Frank Woodley
Frank Woodley’s coaching passion first began at Potsdam University, New York in 1973-74 where he was coaching the Women’s Varsity Swim team. Prior to that coaching experience, Frank had swam competitively from the time he was 10 years of age right into his university years.
Frank took over the Keegos in 1976 and obtained his Coaching Level 3 National Certification Coaching Program at Trent University and furthered his expertise with Officiating Level 4. He motivated many coaches to follow him down the officiating path.
In 1989, Woodley was awarded the Winterfest “Top Coach of the Year”. The long-time Keegos swim team mentor was cited for his excellent work and dedication with Jenni Gibson who had been awarded “Top Female Athlete”. She later became an Etobicoke National Swimmer. Other high-performance swimmers at the National Level under Frank’s coaching included: Kevin Hebner (Olympic trials), Joel Magnan, and Greg Vogt.
In 1992, Woodley’s coaching talents were recognized again by his peers when he was presented with an award for “Outstanding Contribution and Dedication to the Sport of Swimming” in the Huronia Region by the Ontario Coaches Association and Canadian Amateur Swimming Association (CASA) at a conference held in Collingwood.
In 1999, Frank received the Vocational Service Rotary Club Coaching Award.
His dedication to the Keegos’ program went well beyond the YMCA pool. There were annual trips to Fort Lauderdale for spring training camp with parents and athletes, countless trips to provincewide swim meets and the popular citrus fruit fundraiser – all contributed to the building of a strong community.
Frank has been described as “a great mentor”, “a builder of youth in our community”, “inclusive for all interested swimmers”, “a coach with a sense of humour to keep us going through the long workouts”, and “a dedicated coach”. He instilled in his athletes a sense of commitment, hard work, pride in individual as well as team achievements, respect for others and the ability to set goals to always aim to improve.
Woodley and the Keegos donated $30,000 to pool improvements and state of the art diving starting blocks, giving back to the Midland YMCA community.
Frank spent countless summers as the Honey Harbour Day Camp Director and sat on the Board of Directors of the Honey Harbour Association. He was the Honey Harbour Regatta Chair for eight years.
