Long-time Moose Jaw curling coach Merv Fonger can add another accolade to his list. 

He was recently presented with the National Coaching Certification Program 2020 Community Development Award. Fonger was nominated for the award by Pat Simmons and CurlSask. 

Fonger explained a little bit about the award. 

“It almost seems like a service award for the years of coaching coaches and pass on what you know and trying to get other people involved in the coaching process," Fonger said.  

“The NCCP programs that cover all sports, when you play a certain level, or in certain competitions, you have to have certification.” 

Fonger started coaching at the high school level in 1988 at Peacock when he said he was given the option to either sell drama production tickets or coach curling. He would go on to coach Peacock to four provincial medals, including two gold medals. 

He coached teams at the Canadian University Championships six times. He could three teams at the Canadian Junior Championships, coming away with a silver medal in 1993. 

In 2004, he began coaching the Amber Holland rink. Under his coach, that team would win the Scotties Tournament of Hearts national title in 2011 and a silver medal at the World Championship. 

Fonger has also served as the head instructor at the World Curling Federation Clinic and was inducted into the Moose Jaw Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.