Stephanie Parkes says itSA国际影视传媒檚 an honour to be named Sport NorthSA国际影视传媒檚 2022 Coach of the Year, but the real reward was seeing the impact sheSA国际影视传媒檚 had on the athletes sheSA国际影视传媒檚 coached.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was pretty surprised initially,SA国际影视传媒� said the basketball coach. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 nice to be recognized, for sure. The boys that ISA国际影视传媒檝e been coaching for years, they all filled out their own personal thoughts and I got to read those.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat meant more than the award. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 when you know youSA国际影视传媒檙e actually making a difference in peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 lives. It was nice to hear from them in their words what the last four to five years have meant to them.SA国际影视传媒�

Parkes was nominated by her athletes and peers for the recognition earlier in the year and was informed she was the winner in September. But the public announcement didnSA国际影视传媒檛 come until Dec. 2.

SA国际影视传媒淭he day that I found out, I came down for practice after school and they were all standing in the gym cheering,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t was pretty sweet.SA国际影视传媒�

She was particularly moved by how her athletes described her as a trusted adult that they could reach out to about anything, not just basketball.

Having not played hoops herself as a child, ParkesSA国际影视传媒� journey to becoming the NorthSA国际影视传媒檚 top coach has been a journey of passion. She fell into the sport 14 to 15 years ago, first as a chaperone for a tournament in Yellowknife.

Since then sheSA国际影视传媒檚 learned the intricacies of sport. In the process, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 also built a solid support network and basketball program by bringing in help where needed.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been a project weSA国际影视传媒檝e all worked at,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淕rowing up, basketball was my least favourite sport, but I stepped into the role and (have been) able to see kids outside of school and build those relationships and connections. ISA国际影视传媒檝e learned the influence you can have when kids know you are on their side, rooting for them and being their cheerleader.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou can actually have a lot of positive influence helping students with their studies. This group has been super committed.SA国际影视传媒�

Having worked with the same group of students for the better part of the past decade, Parkes said this last year before graduation was about getting as much time on the court as possible before sending her boys off into the world.

Through the sport, she hopes she helped pass on important life lessons and experience to the young men. From the testaments they wrote in their nomination for her award, she said she feels sheSA国际影视传媒檚 accomplished that.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e used basketball as a means to engage kids in school and keep them around,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 about the end game. Basketball is a means to an end for me SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 how I get these boys to develop leadership skills and help them with the rest of their life.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not actually about the basketball. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 what ISA国际影视传媒檝e been able to do through basketball.SA国际影视传媒�