Hall of Fame coach is “just trying to help”

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This article was published 14/11/2016 (3603 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There are some coaches in this city who have made a positive impact on their sports and athletes for decades.

Archie Chawla is one of those coaches. Archie lives in south St. Vital with his wife Pat. He came to Canada from India in 1971, and has been a very important component of the city’s racquet sport community ever since — especially the badminton community.

I asked Archie how many athletes he figures he has helped with coaching.

“Oh boy, it would be so hard to say a specific number,” he said. “I would say a few thousand, anyway.”

Archie spent time at the Winnipeg Winter Club and Winnipeg Canoe Club before becoming the provincial badminton coach from 2001-2011. He was inducted to the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

“Being involved as the provincial coach was very different,” he said.  “You are interacting and helping with everything from kids, teachers, clinics, tournaments, and the high-performance programs. It was extensive and widespread, spreading the good word of badminton around the province.

“I enjoy sharing my knowledge, from beginners to high level. Trying to make people better badminton players.”

Archie’s humble approach to the game and to those he helped coach is something I have heard talked about on a number of occasions.

“Well, I am sure there were times when I wasn’t so humble,” he said. “When you work with young ones though, you have to have a certain approach. You have to have the mindset to help anyone who wants to learn the game. When you work with diverse groups in teaching the game, that is what your life is.

“Call it what you like, but I am just trying to help.”

Like most athletes and coaches, Archie has a strong circle of support around him.

“I would like to thank my family, especially my wife, Pat,” he said. “Pat is wonderful. I would also like to thank all the families and volunteers over the years, they have always been amazing.”

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood is co-host of The Big Show, every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. on TSN 1290 radio. He writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies. If you know of an athlete whose story Troy should tell, contact him at: troy.westwood@bellmedia.ca