HIGH ACHIEVERS: 6 local coaches, volunteers honoured for exceptional work

By Martin Cleary

Athletes get the headlines, the medals and the invitations to speak at schools and service clubs.

But if it wasn’t for the coaches on the sidelines and the volunteers behind the scenes, the hard-working athletes might still be in the starting blocks trying to figure things out.

So, it was uplifting to see this month that four coaches, one technical official and one volunteer administrator had the spotlight fall on them for their incredible and significant work.

During the recent 12th annual National Coaches’ Week, when athletes were asked to pay a special thank you to their mentors, artistic gymnastics’ Amanda Leang of Kemptville and badminton’s Bijeesh Vilasiniamma were named Ontario Coaching Excellence Award winners, while Gatineau’s Nicolas Tosi was selected national coach of the year by Sail Canada.

Dave Smart, the former Carleton University men’s basketball head coach and sport program director, was inducted into the Ontario Basketball Association Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.

Ottawa’s Jean Lamontagne was recognized in Speed Skating Canada’s annual awards announcement as the official of the year, following his international assignment as the chief starter for men’s short-track speed skating at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games. It also was Lamontagne’s first Olympics.

At the annual general meeting of Squash Canada, Tom Scholberg was one of six recipients of the Certificate of Achievement award for his dedication to volunteerism on the Ottawa squash scene.

AMANDA LEANG

A recreational program director, competitive cheer manager and artistic gymnastics and ninja coach, Amanda Leang trains her athletes at Kemptville Infinity Gymnastics.

Leang, who also has training in trampoline gymnastics foundations, entered coaching with a solid background in movement. She was a member of eight competitive cheer teams and won a national title with a pom team.

She practised and competed in gymnastics and dance for 14 years, strengthened her skills with lessons at Broadway Dance in New York City and participated in the 2019 world dance championships.

Leang, along with Vilasiniamma, were recently presented their Ontario Coaching Excellence Award from the Coaches Association of Ontario in partnership with Hydro One and the Ontario Ministry of Sport.

BIJEESH VILASINIAMMA

A former national-level badminton player in India, Bijeesh Vilasiniamma is the head coach of the MASC Badminton Academy Ottawa and the Orleans Sports Club.

He is recognized for his patience and inclusive approach and sees potential in every child, while creating “an environment where athletes feel supported, challenged and valued regardless of their experience or abilities,” said the Coaches Association of Ontario press release.

“His technical expertise combined with individualized guidance help players overcome obstacles and achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. Whether introducing beginners to the sport or developing emerging talent, he is committed to helping every athlete succeed on their own terms.”

Both Leang and Vilasiniamma will receive funding to buy new equipment and allow their sports to continue to be safe, accessible and affordable for athletes in their communities. They received their awards at a recent CFL game in Toronto.

NICOLAS TOSI

Noted for noticing small technical details that can lead to big improvements and ensuring youth sailors feel they are having a meaningful experience, Nicolas Tosi was selected the 2025 national Coach of the Year by Sail Canada.

The award is presented to a coach demonstrating “high skills and contributes to sporting excellence by offering a healthy attitude towards winning and enjoying the sport in addition to having shown effectiveness in training,” according to Sail Canada’s press release.

“I’m incredibly honoured and grateful to receive the Sail Canada Coach of the Year Award for 2025,” Tosi said in the release. “Coaching has always been about much more than results for me. It’s about helping athletes grow so they can challenge themselves, enjoy the sport and become better people along the way.

“This recognition is a reflection of the incredible athletes I’ve had the privilege of working with as well as the families, clubs, fellow coaches and everyone who supports them. I’m very fortunate to be part of such a passionate sailing community.”

Tosi, a former Nacra 17 and 49er class racer, has coached Canadian athletes at international events such as the Garda Meeting and the 2024 Optimist African Championships, served as a Quebec coach from 2022-25 and co-founded the Montreal Youth Sailing Team in 2019.

DAVE SMART

Recognized as one of the most influential and successful coaches in Canadian basketball history, Dave Smart was the men’s head coach and program director with the Carleton University Ravens from 1999 to 2024.

Smart produced 13 U Sports men’s basketball champions at Carleton, owns the best men’s winning percentage in Canadian university basketball at .937 for the OUA regular season and .867 overall and won nine national Coach-of-the-Year awards.

“Smart transformed a small program into a national dynasty, establishing a sustained winning culture built on defensive intensity, preparation, discipline and team-first principle,” said a recent Ontario Basketball Association press release, announcing Smart’s induction into its provincial Hall of Fame.

“Beyond the trophies, Smart created a pathway for Canadian players to develop at home and advance to professional and international levels,” the release continued. “Carleton produced numerous Canadian professional and national-team players, inspiring generations of athletes.”

His coaching style also helped assistant coaches and former players to join university, professional and national-level coaching staffs.

“He built enduring systems, developed people and demonstrated that elite, sustainable basketball excellence could be achieved in Canada,” the release added.

JEAN LAMONTAGNE

A speed skating official for the past 35 years, Jean Lamontagne of Ottawa took part in his first Olympics at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games. He served as the chief starter for men’s short-track speed skating sprint, distance and relay races.

Lamontagne was recently honoured by Speed Skating Canada as its Official of the Year because of his significant Olympic appointment. He also won a Speed Skating Canada official’s Award of Excellence in 2019 for his ability to develop officials at all levels.

A level 5 official starter with the International Skating Union and Speed Skating Canada, Lamontagne started his volunteer career at a 1990 competition with the Ottawa Pacers Speed Skating Club, when the scheduled starter failed to appear.

TOM SCHOLBERG

A dedicated advocate for squash in Ottawa, Tom Scholberg has not only played more than 650 competitive matches, but also is a big supporter of the development of the local game.

His love of the game was brought to the attention of Squash Ontario, which nominated him for a national award. Squash Canada announced last week, Scholberg was one of six winners of its Certificate of Achievement award for his “commitment to squash through volunteerism, leadership, advocacy or financial support.”

“Tom has been a dedicated advocate for squash in the Ottawa region, consistently volunteering his time to support the local community and Squash Ontario,” said the Squash Canada press release.

“Most recently, he served as a conflict resolution officer, helping address complaints and support a positive environment within the sport.”