Tim Frick
Biography
Tim Frick is widely recognized as one of the world’s greatest wheelchair basketball coaches of all-time.
He served as head coach of the Canadian Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team from 1990-2009. Renowned for his coaching strategies both on and off the court, including his focus on mental preparation and sport science, Frick’s tutelage solidified Team Canada as one of the most dominant teams in the history of Canadian amateur sports.
He led Canada to an astounding decade-long undefeated streak in major international competition, including an unprecedented three consecutive Paralympic gold medals (1992, 1996, 2000) and four consecutive World Championship titles (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006).
Frick was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (2014), The Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame (2013), and the Wheelchair Basketball Canada Hall of Fame (2012), in recognition of his distinguished career and addiding to an extensive list of accolades.
Frick is a seven-time recipient of the Coaching Excellence Award for his efforts in helping Canada to podium finishes in major international competitions, as well as a recipient of the Coaching Association of Canada’s Geoff Gowan Award, Coaches of Canada Jack Donohue Award and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal.
Frick’s legacy extends beyond the medal count, as he continues to make significant contributions to the sport community through coach development. He is a respected mentor who strives to create greater opportunity for fellow coaches to gain valuable technical experience. He is actively involved in the implementation of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and spearheads clinics and training sessions designed to develop the next generation of great coaches.
To learn more about Tim, follow him on Twitter: @CoachFrick
Interesting Facts
- Terry Fox’s coach for wheelchair volleyball and track and field (1977-1980)
- Rick Hansen’s coach during his track/road racing career (including a portion of the Man in Motion tour), and in wheelchair volleyball (1977-1984)
Awards / Highlights
- Appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada
- Inducted into B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, 2017
- Inducted into Canadian Disability Hall of Fame, 2016
- Inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, 2014
- Recipient of the Coaching Association of Canada’s NCCP Community Coach Developer Award, 2013
- Inducted into Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame, 2013
- Inducted Into Basketball BC Hall of Fame, 2013
- Recipient of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2013
- Inducted into the Wheelchair Basketball Canada Hall of Fame, Class of 2012
- Tim Frick Paralympic Coach Excellence Award created, 2010
- Seven-time recipient of the Coaching Association of Canada’s Coaching Excellence Award 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2006
- Recipient of the Coaching Association of Canada’s Geoff Gowan Lifetime Achievement Award, 2009
- Recipient of the Coaching Association of Canada’s Jack Donohue Coach of the Year Award, 2008
- Nominated for the Canadian Sport Awards TrueSport Coach of the Year award, 2007
- Inducted into Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame (Team) – 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2007
- Two-time recipient of the British Columbia Wheelchair Basketball Society’s Coach of the Year Award – 2002, 2006
- Recipient of Canadian Wheelchair Sport Association’s Stéphan Dubuc Memorial Award, 2006
- Recipient of the Promotion Plus Leadership Award, 2003
- Recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, 2002
- Recipient of 3M Canada’s Male Coach of the Year Award, 2001
- Recipient of International Wheelchair Sports’ Coach of the Year Award, 2000
- Recipient of British Columbia Wheelchair Sports Association’s Coach of the Millennium Award, 2000
- Recipient of the Order of British Columbia Medal, 1999
- Recipient of Sport BC’s Coach of the Year Award, 1998
- Recipient of the Canada 125 Medal, 1992
Major International Competition
| Tournament | [medal, rank=1 size=’small’] | [medal, rank=2 size=’small’] | [medal, rank=3 size=’small’] | Other |
| Head Coach | ||||
| Paralympic Games: 5 | 3 (’92, ’96, ’00) | – | 1 (’04) | 1 (’08) |
| World Championships: 5 | 4 (’94, ’98, ’02, ’06) | – | 1 (’90) | – |
Competitive Experience
| Level | Team | Location | Year |
| International | Head Coach, Team Canada (Sr. Women) | Canada | 1990-2009 |
| Club (domestic) | Head Coach, BC Breakers | British Columbia (Canada) | |
| Club (domestic) | Head Coach, Douglas College Royals | British Columbia (Canada) | |
| Club (domestic) | Assistant Coach, Team BC | British Columbia (Canada) |
Career Notes
2008: 5th place at Paralympic Games in Beijing, China (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at North American Cup in Birmingham, Alabama (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 1st place at Good Luck Beijing Invitational Tournament in Beijing, China (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
2007: 2nd place at Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at 4 Nations Tournament in Sydney, Australia (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 1st place at Osaka Cup in Osaka, Japan (Head Coach Team Canada)… 3rd place at Women’s CWBL National Championships with BC Breakers in Winnipeg, MB (Head Coach, domestic)…
2006: 1st place at World Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at Roosevelt Cup Tournament in Warm Springs, Georgia (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 2nd place at Women’s CWBL National Championships with BC Breakers in Kitchener, ON (Head Coach, domestic)…
2005: 2nd place at the Qualifications of Americas Tournament in Colorado Springs, Colorado (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
2004: 3rd place at Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at Women’s CWBL National Championships with BC Breakers in Vancouver, BC (Head Coach, domestic)…
2002: 1st place at World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 2nd place at the Qualifications of Americas Tournament in Vitoria, Brazil (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
2000: 1st place at Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
1999: 1st place at Qualification of Americas Tournament in Mexico City, Mexico (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at Women’s CWBL National Championships with BC Breakers in Calgary, AB (Head Coach, domestic)…
1998: 1st place at World Championships in Sydney, Australia (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 1st place at Qualification of Americas Tournament in Winnipeg, MB (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 2nd place at Women’s CWBL National Championships with BC Breakers in Winnipeg, MB (Head Coach, domestic)…
1997: 2nd place at Women’s CWBL National Championships with BC Breakers in Vancouver, BC (Head Coach, domestic)… 1st place at CWBL Open Finals with Douglas College Royals (Head Coach, domestic)…
1996: 1st place at Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia (Head Coach, Team Canada)… 3rd place at Women’s CWBL National Championships with BC Breakers in Montreal, QC (Assistant Coach, domestic)… 2nd place at Men’s CWBL National Championships with Team BC in Montreal, QC (Assistant Coach, domestic)… 1st place at CWBL Open Finals with Douglas College Royals (Head Coach, domestic)…
1994: 1st place at World Championships in Stoke Mandeville, England (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
1992: 1st place at Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Spain (Head Coach, Team Canada)…
1991: 1st place at Stoke Mandeville World Games in Stoke Mandeville, England (Head Coach, Team Canada)
1990: 3rd place at World Championships in Saint-Étienne, France (Head Coach, Team Canada)