TRENTON – Al Archibald had been runner-up three times as a nominee for Boxing Nova Scotia’s coach of the year.
The fourth time was the charm.
Archibald learned late Wednesday that he’s been named Boxing Nova Scotia’s Coach of the Year, and will be formally presented with the award during a ceremony in the spring.
“It’s absolutely amazing. It’s a huge honour to even be considered for that award,” said Archibald, a Frasers Mountain resident who serves as the head coach at the Trenton-based Albion Amateur Boxing Club.
“There’s a lot of good coaches in this province. But the biggest award with boxing, for me, is being able to work with these kids and watch them progress every day. Any sport will teach you so much about yourself. I give a lot of credit to my mentor Jim Worthen when it comes to the coach I am today. It is still an ongoing journey.
“And it meant a lot to my wife (Anne) to see me receive such an award, because she shares me with the sport of boxing 10 months a year.”
Archibald has been with the club for eight years and this is his fourth season as the head coach, after succeeding Worthen. He said the athletes themselves also contribute to a coach’s success with their hard work, commitment and whatever natural talents they bring to the table.
“It’s great feather in his hat and he certainly deserves it,” Worthen said of Archibald winning the BNS award. “And it speaks well for the program.”
In 2017, Archibald took home Volunteer of the Year honours.
Worthen, the former head coach and its current club president (he also won coach of the year with BNS on several occasions), still helps with the three nights per week training sessions, as well as during boxing cards attended by Albion fighters.
“He’s the good cop – everybody likes Al – and I’m the bad cop,” Worthen joked.
“He’s got that outgoing personality that makes people want to do things for him – the boxers want to impress him.”
Archibald will be the team manager when Team Nova Scotia travels to Edmonton later this month for the national boxing championships. One Albion fighter – Matt Fraser – will be competing at the event.
The local club will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a card in May at Summer Street Industries.
