TORONTO - McMaster University rowing coach Myma Okuda-Rayfuse received the Coaching Association of Ontario's (CAO) top coaching honour this past Saturday as winner of the Hydro One Safe Play Award. Given to one recipient who demonstrates a positive commitment to safe sport, Myma is dedicated to the positive mental health of her Marauder student-athletes.

For Myma, mental health isn't something she just talks about – she lives by the principles that all athletes feel welcome, listened to, and supported on and off the water.
 
"We are thrilled to recognize coach Myma for their unwavering dedication and support of athlete development on and off the playing field" said CAO Executive Director, Jeremy Cross. "Our communities are strengthened by the relationships created and fostered through sport and coaches like Myma are leaders in creating those safe, fun, and positive spaces for youth to grow."
 
Through the Safe Sport 101 partnership between the CAO and Hydro One, each recipient will also receive funding for new equipment to keep their athletes and teams' safe and their respective sports affordable and accessible.

"Our volunteer coaches are the driving force behind the success of our OUA teams," said Brittany Rumney, Manager of Competitive Sport at McMaster. "We are incredibly lucky to have a coach as dedicated to the student-athlete experience as Myma at the helm of our rowing program."
 
The Coaching Excellence Award recipients were selected from nominations received by the CAO across 35+ sports and 60+ communities. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the awards ceremony is presented annually recognizing coaches of all levels of sport from community to competitive for their unique commitments to inspire, innovate and share knowledge of sport with others.
 
"Coaches selflessly commit their time and efforts to inspire Ontario's athletes and help them reach their full potential. Their mentorship and motivation are critical to athlete development from the very start," said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "So many athletes and their families have benefitted from the guidance of excellent, caring coaches and I am pleased to congratulate all of those being recognized."  
 
The Coaches Association of Ontario is an independent, non-profit organization that supports coaches from community to high performance across all sports in Ontario.

This year marks the 9th annual National Coaches Week, when Canadians say #ThanksCoach for the role coaches play in building safe communities and the positive impact they have on the lives of all participants. Ontario is home to more than 150,000 active coaches, with as many as 60% volunteering their services. For more information about National Coaches Week across Ontario, visit www.coachesontario.ca/events/coachesweek.