CALGARY, ALBERTA  – Timex Canada announces that the Timex Community Coach of the Year program is now accepting nominations for the 2004/2005 season.  In partnership with Hockey Canada and its branch associations, Timex has teamed up with Wal-Mart to create a program that recognizes the dedicated men and women who best exemplify the spirit of community hockey.

Timex Community Coach of the Year is a grass roots initiative, which recognizes one coach from each community with a Wal-Mart store across Canada.  Minor hockey players and parents are encouraged to nominate the coach who they believe focuses on skill development, fair play and good sportsmanship, as well as those who ensure players learn to succeed at hockey and have fun.  Nominations can be made throughout the hockey season at www.hockeytime.ca.

“As a proud sponsor of Hockey Canada, we’re delighted to work with Wal-Mart in saluting the commitment and hard work of volunteer hockey coaches.  We believe that coaches play an important role in making community hockey possible in Canada,” says Leo Fournier, President, TIMEX CANADA.   “This is the third year of the program which continues to grow in scope and popularity.  We hope that even more coaches will be nominated this year.”

In total, more than 230  coaches will be recognized in the 2004/05 season.  Last year, more than 1,500  coaches were nominated in communities across Canada and over 200 were recognized as a Timex Community Coach.

At the end of the hockey season, each Timex Community Coach will receive a ‘Coach’s Kit’ from their local Wal-Mart Store Manager which includes helpful coaching tools such as a TIMEX stopwatch, skills and training DVDs, coaching board, and first aid kit.

About TIMEX Canada

In Canada, Timex has a proud history as a supporter of causes that reflect the company’s values.  These include support of cancer research, The Daily Bread Food Bank, Fashion Cares, numerous local charities and Canada’s world-class amateur athletes through sponsorship of Canada’s gold medal speed skating team, IRONMAN Canada and the TIMEX National Road Race Series.