(Edmonton – November 9, 2010) Claire Paterson has been selected the Canadian Colleges Athletics Association 2010 Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year. Paterson coaches the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat in Kelowna, B.C.

Claire’s coaching has taken the Heat from enthusiastic participants to provincial and national contenders. The team finished the 2010 regular season ranked second place in the country; five players made the BCCAA All-Star Team and a member also won BCCAA Player of the Year.

“These are amazing people that I get to work with,” said Paterson. “I look to assist them where I can, on and off the field.”

Paterson works tirelessly to help players progress to higher levels of success in soccer; every year several athletes from the UBC Okanagan Heat play in the Pacific Coast Premiere division during the school’s off season. Paterson is also involved with youth development programs for Kelowna United, City of Kelowna and WhiteCaps FC.

Paterson aspires to continue developing as a coach. She enjoys working with elite athletes in provincial and national development programs and hopes to complete her ‘A’ license from the Coaches Association of Canada this year.She is also interested in becoming involved in women’s programming as a mentor to young female coaches.

The other nominees were Sean Carey of Lethbridge College, David Desloges of Collège Francois-Xavier-Garneau, Garth Gittens of Algonquin College and Stacey Stocco of the University of King’s College.

Paterson’s award was announced Tuesday, November 9 during the opening ceremonies banquet at the CCAA Big Kahuna Soccer National Championships in Edmonton. Coach of the Year recipients receive a CCAA customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring supplier of the CCAA Championship Awards Banquet.

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