2014 ULTIMATE CANADA AWARDS PLAYER INDUCTEES 2014 Monica Kerr-Coster - Toronto, ON
“Ultimate is a huge wave of good fortune that rolls into people’s lives. I am fortunate (and grateful) that I was able to ride that wave for a very long time.”
That’s what Monica Kerr-Coster has to say about the impact Ultimate has had on her. Judging by the reaction to her being elected to the Hall of Fame, you could substitute her name for the word ‘Ultimate’ in that quote.
Here’s what Alyson Walker has to say about Kerr- Coster.
“A few very amazing people inspired me when I started playing frisbee in 2001; one of those people was Mon KC. The trailblazing that Mon has done for women in this sport is unprecedented, and we all, especially women, have Mon to thank for where the sport is today. I personally am grateful to call Mon a mentor, teammate, friend and inspiration. We can’t give out enough awards like this that recognize true leaders in their fields.”
On the field, Kerr-Coster was dominant at the top level of play for more than a decade. From the 1990s through the 2000s, she was one of the strongest female players in the country, if not the world. Known for monster layouts on offense and defense, she had mastery of every throw, understood the complexities and strategy of the game, and was a strong defender.
She played in 14 Canadian National Championships, reaching the finals eight times and twice winning gold. Kerr-Coster also played in seven UPA Nationals in the United States, twice winning the Spirit of the Game Award, plus the World Club Championships in 1997. She starred as captain, coach, and player on high-level Toronto-based teams such as Game Face, Urge, Lotus and Capitals. Most recently she served as captain on the team that won a silver medal for Canada in the Women Masters division at the 2012
world championships in Japan. And Kerr-Coster was just as active off the field.
She put in endless hours supporting Toronto Ultimate Club feeder teams and juniors programs. She helped coach junior teams, served on the Board of Directors for two years, was the Women’s Touring Chair for four years, and was a major proponent of the gender switch from 5:2 to 4:3 in the late 1990s. She supported the expansion of women’s Ultimate in Toronto by bolstering women’s touring teams, hosting numerous female clinics, gathering petitions, advertising for players, and connecting new female players to teams.
Kerr-Coster also exhibits the humility that typifies so many top-level Ultimate players.
“I feel truly honoured to be inducted into the Ultimate Canada Hall of Fame. Truly! It’s also very humbling to be considered worthy enough to share that honour with other extremely talented and inspirational people. I have met some of the most athletically skilled, dedicated, and passionate people through Ultimate, people who can play hard but still have fun and always exhibit great spirit. I was lucky enough to have learned from some of the very best and most spirited players in Canada and as I became a veteran player I always tried to give back as much as possible to the sport I loved so much.”
You did, Monica, you did!
Kerr-Coster at the UPA Championships
Photo: Provided
Ultimate Canada Magazine -
www.canadianultimate.com
13
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41