By Martin Cleary

Gord Butler has decided to take a break from his coaching career in competitive curling.

After more than 20 years of leading girls’ and boys’ curling teams at local, provincial, and national events, he is stepping back for the 2025-26 season to recharge.

However, he’s not completely stepping away from coaching this season. He plans to finish the work needed to obtain his competitive development coaching certificate. Butler already holds a competitive coach certificate.

He will also keep coaching at the junior recreational and adult learn-to-curl levels at the Navy Curling Club.

This season, Butler won’t be actively involved as junior curlers participate in their circuit games, playdowns, and various Ottawa Valley Curling Association, provincial, and national championships.

His choice was made easier since the RCMP rink led by skip Ava Acres along with Aila Thompson, Izzy Mc Lean, and Mya Sharpe graduated from the women’s U18 level and disbanded as they moved on to university.

While Butler adjusted his volunteer coaching role for this season, he received a wonderful surprise recognition for his contributions over the past two decades.

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The Coaches Association of Ontario honored 15 individuals with the Ontario Coaching Excellence Award, including three from Ottawa. The awards were given out last Saturday in Toronto before a CFL game at BMO Field during the kickoff of the 11th annual National Coaches Week.

“I was very pleased and humbled to be recognized after 20 years,” Butler said about receiving the coaching award in a phone interview earlier this week. “I was surprised.”

Amanda Valiquette, who teaches and coaches at Woodroffe High School, along with Janet Lawless, owner of 6Tigers Academy and karate coach, were also acknowledged for their dedication to developing athletes across all ages.

Over the last three seasons, Butler has coached the Acres rink while watching them qualify for three Canadian championships. The Acres rink participated in both the national U18 and U20 championships in 2024 as well as the Canada Winter Games in 2023.

The Acres rink earned a bronze medal at the Canadian U18 championship held at Ottawa R. A. Curling Centre of Excellence; they finished seventh at nationals for U20 juniors and placed fifth during Canada Winter Games.

“I’m taking a year off competitive coaching,” Butler explained. “All the players have graduated U18; they’ve gone off to university or pursued other paths.

“Honestly, I’m looking forward to a quiet year just to recharge. I’ll still coach at junior recreational levels at my club as well as run an adult learn-to-curl program.

“I could have been coaching youth rinks these past three weekends but instead I enjoyed relaxing on my patio. It felt great not being stuck in a cold rink.”
Previously, Bulter coached teams led by Jordan Mc Namaraand Melissa Wongfor several years.
Butler began volunteering as a coach much like many parents do when their children start sports; he got involved when his daughter Erin took up curling. He has remained dedicated for over two decades.
For Butler, giving back through coaching is important for him in his community. His wife Dawn shares that spirit of volunteerism; she’s been involved with Girl Guides for many yearsand has also coachedthe Little Rocks programat Navy clubfor two decades.
Coaching is more than just teaching sportsto Butlers; it’s been an ongoing journey filled with lessons.

“I learn from my mistakes. I always look backand continue learning. I’m open-mindedto new approachesand strategies,” Butlersaid.

“To be agood coach, you needto recognize thatyou don’tknow everything. Keep learningand you’ll improve, your athletes will too.”

When he’s not busy coaching, Bulter enjoys recreational curling, and plays onthree differentteams usuallytaking up theskip position. Woodroffe Tigerscoach Amanda Valiquette (right)is oneof therecipientsforthe2025Ontario Coaching Excellence Awards. Photo provided                      


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