Coaches are always telling young players to have fun, rather than worry about winning. The difference with Mark Townsend is, he really means it. Townsend’s philosophy, and the successful football programs he’s orchestrated in the Greater Victoria community, have earned him a spot as one of 10 finalists, out of 500 nominees, for the Home Depot NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award. Winners will be announced tomorrow.“Mark deserves it. He’s an outstanding person,” said Leslie Johnson, who has worked with Townsend in community football for a decade. He’s also coached two of her sons. “He respects the kids, and he expects the kids to respect each other.”In its 11th year in Canada, the award recognizes community or high school coaches who share a passion for football and a commitment to the development of young players, both on and off the field. The winner receives $5,000 of equipment for his program, a $1,000 Home Depot credit for renovation projects, and a trip to this year’s Vanier Cup in Quebec City.“I’m very surprised, and very honoured. I had no idea,” said Townsend, who’s the football co-ordinator at Mount Douglas Secondary School, coaches the Rams junior varsity squad and the Victoria Renegades Junior Bantam team, and is the coaching co-ordinator for the Greater Victoria Minor Football Association spring league. “I really just enjoy working with the kids. It’s really trying to make a positive impact on their lives.”Townsend got involved with community football in 2000, when he spotted an ad in the Oak Bay Star, and thought his eight-year-old son Spencer might want to play. Spencer did, and when organizers discovered Townsend had played junior and university football, dad quickly became a coach.Always passionate about football — he has season tickets to the Oregon Ducks college team — Townsend has been able to turn that passion into a winning philosophy.“Mark has that ability to teach and make it make sense,” Johnson said, adding life skills, work ethic, and leadership are a huge part of Townsend’s program.On the field, the results aren’t bad either. This year, the Renegades, two-time defending B.C. champions, JV Rams, and senior Rams have all gone through their respective seasons undefeated, as they head into playoffs. Even to the players, however, the results seem secondary.“He makes it so much fun,” said JV Rams receiver Travis Johnson, one of five captains on the team. “He just brings the best out of people.”
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