Bill Johnson
Biography
Bill Johnson served as the head coach of the Canadian Senior Women’s National Team since 2009. He inherited the role of chief bench boss after serving as an assistant coach with the team for three seasons. Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach with the senior and junior men’s national teams.
Johnson is an innovative coach that combines excellent inter-personal skills with a strong technical background, making him as approachable as he is knowledgeable.
A native of Winnipeg, Johnson coached Team Canada to consecutive podium performances at the world championships, including a gold medal victory on home soil at the 2014 Women’s World Championship in Toronto and a bronze medal in 2010.
At the domestic level, Johnson has earned numerous accolades as the head coach of the Manitoba men’s and women’s provincial teams from the Manitoba Wheelchair Sports Association (MWSA), including three Merit Awards, two Coaching Recognition Awards for Exceptional Coaching Contribution, and two volunteer of the year awards.
In 2006-07, the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association named Johnson coach of the year, acknowledging his strong technical background and proven knack for planning and preparing for success.
Johnson was named the winner of the Peter Williamson Memorial Award at the 2012 Coaching Manitoba Excellence Awards, an award that honours coaches who work with high performance athletes that compete at the national or international level. He received the Stephan Dubuc Memorial Award for excellence in coaching from the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association in 2014.
Johnson has a kinesiology degree from the University of Winnipeg and is a NCCP Level 3 Certified Coach in both wheelchair and stand-up basketball. His brother Joey Johnson was a star player with the Canadian men’s national team, while his sister Mandy also coaches wheelchair basketball in Manitoba.
Interesting Facts
- Is the brother of former Team Canada player Joey Johnson
- Has represented Manitoba in wheelchair basketball at the Canada Games as both an athlete and a coach
Awards / Highlights
- Nominated for Coaching Manitoba Peter Williamson Memorial Award (2015)
- Received Stephan Dubuc Memorial Award for Excellence in Coaching from the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association (2014)
- Received Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award from Coaching Association of Canada (2014)
- Received the Peter Williamson Memorial Award at the Coaching Manitoba Excellence Awards (2012)
- Received Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
- Named Coach of the Year by the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association (2007)
Major International Competition
| Tournament |  |
 |
 |
Other |
| Head Coach | ||||
| Paralympic Games: 2 | – | – | – | 6th (’12), 5th (’16) |
| World Championships: 2 | 1 (’14) | – | 1 (’10) | – |
Competitive Experience
| Level | Team | Location | Year |
| International | Head Coach, Canada (SWNT) | Canada | 2009-2016 |
| International | Assistant Coach, Canada (SWNT) | Canada | 2006-2008 |
| International | Assistant Coach, Canada (JMNT) | Canada | 2005 |
| International | Assistant Coach, Canada (SMNT) | Canada | 2004 |
Career Notes
2016: 5th place at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 4th place at Women’s International Friendly in Lake Placid, United States (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 2nd place at Women’s International Friendly Tournament in Colorado Springs, United States (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at Toronto Challenge in Toronto, Canada (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
2015: 2nd place at Parapan American Games in Toronto, Canada(Head Coach, Team Canada)… 4th place at Osaka Cup in Osaka, Japan (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
2014: 1st place at the World Championship in Toronto, Ont. (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at Toronto Challenge in Toronto, Ont. (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
2013: 3rd place at Osaka Cup in Osaka, Japan (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
2012: 6th place at Paralympic Games in London, England (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 2nd place at Osaka Cup in Osaka, Japan (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at North American Cup in Birmingham, Alabama (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
2011: 2nd place at Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at 2011 Osaka Cup in Osaka, Japan (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 4th place at BT Paralympic Cup in Manchester, England (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
2010: 3rd place at the World Championship in Birmingham, England (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 1st place at 2010 BT Paralympic Cup in Manchester, England (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at Osaka Cup in Osaka, Japan (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
2009: 4th place at Invitational Tournament in Ottawa, Canada (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at Osaka Cup in Osaka, Japan (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
2008: 5th place at Paralympic Games in Beijing, China (Assistant Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at North American Cup in Birmingham, Alabama, United States (Assistant Coach, Team Canada)… 1st place at Good Luck Beijing Invitational Tournament in Beijing, China (Assistant, Coach Team Canada)…
2007: 2nd place at Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Assistant Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at 4 Nations Tournament in Sydney, Australia (Assistant Coach, Team Canada)… 1st place at Osaka Cup in Osaka, Japan (Assistant Coach, Team Canada)… 2nd place at National Championships with Team Manitoba in Winnipeg, Man. (Head Coach, domestic)… 5th place at Canada Games with Team Manitoba in Whitehorse, Yukon (Head Coach, domestic)… Named Coach of the Year by the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association…
2006: 1st place at the World Championship in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Assistant Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at Roosevelt Cup Tournament in Warm Springs, Georgia, United States (Assistant Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at National Championship with Team Manitoba in Kitchener, Ont. (Head Coach, domestic)…
2005: 6th place at Men’s U23 World Championship in Birmingham, England (Assistant Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at National Championships with Team Manitoba in Edmonton, Atla. (Head Coach, domestic)…
2004: 1st place at Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece (Manager, Team Canada)… 2nd place at National Championship with Team Manitoba in Vancouver, B.C. (Coach, Athlete, domestic)…
2003: 5th place at Canada Games with Team Manitoba in Bathurst-Campbellton, N.B. (Head Coach, domestic)… 1st place at CWBL Open Finals with the Winnipeg Thunder in Winnipeg, Man. (domestic)…
2002: 1st place at CWBL Open Finals with the Winnipeg Thunder in Winnipeg, Man. (domestic)…
2001: 1st place at Men’s U23 World Championship in Blumenau, Brazil (Manager, Team Canada)… 3rd place at National Championship with Team Manitoba in Toronto, Ont. (Coach, Athlete, domestic)…
1995: 5th place at Canada Games with Team Manitoba in Grande Prairie, Alta. (Athlete, domestic)…