Dream job finally comes to Toth
Aug. 12, 2008 - Regina Leader-Post
By Tim Switzer
Jeff Toth's family vacation couldn't have come at a better time. He isn't likely to get much more time off until next August.
On Monday, the day his holiday came to an end, Toth was officially named to Canada's coaching staff at Paralympic Games beginning Sept. 6 in Beijing.
It is the first major international appointment for the head coach of the Regina Optimist Dolphins and University of Regina Cougars. The Canadian squad also includes Dolphins swimmer Jacqueline Rennebohm.
"It's not so much nerves that come because I've been working toward this and wanting this for so many years," Toth said from North Battleford as he and his family were driving back to Regina from Edmonton. "When it happens, it's the relief of the anticipation. It feels good, but at the same time you're still wondering if you're truly prepared. You spend this many years thinking about it that if you just let it happen, you'll be fine. If you over think it, then you screw yourself up."
Toth was first offered the position two weeks ago while with the Dolphins at age-group nationals in Calgary.
"It came as a huge shock when I got a call from one of my assistant coaches telling me I had to urgently call Craig McCord (Canada's head coach)," Toth said with a chuckle. "Jacqueline was at a training camp at the time and I thought she had hurt herself. But then (McCord) asked me if I was interested. I was a little dumbfounded.
"I got on the phone with my wife (Sara) and asked her what she thought and she said, "Duh, of course you're going to go.' It wasn't exactly an opportunity you'd say no to."
Toth and Vancouver's Chad Webb were added to the team after Canada was given an extra accreditation for the Games and after a spot opened up when Victoria-based coach Ron Jacks fell ill.
Toth's motor has been running ever since he got the call. After a 10-day holiday spent in Halifax and Alberta, Toth is back to work with the Dolphins Tuesday to oversee 10 days of training before the Paralympic team departs for an Osaka, Japan, training camp on Aug. 21. From there it is on the Beijing, where swimming events take place from Sept. 7-15.
Then it's back to Regina to start another season with the Dolphins and Cougars.
"There's so many little things that have to be taken care of to make going easy, that it doesn't sink in," said Toth. "There's still so many questions that need to be answered. I haven't seen my e-mail in 10 days so I only have my flight schedule so far. I don't even know what my assignment will be (at the Games.)"
But for Toth, the extra time and a little confusion are entirely worth it.
"The club as a whole benefits from this type of exposure," said Toth. "Everybody gets something out of it."
NOTE: RODS swimmer Scott McGillivray won bronze medals in the 4x100-metre freestyle and 4x100m medley relays (11-12 boys division) over the weekend at the North American Challenge Cup in Edmonton. McGillivray also finished fourth in the 100m butterfly, fifth in the 100m freestyle, seventh in the 50m freestyle, ninth in the 200m freestyle, 11th in the 400m freestyle, 11th in the 200m butterfly and 22nd in the 200m individual medley.