March 11, 2006 – Leo Rautins, Head Coach of Canada’s Senior Men’s Basketball Team, will serve as Honorary Chair for a province-wide initiative aimed at recruiting more than 1,000 new community coaches. An inductee into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame, Rautins is a leader in grassroots sport development and delivers youth basketball camps across Canada.

From April 22-29, 2006, Ontario Coaches Week will offer 40 free workshops to hundreds of coaches across the province. With funding from the provincial and federal governments, this multi-year initiative is being led by the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO).

“The fact is, coaches are the foundation of our grassroots programs,” said Rautins. “Without them, kids miss out on so many things that sport has to offer – from better health to new friends and important life skills.”

The theme for this year’s inaugural event is “Ready, Set, Coach!” – a message that the CAO hopes will inspire record numbers of volunteers to join the ranks of the province’s community coaches at a time when they are urgently needed.

According to the CAO’s Executive Director, Susan Kitchen, the timing could not be better. “With the Vancouver Olympics and Paralympics just four years away, governments and the business sector are investing more than ever before in our sport system,” she said. “Ontario Coaches Week is one way for coaches at all levels to climb on board and contribute to this remarkable movement.”

Kitchen added that one of the primary goals of Ontario Coaches Week will be to provide workshops and practical resources that meet the specific needs of new coaches, women, aboriginals, teachers, and coaches working with disabled athletes. A complete listing of workshop dates and locations is available at: www.coachesontario.ca.

The CAO will partner with the Toronto Blue Jays to officially kick off Ontario Coaches Week by providing 500 free tickets for community coaches and guests to watch the hometown Jays take on Boston on Saturday, April 22nd.

Further information on specific activities and special events will be posted on the CAO’s Web site.