Frank Reynolds Legacy

"My reason for coaching is to assist each athlete to develop his or her potential in the sport of track & field and help each achieve performance based goals. In doing so I also strive to assist with or influence the development of each athlete's attitudes, values, ethics and morals for a quality life after competition."

An Outstanding Coach

A Vancouver native and long-time North Shore resident, Frank Reynolds coached with the NorWesters Track and Field Club for over 17 years. Frank had a profound impact on track and field and cross-country running at the national, provincial, and local levels. He was a favourite of many athletes, devoting considerable time and energy to developing the North Shore’s best middle and long-distance runners.

Over the years Frank received a number of coaching awards, including Coach of the Year at the North Shore Sports Awards in 2003, the President’s Award from Sport BC for his work with the Coaches Association of BC and BC Blind Sports in 2005, and the BC Athletics Excellence in Coaching award, also in 2005.

In addition to directing the NorWesters middle and long distance group, Frank had the opportunity to assist numerous athletes through coaching assignments at the juvenile, junior, and senior level and contributed quite significantly to the success and enjoyment of the various teams. In recent years he had the opportunity to coach a number of national teams, an honour in which he took great pride. These assignments included the International Blind Sports Association World Championships and North American 5km Challenge Team Championship in 2003, the Scotland Junior Tour and Chiba Ekiden Road Race Relay in Japan in 2004, and the World Half-Marathon Championships in 2005. Frank’s NorWester athletes have achieved success at all levels of competition, from local high school zone meets to provincial and national championships, though he would be apt to attribute athlete’s performances to their own dedication and perseverance rather than his coaching prowess. Among the athletes coached, Chris Winter’s bronze medal performance at the 2003 IAAF World Youth Track and Field Championships stands out as one of Frank’s crowning coaching accomplishments.

Forever Athlete

More than a coach, Frank was also an outstanding athlete. As a young runner, Frank set a Canadian record in the 1600m sprint relay while attending King Edward High School in Vancouver in 1958. While always an avid outdoor enthusiast, Frank returned to the sport of running in full force as a Master’s athlete with the Hershey Harriers in the 1970’s and 1980’s blazing to victory in the 800m at the Canadian Master’s Championship in 1981. Moving up in distance with age, Frank counted one of his greatest running achievements as winning a 5000m race in 1984 over the likes of Bob Schull, a former Olympic Champion and recording a marathon personal best time in the low 2:30s.

The Volunteer

A promoter of the sport at all levels, Reynolds contributed substantial time as the chair of Cross Country for BC Athletics and as a board member of the Coaches Association of BC. He also served as treasurer of the BC Blind Sports Board of Directors for eight years. A strong advocate for the advancement and recognition of coaching in the province, Frank worked with other CABC board members to raise the profile of coaching and heighten awareness of coaching education opportunities.

Teacher & Mentor

Beyond the incredible success that Frank experienced as a coach he took his greatest pleasure in teaching life skills and nurturing his athletes to develop into virtuous young adults.

FRANK RAYNOLDS
August 11, 1939 – December 28, 2006

The impact that Frank had on me and many of his athletes was life changing. He coached athletes to be great runners on the track, but he also taught them to be great people off the track. Frank recognized that many of the values and lessons that are important in training and racing are just as important in school, business and many other areas of life.

Frank saw the potential in everyone he coached, and if you were willing to learn, he had a teachable moment to share regardless of whether you were first or last in training and competition. His belief in his athletes and unwavering positive demeanor were pivotal in creating a thriving team culture that elevated performance and established lifelong friendships.

Frank was such an excellent coach because he genuinely cared about his athletes as humans. He wanted us to understand what it meant to: 1. give your best effort 2. be a great teammate and 3. enjoy the process. That meant winning for some and being the back of the pack for others, it didn’t matter as long as you were working on those three values.