe communities across Ontario by focusing on safe play and safety training. 
That is why we have continued to partner together to celebrate and recognize the important role coaches play in building a culture of safety for their participants across Ontario.

Learn more by clicking here.