Local taekwondo coach Grandmaster Young Su Choung wins top provincial coaching honour
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Toronto, Ontario (September 23, 2023) – To celebrate National Coaches Week (September 16-24) the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS), and Hydro One are excited to present 15 coaches with the province’s most prestigious coaching honour, an Ontario Coaching Excellence Award. From taekwondo to table tennis, the 2023 Coaching Excellence Award helps fund and recognize the power of sport across local communities in Ontario.
Local taekwondo coach Grandmaster Young Su Choung received the top coaching honour this past Saturday in the category of Andy Higgins Lifetime Achievement. Awarded to one recipient who has made a sustained impact in the Ontario sport community, for over 47 years, Grandmaster Choung has been regarded as one of the top taekwondo coaches in the world. He has lead numerous Canadian Olympic, National and Military Taekwondo teams, and continues to produce some of the world’s top athletes.
“We are thrilled to recognize coach Grandmaster Choung for their unwavering dedication and support of athlete development on and off the playing field. Our communities are strengthened by the relationships created and fostered through sport and coaches like Grandmaster Choung are leaders in creating those safe, fun, and positive spaces for youth to grow,” said CAO’s Executive Director, Jeremy Cross. “Congratulations and #ThanksCoach to all the recipients and for the impact you are having in your communities.”
“Hydro One believes that coaches are important role models and leaders to their athletes, teams and communities,” said Omar Javed, Vice President, Communications, Marketing & Investor Relations, Hydro One. “Through our partnership with the Coaches Association of Ontario, we’re proud to help support local coaches and their athletes as a new season kicks off. Congratulations to Grandmaster Choung and to all recipients. Thank you for the work that you do to make sports exciting, safe and accessible for all.”
Through the Safe Sport 101 partnership between the CAO and Hydro One each recipient will also receive funding for new equipment to keep their athletes and teams’ safe and their respective sports affordable and accessible. This continued partnership gives coaches the tools they need to make sports safe, fun, and inclusive for all.
The Coaching Excellence Award recipients were selected from numerous nominations received by the CAO across 35+ sports and 60+ communities. Thanks to the support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the awards ceremony is presented annually recognizing coaches of all levels of sport from community to competitive for their unique commitments to inspire, innovate and share knowledge of sport with others.
“Coaches selflessly commit their time and efforts to inspire Ontario’s athletes and help them reach their full potential. Their mentorship and motivation are critical to athlete development from the very start,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “So many athletes and their families have benefitted from the guidance of excellent, caring coaches and I am pleased to congratulate all of those being recognized.”
“Taekwondo Canada would like to congratulate Grandmaster Choung in being selected as the recipient of the Andy Higgins Lifetime Achievement Award by the Coaches Association of Ontario. Grandmaster Choung’s work in taekwondo with Canadian youth at all levels has made him one of the top coaches, not only in Canada, but throughout the world. His experience at the Military, National, International and Olympic levels has seen him produce some of the best taekwondo athletes ever produced by Canada. We join with all members of the sporting community in recognizing him for this tremendous accomplishment.”
This year marks the 9th annual National Coaches Week, when Canadians say #ThanksCoach for the role coaches play in building safe communities and the positive impact they have on the lives of all participants. Ontario is home to more than 150,000 active coaches, with as many as 60% volunteering their services. For more information about National Coaches Week across Ontario, visit www.coachesontario.ca/events/coachesweek.
ABOUT THE COACHES ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO (CAO)
The Coaches Association of Ontario is an independent, non-profit organization that supports coaches from community to high performance across all sports in Ontario. For more information, please visit www.coachesontario.ca, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
ABOUT TAEKWONDO CANADA
Taekwondo Canada is the official governing body of Taekwondo in Canada, overseeing the sport in all Provinces and Territories. Taekwondo Canada is recognized by World Taekwondo, the International Olympic Committee, PATU, Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees, Own the Podium and Sport Canada. Taekwondo Canada will continue to be a leading nation in the sport by providing leadership and opportunities to enable its participants to achieve their goals.
