Nick Laping Leadership Award

With 24 years of dedication to student athletes and school sport in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Debbie Ritchot exemplifies the very best in leadership, mentorship, and excellence in coaching.

Over the past two decades, Debbie has coached a wide range of sports, consistently fostering skill development, sportsmanship, and personal growth among her athletes. Her extensive involvement includes:

Over 20 years coaching volleyball for junior and senior boys and girls at St-Jean-Baptiste, Collège Louis-Riel, and Centre scolaire Léo-Rémillard (CSLR). 10 years coaching cross country for junior and senior boys and girls at CSLR. Two years coaching junior girls basketball at CSLR. Over 12 years coaching junior and senior boys and girls badminton at CSLR and Swift Current Comprehensive High School in Saskatchewan. Debbie coached over 14 years of junior and senior boys and girls track and field at CSLR and 10 years coaching senior girls softball at CSLR.

In addition, she has coordinated all extracurricular sports at CSLR (excluding hockey) since its opening in 2006, including golf, cross country, volleyball, curling, basketball, badminton, soccer, lacrosse, softball, and track and field.

She has supported the next generation of athletes by running volleyball camps for many years, helping CSLR students prepare for upcoming school seasons through pre-season development.

Debbie has tirelessly dedicated herself to student well-being, athletic development, and leadership both on and off the field of play. Her impact on the CSLR community and Manitoba’s school sport landscape is both significant and lasting.