OTTAWA - Being a part of a team is like being a part of an extended family, and Garth Gittens brings family values to his soccer team. While he maintains his immediate family, he also works very hard for his ‘other’ family as the head coach of Algonquin College’s women's soccer team. His personable approach to his team, strong work ethic and love for the game of soccer make him an ideal candidate for the December’s Coaches Association of Ontario coach-of-the-month.

Kelly Avalos, an athlete on his team states “[Coach Gittens] makes a point to get to who we are and our families. He hosts team dinners and sends leftover food home with team members living in residence or on their own. He’s always putting the needs of his athletes first.”

With a clear passion for soccer, Gittens has played on various varsity soccer and lacrosse teams throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. Locally, Gittens played with the Ottawa Rockers Club who won the Ottawa Cup in 1986.

Moving into the role of coach, Gittens has been the head coach of Algonquin's women's soccer team since 1996. Prior to this position, Gittens was the assistant coach of the Algonquin men's soccer team, and head coach of the Ottawa International in the Women's Premier Soccer League.

Don’t let his passion for soccer confuse you with his importance of attaining an education. Coach Gittens encourages his athletes to strive for excellence both academically and on the field. “[He] checks up on our attendance and our grades and offers tutors services for athletes,” states Avalos. “Gittens reinforces that our priorities are school and family first, soccer second.”

Good leaders surround themselves with a strong and supportive staff, and Coach Gittens is no exception. Part of Gittens’ success is attributed to surrounding himself with assistant coaches and support staff who all strive towards a common goal. In terms of professional development, Gittens makes it a point to incorporate guest coaches during the season and is an NCCP trained coach and holds a level “C” license U.S. course accreditation.

One for seeing the bigger picture, Gittens enthusiasm for sport goes far beyond his own team, “He encourages us to attend other sport teams (i.e. basketball, volleyball) as a show of support. He wants us to recognize the importance school unity among the different athletic programs,” states Avalos.

Ask any member of his team, and they would say Gittens is the most dedicated coach ever. He makes it a point to treat each team member equally. After each game, Gittens takes a moment to speak with each player individually. Also, Gittens utilizes away game trips as opportunities for team interaction promoting unity and togetherness, as a team, on and off the field.

As a result, Gittens belief in bonding has led the Algonquin women's team to an impressive undefeated 8-0 2010 season. He has also led his team to provincials where they were recognized as the women's soccer East Division champions within the OCAA circuit. In addition, Coach Gittens was named OCAA overall coach of the year, and was nominated for the CCAA national Coach of the Year award. Both awards are voted for by coaches.

Source: Algonquin College