The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer Twenty-five years ago, Sheena Reed decided she would help four others get a local gymnastics club back up and running. She had no idea it would lead to a quarter-century of coaching, and being the lone volunteer of those five still left in the gymnasium three nights a week. Now Reed is one of three outstanding coaches in the province nominated for the Vince Leah Memorial Award. The Coaching Manitoba Excellence Award honours a coach at the grassroots level and will be presented in Winnipeg on April 7. The Vince Leah Memorial Award is in the major award category as it recognizes coaches at the grassroots level. Reed accepted the nomination roughly a month ago for her work with Flinty's Gymnasts. 'I was very happy. I'm pleased about it and a little surprised,' she said humbly. Reed's gymnastics knowledge has helped her get to the Manitoba Games as well as receive two other awards for her coaching. Winning the Vince Leah Memorial Award this year would be an honour for Reed. 'I would be really honoured that they considered me a good coach,' she said. Through Coaching Manitoba, Reed is nominated alongside two other coaches in the province. Getting Started Flin Flon's gymnastics club fell apart over 25 years ago. Reed and four other parents brought it back to life. Coach training was offered to the parents, as none of them knew what they were getting into. 'I thought 'this is something that I won't look like a fool with if we're all starting from scratch,'' Reed said with a laugh. Of the five people who started the club, Reed is the lone coach still with Flinty's Gymnasts. She and her gymnasts are in the Ecole McIsaac School gymnasium three nights a week. Over the course of her time in the gym, Reed as taken coaching clinics, learned from other coaches, and used the latest technology to improve both her coaching and the girls who look to her for guidance. 'I love YouTube,' she said. 'I've discovered YouTube coaching.' Through online videos, Reed has picked up new techniques, drills, and progression steps for the gymnasts. Currently, Flinty's Gymnasts consists of 42 gymnasts who are learning the basics of the sport as well as 17 gymnasts who compete against clubs both in the North as well as the rest of the province. Gymnasts start at age six in Flin Flon. Today, the eldest gymnast is 14, but Reed has in the past had teens closer to 20 still participating. Now 58, she says it's the children who keep her coming back every year _ 'they are just such great kids. They always try hard.' See 'Never...' on pg. 9 Continued from pg. 5 All of Reed's gymnasts, past and present, have heard her say 'never say 'can't.'' 'They are never allowed to say 'I can't', only 'I can't do that yet,'' she said. Reed can give one mean look when the word 'can't' isn't followed by 'yet,' but she laughs and said 'they know to say 'yet.'' Gymnastics is not only a way to stay physically active and learn, but something that can carry you through life, Reed tells her athletes. 'I encourage them to coach. This is something that can take (them) to university and other clubs,' she said. 'We've had several gymnasts come back to the community and help coach.' Gymnastics holds a place in the hearts of coaches as well as judges and other volunteers. 'It's a great thing to have,' Reed said. Flinty's Gymnasts will be hosting a fun meet in April as they welcome the Thompson Tumblers. This weekend, three gymnasts will be competing in Winnipeg for provincials. And before Thompson comes here, Flinty's Gymnasts will be traveling north for a meet in early April.
