National Coaches Week

National Coaches Week is September 14-20 and we will be highlighting five coaches from the Swim Ontario community. It is a time to celebrate positive impact that coaches have on our athletes, sport and community. #ThanksCoach

By David Grossman

Efficiency can be a cool thing.

Colette Wilson knows it very well. Talk with her about competence, expertise and performance and she just might elaborate on her successful formula for getting youngsters to do things well.

Here’s a hint: coach the way coaching should be done.

While Wilson took swim lessons as a four-year old, she would go on to earn an Award of Distinction and add on extensive lifeguard duties.

Not one for the competitive swim racing category, even though she was involved with the North Bay YMCA Swim Club, her aquatic experience encompassed several years of devotion to a sport that involved performing artistic and choreographed routines to music. It’s called synchronized swimming, which is an Olympic sport.

When decision time came for her to focus on a career, she was adamant it would be anything other than teaching. As she put it, almost everyone in her family chose a profession in education.

Wilson had thought about trying something different.

After graduating from high school, it was off to post-secondary studies. She didn’t have to go far and chose her hometown Nipissing University in North Bay. The objective was to earn an academic degree.

Surprise! For Wilson, it turned out to be certification from the former North Bay Teacher’s College. It’s now known as the Schulich School of Education in a vibrant city often referred to as the Gateway to the North. Yes, she became an educator.

“People are my thing – it’s been that way all my life,” said Wilson, who thrives on interaction, relationships and connections.

It was around that time, Wilson recalls, when coaching entered the picture.

While the term coaching is closely defined and related to teaching, educators say there is a distinct difference. Teaching begins when an individual is missing the basic knowledge or a specific skill and requires expertise in the form of a defined curriculum.

As for coaching, those in the know say that form of education tends to assume a person already has some form of an understanding, wants to improve on an existing skill and is focussed on performance enhancement.

Wilson has expertise in both.

Now in her 26th year of teaching, the job is with the mental health team at the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board. Her job involves with students who, at times, need extra help.

Wilson has also been coaching for 16 years with the North Bay Titans Swim Club. That’s quite a bit of time dedicated to mentoring, guidance, explaining, and praising efforts.

Her positive impact is noticeable in many ways. In particular, she likes to talk about something she refers to as “FUNdamentals”.

“It’s putting fun into everything,” said the 50-year-old. “Coaching has helped me be a better teacher. In fact, I do more coaching as a teacher and do more teaching (swimming) at the grassroots level.”

Swim Ontario, saluting all coaches across the province, is highlighting Wilson in a special series to coincide with Canada’s annual National Coaches Week. This year it’s from September 14 to 20.

Wilson’s coaching life started as a 16-year-old when she got involved in synchronized swimming at the YMCA. With a shortage of instructors, Wilson volunteered to help. All she required was the Lifesaving Society’s intermediate aquatic certification that teaches the four components of water rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness.

While attending university, Wilson juggled academics with a responsibility as the head coach of the North Bay Y Synchro team for four years. In 1999, she had to leave the club when time became a factor and was unable to handle head coaching duties with completing her studies.

“Unfortunately, there was no one to take over and the club folded,” said Wilson. “Many of the swimmers made a smooth and successful transition to the North Bay Y Titans and continued their competitive swim careers into university.”

Wilson is a recipient of several accolades that include team building for coaching, to an award of excellence from her school board.

“I like coaching better than being an athlete,” said Wilson. “I’ve always been a person who recommends trying something new, doing what you love and making people feel that they belong.”

Teaching the basics and benefits of life skills is important to Wilson. “I do what I can to help kids enjoy the feeling of being in water, having fun. For the young ones, it’s like kindergarten in water. Kids connect with people and feel good. You know when to push and when to back off and it’s a great feeling when they improve themselves.”

Wilson is adamant that good communication can go a long way. Helping a swimmer develop in the sport is important.

“Our interactions and experiences with people remain very important,” she added. “Being our genuine self in our action and (using) words that show empathy, understanding and compassion remain key.”

Wilson goes one step further believing that witnessing a youngster develop as a person is more important than just performing as an athlete.

“In my teaching, and in coaching, I try to keep in mind that every interaction is an opportunity, emphasized Wilson. “It's what we do with this opportunity that makes a difference to people.”

Wilson, along with co-coach Samantha Crossley, have ways of connecting with people and making them feel comfortable - especially at key times when a race, a meet or championship can make many feel overwhelmed or cause panic.

Having a strong background in education, performance and coaching, and competing in her teen years, Wilson has vivid memories of medaling at the Ontario Winter Games. That’s when swimming was a part of the Provincial sporting event.

For Wilson, it has always been about being the one to provide leadership and devoting time to be patient. Being compassionate and helping also makes things easier for others.

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations. In 2026, he was inducted to the Toronto Sports Hall of Honour with a Lifetime Achievement Award.