Rosemary Theriault has been a coach for more than 40 years.
Her love for coaching started when her children started playing sports. Currently Theriault 65, is the assistant coach of the Durham Lords women’s softball team.
She also has the distinction of being the first woman to be inducted into the Maccabiah Softball Hall of Fame for her outstanding participation in the Maccabiah Games.
Morrie Frydberg, chairman for Maccabiah Canada Softball says, “Rosemary was the absolutely perfect choice to be one of the first women to be inducted in the Hall of Fame.”
The longevity of her career and strength of her coaching abilities to recruit Jewish softball girls makes her a success in coaching says, Frydberg.
Theriault is pleased about the induction and being the first woman. She feels very blessed.
“Softball is a growing sport all around the world,” said Theriault. “It’s coming back to the Olympic Games and we couldn’t do it without the hard work of volunteers everywhere.” When you surround yourself with good people good things will happen she says.
Theriault credits the support of her family for allowing her to do what she does. As a coach she has travelled across North America, Europe, and to Israel 2013 and 2017 as head coach for the Canadian women’s softball team in the Maccabiah Games.
It is the fourth time she has been inducted into a sports hall of fame.
Her previous hall of fame awards were for Ontario Ringette, Whitby Sports, and Durham College. Theriault, who hails from James Bay, Ont. says she feels very blessed to have received all these awards.
According to the Maccabi Games website its mission is to promote Jewish identity and to cultivate future leaders through the passion of sports.
Currently, Durham Lords women’s softball team is going for gold in the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) and Canadian College University nationals.
Theriault says “always reach for the golden ring if you fall short pick yourself up and go again.” As for Theriault she would like to continue coaching as long as she is able to and they will have her as a coach.
