Sep. 30, 2018
Leslie Coburn comes from a strong sporting family and has carried on the legacy her entire life as a player, coach and organizer.
Her mother taught her to figure skate at an early age and she continued as a “test” skater for fifteen years before turning “pro,” teaching the sport for thirty years at the recreational and competitive levels.
She excelled at all sports and in high school was named female athlete of the year. She was captain of her school’s championship basketball team, played volleyball and did track and field. During intramurals’ and outside of school she enjoyed cycling, roller skating, downhill skiing, tennis, squash, and badminton. In her early twenties she played touch football and enjoyed cross country skiing. Later she learned hockey and dragon boating, and recently has taken up golf.
Basketball emerged as one of her favorite sports. She played competitively for the “original” Ottawa Rookies team and played for McMaster University. In addition, she coached primary and secondary school basketball teams. This sport also led to her long career in sport and recreation management.
She volunteered as a basketball coach through Nepean Parks & Recreation, which at age sixteen, led to a stint as a Sport Supervisor for Girls Ringette during March break. In 2015, Leslie retired from the City of Ottawa as a Program Manager with over 35 years in sport management. She oversaw the Recreational Skating School for over twenty years, advocated and developed sport opportunities for girls and women, along with many other programs; as well, as supporting major sporting events.
She also volunteered as an executive on the National Capital Girls Hockey Association and Ottawa District Women’s Hockey Association.
To say Leslie has lived a sporting life is an understatement. Her love of sport was fostered by her parents and by example she has passed on this passion to her children and grandchildren. To her it comes naturally as ancestors before her have been key players in promoting and advocating sport in Ottawa.