April 24, 2006
RMC'S HOWES DEVELOPS FENCING CHAMPIONS
KINGSTON - The best coaching advice Patricia Howes ever received was a simple but resonating statement - don't take shortcuts. It's a mantra that the coach of the two-time defending OUA women's fencing champion RMC Paladins has taken to heart throughout her career. In fact, when Howes made a move to Greenwood, N.S. back in 1989 after fencing at Carleton University, she didn't have many opportunities to participate in the sport she loved. So she did something about it.
"I had two options," says Howes. "Either drive to Halifax to fence or start my own club."
Howes, never interested in taking the easy route, undertook the latter challenge. Her ethic permeates the Paladins women's varsity fencing program, which is already filled with committed student-athletes. Howes has simply brought the best out in them.
In 2005, RMC snapped a four-year reign at the top of the OUA by the cross-town rival Queen's Golden Gaels and the Paladins showed the historic win was no fluke by defending their title in February, at Queen's no less. It's been a steady build for the program with Howes instilling an understanding that respect for the process means that good results - and banners - are a by-product of daily work.
"One of the fundamental principles we try to convey is that there are different characteristics that make champion," says Howes, the 2003/04 OUA Coach of the Year. "We focus on what you gain from being a member of the program and the rewards you earn are just icing on the cake."
This year marked Howes's fourth season at the helm of the RMC fencing team. She took the job back in 2002 immediately after graduating from the High Performance Coaching Program at the National Coaching Institute in Winnipeg, a situation she refers to as "perfect" regarding the timing. After establishing herself with a five-year stint in Nova Scotia, she traveled to Manitoba with her husband. That move that would be influential in shaping her coaching future as Howes went on to lead Manitoba teams at the Canada Winter Games in 1995, 1999 and 2003. While in Winnipeg, she applied for a Petro Canada scholarship and was fortunate to land one of the prestigious bursaries, enabling her to attend NCI. Howes completed her Level IV certification in sabre and Level III in both the foil and epee disciplines.
Working with former Canadian Olympic coach Maitre Henri Sassine - the man who gave Howes that influential nugget about not taking shortcuts - Howes developed her passion for teaching the sport. She explains that fencing is unique in that many of her varsity athletes begin with almost zero experience, most of the initial attraction coming from what they see in films. But each has a wealth of potential. Paladins star Natalie Jones is a prime example. Jones, a fourth-year chemical engineering major from Hamilton, ON, arrived at RMC with little knowledge of fencing but after this year's OUAs, she was a deserved champion in the sabre competition.
"Natalie had never fenced," says Howes. "But she won an OUA gold and fenced well enough in the civilian world to make the Canadian national team, which only takes the top 12 fencers."
"That's the rewarding part of it. That's what keeps you going every day."
Howes believes that if an athlete enjoys the mental and physical side of the sport, their interest is piqued. And interest in fencing at RMC is definitely there - Howes says there is never enough room to accommodate all the individuals who want to join the team. It's a telling statement about what's been achieved at the school in a short period of time.
In terms of the RMC program itself, the coach feels it's on track. Long-term development is a concept she picked up during her stay at the National Coaching Institute and with that ideal in mind, personal improvement is an ongoing necessity. This past October, for example, she joined fencing coaches from all around the world in Badkarlsoffon, Germany to take part in a renowned international course on the sport.
"It was a goal I had for quite a long time," Howes says of the course, adding that she was ecstatic to achieve the "maitre d'armes" designation (fencing master) following a series of tough exams.
For Howes, fencing provides a tremendous environment to gain leadership and test yourself. And like her coaching philosophy of avoiding shortcuts, her goals for her RMC athletes are very simple.
"One expectation I have for a tournament is that they perform good, quality fencing," says Howes, suggesting that the rest will take care of itself.
"The performance will come out of you."
- OUA -
In conjunction with Ontario Coaches Week from April 22 to 29, Ontario University Athletics will profile league coaches on a daily basis. This is the first of a five-part series, highlighting the contributions of dedicated coaches in a variety of OUA sports.
"I had two options," says Howes. "Either drive to Halifax to fence or start my own club."
Howes, never interested in taking the easy route, undertook the latter challenge. Her ethic permeates the Paladins women's varsity fencing program, which is already filled with committed student-athletes. Howes has simply brought the best out in them.
In 2005, RMC snapped a four-year reign at the top of the OUA by the cross-town rival Queen's Golden Gaels and the Paladins showed the historic win was no fluke by defending their title in February, at Queen's no less. It's been a steady build for the program with Howes instilling an understanding that respect for the process means that good results - and banners - are a by-product of daily work.
"One of the fundamental principles we try to convey is that there are different characteristics that make champion," says Howes, the 2003/04 OUA Coach of the Year. "We focus on what you gain from being a member of the program and the rewards you earn are just icing on the cake."
This year marked Howes's fourth season at the helm of the RMC fencing team. She took the job back in 2002 immediately after graduating from the High Performance Coaching Program at the National Coaching Institute in Winnipeg, a situation she refers to as "perfect" regarding the timing. After establishing herself with a five-year stint in Nova Scotia, she traveled to Manitoba with her husband. That move that would be influential in shaping her coaching future as Howes went on to lead Manitoba teams at the Canada Winter Games in 1995, 1999 and 2003. While in Winnipeg, she applied for a Petro Canada scholarship and was fortunate to land one of the prestigious bursaries, enabling her to attend NCI. Howes completed her Level IV certification in sabre and Level III in both the foil and epee disciplines.
Working with former Canadian Olympic coach Maitre Henri Sassine - the man who gave Howes that influential nugget about not taking shortcuts - Howes developed her passion for teaching the sport. She explains that fencing is unique in that many of her varsity athletes begin with almost zero experience, most of the initial attraction coming from what they see in films. But each has a wealth of potential. Paladins star Natalie Jones is a prime example. Jones, a fourth-year chemical engineering major from Hamilton, ON, arrived at RMC with little knowledge of fencing but after this year's OUAs, she was a deserved champion in the sabre competition.
"Natalie had never fenced," says Howes. "But she won an OUA gold and fenced well enough in the civilian world to make the Canadian national team, which only takes the top 12 fencers."
"That's the rewarding part of it. That's what keeps you going every day."
Howes believes that if an athlete enjoys the mental and physical side of the sport, their interest is piqued. And interest in fencing at RMC is definitely there - Howes says there is never enough room to accommodate all the individuals who want to join the team. It's a telling statement about what's been achieved at the school in a short period of time.
In terms of the RMC program itself, the coach feels it's on track. Long-term development is a concept she picked up during her stay at the National Coaching Institute and with that ideal in mind, personal improvement is an ongoing necessity. This past October, for example, she joined fencing coaches from all around the world in Badkarlsoffon, Germany to take part in a renowned international course on the sport.
"It was a goal I had for quite a long time," Howes says of the course, adding that she was ecstatic to achieve the "maitre d'armes" designation (fencing master) following a series of tough exams.
For Howes, fencing provides a tremendous environment to gain leadership and test yourself. And like her coaching philosophy of avoiding shortcuts, her goals for her RMC athletes are very simple.
"One expectation I have for a tournament is that they perform good, quality fencing," says Howes, suggesting that the rest will take care of itself.
"The performance will come out of you."
- OUA -
In conjunction with Ontario Coaches Week from April 22 to 29, Ontario University Athletics will profile league coaches on a daily basis. This is the first of a five-part series, highlighting the contributions of dedicated coaches in a variety of OUA sports.