Rob Garden named Kids Fit Mentor of the Year

Rob Garden was named Kids Fit Mentor of the Year. Phil Norton photo. www.countyphotographer.com

Rob Garden encourages children and teenagers to build self confidence and friendships while they are being physically fit. Last week, his work was recognized when he received the Kid’s Fit Mentor of  the Year Award for the Quinte area.

The Prince Edward Collegiate high school teacher coaches senior boys and girls basketball teams; primary aged students through the County Clippers program and is also assistant coach of the senior boy’s baseball team.
Committee chairperson Amy Doyle notes local parents made the nomination.
“Rob is passionate about encouraging participation in physical activity for students of all ages,” said nominator Matthew Ronan. “Through the Panther Hoops program and the support of the local public schools, Prince Edward County students are being exposed to the sport at a young age.  A direct result of this increased participation, is the strength of both the boys and girls basketball programs at PECI whose junior boys (Grade 9 and 10) are defending Bay of Quinte champions and whose girls teams have both finished in the top three teams in the Bay of Quinte league this season, with the senior girls capturing a silver medal at AAA COSSA.”
“It’s people like Rob that we need in our little community,” said Phil Norton, another nominator. “There was no organized Basketball in the County for years and years.”
“My goal is to continue to grow the sport at a grassroots level.  Kids will stay active and get a chance to enjoy a tremendous sport.  It’s a win – win situation,” Garden said. “The County Clippers was born to provide county youth an opportunity to play in their own back yard.  The league was modelled after the success of the minor soccer association, and also the Panther Hoops spring basketball league.  The goal was to make it as affordable as possible, and through generous sponsorship from Beatty Seeds, ESSROC, Picton Rec, County Parks and Culture, Canadian Tire, and Longreach Towels the registration fee was only $50 for 12 weeks.

Rob Garden with Mayor Peter Mertens

PEC mayor Peter Mertens presented the award to Garden.  Along with a trophy, Garden received $500.

Doyle, who also organized last year’s Kid’s Fit Mentor of the Year program, is joined on the selection committee by representatives from the local Health Unit, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Belleville city council, the Quinte media, and local health and wellness professionals.

The award presentation is a prelude to the 2010 Health and Fitness Expo, April 30-May 1 at Belleville’s Wally Dever Arena.

Featured guest speakers will include best-selling author Margaret Trudeau, California fitness guru Rachel Cosgrove and professional bodybuilder Fouad “Hoss” Abiad. Demonstrations will include the world double dutch jump rope champion Lincoln Leapers along with freestyle soccer standouts from Toronto.

Visit www.healthandfitnessexpo.ca for details.