There is no need to look for a better coach, teacher, or idol. Jennifer Boyer is the complete package, from being the guidance in a student’s life to the extra push to win that gold.
Canada lately has had a lot to celebrate in the category of sports and achievements. In Ontario we get to watch these sports and all the gold from afar, having Olympics all the way on the other coast. But to find success and crude determination, we need not look west, but into the heart of our great province. Jennifer Boyer has been nominated for Campbell’s Chunky Most Valuable Coach (MVC) for the province of Ontario. She has created a sports empire in the center of Mississauga Secondary School (MSS) and the spotlight will not waver. From the first day she started working at MSS Jennifer Boyer has strived to expand the athletics department and work hard to have a successful student body. Coach Boyer started Field Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey for female athletes at the school. She also coaches Curling, Flag Football, Ultimate, Running Club and is a staff sponsor for the school Athletic Council. Through these teams she has had the opportunity to influence the lives of hundreds of young women, many of whom are becoming involved in a sport or team for the first time.
Boyer shows an extreme amount of dedication to her students and players. “Ms.Boyer always puts the students first and pushes them to use their full potential.” Says Christine Bui, member of the Mississauga Athletic Council (MAC). As an educator and a coach, Boyer puts the student’s future ahead of everything else. She works with them to help build self-esteem, morals, civil qualities and the determination to be who they want to be. Winning is important but it is not everything, this is something that can be said about Boyer’s coaching style. Though the winnings aren’t running low, through the success she enjoyed coaching a proud girl’s field hockey team. She understands that at this vital age students need the helping hand and encouragement to persevere and believe in themselves.
After sitting and watching my colleague interview her, even I began to adore and feel the passion by just sitting aside and listening in. As I sat and listened, I could see that a major part of why she does what she does is just the smile on a child’s face. She works as hard as she does for the greater happiness of someone else. Not often enough does the world grant us such a kind and nurturing person and shares them with a great community. Many students find it hard to let go and hard to open up, Boyer remains an outlet at MSS by giving advice and lending an ear.
Many coaches in Canada have to face the issue of dealing with diversity and being culturally sensitive especially in health class. Boyer is no exception; she draws the interest and attention of people who have never even heard of the sport. She tends to have the ability to take a brand new player and turn them into a prize possession both on and off the field. MSS has a large South Asian population and Boyer gladly works with every single person to see what they can bring to the sport and works day and night to help as much as she can.
While sitting in that confined room I was able to see the passion in her eyes and the young spirit soaring in her voice. It was interesting to see a coach that has such a great reputation and has been nominated for a prestigious award. This is because I personally have been around many coaches; right away I could feel the energy and positive vibe she gave off. By the end of our interview, several students were still in the hallways, out and about while most teachers had left to go home, Jennifer Boyer was still there. Recorder was off and the pens were down but the amazing Boyer shown on CityTV and heard on our tapes still remained. She does not put up a front to the public and does not drop a smile behind the scenes, the immensity and greatness of her heart definitely goes all the way through. No matter when and where, Jennifer Boyer shows the confidence of a role model, the delicacy of a teacher and the fire of a coach. Jennifer Boyer is Ontario’s most valuable coach and counts on you and me for the votes to win MVC of Canada. I have casted my vote, when will you?
Author:Fadil Yakub is Vice President of Student Union at Mississauga Secondary School.
