Michael Williams, partner and founder of the Williams Group of Companies Ltd. recently celebrated his 10 year anniversary as a volunteer coach and board member with Sylvan Lake Minor Football Association.
Moving from his role with the high school HJ Cody Lakers to help with the Pee Wee Bears program has been a bit of a homecoming for Williams as he started as a Pee Wee head coach in Moose Jaw 35 years ago. "After my first year in University I was cut from the PJFC Saskatoon Hilltops and realized that it wasn't coming to happen for me. I was taking night classes back in Moose Jaw for a semester and the minor football program was short a coaching staff. I took the gig, brought on some of my high school teammates who were kicking around town and we won the league title our first year."
Williams continued, "When we relocated to Sylvan Lake, I put out an inquiry to the program to see if they were looking for coaches and here I am 10 years later... and I've loved every minute of it. I hope to be saying the same thing in another 10 years.
The great thing about minor sports and football in general is that it teaches the kids teamwork, discipline and pushes them beyond what they think they are capable of. As coaches, we have the opportunity to give them a positive experience and encourage them to be the best they can be, on the field and off."
In addition, Williams has spent the last seven years as the Vice-President for the SLMFA overseeing fundraising and sponsorship as well as maintaining and updating the website.